Start and End Times Change

Budget cuts impact school start and end times and bus routes

The start and end times for some schools will change slightly for the 2010-11 school year.  These changes will result in cost savings because fewer bus routes will need to be scheduled, and will eventually result in fewer buses being purchased by PSD.  Watch for the start and end times for schools to be promoted by your school and on the PSD and school web sites prior to the start of school. 

It is anticipated that the adjustments to the start and end times and moving to the “arterial bussing system,” explained below, will save approximately $325-350,000 next year. 

PSD transportation department will change student bus stops for the 2010-11 school year that will primarily affect students living in high density residential areas where current bus stops are within two to three tenths (.2-.3) of a mile apart. Changes are being implemented to reduce ride time for students and to decrease the number of bus routes and costs for bussing district wide.

Next year, students will have to walk farther to catch the bus to reduce bussing costs district wide.

PSD will use an “arterial bussing system,” meaning busses will travel through major “arteries” or streets and make fewer individual stops in neighborhoods.

Following are changes that will impact students and families:

• Students may have to walk up to .5 miles to meet the bus next year, and bus stops will be on more central roadways (this change only impacts walk distances to bus stops, not the walk distance to schools).
• Routers and safety and training department staff will work on determining new bus stop locations. They will be announced in August.
• Changes will further limit transportation’s ability to provide space available and alternative transportation options for PSD families.
• As a result, bus rides may be shorter. 
• Student safety will continue to be a priority.
• Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that includes transportation as a related service are evaluated on an individual basis and this change may not apply.

Benefits to the transportation department & PSD overall:

• It is estimated that transportation could potentially cut 17-20 busses with these changes.  Each bus costs approximately $21,500 in labor and benefits for a 5.75 hour route, plus the cost of the bus and maintenance.
• Changes will reduce bus maintenance and fuel costs.
• Changes will allow transportation to pick up more students in less time. 
• It is possible that busses will be able to service three schools in the morning, to realize even greater savings.  Currently, several busses serve only one school; most serve two.
• PSD Support Services must reduce costs up to 10% for 2010-11 as a part of the $12 million dollar K-12 reduction.  We anticipate moving to an arterial bussing system will save approximately $150-200,000 of the total estimated transportation department cuts of $665,000. Other districts are exploring and implementing options similar to this.

Tips and safety suggestions for students and families

Students and families may consider implementing some of the following suggestions to help keep students safe:

• Use the “buddy system” when walking to the bus stop (students should walk with a friend or several friends).Parents may want to rotate weeks walking students to the bus stop.
• Visit the City of Fort Collins Safe Routes to School Web site (http://www.fcgov.com/saferoutes/) to learn more about traveling to and from school safely.

If you have questions about arterial bussing, please contact the transportation department at 490-3155 or transportation@psdschools.org