Wake County students face crowded buses

Apex, N.C. — Students at a year-round school in Wake County said they are dealing with overcrowded buses.

Madison White, 12, a student at West Lake Middle School, said the school bus she rides has been so full during the past month that she and two friends often sit on the floor.

Classmate Regan Hunley thought the bus situation was unsafe so she reported it to her school resource officer. The bus Regan was riding also carried students from the local elementary school.

“They (elementary students) normally sit four to a seat and then the middle schoolers are three to a seat,” Regan said.

Madison’s parents were concerned but said school officials told them the overcrowded bus situation would be addressed. With many traditional schools starting on Monday, Madison’s father, Glenn White, said he is worried there will be a lack of buses.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of buses there they can pick from,“ White said.

Late Friday, school officials said students in the Jamison Park subdivision, who used to ride on Madison’s bus, would be riding a different bus as of Monday.

Wake County school officials said the bus overcrowding issue has been on their radar for a while because the Apex area has seen amazing growth.

In recent weeks, Wake County school officials have been taking steps to improve bus safety after incidents in which two children were dropped off at wrong bus stops this summer.

“You want them to be secure and be in a safe seat no matter how short the ride is,” White said.