The problem isn’t just getting to school, it’s how we get there and what happens after the final bell rings at 2:40. Every morning, students pack into buses that provide them with safe transportation to school, with plenty of room to sit and be able to feel normal without anyone squishing them. At 2:40, when clubs and sports begin, many students rush to the crowded buses. Everyone barely has enough space to sit, let alone even breathe. The heat builds, the air gets thick, and the mix of sweat, food and too many bodies makes the ride feel uncomfortable before they even get to their after school activity. With many of them forced to leave and be late, missing out on opportunities due to over crowded buses.
The lack of late buses to West Leyden High School creates a barrier that goes beyond inconvenience, limiting opportunities. When the school day ends at 2:40, students at East Leyden High School who stay after school for sports or clubs often can’t, simply due to the fact they don’t have a safe or reliable way to get home. Not every family has a car available, and relying on rides everyday isn’t realistic, which means many students at East Leyden High School are forced to miss out on those opportunities.
Adding two after school buses would change this situation. Adding another bus would allow students to fully participate without worrying about transportation, it would reduce overcrowding and students getting in less trouble by their coaches or teachers for being late. Instead of choosing between getting home and getting involved, students would finally have access to both.
Eva Sharova, a sophomore at East Leyden High School, goes to West Leyden High School every single day to participate in cross country and track and field. She explains, “ the bus is often way too overcrowded and it isn’t uncommon to have the entire bus have 3 people to one seat” (Sharova), showing that this is not an isolated complaint but a consistent issue.
Many other students have the same opinion, such as Demian Mendieta Arias. He is a Junior at East Leyden High School, who participates in soccer and track and field. Demian agrees that every bus experience is horrible. “ It’s too full and with the weather coming its gonna make the bus even more humid” (Mendiet Arias).
I would also go on the bus to head to West Leyden High School to participate in sports. Rushing from entrances 4 to 18 for the bus every day would be a hassle. Once I would get to the buses it would be jam packed, leaving me to be squished in between people. Even sometimes having to be late to practice due to there not being a second bus.
Abel Franco, a sophomore who was on varsity soccer and participates in track and field, also has the same experiences as Eva Sharvoa and Demian Mendieta Arias. “ There’s so many people that rely on the west bus to make it to their activity at West Leyden, but can’t make it due to the limited space” (Franco).
Schools shouldn’t end with discomfort and limitations. If we’re serious about giving students a fair chance, then we can’t keep getting stuck on overcrowded buses or without having a way home after 2:40. It’s time for school leaders to act, add the buses, and make sure every student has a ride and opportunity they deserve.
One concern with eliminating traditional school bus transportation is the impact it could have on student attendance and consistency. The same issue is happening at a school in Ohio. One parent explains,” Bradley said she fears some students may skip school without the structure that traditional transportation provides” (Khan). Without a reliable and structured way to get to school, some students may struggle to show up regularly to school, especially students who depend on buses as their main form of transportation.
There are also clear benefits to providing alternative transportation options, especially when they are made to support students beyond just getting home. One school program in Ohio highlights,” We felt compelled to provide that service so we could get those kids back across the free way and to the clubhouse to provide them a safe space to learn, play, grow, and be mentored” (Hanson). Allowing students to participate in after school programs, giving them access to safe environments and supportive communities.
Student experiences reveal how overcrowded and disorganized transportation can directly impact their sense of safety and comfort. Rafael Treto a sophomore at East Leyden who participates in football and volleyball, described his confusion and lack of space, “ I looked for some seating and there wasn’t any left, a kid told me to just sit on the floor like it was something normal and I was confused about what was going on” (Treto).
Yariana Silva, a sophomore at East Leyden who participated in Leydenette’s dance team and gymnastics, highlights how these conditions can also create a negative and hostile environment. “ No seats left, rude people, throwing things…I asked someone if i could sit with them and they said no” (Silva). This kind of environment goes beyond inconvenience, it reflects a lack of supervision and respect that can make students feel unwelcome or unsafe. If we don’t fix this, it could push students away and stop them from feeling safe or wanting to succeed in school.
Works Cited
Hanson, Libbey. “Paso students offered free transportation to after school programs by Boys and Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast.” Paso students offered free transportation to after school programs by Boys and Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast, New Times SLO COUNTY NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT SINCE 1986, 2025,
https://www.newtimesslo.com/paso-students-offered-free-transportation-to-after-school-programs-by-boys-and-girls-clubs-of-mid-central-coast-16980976/. Accessed 16 April 2026.
Khan, Saima. “Ohio’s largest district considers ending high school buses.” Spectrum News, 26 November 2025, https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2025/11/26/ohio-s-largest-district-considers-ending-buses.
Franco, Abel. Personal interview. 9 April 2026
Mendieta Arias, Demian. Personal interview. 9 April 2026
Sharova, Eva. Personal interview. 9 April 2026
Silva, Yariana. Personal interview. 9 April 2026
Treto, Rafael. Personal interview. 9 April 2026
