(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Some Chicagoans say too many kids are getting left behind when it comes to school bus service.
“Our children need to get to our public schools. And in order for our magnet school students to do that, they need access to bussing and they need it now,” 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said.
Ramirez-Rosa spoke outside Chicago Public Schools offices on Madison near Dearborn streets on Tuesday.
“This issue has gone on now for over a year and unfortunately, the current CPS leadership Pedro Martinez, as well as the former Board of Education, did not take action on this issue,” Ramirez-Rosa said.
“So, we're hopeful that now that there's a new board that this new board with new leadership can take action to address this issue.”
He is among those demanding bus service be restored for Chicago Public Schools students with disabilities, and for kids in magnet schools and selective enrollment students.
Erin Schubert with CPS Parents for Buses said busing cuts were made at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, impacting several thousand students.
“From 2019 to 2024 CPS Transportation, according to their own budget, is projected to spend at least $42 million more to transport 36% fewer students,” Schubert said.
The elected officials and activists were meeting with CPS board members to discuss the busing issue.
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