Congestion around schools at drop-off and pick-up times often creates traffic gridlock and leads to frustration among parents and other drivers.
In an effort to eliminate the chaos, recent changes to Jalisco’s Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Vial (Mobility and Road Safety Law) require all schools with an enrolment of more than 300 students to draw up a “mobility plan.” The schools, both public and private, are obliged to undertake an annual study to determine how many trips parents or guardians make each day with their children, along with the time it takes them. They must also introduce patrols outside their schools, erect signage and provide a transportation service (school bus) for students.
The Jaliscco Transportation Department (Setran) says it will have the law’s protocol completed by December, and schools must implement their plans when classes resume in January.
The National Parents Association says student transportation services are not common or popular because of their high cost.