RTS approves move to adjust several bus routes to get Rochester kids to school

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Heads up parents, Regional Transit Services Tuesday said it will make some bus route adjustments to help get kids in the Rochester City School District to school.

During a special meeting, the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the RTS, said routes 3 (Joseph Avenue), 4 (Hudson Avenue), 5 (Portland Avenue), 8 (East Main Street), 11 (Monroe Avenue), 16 (Genesee Street), and 22 (Lake Avenue) will switch from 15-minute frequency to 30-minute frequencies.

The RGRTA Board unanimously approved the move. The change will apply throughout the day on weekdays and weekends and will go into effect next Monday.

The meeting came after the district moved the first day of school to Thursday due to the transportation crisis the district is currently facing. In a letter that was sent out to parents Monday, the RCSD said it would no longer provide transportation for students who participate in the Walker-Bus Program and students who live within a 1.5-mile radius from their school.

Motion to help @RCSDNYS was unanimously approved by the RGRTA Board. @news10nbc

— Emily Putnam (@whec_eputnam) September 7, 2021

That decision affects more than 400 students at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy School No. 10, Enrico Fermi School No. 17, and Abraham Lincoln School No. 22

According to News10NBC’s Emily Putnam, with the motion now approved, RTS customers will soon see updates on bus stop monitors letting them know changes are coming to bussing schedules.

If the motion to help RCSD is approved by the RGRTA Board, RTS customers will soon see updates on bus stop monitors letting them know changes are coming to bussing schedules. @news10nbc

— Emily Putnam (@whec_eputnam) September 7, 2021

The proposed RTS-RCSD agreement is a 4-month agreement. If the district does not have enough drivers after 4 months, they may have to go to a month-to-month situation. @news10nbc

— Emily Putnam (@whec_eputnam) September 7, 2021

The agreement will go for at least four months. If the district does not have enough drivers after the four months, they may have to go to a month-to-month situation.

Board members expressed concern helping out the district could cause a "transit problem" for other riders.

“We are going to fix the school district’s problem, but then we’re going to have a transit problem” -Board Chair Don Jeffries @news10nbc

— Emily Putnam (@whec_eputnam) September 7, 2021

RGRTA and RTS will ask for the community’s patience and understanding (especially employers) as RTS customers will likely have to adjust their schedules, and many could be late to work. @news10nbc

— Emily Putnam (@whec_eputnam) September 7, 2021

The plan the superintendent rolled out Tuesday out won’t actually need the board’s approval. The board has already given its OK to the calendar change.

At this point, all the challenge is notwithstanding, School Board Member Ricardo Adam said he’s looking forward to this Thursday.

Adams: "It’s going to be a good day. It’s going to be a joyous day, kids back into school. And we’re going to make it happen. This community is going to make it happen."

News10NBC’s Charles Molineaux: "Cobbling something together, families driving? Kids walking?"

Adams: "Doing whatever it takes. There’s always going to be an exception to the rule. But come over, either going to make it happen, as a committee, because that’s all I hear: People expressing willingness to pitch in."

Molineaux: "Does this look better than it did last week?"

Adams: "Absolutely. Absolutely. People are collaborating anytime people are collaborating, there’s some success."

Rochester’s school board held its regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. You can watch it in the video in the player below (Mobile users, click here):