TUSD looks to shorten commute, increase diversity with express s - Tucson News Now

Your child’s commute to school could be getting shorter.

When students in the Tucson Unified School District head back to school Thursday, August 4, they’ll have the option to take an express shuttle from one side of town to the other.

But there’s a lot more than commute time at stake here.

TUSD is also hoping to increase diversity with these shuttles.

“We have a lot of pockets of segregation, but Tucson is really a very vibrant and diverse community,” said Charlotte Patterson, director of school community services for TUSD.

Students will be able to hop on a shuttle at Cholla High School and ride over to Sabino High School on the east side to take advantage of programs that aren’t offered in their neighborhood.

These express shuttles will have three routes, each with two stops.

There will be options to Magee Middle School and Drachman Montessori, so that students from midtown and the east side can participate in programs like International Baccalaureate and Korean Exchange programs.

TUSD expects each student to get to where they need to go in 40 minutes or less, as opposed to more than an hour. 

Each bus is also equipped with free Wi-Fi so students can catch up on homework during their commute.

“We have lots of great schools that sometimes kids can’t get to, parents sometimes don’t have the ability to provide transportation or to get them there before or after work. So this will give them expanded opportunities to access those schools," Patterson said.

TUSD still have openings in some these programs.

If you’re interested in enrolling your child, here is a link to the shuttle routes and stops: http://tucsonne.ws/2au7dl2

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