Update: Hawaii restores some bus routes
Facing pressure from lawmakers and the public, state education officials save school bus service for about 300 students. Also, busing for year-round schools is extended for the month of July.
HONOLULU — Facing pressure from lawmakers and the public, state education officials on Tuesday saved school bus service for about 300 students.
The move came a few days after the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) announced that 103 school bus routes were to be eliminated, affecting 2,380 students across the state.
The Board of Education discussed the transportation changes in a meeting on Tuesday. Now, the list of school bus routes to be terminated shows a reduced total of 2,044 riders to be affected.
The adjustments were made "by a variety of things: consolidation of routes, looking at collector points instead, so all of that will reduce the number," state Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said, according to KHON.
The DOE also announced on Tuesday that bus service for year-round schools will be extended for the month of July.
"The DOE continues to work toward maximizing bus services despite funding cuts to the student transportation budget," officials said in a statement. "Families are advised to contact their schools to obtain information about available transportation services for their children."
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