As a concerned parent in Bucks County, I experience anxiety daily seeing my child navigate their way to school. This is not an isolated situation, but a reality for countless families in Bucks Community. Many students, are forced to walk to school because they live “within walking distances” of their schools and are inadequately served by public transportation.

My child has to walk while suffering from asthma, on roads that do not provide sidewalks. Her condition makes it tough to walk long distances, and unfortunately, our home is a 38 min walk to her school.

The need for school transportation in our county is a matter of safety, equity, and health. According to the National Center for Safe Routes to School, 45% of students walked or biked to school in 1969, but by 2024, it was just 15%. This reduction is largely due to the increased availability of school-provided transportation. However, in Bucks County, this need is still unmet. Every single child in our county deserves equal access to education, irrespective of their personal circumstances or where they live. Many children are at risk while walking to school, especially in areas lacking sidewalks or proper pedestrian paths. This is not merely about convenience, because access to reliable transportation impacts educational outcomes. Furthermore, constant exposure to dangers on roads puts their physical safety at risk. Considering the above, we cannot ignore the importance of providing all school students with safe and reliable transportation. With the pandemic's effect on our economy, having school-provided transportation is not just a luxury, but a necessity for countless families. Without transportation to and from school, children are rendered less likely to consistently attend school, which puts their education at risk. The American School Bus Council states that school buses have an attendance record of 96%! Providing accessible transportation for kids is not a privilege – it is a necessity that leads to better education outcomes for students. We request Bucks County Educational Board to acknowledge these problems, and take steps towards arranging transportation for ALL students.

Through this petition, we urge the county government to take immediate action to ensure the provision of transportation for ALL school students. No child's education or life should be compromised because of inadequate transportation. Sign this petition to show your support for a safer, more equitable education environment for all.

(source: Safe Routes Partnership)

(source: National Equity Atlas)