Superintendent Transportation Update, Sept. 20, 2023

September 20th, 2023

The following is adapted from a message sent by HCPSS Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023:

I want to thank all of you as we implemented changes to school start times today. You have been phenomenal partners throughout this school year as we have dealt with our transportation challenges, and I want you to know that I appreciate you.

Today was our third consecutive day of all 500+ bus routes being covered, and the adjustments to school and bus times resulted in significant improvements. Compared to yesterday, our morning bus arrival data showed significant improvement with Tier 1 schools going from 83% of buses arriving on time to 93%, Tier 2 schools from 80% to 96% on time, and Tier 3 schools from 76% to 98% on time.

There also was significant progress in the afternoon, when we had been seeing significant delays, particularly for students in Tier 3 schools. Today, with the changes in school and bus times, 93% of buses arrived at their Tier 3 school on time and 90% completed their routes on time. This is a stark improvement compared to the last several days when only 38% of Tier 3 buses arrived at school on time and 25% of students arrived home on time.

It is certainly not perfect, and our work is far from being done, but I am encouraged by the progress we made today and very pleased with the direction we are heading. As we remind families each year, please be sure your child is at their bus stop five minutes before their scheduled pickup time. You may have seen that a new form was launched today for students and families to report transportation concerns to the HCPSS Office of Student Transportation. This resource will help streamline efforts at receiving and responding to concerns, as well as tracking positive feedback.

Finally, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our school staff who took time today to celebrate bus drivers. I received reports of staff around the county celebrating the efforts of our wonderful drivers—from a simple “thank you” to baked treats and loud cheering. This kindness is heartwarming, and I share in the appreciation for our phenomenal bus drivers.