LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nearly 100,000 Jefferson County Public Schools students returned to class Thursday. Parents anxiously waited to see how transportation changes have impacted their children.

Berkley Collins and her two daughters had high hopes for the first day of school. Her daughters rode school buses to the traditional schools they attended last year, but no transportation is being provided by JCPS this year.

Collins had to navigate the car rider lane for the first time Thursday. She wasn't anticipating any major issues. 

"This is going to be perfect," said. "This is going to be easy."

Berkley was up bright and early to drop off her oldest daughter, Emma, at Johnson Traditional Middle School. She described the experience as "seamless." 

Collins was filled with hope for another smooth ride to Carter Traditional Elementary School with her daughter, Arai. That quickly came to a stop as she encountered the line of vehicles backed up near the school. 

"Everybody was hoping everyone knew how to 'zipper merge' to go in and out of the school," Collins said. "We decided we're giving up on the car rider lane."

After 20 minutes and hardly any movement in the line, Collins and her husband parked their car and walked Arai to her classroom. They saw several other parents also making the same move. 

Arai entered the building right as school started, while dozens of other students still sat in their cars. 

VIEWER IMAGES | Jefferson County Public School Students Return to Class

Here's a look at some of the 1st Day pictures of Jefferson County Public students as they head back to class. 

"Those kids were obviously late, and I can only imagine how long those parents were waiting," Collins said. "They were more than likely late to work as well."

Along with snacks and school supplies, JCPS officials ask parents to pack some patience this first week.

Collins realizes it's only the first day, but said she hopes "eventually it does get easier."

JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said a few bumps in the road are common on the first day of school in a district with nearly 100,000 students. 

"First days are always are always a big challenge when you're talking about the amount of kids we're transporting," Pollio said.

He also said that, overall, the first day got off to a good start. 

While statistics about the car rider lanes aren't available yet, the district said 95% of morning buses were on time.

"In the end, it's going to be a successful first day," Pollio said. "We're going to get into a routine."

While it's an adjustment, Collins is looking forward to a new routine with a silver lining. 

"Both my kids are gonna be able to be home, and I can actually sit down and do homework," Collins said. "Last year, we couldn't do the whole like homework, sit down dinner, bath time."

Traffic at other schools

Cars were wrapped around the block when school let out at duPont Manual High School. Most JCPS traditional schools had long but efficient pick-up lines.

Other parents said they arrived about 30 minutes early and were impressed with the flow at Manual.

"You have to learn," George Sellers said. "You have to learn the ins and out. But it's all good. It's about them getting their education."

Englehard Elementary School dismissed at 4:20 p.m. and traffic was stopped on 1st Street but only for a little bit. Students were gone and heading home within 20 minutes.

Earlier Thursday WDRB did see a father working on his laptop on a Zoom conference call while waiting in the car rider line outside of Manual.

Overall, it seemed like a rather smooth day with nearly everyone adjusting to the new schedules.

"You just have to figure out what can do and what you can't do," Sellers said. "I kinda mapped out how to do it."

JCPS officials hope the latest any student is expected to be dropped off at their bus stop will be 7:30 p.m. 

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