LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Leondra Major is one grandparent excited about the possibility of bus transportation being restored at some magnet schools with the help of the Transportation Authority River City (TARC).
"We need TARC drivers, we need serious bus drivers for [Jefferson County Public Schools]," said Major.
But parents like Zakiyya Thomas aren't too enthused about the solution.
"No it wouldn't make a difference for me because JCPS is not reliable right now," she said.
Last month, Thomas was notified her middle school student would no longer be offered transportation and she feared that could happen again.
"Who's to say that I won't get another notice in another month that says 'hey okay I'm sorry that didn't workout,'" said Thomas.
Gregory Hunter was a TARC driver. He learned about the TARC and JCPS agreement before the news conference announcing the deal.
He didn't like what he heard, and resigned.
"I woke up early in the morning and I was just like you know it's just too much," Hunter said.
He worked for the transit system for nearly eight years. He fears for the city since TARC is already reducing some riding services due to the agency being millions in the red.
"I don't think that this a good solution to offer JCPS help and you're still going to have students without rides; now their families won't have rides," said Hunter.
He thought he and some of his former colleagues would be able to retire from TARC. Now, as part of the unprecedented deal, TARC might loan 70 drivers to JCPS, and Hunter said they're nervous.
To avoid layoffs amid service reductions, this alternative keeps drivers under the TARC umbrella and union, but gives them consistent work driving students to and from school.
"I think it's a lot I don't think anyone knows what to expect some people have never worked there before, it's just uneasy," he said.
In the meantime, parents like Thomas are giving the district grace. She just wants to see the district run more smoothly.
Around 15,000 magnet and traditional school students were estimated to lose bus services starting in the fall. It's unclear how many students would be impacted by this agreement.
TARC's board will vote on the agreement June 7.
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