Monday is the first day of school in Hillsborough County, and parents may call a school transportation hot line if they don't know where their children will catch the bus.
The hot line will be open until 8 tonight. It also will handle calls from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, school district spokesman Steve Hegarty said. The number is (813) 982-5500.
Schools should have the lists of bus stops Friday, he said.
As of Wednesday, thousands of families had not received written notice on bus stops. The district blamed a power outage and the large number of changes in bus stops.
In 2007-08, the district started reorganizing its transportation department to cut down on late buses and a chronic need for drivers.
The plan includes placing bus stops farther apart and eliminating most courtesy riders - students who live less than two miles from their schools.
This year, the district also has limits on taking students to some parks and recreation centers after school. The destinations must be within a school's enrollment boundary.
Those changes started in Area 5 in south Hillsborough last year and are in place for areas 1, 2 and 4 this school year. That includes West Tampa, northwest Hillsborough and the area around Chamberlain and Hillsborough high schools.
Parents may submit questions and concerns at the district Web site, www.sdhc.k12.fl.us. Click on the link for "Review of Student Eligibility Form" under the yellow school bus on the home page.
A reply may take 24 hours or more.
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