MPS opens hotline for back-to-school transportation questions

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Final preparations are underway across Montgomery Public Schools to make sure the new school year starts smoothly as 260 buses prepare to hit the roads!

Wednesday, those buses will begin transporting more than 15,000 students to their first day of school.

"We do transport about 15,000 students a day. That's approximate, and that's every day of the week," said Jackie Cleveland, MPS transportation assistant. "Our drivers do a very efficient job. During the summer, we do all these changes to update and help be more efficient and safe for our students."

But for most parents, the behind the scenes changes won't affect them.

"There is a chance that there could be changes," Cleveland said. "But I want to say that 90 percent of the bus stops stay the same. Probably even higher than that. They can catch the same bus at the same time."

But for any parents who have recently moved or just have questions, the MPS hotline is open to help. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., all parents have to do is call 223-6900 and staff will be able to help.

"The hotline will provide information on school zoning for your particular street. If you live on a street, you can give us the street name and 90-percent of the time we can tell you exactly what school you're zoned for," Cleveland said.

Once you have the when and where of your child's bus stop, Cleveland says encouraging them to be early is important as well.

"We always ask that the parents get their child to the stop 10 minutes before the bus is there. And that allows us plenty of time to load the students, get them on the bus safely and proceed on," Cleveland said.

The hotline will remain open through the second week of classes to help with any issues experienced in the opening days of the school year.

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