LOS ANGELES — Cutbacks in Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) transportation services will affect 53,000 students this school year.

Citing significant state funding reductions to public schools in California, LAUSD said it has been forced to cut $9 million in transportation.

Service will continue to be provided for eligible students, but pickup sites are being reassigned.

“We realize many students may have to walk a little farther to and from their traditional bus pickup locations or school of attendance, which will impact some students and families,” LAUSD Transportation Director Enrique Boull't said. “We want to assure our LAUSD families that the district’s Transportation Services Division and Office of School Operations will work with school administrators and local authorities to ensure continued transportation services for our students and address any safety concerns associated with these untimely but necessary changes.”

Changes in the district’s transportation services include:

• Bus stops for transported secondary students (grades 6 to 12) participating in the magnet, Permits with Transportation and Public School Choice transportation programs will be consolidated to the neighborhood resident secondary school.

• Transportation services will be discontinued for students transported due to the walking distance to their resident school of attendance.

• Transportation services for students with disabilities will be provided in accordance with students' IEPs.