Round Rock ISD Decides To Keep School Bus Service At Six Routes

ROUND ROCK, TX -- After community outcry, Round Rock ISD officials have reversed course, deciding not to terminate school bus service along six routes. But four other routes could still be eliminated, they added.

The district had considered ending service to ten routes they no longer deemed “hazardous” for walking. But after a trio of community meetings were staged, district officials decided to keep most of the routes active.

Still, the Austin American-Statesman reports, district transportation department officials will recommend removal of bus service at four other stops: For the Robinson Park subdivision to Live Oak Elementary; Sendero Springs to Cactus Ranch Elementary; and Las Brisas Apartments to Caldwell Heights and Hopewell Middle School.

If discontinued, the bus service interruptions would impact 116 eligible riders, down from 370 students, the Statesman adds.

District officials routinely assess the safety of routes in terms of their walkability in determining whether to keep or end service to an area -- deeming bus-served routes as “hazardous” for walking purposes. At previous community meetings, parents cited the poor condition of sidewalks en route to school or the concentration of adjacent traffic as reasons to keep bus service.

“Upon further examination of the history and getting back more information we felt this was in the best interest of kids,” said district spokesperson Corey Ryan.

The saved bus routes once considered for termination are along A.W. Grimes Boulevard for students attending Double File Elementary, Hernandez Middle School and Stony Point High School.

While some parents expressed relief their children will still have their bus service to get to school,district Chief Operating Officer Bob Cervie told parents that as the district expands and more campus are added, the possibility of bus route reconfiguration or elimination could occur. The district assesses bus routes every year, he noted.

“Each year we have to look at it because we’re growing rapidly,” Cervie said. “Additions are being completed out and it opens up thoroughfare, residential and sidewalks, so that will change some of those. Next year we’ll have to go out and look again.”

A final decision on whether or not to keep the aforementioned four routes being assessed is expected April 24.