Two New Bus Stops Added to Spartanburg County Subdivision

By: Connie LeGrand/News Channel 7 | News Channel 7
Published: January 09, 2008

            Starting Wednesday, two new bus stops were added for the James Creek Subdivision on Nazareth Church Road in Spartanburg County.
            Candice Williams, mother of a 4-year old daughter, was worried about the danger she says traffic posed on Nazareth Church Road, across from the James Creek Subdivision.
            District Five Superintendent Dr. Scott Turner surveyed the stop and neighborhood himself. Although he says the stop is safe, he says the Williams home is located slightly over three-tenths of a mile from the stop. The law requires school buses to pick up students within three-tenths of a mile from their home. Dr. Turner says due to continuous growth in the neighborhood, and the three-tenths of a mile law, he and his transportation director were able to move the stop inside the subdivision, he added a second stop. One is located at each end of Bentridge.
            The bus will continue to stop on Nazareth Church Road, in addition to the new stops, until the children and parents are clear as to where the new stops will be. One is located at either end of Bentridge inside the subdivsion.
            Here is the portion of the law which applied in this case: H*3161, “The State… assumes no obligation to transport any student to or from school who lives within one and one-half miles of the school he attends, nor to provide transportation services extending within three-tenths of a mile walking distance of the residence of any student.” Section 59-67-420.
            Dr. Turner says anyone with concerns about safety or distance involving a bus stop should contact the Spartanburg District Five's Transportation Office, and he says they will survey the situation.
            That’s the same protocol that should be followed in any district. Contact the District’s Transportation Office. If you still feel as though your situation has not been fairly examined, then contact the Superintendent with your concerns.

For a link to the bus bill legislation (H*3161) passed in 2007, go to:

http://www.scstatehouse.net/cgi-bin/query.exe?first=DOC&querytext=bus%20stop&category=Legislation&session=117&conid=3402700&result_pos=0&keyval=1173161