Bus transportation is experiencing a critical shortage in Illinois and other school districts.

The school transportations system is in a bit of a lack.  Dereon L. Ward is a freshman here at West who responded to the safety hazards this bus shortage has put on the line. “ I feel like when the bus is filled with 3 students in a seat is a safety hazard. If they’re  trying more than 3 then that’s a definite hazard but yeah, 3 to a seat is a safety issue, Ward said. He has experienced the dangers of being in a bus that overflows the capacity of 62-72 passengers. 

Sophomore Nyriah Moon also gave her perspective and has experience in riding school-issued transportation .Questioning  Moon and how she thinks we as students can help the situation to get students to and from school on time and safely. She said“ I think that we can recommend to the people who are unemployed to try and get a certain certification to help kids get to school. Instead of kids having to tell their parents to get out of work early to pick them up or make them late to work to drop them off at school, we can put flyers up in areas to help those who are unemployed.”

Ward and Moon gave insights from both distinct views. Now for the final insight freshman  Alexander Gutierrez who has rode the bus since 3rd grade and has seen the changes. 

“After covid hit… They couldn’t find any available fit-ins for our route…. It wasn’t like that when we started but as soon as the pandemic started here was less and less availability,” Gutierrez said.

Bus transportation for schools is in a shortage. Buses get late to pick up students to and from their schools. Buses that get filled with more than their capacity pursue a safety issue and it’s a danger to the students and can affect their daily lives. JTHS can make an impact and spread the word! You can go to the schools directory to give a helping hand!