I-Team: Are new Wake County school bus stops dangerous?
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Wake County School System moved many bus stops at the beginning of the school year in an effort to save money. Now, in the past week, two students were hit at their bus stop.
A sixth grader from Apex was hit on Johnson Pond Road Tuesday morning. Last year, his bus stop was inside his neighborhood.
"The parents were not notified because we would have lifted up our arms and said, 'No. Wrong. Not going to happen'," said parent Dawn Navarro.
Some Wake County parents feel the district is partially to blame for a sixth grader lying in a hospital bed right now. Parents told ABC11 that new bus routes force kids onto busy roadways with cars whizzing by and drivers topping speeds of 45 miles per hour while the children stand there vulnerable.
"I do feel it's ridiculous," said parent Mary Seay. "It doesn't take an extra few seconds to just go down there."
"There was no regard to these children's safety when this decision was made'" said Navarro.
There have been two accidents in Wake County, in just about two weeks, when students were hit at their stops.
In Wendell, 13-year-old Keith Jones was killed in front of his home. In Apex, a car ran into 11-year-old Michael Burgess as he was getting onboard his bus.
ABC11 has been pushing to speak with Superintendent Jim Merrill. The district declined an interview.
At the start of this school year, Wake County overhauled its bus system. More than 100 bus routes were dropped from last year and 4,000 stops were eliminated. The district says it was to save time and $520,000.
"We're doing more with less," said Wake County School Board President Christine Kushner. "Part of the efficiency is to also get students to school on time. We've been struggling for the last few years in having extensive routes where kids where not getting to school in a timely matter."
Burgess won't be getting to school in a timely matter anytime soon. His family says they're hoping to move him out of ICU by Thursday.
"Children first or money? You can't replace children. Look at Michael. He's in pain and suffering. Does anybody care about that right now? It's sad," said Navarro.
The district has expressed their concerns and urged to people to drive safely around buses.
Kushner has vowed board members will be reviewing the safety of the new routes.
