SBCSC parents frustrated with continued busing problems

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- Some parents in the South Bend Community School Corporation said Thursday they were upset with school bus performance on the first day of school.

The South Bend Community School Corporation released this statement in regards to ABC 57 News’ viewer emails and phone calls about busing problems, including no shows and late pick-ups:

“We are working to resolve some isolated issues but overall it was a great first day.”

Tiona Greene is a first-year student at John Adams High School coming from the School City of Mishawaka. She said her first day was disappointing because her school bus never showed up Thursday morning.

“Some kids are excited about the first day of school,” said Tiara Greene, a recent SBCSC graduate. “My bus wouldn’t show up or there were too many two hour delays to count, I mean it’s like we’re missing class.”

The Corporation announced a changed the start times of high schools to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. last Monday. The change was made in hopes to give buses more time and reduce transportation problems.

Pat Martin, an SBCSC parent, said she doesn’t think the change helps. She said one of her sons were picked up on time Thursday morning, however, the other’s bus never showed up.

“There was no text, no e-mail saying the bus was late or it broke down,” she said.

She said she had to take her son with her on the city Transpo bus, where he got off two blocks away from his school.

“I don’t want to be worried about where my kid is,” Martin said.

She said she won’t leave the corporation, but would like to see the problem fixed soon.

“I think the school corporation, the school board, the parents, we all need to get together on one page,” Martin said. “Try to come up with a solution that is going to work for a majority of people.”