Focus on safety expands bus eligibility for some Springfield Public Schools students

(From Springfield Public Schools)

When school buses rolled on Aug. 15, about 160 elementary students were eligible to ride this year who weren’t eligible last year. Springfield Public Schools made the change to ensure safety of students who must cross heavily trafficked major streets.

The change primarily impacts about 150 students who attend Disney Elementary School and live south of Republic Road.

“Student safety is our top priority so we constantly monitor changing conditions and review guidelines to provide students the safest routes to and from school,” explained Jonathan Shelden, transportation director. “With new development and improvements, this road has become a barrier street which poses certain challenges for elementary students who must cross it to get to school.”

SPS provides free bus transportation to about 7,600 students every day. Elementary and middle school students who live 1.5 miles or more from school are eligible to ride the bus. If they live less than 1.5 miles from school but live in areas where they must cross a barrier street to get to school, SPS will also provide them with free transportation. High school students receive free transportation if they live 3.5 miles or more from school but there is no barrier street provision for high school students.

SPS works in cooperation with the City of Springfield and Greene County through the School Crossing Protection Committee to establish best practices for school crossing safety.

“We value the collaboration of these partners and their participation in working proactively to keep our students safe,” Shelden said.

This year, the School Crossing Protection Committee, which consists of representatives from SPS, PTA, City of Springfield Traffic Division, Greene County Highway Department, Springfield and Greene County law enforcement and Missouri Department of Transportation, recommended revising the barrier street definition for elementary students. The change will impact bus eligibility for some elementary students who attend Bissett, Disney, Hickory Hills, Pleasant View, Sherwood, Sunshine, Truman and York elementary schools. Students affected by the changes have already been notified by the Transportation Department.

For more information:

View the new bus eligibility maps for the eight schools impacted.

Read more about eligibility requirements and the criteria for barrier streets.

Contact the Transportation Department with questions at 523-0500.