CHS Transportation Update
Wednesday, September 8
SUBJECT: Important Information About Riding Metro Transit
Dear Central High Community,
Thank you for your continued support and flexibility as we get ready for the first day of school, this Thursday, September 9! Despite the challenges that continue to come our way, I am proud of this community and excited for the great school year ahead.
As you are aware, due to the nationwide school bus driver shortage, high school students at our school will be provided a Metro Transit Go-To Card at no cost to get to and from school instead of a yellow school bus. We anticipate this to be the case through at least the first semester. Students are also welcome to get a ride, walk, bike or drive to school if that is more convenient for your family.
New Information: All students will receive their free Go-To Card in the next few weeks. In the meantime, students may download a transit pass starting later today to board any Metro Transit bus or train. Students can show the pass to the bus driver on their school iPad, a cell phone, or print it out. Bus drivers are expecting our students and will be ready to welcome them onboard. Light rail users should have their pass available to show Metro Transit staff if asked. Note: If you have trouble downloading the transit pass, let the driver know and you may still ride free and we will help you when you get to school.
Students and families should take a few minutes to plan their route both to and from school. Visit metrotransit.org or download the Metro Transit app and enter your starting address and school name to find your route options and closest stops. Google Maps and other online mapping tools also provide transit directions. Answers to other frequently asked questions, route maps and other helpful information is available at spps.org/metrotransit.
Click here for video instructions on how to find your route on Metro Transit:
We know it will take time for students to get used to this new routine. If students are late to school, they should stop in the office to let someone know their bus or train was late. Staff will be available to help students get between transit stops and the school as needed. We also ask students to be courteous of other riders and follow the Metro Transit code of conduct. This includes wearing a face mask at all times and following other safety guidelines.
The closest routes to Central HS are the Green Line train (which travels east-west and stops at University & Lexington), Route 83 (which travels north-south on Lexington and stops at Marshall & Lexington), and Route 21 (which travels east-west on Selby Ave and stops at Selby and Lexington).
The school day is 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Due to COVID protocols, students may not be in the building outside of a supervised activity before 8:00 am, and may not be in the building outside of a supervised afterschool activity after 3:15 pm.
For families who are dropping off students, you may either circle through the parking lot as in previous years, or drop students on Marshall alongside the tennis courts. We will have a few buses dropping students directly in front of the building, so please do not pull up in front of the building. This will prevent traffic congestion and keep students safe.
For students who are driving, a reminder that you may park in the Dunning lot west of the tennis courts (Please note: due to resurfacing, the Dunning lot will not be available for the first two days of school, Sept 9 and 10, so students will have to find parking on the nearby streets.) Students may also park on the west side of the building (the gym side), but parking in the front and back lots is reserved for teachers and staff.
In time, we know that riding public transportation will be a positive experience for those students who choose to do so. We are here to help answer questions and get students used to this new way of getting to and from school. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 651-744-4900.
Thank you and we’ll see you tomorrow!
Christine Vang