Louisiana districts get more time for bus route changes

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Town Talk reports that an opinion from Buddy Caldwell, the state attorney general, is giving school districts more time to comply with Act 654, which prohibits school bus drivers from picking up or dropping off students in locations where they would have to cross traffic lanes. The law took effect Aug. 1.

The opinion, issued July 28, determined that districts should begin the process of complying with the act by its effect date, but the law gives no specified completion date; the law states that a “reasonable time” for compliance is implied, allowing school districts to take their time in implementing changes, according to the newspaper.

The law was originally intended to address safety problems in high traffic metropolitan areas. However, Rep. Lance Harris of Alexandria told the newspaper that the bill had “some unintended consequences,” such as adding time, mileage and costs to bus routes in rural districts.

A few sources from school districts in Central Louisiana told The Town Talk that the districts are taking time to put a plan in place. Some districts are concerned that complying with the law could cause problems due to lengthened bus rides, according to the newspaper.

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