Description
School buses allow children to safely get to school without parental supervision and reduce the number of vehicle trips attracted to schools. School bus service can be expanded to non-traditional forms such as through partnership with the transit agency. SunLine currently provides a school tripper to Shadow Hills High School and microtransit services to Amistad High School in Indio.
Implementation Details
- Develop a funding mechanism for subsidizing school buses.
- Expand SunLine’s school tripper and microtransit service programs to High Schools.
- Coordinate with the Coachella Valley Unified School District’s Transportation Department to identify service and resource needs
Mitigation Potential
Increased school buses change how students travel to school and reduce VMT by reducing the vehicle trips associated with schools.
For more details, see CAPCOA, T-40. Establish a School Bus Program, pg. 215-219 for VMT reduction quantification.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Ensure programs prioritize low-income neighborhoods and students with limited transportation options. Use multilingual materials, and partner with Title I schools and community-based organizations to address barriers to walking and biking.
Funding Sources
Eligible programs can be funded through Federal and State Active Transportation Plan (ATP) and SRTS grants as well as use Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) SRTS technical assistance for planning. Some cities offer SRTS grants and these projects can often be packaged with larger programs or improvements to expand funding eligibility. Other funding sources include the Clean School Bus Program (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), and the Zero-Emission School Bus and Infrastructure Program (California Air Resources Board & California Energy Commission).
Examples/Case Studies
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programs in the Coachella Valley
The Safe Routes to School programs coordinated with Desert Sands Unified School District and Palm Springs Unified to prioritize infrastructure improvements like bulb-outs, high-visibility crosswalks, and bike safety signage
(Source: LDR TDM Toolbox, p. 8)
511 Contra Costa School Pool – Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA)
The 511 Contra Costa SchoolPool program is designed to encourage carpooling among students and their families for trips to and from school and after-school activities in Contra Costa County. The program aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and make school commutes safer and more enjoyable by promoting ride-sharing among families.