The response to our stories on overcrowded buses has been overwhelming. We have been racing to keep up with developments.
It is clear overcrowded buses are a problem in many districts. Now one mom is thanking 7 Action News. She says our story helped her get results.
Beth Hurley spoke out on 7 Action News in desperation.
After her son told her his bus was so crowded he had to sit on the floor, she felt unsafe sending him on the bus. She found herself rushing to get him and his brother to separate schools. She says school and transportation workers didn't respond to her concerns.
"They were like this is a non-issue. We have plenty of time to fix it. We'll get to it when we get to it, because they have that 4 week window," said Hurley.
She is talking about a state law that allows schools to drive overcrowded buses for the first four weeks of the school year.
"We're going to change the law," said Rep Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor).
It is an effort inspired by our stories this week. It is only one step in the right direction.
The fact is Beth's son's bus had three kids per 39-inch seat, which is not considered overcrowded. Beth points out three larger elementary school children, or three average middle or high school students will not fit in a 39-inch seat. They will be forced to hang into the aisle.
Lawmakers are researching solutions.
Beth Hurley says a short time after our story aired she got word another bus route would be added, easing crowding on her son's bus.
"Thanks to Channel 7, because without your willingness to get the issue out in front of everyone we may not have gotten results," said Mike Maloney, a Plymouth-Canton School Board Trustee who says the district has not responded to his call for a better transportation plan before the start of the school year.
"The fact that Channel 7 was willing to invest time and energy in our story and talk about a story that is a preemptive strike, before, not after an accident, means a lot to us," said Beth Hurley.
If you have a problem in your children's schools we want to know about it. E-mail fixmyschool@wxyz.com, or contact 7 Action News Reporter Kim Russell at krussell@wxyz.com.
