OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – At the corner of Kentucky and New York in Oshkosh, around 50 students get off the bus from Menominee Elementary School to meet their parents.
The bus stops in front of the soon-to-be-demolished Merrill Middle School. However, the bus does not utilize the stop sign and arm to stop traffic — leaving cars to drive by on the busy street as kids cross.
Oshkosh resident Sunny Xiong said, “The bus just stops right here. They don’t use their stop sign, they’re pretty much in the middle of the road here. The kids kind of, just, get off whenever, wherever, the front and back of the car. This is New York Ave. here, and it’s really busy.”
Parents say that the high volume of non-stop traffic poses a greater risk for their kids. But the school district and bus company say not stopping traffic is safer.
In a joint statement shared with FOX 11, the school district and Kobussen Buses said:
The safety of our students is our top priority. We understand the concerns raised about the bus stop at New York Avenue and Kentucky Street and are actively working to ensure a safe environment for all.
Important points we’d like to emphasize:
1. Courtesy Service: This bus stop is being provided as a courtesy, demonstrating our commitment to helping families adjust to the new school arrangements. While the area is within our designated walk zones, we’ve offered this bus shuttle option based on feedback from families and as a convenience for families who may live closer to the former Merrill site than to the new Menominee Elementary School.
2. Parent Cooperation: We have provided detailed pick-up instructions to families. We strongly urge parents/guardians to park in the designated areas on Kentucky Street or Central Street and walk to the bus stop to meet their children. This practice significantly enhances safety by eliminating the need for students to cross busy streets unsupervised, or at all.
3. Carefully Chosen Location: The current bus stop location was thoughtfully selected to provide the safest option for students and families. It allows for right-side door drop-offs and offers ample parking on nearby one-way streets with less traffic.
4. Safety Protocols: Our bus drivers strictly adhere to city ordinances and safety protocols when stopping at this location. It’s important to note that this is not a mandatory red-light stop, as implementing such a measure would actually create safety concerns due to the high volume of students using this stop.
5. High-Volume Considerations: With 50-65 students disembarking at this stop daily, we must carefully balance safety with traffic flow. Converting this to a red-light stop could potentially cause extended traffic delays, inadvertently creating additional safety hazards.
6. Ongoing Communication: We have been actively communicating with families and students about the correct procedures for this stop. Our bus drivers, school staff, and district officials have been informing families about the safest practices.
We understand that adapting to change can be challenging, but we believe that by working together and following these guidelines, we can ensure the highest level of safety for all our students. We appreciate our families’ support and cooperation in this matter.
The Oshkosh Area School District and Kobussen Buses remain committed to safe, reliable student transportation.
The Oshkosh Police Department tells FOX 11 the bus driver is following Wisconsin State Statute 346.48 Section 2 Paragraph B, which states that school bus drivers shall not use their red or amber warning lights in order to avoid traffic backups.
The district and bus company also say that they have instructed parents to be on the same side of the street as the bus to eliminate the need for children to cross the busy road unsupervised.
Parents say that kids will continue to cross the road, and that other solutions should be considered if the stop sign and arm on the school bus is not used .
“Otherwise, they need to make another plan and stop a little bit closer, up by where the city bus stops, and have the kids cross on the crosswalk, where it’s going to be safer for the kids,” Xiong said.
She added, “Every day is a risk. And I would hate to have my children or see their friends, somebody get hurt.”
