We continue to face a significant shortage of school bus drivers during the 2023-24 school year. While the City continues to recruit bus drivers, we have also implemented new strategies such as:
Relying solely on school buses is not going to work for this year or the future. As we create a new model of transportation, we appreciate the strong support we have received from the community, particularly with an eye for equity. Together, let’s find ways to make our schools and city safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly.
We have created maps with commonly used walking routes to our elementary schools and middle school (based on distance, sidewalks, and crossing guards), but there may be other routes that your family prefers.
Click on the links below for printable PDFs and images of our maps:
Please consider the following:
Have suggestions to improve these maps? Email walkzones@charlottesvilleschools.org
The walk zones are about 0.75 miles for elementary schools (about 20 minutes), and 1.25 miles for Walker, Buford, and CHS (about 30 minutes). These distances are on the lower range of schools across the region and country, and these expanded walking (or “family responsibility”) zones are an important part of addressing the continuing bus driver shortage. In some cases we have rounded up to get to the end of a cul-de-sac or natural neighborhood boundary. In a few cases with CHS students, we have extended the walk zone as high as 1.6 miles if the path is very walkable. We have stayed within or close to our time estimates for the walk.
Yes! Here are several important ideas:
You’ve seen the “Go Slow” signs on City streets, and most of you are doing your part to keep an eye out for the students who walk or bike to school. Thank you! Here’s what we’re asking:
For some of our older students, the City’s CAT bus services may be a good solution.
Click on image to find full map.
The City has been supportive of these expanded walk zones, and they have been making improvments (see below). We meet with the City regularly to propose additional solutions and get status updates. Thanks to the City and to community members for doing this research and advocacy!
If there are issues with these walk zones, let’s work together to find solutions. We will continue to work with families and the City to make improvements. As we learn more and as the City addresses known issues, we may expand these walk zones further. Please remember, our expanded walk zones are still on the “short” side of regional and national averages.