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Experience To Steer Ongoing Change Of School Bus Routes

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 19, 2008

VALRICO - Lessons learned when school bus routes were changed to save money and time in east Hillsborough County last year will help the school district avoid pitfalls as the changes are implemented this year in other parts of the county, the head of school district transportation said.

The changes in District 5, to trim costs and make the system more efficient, included fewer bus stops; longer gaps between stops; more stops at intersections and fewer in the middle of blocks; and no fewer than two or more than 20 students assigned per stop.

John Franklin, general manager of transportation for the district, said lessons learned last year will help as changes are made in northwest Tampa, Westchase, Carrollwood and Citrus Park. For example, the process has been condensed so parents' complaints can be reviewed in about five days, he said.

In addition, those plotting bus routes now know to involve bus drivers.

"This is something I learned from the issue at South Oak," Franklin said. "The drivers have a deep level of knowledge about the streets, hazards for students at bus stops, intersections and traffic congestion patterns."

Liz Bleau

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