Atlanta Public Schools Transportation: Electric Bus System Overview
ATS Contact: Charles Territo APS Contact: Kimberly Willis Green
Phone: (480) 443-7000 Phone: (404) 802.2836
Email: media@atsol.com Email: kwgreen@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Media Advisory July 29, 2015
ATLANTA —Atlanta Public Schools (APS), City of Atlanta and American Traffic Solutions (ATS) will launch the CrossingGuard® school bus stop arm safety camera program during a news conference at 3 p.m., Thursday, July 30. American Traffic Solutions President David Roberts, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen, members of the Atlanta Board of Education, Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell and Atlanta Police Department Deputy Chief Darryl Tolleson, will be on hand to discuss the program’s implementation and demonstrate how the school bus stop arm camera equipment works.
All members of the media are invited to attend.
Who: David Roberts, President – American Traffic Solutions
Meria J. Carstarphen, Ed.D., Superintendent – Atlanta Public Schools
Members of the Atlanta Board of Education
Ceasar C. Mitchell, President – Atlanta City Council
Deputy Chief Darryl Tolleson, Atlanta Police Department
What: APS School Bus Stop Arm Safety Camera Program News Conference
When: Thursday, July 30, 2015 @ 3 p.m.
Where: APS Metropolitan Bus Depot
1661 Metropolitan Parkway, SW
Atlanta, GA 30315
Our transportation team continues to work around the clock to revise school bus routes.
Since the first week of school, we have added nearly 900 new bus stops (called hazard stops) to our schedule of regular stops for students. In all, APS now has more than 5,000 bus stops across the city.
In order to accommodate the extra stops, we have also placed over 35 additional buses on the road from our fleet of more than 400 buses. Additionally, approximately 15 crossing guards were hired recently for a total of 95 crossing guards. They serve as neighborhood partners to help ensure students’ safety.
In the days ahead, we will continue to investigate issues brought to our attention and make adjustments where necessary. And every Friday, we will continue to notify parents of transportation changes by updating information via the district website, e-mail messages, automated phone calls, Twitter, fliers and letters.
If you are continuing to experience transportation issues, feel free to submit your comments via our online transportation issues form. Visit www.atlantapublicschools.us/transissues for more information.
For the latest information on bus schedules and transportation changes, visit www.atlantapublicschools.us/busupdates.
ATLANTA – APS is revising and adding school bus routes and stops following a comprehensive district-wide review of the system and after considering parent input during the first week and a half of classes for the new school year.
APS has developed a strategy based on a review of the issues that surfaced since the start of classes for the new school year on August 6 and has begun implementing a plan to ensure that all students travel to and from their schools in a safe and efficient manner. The plan will be implemented over the next several weeks.
As a result of this review, the district is adding 49 buses to the fleet, along with 850 additional bus stops to existing routes. APS will also add additional crossing guards to assist students crossing busy streets and intersections.
Costs associated with implementing these transportation changes are estimated at $2.8 million. The district will identify specific areas where budgeted revenues can be redirected to support these transportation changes.
APS will also collaborate with appropriate local and state agencies and organizations to address the root causes of the issues that potentially impact students safely walking to and from schools, including crime, over-grown vegetation on lots, abandoned buildings and stray animals.
The district will continue to receive parent input regarding pupil transportation and will consider changes on a case-by-case basis, which is the current practice. Parents and guardians of students should continue to contact their local schools or the APS Transportation Department with issues, concerns and suggestions.
APS will notify parents of changes to bus routes and stops on a weekly basis every Friday through postings on the district Web site (www.atlantapublicschools.us), email messages, automated phone calls, Twitter, flyers and letters.
