LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In April 2024, the Jefferson County Board of Education voted to cut transportation to magnet and traditional schools. Tuesday, the board announced some students will now have access to transportation.

What You Need To Know

  • Jefferson County Board of Education announces a return to service for some bus routes that had been eliminated

  • More drivers are available and approximately 3,000 students will be helped

  • Routes are expected to resume on March 17

At a Board of Education meeting on Jan. 28, changes to Jefferson County Public Schools transportation plan were announced. The district said some JCPS students will be able to take the bus after school, beginning in March. JCPS says it’s because they now have enough drivers.

The board voted on a plan to reinstate service for almost 3,000 students across six schools.

The plan calls for a return to service for students at Coleridge-Taylor Elementary, Young Elementary and Johnson Traditional Middle School. Students who receive free and reduced lunch at Butler, Manual and Male High Schools will also have access to transportation.

JCPS superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said, “I think it is a way we can move forward on this so we guarantee those students in these schools that they would have transportation for next year and if in the next four months we get a significant increase in bus drivers as we do these blitzes, I think we could bring back to you some additional schools as well."

Louisville Metro Councilman Markus Winkler, District 17, applauded the decision. He said, “Thank you to the JCPS Board for making the right decision. While this doesn’t solve all our busing concerns, it provides much needed relief for thousands of students and their families,” said Councilman Winkler. “I applaud the decision that students from the 2023-2024 school year can reapply to the magnet schools they previously attended before transportation was removed. This ensures families affected by transportation changes can choose the magnet program that best meets their child’s needs without having to wait another year.”

School leaders say it will take approximately six weeks for the plan to begin. During that time, JCPS will send surveys to families to verify their eligibility and allow drivers to practice routes.

The routes are expected to return to service on March 17.

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