Attention TLS, Bus Company and whoever else this may concern,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the busing situation for my daughter, which has become increasingly difficult and dangerous. Recently, her bus stop was changed from a nearby corner to a larger, more hazardous intersection, making it challenging for her to navigate.
To make matters worse, my daughter is currently recovering from an extensive foot injury and is using crutches. When she politely requested the driver if they could revert to the previous year’s bus stop, which would be closer and more accessible for her, the driver responded rudely, yelling “Absolutely Not!”
Furthermore, as my daughter was struggling to exit the bus at school, the driver made an unacceptable comment, saying, “And don’t you fall on my bus.” This behavior is unacceptable and has caused my daughter significant distress.
I understand bus drivers have a difficult job, but this is just unacceptable. I also feel there is nobody to talk to who actually cares enough to do anything to rectify this issue.
But if someone is listening, I urge you to take immediate action to address this situation. I would also expect the driver to receive training on providing respectful and compassionate service to students with disabilities.
Thank you,
A parent.
TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to [email protected]
Not sure what communal problem you’re trying to address, you had a bad experience with an individual. Who needs to hear about it?
There’s no on home. No one to talk to. They tell you to wait till after sukkos etc. The only way you’ll accomplish anything is by going down to LSTA amd making sure it gets done.
I want to thank the bus drivers who drive my sons to cheder every day. They are courteous and patient. Thank you Jays.
No one cares. Not the lsta not the bus companies and not the board of ed. The stops this year in my neighborhood are heart stopping scary. Big busy roads intersections. People say they dont care about safety. Their answer is, it’s safe. well its not. Its a injury, death, lawsuit waiting to happen. People say dont complain its a chilul hashem. Well this is a chillul hashem. Dozens upon dozens of ppl piled up at insane busy intersections trying to get on a bus. Sad situation.
First of the driver was wrong for saying that but also u can’t ask a driver to switch anything the bus company has to. There are lots of things that disturb me about the busses and no one cares like the stops like u said and also that a lot of them drive like lunatics I have caught them on video and sent it to the bus company and nothing has done. I have seen them run red lights seeing them go straight and turning lanes to cut everybody off. I have seen them run stop signs just pull themselves out in front of cars even if cars are coming and there’s no room for them. They drive like they own in the streets. I’ve seen them driving with headphones on which is illegal and dangerous. I have reported drivers like this. My camera in my care has caught all this. It seems to me that parents don’t even care cause I think if everybody got together maybe something can change but me myself my kids are eligible for Transportation and I refuse to put them on a bus. I don’t care how much it inconveniences me I take them to and from school. I would rather know they are safer with me. And if I were you, I would take my daughter to and from school, especially while she’s in crutches
Once we’re on the topic of bussing, why don’t the drivers know the routes before school starts?! Why is my son on the bus for over an hour after school with the bus driver pulling over after each stop to figure out where to go next?!
I don’t know your situation or family. When we’ve found ourselves in similar situations we’ve made sure our daughter knows we support her and validate that the situation is unpleasant, as it seems you have, as well.
However, we find it much more valuable as an opportunity to teach her resilience. This bus drivers is speaking rudely, but it’s just words, and not even intended to hurt; they’re just inconsiderate. I find the examples you gave to be very insignificant, and a chance to teach her that sometimes people forget how to have common decency, and it’s the perfect time to ignore them, period. End of conversation.
Please check if your daughter qualifies for a handicapped bus, at least while she is using the crutches..that should come to your door, and have easier handicapped access . Refua shlaima b’mhaira!
I’m not a lawyer & I have no personal experience with this.
You MIGHT have legal right under the disability protection laws to demand accommodations that might include moving the bus stop back to the old one. Regarding a rude driver is probably a bit more sticky.
Do your homework well BEFORE reaching out to the company and BOE.
A hint that demonstrates your knowledge of your rights can help move things in the right direction.
Micheal Inzulbach 😉
60000 kids being bused to 130+ nonpublic schools from and in Lakewood and surrounding towns. My kids bussing isn’t perfect. First day didn’t show up, second day ( Friday) instead of 8:30 came at 9:30, kids arrived at school got lunch and headed back onto the bus to go home. But that’s what happens the first few weeks of school when you have 60000+ being bussed to 130+ separate school. Everyone thinks they are the center of the universe, I hate to break it to you, you’re not.
