Buses -Arlington open on time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wtf arlington? Kids got there fine today but tomorrow is going to be a problem???

Hey, I am guessing you're not a scientist/engineering type. Temps are lower tomorrow morning and that makes it harder for the fleet of buses to all start. For example, today in Virginia Beach area, over 70 buses had mechanical issues due to the snow. This gives APS time to troubleshoot and send in alternate buses if there are issues.

[Anonymous]

^ oops not snow, cold temps. Diesel fuel gels when temperatures fall below 10 to 15 degrees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:shoulda been a delay, it's icy out there!

It’s only icy where residents don’t clear their sidewalks properly which is so many able bodied people it’s embarrassing and it’s already been like that for a while now.

yes but that's a lot of sidewalks, including most of the way to my kid's busstop

Unfortunately, that's something the county needs to take care of. You can't keep canceling schools b/c of homeowners. The country has a report tool. Every neighborhood has NextDoor. Have your people go out and shovel as a team. If you have scouts or older teens, sign off on it as volunteer work. People don't have to throw up their hands and say there is nothing that can be done.

Well, I did report, thank you very much. Nothing happened, so I reported again. The county finally came out after about a week, but they didn't do anything. I actually went over to shovel myself (even though I should not have to) but by the time I realized the homeowners were not going to, the snow was so compacted into a sheet of ice that I could not make a dent in it.

So what else do you think I should do PP?

The county should do this so the kids can walk safely to schools and bus stops
As a north easterner, someone would probably put some sand or cat litter on really icy spots. You don't bother trying to shovel ice and it's too cold right now for salt to work.

There is a really icy stretch along Langston Blvd across the street from DHMS that doesn't appear to belong to anyone obvious. It would be really great if the county treated it because it's used by gobs of students.

The County should definitely treat that spot, but TBH, if my kid went to DHMS, I would take the 30-45 minutes to take care of it myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:shoulda been a delay, it's icy out there!

It’s only icy where residents don’t clear their sidewalks properly which is so many able bodied people it’s embarrassing and it’s already been like that for a while now.

yes but that's a lot of sidewalks, including most of the way to my kid's busstop

Unfortunately, that's something the county needs to take care of. You can't keep canceling schools b/c of homeowners. The country has a report tool. Every neighborhood has NextDoor. Have your people go out and shovel as a team. If you have scouts or older teens, sign off on it as volunteer work. People don't have to throw up their hands and say there is nothing that can be done.

The county should enforce the ordinance and I am not shoveling people’s sidewalks for them. I am capable of walking around their section of the sidewalk and so are my kids. It’s slower going but it’s fine.

great for you but doesn't quite work for a stroller

You realize you're on a thread about school aged kids getting to school right? Sorry your stroller can't pass though that sucks.

You realize some families have more than one kid? Which can include a younger one in a stroller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:shoulda been a delay, it's icy out there!

It’s only icy where residents don’t clear their sidewalks properly which is so many able bodied people it’s embarrassing and it’s already been like that for a while now.

yes but that's a lot of sidewalks, including most of the way to my kid's busstop

Unfortunately, that's something the county needs to take care of. You can't keep canceling schools b/c of homeowners. The country has a report tool. Every neighborhood has NextDoor. Have your people go out and shovel as a team. If you have scouts or older teens, sign off on it as volunteer work. People don't have to throw up their hands and say there is nothing that can be done.

Well, I did report, thank you very much. Nothing happened, so I reported again. The county finally came out after about a week, but they didn't do anything. I actually went over to shovel myself (even though I should not have to) but by the time I realized the homeowners were not going to, the snow was so compacted into a sheet of ice that I could not make a dent in it.

So what else do you think I should do PP?

As a north easterner, someone would probably put some sand or cat litter on really icy spots. You don't bother trying to shovel ice and it's too cold right now for salt to work.

There is a really icy stretch along Langston Blvd across the street from DHMS that doesn't appear to belong to anyone obvious. It would be really great if the county treated it because it's used by gobs of students.

I was responded to the PP who told me I should get out there and shovel myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wtf arlington? Kids got there fine today but tomorrow is going to be a problem???

Hey, I am guessing you're not a scientist/engineering type. Temps are lower tomorrow morning and that makes it harder for the fleet of buses to all start. For example, today in Virginia Beach area, over 70 buses had mechanical issues due to the snow. This gives APS time to troubleshoot and send in alternate buses if there are issues.

Did the APS buses all start this morning? Were there problems?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wtf arlington? Kids got there fine today but tomorrow is going to be a problem???

