COVID-19 Could Create Capacity Issues for School Bus Riders

Louisiana will be well into the month of July when we find out if the state will be progressing into Phase 3 of the COVID-19 recovery plan or staying put in Phase 2. With coronavirus cases on the rise as of recent days, many are speculating that the transition out of Phase 2 won't happen until after schools are supposed to be back in session.

While no concrete definitive word has been issued on the status of schools, that will come later next month, the planning for what school and school transportation might look like is well underway. For example, if Louisiana goes back to school while in Phase 2 then school bus capacity would be capped at 50%.

This could pose a major transportation hardship for families that depend on school-provided transportation to get kids to school. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley has said that his department is working closely with school districts in the state to iron out these kinds of issues well before they are needed.

Of course, if Louisiana is still in Phase 2 of the COVID recovery then chances are that schools themselves won't be filled to capacity either. There is a great deal of speculation that should that be the case many school districts will run a hybrid schedule. That kind of schedule will combine remote or distance learning with in-person classes.

Under Phase 2 guidance groups at school will be limited to no more than 25 people at a time. Should Louisiana move to Phase 3 that number would increase to 50. However, it is unclear exactly how Phase 3 guidance would affect school bus riders at this time.