School adjusts bus routes for savings
Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2008
DECATUR ó A few students in Decatur may have to walk a little further to their school bus stops this year to help the school with rising fuel costs and a financial shortfall.
With school buses getting eight miles to the gallon and diesel prices nearing $ 5 a gallon, the school is adjusting the bus route to save as much money as possible, according to transportation secretary Patsy Wilkins.
Wilkins said the bus routes will begin at 7: 30 a. m., and asked that parents prepare for a 30 minute window around the time the bus usually stops by their house ó 15 minutes before the usual time and 15 minutes after ó until the schedules have been adjusted.
ì Weíre trying to redo this and the first week is always hectic, î she said.
Wilkins would also like to remind drivers to stop for the busí flashing lights and signs. Itís also illegal for drivers to enter a parking lot while the buses are loading and unloading, she said.
The new bus route will be as follows: Each bus is labeled with an animal to help young children identify their bus.
Bus 1 ó the elephant bus ó driven by Paul Linam, will begin on Tilley Hill Rd., and then follow Little John Rd. to Bredehoft Rd., Crestview, Timberline, Stadium Drive, and 9 th St. It will make one stop on the corner of Prather St. and Hill St., and one stop on the corner of 7 th St. and Buckner St. It will make one stop on Jo St., at the laundry mat. It will also stop at the Meadow Book Apartments.
Bus 3 ó the panda bus ó driven by Ricky Perrodin, will cover 3 rd St. and proceed to Wilmoth Rd., in addition to itís regular route. It will make one stop between the South Apartments on 2 nd St. and then will continue on to Browning Rd. It will make one stop at the intersection of Y-City Rd. and Wild Orchard Drive. It will also stop at the Decatur Care for Kids.
Bus 4 ó the giraffe bus ó driven by Ron Pool, will run the same route as last year. It will begin on Highway 102 East and stop at the Lake View Apartments before continuing on to LaCroix Rd., Shepard Hill Rd., South Pleasant Valley Rd., Vaughn Rd., Reuben Rd., Goodlett Rd., Warren Rd., Byers Rd., Jo Lane, Hickman Rd., Bethlehem Rd. and Burgin Valley Rd.
Bus 6 ó the zebra bus ó driven by Gaye Betts, will begin on Falling Springs Rd. Children living on Earp Rd. will have to meet the bus at the intersection of Falling Springs Rd. and Earp Rd. Children on Columbia Hollow Rd. will have to meet the bus at the intersection of Falling Springs Rd. and Columbia Hollow Rd. The bus will also cover Carlton Rd., WPA Rd., Short Cut Rd., and Falling Springs Rd.
Bus 8 ó the horse bus ó driven by Vickie Bates, will begin itís route on West Mountain Rd. and continue to Mt. Zion Rd., Georgia flat Rd., West Highway 102 to Highway 43, Orchard Rd. and Roller Ave. It will no longer go down Buffington Street, Massey Street or Eubanks but will make a stop at the end of each of those streets as it goes down Austin Street. It will also stop on Austin Street half way between Highway 102 and Eubanks, and at the intersection of Austin Street and Highway 102.
Bus 9 ó the wolf bus ó driven by Charles Linam, will make one stop for the Hidden Springs Housing addition and one stop for the Hidden Springs Apartments. It will continue on to Limekiln Rd., Chicken Drive, Mt. Olive Rd., and Orchard Rd.
For questions about the bus routes, call 752-3352.
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