The bus stops there

Many of our core memories of tween and teen years came while riding school buses; for good or worse. During a school year, families may find their bus stop relocated or route altered. At the same time, ongoing issues like overcrowding, unreliable service, and student behavior problems may frustrate parents. While school bus transportation is a complex system, residents can take steps to understand the changes, voice concerns respectfully, and work with districts to improve services.

First, know who to call. Is it an issue outside of a school bus such as the bus stop itself, routing, special education concerns, or a school district transportation policy? Contact the Mat-Su Borough School District’s Transportation Office at 907-761-4357. Is it about something inside the bus or the bus itself such as a driver, late buses, missed stops, or items lost in the bus? Call Durham offices at 907-885-3561. Unless you are north of Willow, in which case some schools use Bunker & Bunker Busing for a contractor. Bunker & Bunker can be reached at 907-495-6311. Glacier View Elementary School is serviced by Glacier View Transportation, and they can be called at 907-745-0948.

Wondering why the stop moved? New construction, changing ridership, or safety issues like blind curves could be why. Unclear? Ask politely. Maybe share your family's situation and any hardships the change causes. They may say that area development, road maintenance issues, or student loads made the change and perhaps you can compromise a solution together.

You can request stop changes too. They're open to suggestions and have forms ready for that. Propose spots that reduce hazards or long walks for little kids. Stops must serve multiple households efficiently, not provide door-to-door pickup. Equal swaps work better than "closer for me!" requests.

For big troubles like crowded buses, delays, and unruly behavior, talk to the driver respectfully first, if comfortable. They often have insights but feel unheard. Airing concerns nicely can set change in motion. If you are at a bus stop and want to ask, wait for the students at the bus stop to load so that they are safe and accounted for before asking and distracting the driver. If you run across a driver at a break or parked waiting for school to end, ask courteously. Drivers often have valuable insights into solving problems.

If you have to, take it up the ladder to the school board. Speak at meetings, join parent groups, and demonstrate unity. Politely share your log of dates, times, bus numbers, and incidents as proof. Back up your ask with data, options, and solutions. Remember that the Board and the District cannot establish internal policies for the contractors, but they can set parameters within the contract and may be able to help you make a change by providing a resolution in support.

For recurring problems, keep a detailed log with dates, times, bus numbers, and details of incidents to establish a pattern if you have to disprove someone else claiming that problems are rare or exaggerated. Present documented evidence at meetings. Be your own advocate and speak only the truth.

Suggest solutions like adding buses and drivers, instituting behavior contracts, improving maintenance, adjusting bell times, and using software to optimize routes. Become informed on the costs, benefits, and feasibility of what you might suggest before suggesting it, in case they ask or you may realize it isn’t a viable solution. Offering thought-out solutions with data and evidence earns credibility.

While maddening, remember the monumental task they have transporting thousands of kids with tight budgets. With understanding and teamwork, we can improve this crucial service for our community. Also consider calling the companies when things are going well – nobody is working for the kudos, but it makes the complaints more bearable when the drivers also hear accolades.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.