After school activities like clubs, sports, and theater have been very popular at the Regional, but students sometimes struggle to get a ride home. This shouldn’t be an issue.
“Yes, it can be a pain for my parents because we only have one car that they need to share,” said junior Valentina Elissetche.
This has been a problem for a while, since late buses were cancelled because of budgeting issues. AA Transportation has over 100 vans, 300 buses, and drivers for each that service 29 towns across five districts, including Shrewsbury, Webster, Wachusett, East Brookfield, and Leicester. The late buses used to drop students off in the center of each town. This solution helped students get home after school activities and made it easier for their parents.
Currently, students either drive themselves or get picked up by their parents. But they agree it would be nice to be able to take the bus.
“I don’t think I would use them often, but I think it would be really good to have a last resort,” said senior Bridget Boyle.
The opportunity for later transportation could also help generate interest in activities like clubs and sports after school.
“I’ll most likely join another club. I just wish there was a bus to pick me up after,” said Elissetche.
According to a district report in 2005, the Regional cancelled the 5:00 bus because of budget cuts. Then in 2012, a Telegram & Gazette article stated that the 3:30 bus was cut after similar budget issues.
Fixing this problem would require more money, buses, and drivers, which would be expensive.
Some solutions could include only running late buses on certain days, like Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, during certain times of the year, or having mandatory sign ups to ride the bus.
Other resolutions have already been put in place, like the activity period.
“This (other solution) has been a question for as long as I have been here (10 years) and I can say that part of the reason we have 40 minute activity periods is to provide clubs with an opportunity to meet during the school day,” said principal Michael Pratt.
While students agree the activity period is good, they think more can be done.
“Yes, the activity period is good but there should be more solutions if late buses aren’t possible,” said Boyle.
While there’s no simple solution to the late bus problem, it’s clear that transportation plays a big role in how students participate in after-school life. Until a workable plan is found, students, parents, and staff will need to continue discussing creative ways to make clubs, sports, and other activities accessible to everyone.
