JCPS bus driver planning to quit and start his own private bus service

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Many Jefferson County Public Schools parents are still struggling to find rides to school for their children after the district slashed transportation for thousand of families.

But one JCPS bus driver decided to take matters into his own hands.

Sarah Cunningham is one of thousands of parents whose child won't have a bus to ride next school year.

"I feel really frustrated, everything is in limbo right now," Cunningham said.

Her daughter has autism, and Atherton High School is the best fit for her needs. But her daughter will not get transportation because its not her reside school.

"It's a struggle figuring out how to get her to her dream school," said Cunningham.

The single mom works 10-hour hospital shifts which makes it impossible to drive her child to school.

Current JCPS bus driver Chuck Deel wants to alleviate that stress for parents like Cunningham.

"I'm in the position I can do something about it," Deel said.

He's been a JCPS bus driver for the last nine years. Now, he wants to start his own bus service for next school year. He plans to charge parents $200 per month, or $60 per week.

So far, he's filled the 8:40 a.m. route with about 50 kids. But for the 7:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. routes, he still needs more students to make his private bus service financially possible.

Once he gets 150 kids, he said he'll buy a bus and purchase insurance. If he hires other drivers, he said he'll contract a company to conduct background checks, drug tests and provide CPR training.

Deel doesn't want to take drivers from JCPS, but said he's heard many current drivers say they are ready for a change.

"They've got to the point where they are so burnt out because nothing's getting done with the kids when they try to discipline them," he said. "If I get 150 students, that's 150 students and parents that aren't being stressed."

Deel is gauging interest in the service right now. If you think it could be an option for your family next year, you can email Deel at Crdeel53@yahoo. He asks that you include your name, address, phone number, and list the school the child attends in the subject line.

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