Imagine getting on the school bus at seven in the morning and realizing that there’s barely any space to sit, let alone move around. In some cases, people even have to stand or sit three to a seat. Situations like these are a horrible way to start the day and make people irritable.
Many students report having experienced crowded bus rides. Regulations are set to prevent situations like these, however, heedless passengers and lax supervision cause the issue to persist.
The state says that high schoolers should sit with around eighteen inches of width each. I argue that this specific number doesn’t accommodate students well enough; people’s needs vary. The state also says that the aisle should never be blocked. However, this rule is commonly broken because seats are often cramped. Wheel seats are notorious for being uncomfortable, especially for larger students. People should at least have enough space to sit without their legs and shoulders touching. Some may even lay in seats which makes the issue ten times worse. When you have so many people sitting so tightly packed, air quality declines, temperatures rise, odors intensify, and sickness transmits easier. I remember in seventh grade, I had to sit with three other people in one seat. Even then, the entire aisle was still blocked, full of people standing because they had no choice. Not to mention, just recently on September 16th, some 173 riders had to get onto bus 163. This led to several high schoolers having to sit three to a seat, which blocked aisles and left many feeling claustrophobic.
Not only are these situations uncomfortable, they can also be dangerous. If there is ever a sudden stop or accident, overcrowding will reduce the protective benefits of the bus’s design; students can slam into each other, fly out of seats, and in the event of an evacuation, exits will be impeded. It’s also important to mention that students can get irritable which creates more conflict between others. Bus drivers already deal with enough distractions; when there’s so many people, those distractions are amplified times two.
People say that the bus is a privilege. I agree: by definition, it is. I also understand that by labeling it a right rather than a privilege, disruptive passengers would not face the same consequences to their actions. However, to the behaved student, there is a double standard. You have to go to school; if you don’t, you face truancy repercussions. Because of this, you have no choice but to ride the bus. You follow the rules, not acting out or anything, but are still provided with an uncomfortable ride.
School buses are a great thing, but overcrowding is a common issue that makes it feel like more of a burden than a privilege.
