The big yellow school bus is fast becoming a relic in
California, as districts eliminate bus drivers and routes to
address education budget cuts. Officials for the San Francisco
Unified School District ended bus service for hundreds of
children this fall and will make further reductions over the
next two years as the district cuts transportation expenses by
44 percent. In San Diego, about 3,500 students returning to
school this month will have to find another ride or switch
schools because their bus routes have been eliminated. The 20
percent reduction in bus ridership is one of many cuts,
including about 600 laid-off teachers, counselors, nurses and
librarians. “A lot of the students will have longer rides or not
have them at all,” said Gene Robinson, transportation director
for the San Diego Unified School District. “Some will have a
farther bus stop to get to. … We’re trying to be more efficient
and put as big of a bus on the road as possible.” California is
different from most other states in that it does