RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond Public School leaders addressed transportation issues brought up after a parent shared cellphone video showing kids standing on what appeared to be an overcrowded school bus.
In the video it appears that students are left to stand up after boarding the bus at Charity and St Paul streets in Gilpin Court.
“At the end of the day, that is our kids on the bus,” said parent Dominica Dickens, who shared the video with CBS 6.
Parents pointed out that children aren’t allowed to stand up in a car, for the very reason that it isn’t safe.
"Let's say there is a bump in the road,” said parent Deidra Brooks. “The children fly everywhere. Somebody could chip a tooth. You know anything can happen."
Brooks said her son told her he may be suspended for standing up on the bus.
"I don't understand how you can tell him to sit down when there's n where to sit,” she said. “There are four and five children to a seat."
Parents complained to school administrators and were told that there is a shortage of bus drivers.
"A shuttle system was created (shuttle A picks up the first group of students, and then shuttle B comes to pick up the second group) to alleviate the overcrowding on some of our buses,” wrote Kenita Bowers, RPS spokesperson, in a statement. “We will continue to work with our schools and parents to ensure that the shuttle system is being followed appropriately."
