Opinion: Combined Buses

For a while there was a serious dilemma  at CHS: bus drivers were depleting and students were increasing! There was and still is a serious need for bus drivers with the shortage, the school concluded to combined buses. You may not think this is a very serious matter, but for students that ride the bus this is serious. Some buses have students sitting in the walkway of the bus which could cause serious risks! Not to mention it’s also uncomfortable,unsanitary, and most of all time consuming. There were students getting off their bus an hour late! Although this is cost effective for the school if the school had staff readily available the problems would be solved all together. There have been many bus incidents in the past with buses getting into accidents and people getting hurt even without the bus being crowded with students now being packed in buses like cattle the risks are even higher. For a point of view from a student from CHS Jaiden Arnwine described the bus as “A full and chaotic place difficult to find any seats.” The unsanitary conditions of overcrowded buses may be catastrophic, if Tennessee is hit with another rapid case of covid. With being crowded together you may not know if the person beside you has covid, or if they even care about much sanitation in general. This may put you in a very awkward situation if you do not want to sit by them because of the lack of seats. Discomfort is a primary issue because it puts students in uncertain conditions. You most likely will not know the person you’re sitting with, or have personal space. This could be worse for students with social anxiety or even claustrophobia. Even art students have dilemmas for their large projects they may need to sit by to prevent the risk of damage. Hence why the school should have more bus drivers readily available to prevent risks to students.