FAST FACTS:
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 8/7/2009) Days before school starts and 170 school bus drivers with Memphis City Schools are out of a job.
"They just told us they don't have no more job openings. They will get back to us if something else comes up." says school bus driver Gloria Tatum.
Something did come up and Gloria Tatum picked up another route Friday. But more than 100 other city school bus drivers are still left holding a pink slip.
It comes after the Memphis school system cut millions from its transportation budget and eliminated 200 bus routes.
"In some cases we may have had three buses on one route when actually one bus can do the same job as efficiently." says Alfred Hall, Memphis City Schools Chief of Staff.
Fewer routes mean fewer drivers needed.
So First Student, the company that provides transportation for city schools, let 170 drivers go and reduced work hours.
It's hitting parents and students.
Sixteen-year-old Terrica Ramsey went to the school board office after being told she would have to start walking to school.
"I am looking like we are gonna get run over. It's real close to the road, trees and stuff and I don't want to be in the grass." says Terrica.
"They cut the bus route out through our area which is in the Countrywood area. We came here today and luckily she got reassigned." says Terry Ramsey, Terrica's father.
School officials say they'll consider hardship cases, but they say the new routes will get more students to school on time and with fewer stops.
Memphis school officials say the reduced routes are better than charging for bus service or getting rid of it all together, as some school systems have done.
First Student said Friday it had 50 openings for bus monitors, who will assist bus drivers.
School starts Monday.
- Budget cuts cause Memphis City Schools to reduce bus routes
- Bus transportation company lays off bus drivers
- Parents concerned what route changes will mean for their children
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 8/7/2009) Days before school starts and 170 school bus drivers with Memphis City Schools are out of a job.
"They just told us they don't have no more job openings. They will get back to us if something else comes up." says school bus driver Gloria Tatum.
Something did come up and Gloria Tatum picked up another route Friday. But more than 100 other city school bus drivers are still left holding a pink slip.
It comes after the Memphis school system cut millions from its transportation budget and eliminated 200 bus routes.
"In some cases we may have had three buses on one route when actually one bus can do the same job as efficiently." says Alfred Hall, Memphis City Schools Chief of Staff.
Fewer routes mean fewer drivers needed.
So First Student, the company that provides transportation for city schools, let 170 drivers go and reduced work hours.
It's hitting parents and students.
Sixteen-year-old Terrica Ramsey went to the school board office after being told she would have to start walking to school.
"I am looking like we are gonna get run over. It's real close to the road, trees and stuff and I don't want to be in the grass." says Terrica.
"They cut the bus route out through our area which is in the Countrywood area. We came here today and luckily she got reassigned." says Terry Ramsey, Terrica's father.
School officials say they'll consider hardship cases, but they say the new routes will get more students to school on time and with fewer stops.
Memphis school officials say the reduced routes are better than charging for bus service or getting rid of it all together, as some school systems have done.
First Student said Friday it had 50 openings for bus monitors, who will assist bus drivers.
School starts Monday.
