MARTIN COUNTY, Fla, (CBS12) — Today is the day parents and students have been waiting all summer for — it’s back to school day!
And this year, Martin County students will have fewer bus routes this school year. The school board voted to cut three routes — a move expected to save the district $255,000 a year.
The district is reducing its bus routes from 58 to 55.
But some employees are raising concerns about what that could mean for already-crowded buses. Superintendent Michael Maine says they aren’t eliminating any stops and every bus will continue to operate within its legal capacity.
Maine says the district is “right-sizing” its transportation system, combining underused routes serving the same areas. He says it doesn’t make sense to have 16 or 20 students on a 77-passenger bus.
According to Maine, some routes may take a little longer, but drivers will be paid for any additional time they work.
“None of the buses are going to be over capacity. We have laws that we have to follow. All of our buses have seatbelts, so, depending on the age, students have to be buckled up. We’re never going to run a transportation route or a bus that’s over capacity,” said Superintedent Maine.
While bus stops aren’t changing, some students may see a different bus number this year.
Maine says families should expect the usual first-week delays as drivers settle into their new routes. Parents can check your child’s bus assignment in the focus parent portal or track their bus in real time using the MyReaxium app.