Clark County School District Works out Busing Agreement
with CAT Bus
On August 28, 2008 Clark County School Board members voted
to authorize a contract with the Regional Transportation Commission to purchase
Citizens Area Transit bus passes for students for an approximate total cost of
$114,000.00, effective September 1, 2008, through August 31, 2009. Several
concerned citizens stood up to speak about the safety concerns and the
liabilities associated with busing students on CAT buses. Trustee Edwards spoke
about how schools on the east coast of the country use public transportation to
transport their students and recounted that when she was young she too used
public transportation to and from school without incident. A problem with that
argument is that she was young in the 1960’s and the times have changed
immensely since then.
While completely disregarding public input and concerns,
the trustees voted to approve the contract with the Regional Transportation
Commission. These parents have valid arguments and concerns for their
children’s safety.
On July 9, 2008 a naked man was arrested after hijacking a
CAT bus at 8 a.m. He climbed onto the back of the moving bus, broke a window
and climbed in. He then threw the driver off the bus and drove it roughly 200
yards before jumping off, leaving the bus in motion until a Metro officer
climbed aboard to take control of the vehicle.
On July 26, 2008 five young men riding a city bus took
turns punching another passenger, robbing him of his wallet. There were
approximately 35 witnesses aboard the bus who stood by and did nothing to help
stop the crime, not even call 911.
On September 15, 2008 a man was seriously injured after a
motorist who was driving while under the influence crashed into a bus stop on
Tropicana Ave, near Mojave Road.
These are only three examples within the past three months
of possible dangerous activity that may take place while Clark County students
are either aboard a CAT bus or waiting for the bus each morning as they head off
to school. Not to mention, an all access CAT bus pass for students will no
doubt increase our already serious truancy problem in the valley.
Contact:
John W. Schutt, Jr.
Candidate for School Trustee, District E
schutt4schoolboard@embarqmail.com
www.schuttforschooltrustee.embarqspace.com