It’s not just busses. Since the schools started and the oilam came back from vacation, I have seen numerous time people going in the opposing traffic lane to get around a red light and other crazy and absurd maneuvers just to get “ahead” of everyone else. DRIVE SAFELY
Nobody cares.
Not the bus company, not the drivers and not LSTA.
Jays is not doing anything until after succos. How is that acceptable??
My kids bus driver gets lost every day. After every stop he puts the next stop into his GPS. How do they not have an app preloaded with all the routes for the day. The driver then should pick a route and never get lost.
The bus has also been a half hour late to pick them up from school.
Plus kids were told there is no room on the bus for them and were sent off…
Remeber the articles saying it is after hard work and dedication LSTA will be doing the bussing for jackson…
LSTA is a multi million dollar money maker that helps nobody.
They are the worst.
This is a nightmare and we are not waking up anytime soon.
Unfortunately you are very ignorant and know nothing about what the LSTA does. You had a run in with them, so you wrote them off!
BTW driver might not allow onto the bus a child that cannot get off the bus without help in case of emergency.
Why are you making your daughter on crutches take the bus to school? I understand that you have a busy schedule but perhaps for the few weeks she’s handicapped you can drive her, find a ride for her with a teacher or carpool her with other parents whose kids can’t take the bus. I’m sorry. Bussing to schools in Lakewood is a commodity many out of town schools don’t have and shouldn’t be taken for granted. Contact your school or the school bus company directly about issues you’re having with the bus route and schedule. This is not a public issue. Have a good year!
be nice to the bus drivers. they are fighting traffic, honks and stares to keep your child on time and safe. show them you recognize the challenge and appreciate the effort!
also, remind your child to say thank you on and off the bus.
The drivers should have more Hakaras Hatov!
How quickly they forget how we tip them Erev Pesach with our left over Shalach Monos.
Remember it’s a free service. Beggars can’t be choosers
Free? Why did I get a $300+ bill for busing this year? Before the entire world packed into Lakewood, then it was free.
Now, not anymore.
It’s not free. We pay taxes. The law is the state must provide bussing, and special education for private schools. The state cost to educate a student is around $30,000. Multiply that by the 60,000 private school students equals $1.8 billion a year that we are saving the state…
The state law requires that districts provide bussing or aid in lieu of transportation for elementary school students who live more than 2 miles from school and high school students who live more than 2.5 miles away. They are not required to provide transportation for students who live closer, which is why that transportation is called courtesy bussing.
I’m actually very impressed with LSTA They respond to every situation and I’m not anyhow affiliated with them, It’s a first year that we have a bus and I was opposing to idea of LSTA taking over. But I am very very impressed and I think whoever says they don’t care is not right. My experience with them was excellent, I really want to thank them for their job.
I have numerous kids on diff buses and while the routes and time may not be perfect I am so thankful to the friendly, kind, and caring bus drivers driving my children to and from school safely daily! We are so fortunate to have busing. Growing up we had carpool or we walked if within a mile. Be thankful for what we have and patience for things to settle down.
Take all that wasted money they are paying an askan from Lsta and put it into more busses and the problem will be solved
Is the LSTA subject to OPRA? I would like to get a list of all their routes
Where’s Avi Schnall?
Guys you need patience
It’s still the second week of school. Yes driver’s will get lost. You have to wait for it to calm down
I’m sorry you are dealing with a foot injury as we were recently as well. My daughter needed to use crutches for a foot injury and I drove her instead of putting her on the bus. Yes she was old enough to be able to navigate it most of the time but I did not feel it was safe enough for her getting up and down the steps of the bus like that. I believe the driver is allowed to not let her on the bus if they feel it isn’t safe. Please drive your daughter and don’t make her navigate busy streets with crutches.
How wonderful is it to have access to busses, though!!!
obviously were thankful for bussing but had we known that our stop is a 10 min walk so we have to pile into the car with our whole families to drive our young children to the hazardous corner of neighborhood stop maybe we would have possibly worked out other arrangements. Now its too late. We were only told our stop a few days before. This is beside from the issue of the bus coming extremely late every day. Do they think nobody works???? who’s supposed to stay with the children at the corner which is pratically a highway