Schools
Overcrowding At Bus Stops Addressed at Berkeley Township Board Of Education Meeting
Woodhampton Estates bus stop described as a dangerous situation
Crowded, dangerous school bus stops, along with bus overcrowding, were topics of discussion at Thursday night's Berkeley Township Board of Education meeting.
A small group of parents from Woodhampton Estates attended the board meeting for two reasons. One was to bring attention to what parents say is a dangerously crowded bus stop, and second to thank Board President James Byrnes for coming out to visit the bus stop.
The bus stop in question is located at Penny Lane and Jonathan Drive. The children attend the K-4th grade Bayville School.
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Juiliellen Akerman sent a letter on September 14 to transportation warning of safety issues at the stop. "We wanted to put it on record tonight," she said.
Another resident, Christine Adelhelm, said after the meeting that six bus stops were combined this year leaving approximately 18 children exiting the school bus at the stop at the end of the day.
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"They're crossing multiple streets," she said.
Byrnes thanked Akerman for bringing the issue to the attention of the board. "By the time all the mini vans park [you have overcrowding]," Byrnes said. "Then with parents walking to the bus stop with their children, you're talking 25 people standing at that bus stop."
Byrnes also pointed out that the township piles snow on that corner in the winter.
"I've been out to that bus stop three times," said Byrnes.
"It's one heck of a dangerous situation," said Board member Steven Pellechia.
Another resident of Berkeley Shores said he had issues with a stop on Manhattan Avenue. "I saw 12 children get off the bus and all went to the other side of the road," the resident said. The children at the stop attend Berkeley Township Elementary School.
Board member Salvatore Ferlise voiced concern about over crowding on some school buses. "Some of our buses are holding at capacity," he said. "I have safety in mind."
"If we have to, we'll add another bus. We'll just have to take the hit on the budget," Byrnes answered.
