For high school students at Aiken High School, the days of catching the bus home right after school and in front of the building are a thing of the past.With the elimination of XTRA bus routes that were used exclusively for students and took them directly to and from school, Aiken students now have to walk to the corner of Hamilton and Belmont avenues to catch city buses on their regular routes.WLWT was at dismissal Wednesday and watched as groups of students made their way to the bus stop, crowding onto the sidewalk by Grace Episcopal Church. Aiken Principal Lisa Votaw was helping supervise students Wednesday afternoon, along with a crossing guard -- a new addition and a school resource officer who splits his time between several schools."Just trying to keep our babies safe. It's not the optimal position, but all we can do is what we can do and try to be preemptive and proactive to try to keep the kids from getting hurt," Votaw said. "Cars coming down Hamilton Avenue, they just fly! And it would really just take one distracted driver to really create a traumatic scene."Votaw said school leaders are watching the busing situation daily and trying to tweak and make it safer and better."Bring back the XTRA routes," she pleaded. "We're definitely concerned."A spokeswoman for Metro tells WLWT currently, there are no plans or timelines on if or when XTRA routes could be reinstated this school year, because their "decisions are driven by our workforce."The company estimates it needs between 70 and 100 drivers to restore all the XTRA routes.They are currently hiring and offering $1,000 sign-on bonuses.J. White has been watching Aiken students closely over the last week from the steps of Grace Episcopal Church. "Looking out for the kids because there are so many of them," she said. "It has been a rough one week almost, because some of the kids try to get on the bus and they just can't get on the bus 'cause there's not enough room."White is a longtime educator herself, a teacher of 53 years. Currently, she teachers at a private school. She is worried for students' safety. Last summer, she was part of protests at the same corner and said several cars went over the curb while they were standing there."So I'm really worried about that many young people standing out here," she said. A railing in front of the church is damaged. Church members say a car jumped the curb and ran into it last week. White said cars speed down Hamilton Avenue at all times of day."It's a roadway from point A to point B, not the Indianapolis Speedway," she said. "This is just like the perfect storm for a major mess if somebody doesn't get a handle on it."School board member Eve Bolton, who lives nearby, called the situation "an accident waiting to happen."She also has major concerns about CPS students waiting for buses in inclement weather and the amount of time kids spend waiting along city bus routes. The school board's student transportation policy reads that "transportation vehicles shall arrive and depart school within 15 minutes of start and completion of the school program."WLWT timed how long it took to get the group of students on buses at the stop for Aiken. It took approximately 35 minutes."I'm afraid that this is all part of the SORTA/Metro business plan," Bolton said. "I think they've made choices, and our kids are not the priority."The latest meeting between the SORTA board, which oversees Metro, and Cincinnati Public Schools is set for next week. Councilman David Mann, who chairs the budget and finance committee, invited both groups to attend Monday afternoon's meeting "to discuss the many concerns being expressed about the abrupt changes in transportation for older school children."

Cincinnati Public Schools board members had a few hot-button issues to discuss Thursday evening. As many expected, the board voted unanimously to start the school year requiring masks for all students and staff in indoor settings. Masks are not required outdoors.School board members discussed at length the latest crisis on its hands -- busing -- without much consensus on how to move forward. SORTA announced last week that it would eliminate XTRA routes students have used for years to go directly to CPS buildings. "What are we going to do? We have to do something. Even if we say delay school, what are the implications of that? What is the impact of that?" said school board president Carolyn Jones. "We have to also take control of our own situation to some extent."SORTA is hosting a public meeting to discuss busing changes Thursday. It will be held virtually from 4-6 p.m."I thought this doesn't even seem possible that you would have this kind of change," said school board member Ryan Messer. "They might be there for 24 hours getting public comment."David Brenner is a parent of CPS students and spoke during the public comment portion of the school board meeting. "There is irrefutable harm, and it is a huge safety issue for our students," he said. "When I looked at what it would take for my students to get to school, it was at least double, so they would be on the bus at least an hour each way plus a substantial walk to get to school or to home."Educators are also concerned.Cincinnati Federation of Teachers president Julie Sellers listed several issues, including pedestrian safety."I think it's way too dangerous," she said. "I do think that the district should talk with the legal department to find out about seeking a temporary injunction prohibiting any change."The board voted to draft a letter of opposition and send it to SORTA ahead of its public meeting Thursday afternoon. The board also agreed to send additional communication about the situation to parents, request to meet face-to-face with the SORTA board CEO and request city and county leaders to also write formal letters of opposition.