About this episode
As Chicago Public Schools students enter their third month in the school year, nearly 4,000 of them are without reliable transportation to and from school. More than half of those students are diverse learners with special needs. The district’s transportation problem stems from a bus driver shortage happening in Chicago and across the country. Late last week, the Chicago Board of Education gave an update on who is still waiting for a reliable transportation plan from CPS and what alternatives the district has proposed. Chalkbeat reporter Mauricio Peña breaks down those plans and tells us what he’s hearing from parents. And we talk to Chicago tech entrepreneur Ismael El-Amin about his start-up called Piggyback, which connects parents whose kids need a ride with parents who can offer one. Guests: Mauricio Peña —Reporter, Chalkbeat Ismael El-Amin—Founder, Piggyback