Transportation Update

Suffolk Public SchoolsKevin Alston / Lonnie Reavis

Transportation Update Number of routes extended and how long due to not being able

to cross certain bridges in southern area. Some Bridge weight limits were changed allowing more buses to crossThrough routing software, routes were developed that did not require

added mileage or time Policy/practice as to bus parking and why.

Policy – cannot park outside the city limitsOrdinances and Homeowner association restrictions prevent some

drivers from parking at home.Practice – park as many buses on school property as possible

oLimited parking in congested areas and due to lack of space (ex. Southwestern, Elephant’s Fork, John F. Kennedy, etc.)

Transportation Update

Bus Driver EducationTwo mandatory in-services/meetings per yearRefresher course offered each summer to anyone

interestedWhere the Rubber Meets the Road objectives

incorporated into the mandatory meetingsSchools have had drivers complete modules from

Safe SchoolsDrivers who have had problems have been assigned

extra sessions with the training department

Transportation Update Wide buses on narrow city streets

All regular and special education buses are the same widtho By state code 15 passenger vans cannot be used to transport students o Mini-vans can be used, but only carry six passengers requiring a new

fleet and additional drivers Students could be required to walk to a major thoroughfare,

eliminating the need to go down narrow streetso Presently Suffolk Public Schools allows elementary students to walk

up to 1/5 mile and secondary students to walk up to ½ mile to the bus stop

o State code allows for elementary students to walk up to 1 mile and secondary students to walk up to 1½ miles to the bus stop

Transportation Update Cell phones

Cell phone usage by bus drivers was addressed during the first bus driver mandatory in-service/meetingoDrivers were reminded that using a cell phone while operating a

school bus is illegaloDrivers were also reminded that the first offense for violating the

cell phone policy could lead to a recommendation for terminationIn addition to signing that they were present at the in-

service/meeting, drivers were also required to sign for a copy of state law related to the use of cell phones by school bus drivers.

Current School Bell Schedule High Schools 7:40-2:15 (7:20 arrival ) Middle Schools 7:40-2:15 (7:20 arrival) Elementary/TW 9:00-3:15 (8:30 arrival) Needed Buses – 168 (142 reg./26 sped) Concerns:

Difficulty in covering runs for absent drivers Middle School Students in sports/activities at the HS (arriving late)Traffic problems at KFHS and KFMSSpecial transportation needed for middle school students taking high

school coursesDouble runs needed at middle and high schools to complete driver

contracts

Staggered School Bell Schedules Proposal for 3 to 4 Starting Times

Needed Buses - Possibly 139 (121 regular/18 Special Education)* Actual bus numbers cannot be determined until the routes are run Most drivers would have two runs. Some drivers may have three runs

dependent on the length of the run.

Benefits:Eliminating double runs at the High and Middle Schools.Reduced special “shuttles” from Middle Schools to High Schools for

middle school students taking high school courses.Reduce the driver layover/down time between runs.Eliminates traffic problems at KFHS and KFMSEasier to cover runs when drivers call out sick.Potential savings in salary and benefits.

Sample Elementary Split

“A” Time Driver, Florence Bowser, Northern Shores,

Elephant’s Fork, Mack Benn, Kilby Shores

“B” Time Nansemond Parkway, Creekside, Hillpoint,

Oakland, Booker T. Washington, Southwestern

“Bus Boss” System

New bus routing program.• Allows multiple users to view, modify and retrieve information.• Allows multiple scenarios to be run without affecting current routes.• Will interact with eSchool Plus and GPS units installed on school buses.

“Bus Boss” System

• Handles Special Needs routing and multiple transfers (different am/pm pick up and drop off points).• iBusBoss- web access that can be used so parents can receive transportation information concerning their child’s route.

Bus Boss

Everyday Solutions GPS

• A GPS module is installed on every school bus.• “Live” and historical tracking of buses.• Once complete, BusBoss will communicate with GPS and information will be available for administrators, parents and transportation staff to see where buses are and anticipated arrival times to bus stops.

BTW Route 1

Speed of School Bus

Stop Time

Questions