Kids Have To Cross Highway To Reach Bus Stop
LODI, Calif. (CBS13) -- A number of children have to cross a notoriously dangerous section of Highway 12 to reach the bus stop every day, and parents are concerned that something tragic could happen sooner rather than later.
After the Lodi Unified School District was forced to cut $2 million from their transportation budget last year, they slashed routes and consolidated bus hubs.
Now 9-year-old Emily Marquez and her mother Erika have to cross a section of a roadway nicknamed "Blood Alley" to get to the school bus every day.
"You get really, really nervous cause you're scared something bad might happen," Emily said. "There's no crosswalk, and you're definitely crossing illegally."
Erika says her family only has one car and can't afford to drive Emily to school every day.
District officials say their hands are tied due to budget cuts and can't stop the bus at most students' homes in rural areas anymore. They fear additional cuts are coming in next year's state budget and say parents should contact their state representatives to help prevent reduced services.
