As a mother in East Providence, RI, experiencing the harsh reality of the current transportation policies, I am compelled to voice the struggles faced by families in our community. The Department of Transportation is denying our neighborhood access to school bus services, asserting that we are located less than a mile from the local school. However, these calculations are inaccurate. From our building, the distance is indeed a little over half a mile. 

This situation is not just an inconvenience; it poses a significant risk to our children's health and education. In East Providence, where winters are harsh, expecting our young children to walk over a mile in freezing, inclement weather is unbearable. As a mother without a vehicle, I have personally endured the heartache of seeing my kids shiver in the biting cold, their little fingers numbed by the chill. Our children deserve better.

Attendance is crucial for our children's education. Yet, during the winter months, the risk of illness increases, leading to frequent absences. Chronic absenteeism negatively impacts their learning and development. This shouldn't be the norm.

Remarkably, there is already a bus, Bus 6, that traverses our community, but it does not provide needed access for these children. It is both practical and compassionate to leverage existing resources to ensure all our children can arrive at school safely, without undue hardship.

We urge the Department of Transportation to re-evaluate their assessment and extend bus services to our neighborhood, thereby safeguarding our children's health and ensuring consistent school attendance. By signing this petition, you are supporting a fundamental change that benefits the wellness and educational success of our kids. Please sign to stand with us.