Due to a shortage of bus drivers for Carmel Clay Schools, the school district has announced the creation of “No-Bus Zones” within roughly a one-mile radius of schools, with accommodations for those needing to cross busy streets or dangerous intersections.
Focused on providing the safest access to schools, the City of Carmel, Carmel Police Department and Carmel Clay Schools are working together on a plan to reduce the impact this change will have on Carmel students and families.
Brainard
“The safety of our students and families is a top priority and when I learned of the School District’s decision to change the bus routes, along with the rest of the community, I immediately reached out to our Engineering, Streets and Police departments to work as quickly as possible on a plan to enhance the safety of those who must now bike or walk to school,” said Mayor Jim Brainard. “We have worked hard to build our network of paths and sidewalks to provide for a more walkable and bicycle-friendly community.”
Traditionally, the first week of school is a time when our police and fire officials are more visible and tuned into the patterns of transportation to our schools. This year, that heightened awareness will continue for as long as it takes to make sure we can adequately provide the safety measures needed.
Below is a list of changes being made, along with some additional resources:
- Up to nine signalized, mid-block crossings are being installed near schools, with more to come if needed.
- Elementary students will start classes 10 minutes earlier, middle school students 20 minutes earlier and high school students 20 minutes later; all elementary schools will now be open at 7:15 a.m. to promote rolling arrivals prior to the busy bell time.
- Carmel Police officers will be stationed around the schools to monitor and deter speeding and for general safety purposes. Further measures are being explored at this time.
- Carmel Clay Schools will work closely with Carmel Police to identify and remedy any needed crosswalks or additional safety measures.
- Each Carmel school building has a connection point to the more than 200 miles of paths and trails and hundreds of miles of sidewalks that can be used to safely traverse the city.
- A connected and safe network of sidewalks, paths and trails make Carmel the perfect place to form a “Walking School Bus,” defined as a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. It could be as small as just a few families or as big as a neighborhood. Learn more about this here.
- Another option would be to form “Bicycle Trains,” which are similar to the Walking School Bus, but with bikes. Learn more about that here.
- Schools, neighborhood associations and parents can also find valuable resources here:
- If bicycling and walking is not an option, families are encouraged to carpool, to help ease congestion at schools for drop-off and pick up.
Bike Carmel, a program of the City of Carmel, has bicycle safety pamphlets and other resources available for individuals, classrooms, or schools. Please contact Bike Carmel at kwhited@carmel.in.gov.