Frisco ISD Responds to Parent Concerns About Bus Overcrowding

The Frisco Independent School District is responding after concerns from parents and students about overcrowded school buses. One rider shot a Snapchat video claiming students were so packed into seats, some were sitting on the floor.

Siann Torres, a freshman at Independence High School took video of her ride. "This bus is way too freakin' full," Torres is heard saying in her video. "I'm on the floor."

"I said, are you guys having issues with the bus," Torres mother, Elaine, said. "She's like, yes mom, it's horrible!"

"Everyone started sharing three to a seat. Everyone was sitting in the aisles," Siann said describing her 20 minute bus ride. "Everyone was sitting on each other's laps."

State law says 71 students can be on a bus at one time, which equates to three students to a seat, even for high schoolers. Frisco ISD guidelines try to keep that range between 54 and 60 students.

"If those aisles aren't clear in the event something did happen," parent Lisa Cook said. "That would be tragic."

Amanda McCune, the district's executive director of communications, said they know that can sometimes be a tight squeeze, so they send a second bus on the most crowded routes for overflow. She said it's up to the students to move to it once it's there.

McCune said the district is dealing with an unprecedented number of students riding the bus this year, and they're currently about 30 bus drivers short.

Frisco ISD also offered this statement to address concerns:

"The safety of our students is one of our top priorities in Frisco ISD. Feedback from our parents on issues concerning students are taken seriously and acted on as swiftly as possible. Transportation concerns from parents and students are no exception and while the district may be experiencing a shortage in bus drivers, all safety precautions are taken by our drivers to ensure the care and safety of each student on a bus."

The district encourages anyone interested in applying for a bus driver position to visit the district website.