Hey, I am guessing you're not a scientist/engineering type. Temps are lower tomorrow morning and that makes it harder for the fleet of buses to all start. For example, today in Virginia Beach area, over 70 buses had mechanical issues due to the snow. This gives APS time to troubleshoot and send in alternate buses if there are issues.

Did the APS buses all start this morning? Were there problems?

We're at an early start school, and our bus showed up before 7am. In fairness, I don't know about the other busses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wtf arlington? Kids got there fine today but tomorrow is going to be a problem???

Hey, I am guessing you're not a scientist/engineering type. Temps are lower tomorrow morning and that makes it harder for the fleet of buses to all start. For example, today in Virginia Beach area, over 70 buses had mechanical issues due to the snow. This gives APS time to troubleshoot and send in alternate buses if there are issues.

There are engine block heaters, there are additives for diesel. How did the schools in Buffalo ever have a bus start?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wtf arlington? Kids got there fine today but tomorrow is going to be a problem???

Hey, I am guessing you're not a scientist/engineering type. Temps are lower tomorrow morning and that makes it harder for the fleet of buses to all start. For example, today in Virginia Beach area, over 70 buses had mechanical issues due to the snow. This gives APS time to troubleshoot and send in alternate buses if there are issues.

Did the APS buses all start this morning? Were there problems?

Tomorrow morning is going to be colder and at the temperature point in which they need extra time to warm the buses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wtf arlington? Kids got there fine today but tomorrow is going to be a problem???

Hey, I am guessing you're not a scientist/engineering type. Temps are lower tomorrow morning and that makes it harder for the fleet of buses to all start. For example, today in Virginia Beach area, over 70 buses had mechanical issues due to the snow. This gives APS time to troubleshoot and send in alternate buses if there are issues.

There are engine block heaters, there are additives for diesel. How did the schools in Buffalo ever have a bus start?

Part of the risk management process is determining the circumstances and probability in which certain things will happen leading to budget/investment decisions. We rarely have temperatures this slow. We’ve had maybe five delayed starts in the past five years based on cold temperatures, not related to ice or snow. Do you think investing in all of that equipment/storage of additives and heater box is worth the investment?

[Anonymous]

This had nothing to do with buses. It was because the district received a lot of complaints from teachers and principals about not having a delay because Fairfax had a delay. Thus, now we have a delay.

Stop blaming the buses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This had nothing to do with buses. It was because the district received a lot of complaints from teachers and principals about not having a delay because Fairfax had a delay. Thus, now we have a delay.

Stop blaming the buses.

ETA: I will add. My kids go to two early start schools and there was zero issues with the buses at either. Buses were fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This had nothing to do with buses. It was because the district received a lot of complaints from teachers and principals about not having a delay because Fairfax had a delay. Thus, now we have a delay.

Stop blaming the buses.

ETA: I will add. My kids go to two early start schools and there was zero issues with the buses at either. Buses were fine.

I think you’d be surprised at how many parents also complain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This had nothing to do with buses. It was because the district received a lot of complaints from teachers and principals about not having a delay because Fairfax had a delay. Thus, now we have a delay.

Stop blaming the buses.

ETA: I will add. My kids go to two early start schools and there was zero issues with the buses at either. Buses were fine.

I think you’d be surprised at how many parents also complain.

Oh yes, I am sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:shoulda been a delay, it's icy out there!

It’s only icy where residents don’t clear their sidewalks properly which is so many able bodied people it’s embarrassing and it’s already been like that for a while now.

yes but that's a lot of sidewalks, including most of the way to my kid's busstop

Unfortunately, that's something the county needs to take care of. You can't keep canceling schools b/c of homeowners. The country has a report tool. Every neighborhood has NextDoor. Have your people go out and shovel as a team. If you have scouts or older teens, sign off on it as volunteer work. People don't have to throw up their hands and say there is nothing that can be done.

Well, I did report, thank you very much. Nothing happened, so I reported again. The county finally came out after about a week, but they didn't do anything. I actually went over to shovel myself (even though I should not have to) but by the time I realized the homeowners were not going to, the snow was so compacted into a sheet of ice that I could not make a dent in it.

So what else do you think I should do PP?

The county should do this so the kids can walk safely to schools and bus stops
As a north easterner, someone would probably put some sand or cat litter on really icy spots. You don't bother trying to shovel ice and it's too cold right now for salt to work.

There is a really icy stretch along Langston Blvd across the street from DHMS that doesn't appear to belong to anyone obvious. It would be really great if the county treated it because it's used by gobs of students.

The County should definitely treat that spot, but TBH, if my kid went to DHMS, I would take the 30-45 minutes to take care of it myself.

Right! We have to look for solutions, not just complain.