State budget cuts will impact bus routes: No more door-to-door service

(The Stokes News) - Proposed cutbacks in state funding for school transportation will force changes in bus routes for the 2009-2010 school year. Last school year, Stokes County Schools transported nearly 4,000 of the district’s 7,130 students per day. The school system used 91 buses, running 8,590 miles per day.

Because of the proposed cuts, the state has informed Stokes County that they will have to cut 692 miles per day from the routes this year. All counties are being required to make similar decreases in bus miles.

“Unfortunately the budget cuts will force us to make difficult decisions that will impact our routes. Safety is always our primary concern, but we will no longer be able to offer door-to-door service for most students,” said Brad Lankford, transportation director for Stokes County Schools.