School buses are tardy
Published on September 15th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - "I think it's working well, but it just needs some fine tuning," School Committee member Steve Gucciardi said about the pay-to-ride busing system Stoneham schools are using this year.
"Today (Thursday) was the first day all the buses got to school on time," said Business Manager Don Simpson.
Parent Jill Kennedy told the committee she was considering taking her kids off the bus. And she wanted to know about refunds.
Parents pay $195 for round-trip service for one child and $100 for each additional child, or $100 for one-way service for the first child and $50 for each additional child.
"I thought we were only going to give refunds on a prorated basis," Gucciardi said.
"I told them if they are dissatisfied with the busing service, they could get a full refund," Simpson said.
Superintendent Joe Connelly asked the School Committee if they wanted to add a fifth bus to alleviate the problems.
With four buses school officials can expect to receive a maximum surplus of $15,815 for busing, Connelly said. With five buses Connelly estimates a minimum deficit of $14,605.
"The problem is we have increased our ridership this year and have one less bus," he said.
Over 500 children have signed up for busing, each bus does two routes, and some of the routes have over 25 stops. Last year an average of around 300 students road a fleet of five buses each day.
"Some kids are getting home as late as 4 p.m.," Kennedy said.
The committee voted 3-2 not to add a bus and to give parents only until Sept. 20 to withdraw students for a full refund. (After Sept. 20 prorated refunds will be given.)
"I think they need more time," Marie Christie said. She and Craigie voted against the Sept. 20 cut-off.
But Gucciardi, Mary Carey and Mary Pecoraro agreed two weeks was enough time to give parents to decide, for no charge, if they want to keep their kids on the buses.
The committee agreed that fewer stops could help with bus delays.
"I don't think we should be adding new stops," Craigie said.
According to Simpson, the routes are different this year because of the nature of the new fee system: Massachusetts law states children over two miles away must be provided with transportation. Last year Stoneham offered free busing for students over one and one-half miles away. This year anyone who pays is entitled to ride the bus.
For now the bus fleet stands at four. The School Committee asked Simpson to work with the bus company to see if routes can be reorganized to cut down on travel time.
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