Ridiculous bus ride!

[Anonymous]

My 6-year old was accepted into a MCPS magnet program about 8 miles from our home. Initially we were informed the bus would pick him up at 8:30 and then get him to school at 9:00. That sounded reasonable to us. Today we were informed that they added new stops and the pickup will now be 7:45 and he will still arrive at 9:00. Anyone else in this situation? Who should I call to complain?

[Anonymous]

Is this Rock Creek Forest?

[Anonymous]

No difference what school is the end point....each magnet bus goes to many different schools. I am wondering if this is a typical ride or out of the ordinary and what I can do about it.

[Anonymous]

Don't bother. They aren't going to reroute the bus to the center of the universe.

[Anonymous]

I am going to bother...that is what I am looking for some productive advice.

[Anonymous]

The end point does matter because that determines who your contact is with the MCPS transportation department. You need to call and email them to complain. Yes, your child's bus ride does seem excessive to me.

[Anonymous]

It is an unfortunately long trip, but trips of similar length (and even longer) are listed on the bus schedule at my kid's school. My understanding is that bus route have been redrawn this year to save money. As such, I think any attempt to change your situation will be met with a great deal of resistance.

Pack a book?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 6-year old was accepted into a MCPS magnet program about 8 miles from our home. Initially we were informed the bus would pick him up at 8:30 and then get him to school at 9:00. That sounded reasonable to us. Today we were informed that they added new stops and the pickup will now be 7:45 and he will still arrive at 9:00. Anyone else in this situation? Who should I call to complain?

The bus depot. You need know the bus number for your six-year-old's bus. Then go here:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/contact/supervisors.aspx

But keep in mind that they have about 1,200 buses to transport over 100,000 students per day. If I were you, I would ask why the bus situation has changed and whether there are any other bus options you could use. I would not tell them it's ridiculous. They already know it's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you can bring him to another stop which is not much farther away that picks up later? I do think a 45 minute change at the last minute is a big change.

[Anonymous]

Drive him to school yourself.

[Anonymous]

Drive him yourself or have him go to the local school.

[Anonymous]

This is just a fact of life for magnets. They will remind you, if you complain, that immersion transportation is not guaranteed. 8 miles is pretty far for a bus commute and it's not surprising it will take that long.


Just drive him if you can.

[Anonymous]

I agree this is long and inconvenient. For some perspective however, here's our situation. One of my twins goes tO a magnet like yours. Her bus is supposed to be about 55 minutes. Not great, but goes with the territory of a magnet. Buther sister, at the home school in the neighborhood, takes 55-60 minutes in the afternoon to get home!! They changed the route and made it a winding, long convoluted route. Weird. Life in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

My child's ride is only 9 minutes in the am. If my child were to take the bus home, she would be required to switch buses at another elementary school (after waiting for that school to be dismissed) and it would be over an hour before arriving to our central bus stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Drive him yourself or have him go to the local school.

This. What do you expect?