$17M Busing Plan Hits Snags In Lakewood: Report

LAKEWOOD, NJ — As the start of school nears, the plan to bus 25,000 students to school in Lakewood is still being sorted out, and some students may start school without busing, according to a report.

The Asbury Park Press reported the bus routes for the $17 million transportation plan still are not completed for the consortium of approximately 125 Lakewood private schools. All but one, Calvary Academy, are Orthodox yeshivas, the report said.

The routes may not be completed until next week; some high school students have started already without busing, the report said. The consortium was put in place just a few weeks ago, following approval by Gov. Chris Christie of a three-year pilot program funded by the state to provide for state-mandated busing in Lakewood.

A shortage of bus drivers, a problem affecting schools statewide, is hindering the planning, Avraham Krawiec, director of the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority, told the Asbury Park Press.

Bids for private school routes were scheduled to be open today, Friday, Sept. 2, according to the report, with more to be opened Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Public school bus routes in Lakewood are completed, according to the report.

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