As the former transportation manager and program’s architect between 2017 and 2024, I feel for parents without this needed service for their children. Then, the goal was service for every student, both legally mandated and for students inside the two-mile perimeter, regardless of grade. Distances beyond 1.5 miles from school were unwalkable, particularly during the winter. Limiting service was unthinkable. Instead, adjacent bus routes were used to handle overflow, ensuring every student had a seat. I centralized routes and all but eliminated waitlists with minor exceptions. The former transportation vendor’s longstanding service in Belmont ensured drivers knew every student on their bus, providing comfort and safety that parents deeply appreciated. Consistent, transparent communication was at the core of the work: listening and problem-solving. It was an integral program serving between 800 and 875 riders annually.
My comments are merely retrospective. I place no blame, as this program is highly detailed, requiring incredible ability to balance resources with ridership demand. Though I appreciate the district’s commitment to support environmental goals through EV busing, the primary focus should be “every student first.” Increased fees and decreased service oppose the goal. Costs rise, forcing appropriate fiscal adjustments. Still, maintaining level service to transport students from their living rooms to the classroom is critically important. It is a grave disservice, leaving students without a mechanism to show up and learn.
The transportation program is complex, comprising numerous factors working simultaneously. The right outcomes take time. I spent countless hours over months working out the kinks before delivering a successful program to parents and students. It is not merely a task. It is a labor of love. I hope the district can return transportation to a high-functioning program that supports the needs of the community within a more reasonable service area for all.
Gioia Elizabeth Rizzo, Maplewood Street, Watertown