Cincinnati Public Schools board votes to consolidate bus routes in attempt to balance budget

CINCINNATI — More changes are coming to Cincinnati Public Schools' transportation plan for the 2024-25 academic year. The board voted unanimously to consolidate bus routes next school year saving $2.8 million.

“It could reduce as many as 28 buses for us to consolidate routes," said CPS Superintendent Iranetta Wright.

In an attempt to balance the budget, CPS needs to cut slightly over $22 million. The district said they could cut transportation costs through a combination of options — consolidating routes, increasing the walking distance or moving some grades to Metro buses.

“Parents have been frustrated with the transportation issues in our district for a while now,” said parent Abby Friend, who attended the meeting.

Friend said her hope was that the district would think about what was best for the students — especially their safety as pedestrians.

“Many families in the city do not live close to a Metro line. Students and families would have to walk miles to get to the bus and then face a long commute again just to get to school," Friend said.

The board voted not to increase the walking distance, which would have required students who live within 1.5 miles of the school to walk or find other transportation. The current distance is one mile.

Wright said she recommended an increase because of feedback she got from parents.

“The reason that 1.5 was the one that we are recommending is because from the surveys and roundtable discussions, it was the number one recommendation," Wright said.

While moving all seventh and eighth graders Metro buses would have saved the district more than $9 million, CPS voted against the move.

The district is looking at cutting other programs to balance their budget. Wright said they are trying to make changes "without changes to staff."