California buses a smaller share of its public school students than any other state, fewer than 9% of students compared with 33% nationwide, according to the most recent National Household Travel Survey by the Federal Highway Administration in 2017.
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Since state officials froze school transportation funding levels more than 40 years ago, districts across California have cut back on bus routes or ended them; charged parents hundreds of dollars; or urged students to take public transit instead.
For years, school districts in a number of states have been charging parents for transportation as a convenience if they live within a certain distance from school, often two miles or less. Those who live farther away traditionally have gotten free bus service.
In the cities and densely populated areas of Southern California they are often unnecessary due to the schools being relatively close to the homes and people they serve. In many of these areas, city transit will take the place of buses. Are there limits to using busing to desegregate public schools?
Last year California began providing free school lunches to all TK-12 students, regardless of family income. Now, with an influx of state and federal money, school districts are revamping kitchens and training staff so they can provide freshly made, healthy meals.
There are some claims that American geography makes public transit untenable, but the truth is that our built environment has been created in such a way that people have little choice but to drive. After World War II, car culture and an increased focus on single-family homes built the kind of suburbs we know today.
The American School Bus Council estimates that over 25 million schoolchildren ride more than 480,000 school buses each day, making school buses the largest mass transit system in America.
Driving past a stopped school bus can result in high penalties. Below is a breakdown of the cost of each offense. The first conviction can result in a fine from $150 to $250. The second conviction can result in a fine of $500 to $1,000.