I was interested in finding out information from other parents have handled travel arrangements to and from school when they live too close to school to be eligible for BPS busing.  We live in JP and not all students from JP are eligible for BPS busing due to the neighborhood’s proximity to the school.  Even though mileage-wise the school is close to parts of JP, several of the areas that students would have to walk through to get home are at times high crime areas.  Having 12 or 13 year olds take public transportation that involves at least one change at Dudley Station doesn’t necessarily always seem to be a viable option.  Does anyone have any car pools that could potentially have room for another family to join or any other ideas on this issue?

Hi Kathleen

Some of us parents are trying to get the MBTA to reinstate a Supplemental Service Bus that used to run along the #38 line (from West Roxbury to the monument at Centre & South Streets, to Forest Hills, then on to BLA.) This is the same thing as the “Charter Buses” that go to to BLS (everybody calls this type of bus a “Charter Bus” but to the MBTA they are “Supplemental Service” buses, just to keep everyone thoroughly confused ) The #38 BLA bus was discontinued several years ago and we are trying to show that there are now enough students to warrant it.  Many JP students could walk or take another bus to the monument or Forest Hills or anywhere along the regular 38 route and take this bus to BLA - a better alternative than Dudley, IMHO.  If we make any progress on this front, we will post the info in this forum. 

Kathleen (or anyone!), if you would like to help out (writing a letter, calling your state rep, etc.) or know more (possibly there are enough JP students to justify an additional different Supplemental route that would be even better for your student) just let me know.  I will send you a private message (through this forum) with my phone number.