Newsroom

YCSD Transportation Review

As we approach the start of another school year, I am writing to provide an update on the division’s ongoing efforts to improve our student transportation system. As I shared in a communication to parents in May, the division has conducted a program review to provide recommendations to the School Board.

We held multiple sessions to gain feedback and insight from our drivers, transportation staff, school administrators, and parents throughout the summer. The concerns consistently raised throughout these meetings included double routing, route time consistency, communication, and employee compensation.

Earlier this week, Bill Bowen, the division’s chief financial officer, and I provided the School Board with an update on the steps the division has taken to improve services during the 2018-19 school year. Multiple measures are now in place to reduce the potential for double routing and improve route time consistency: several bus routes have been consolidated reducing the total number of routes, new field trip assignment procedures have been established and two substitute drivers will be available each day to cover routes as needed.

To improve communications between the transportation department, schools and our families, we have adjusted the staffing and duties within the transportation department. Staff have also taken steps to improve the accuracy of information in the My Stop app which enables notifications as well as tracking services for school bus riders. Parents and students are encouraged to download and use the My Stop app which allows users to check the estimated time of arrival of the assigned bus, as well as view the actual bus route including where the school bus is located, while it is on its route. To ensure the best possible results from the app, users should log out after use both in the morning and in the afternoon.

Finally, I am pleased to share that the School Board approved an increase in pay for bus drivers and bus assistants, as well as an increase in the attendance and recruiting bonuses for employees. We will continue our efforts to recruit drivers so that we have adequate staffing to cover daily bus routes as well as field trips and extra-curricular programs.

While these are the first steps taken to improve services this year, we will continue to evaluate our services through monthly advisory meetings and regular route reviews.

We welcome you back to another school year and thank you for your continued support of the York County School Division.

Sincerely,
Carl James, Ed.D.
Chief Operations Officer