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Camden students face dangers walking to school. Now, more can ride buses

Camden school officials will provide busing to around 200 more high school students this year, a decision prompted by community activists and students, who said their routes walking to school are long and sometimes perilous.

Camden school officials will provide busing to around 200 more high school students this year, a decision prompted by community activists and students, who said their routes walking to school are long and sometimes perilous.

The state-run district previously offered bus passes to students who live 21/2 miles or more from school.

But there are students whose addresses are just under 21/2 miles away, which is the threshold for transportation by district school buses under state regulations, and they have told officials that they regularly encounter violence, prostitution, and drug sales while walking to school and back.

In June, about 60 community advocates, school administration members, public officials, and children gathered to make a 2.4-mile walk together. Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard was among the group.

Now, the district will provide NJ Transit bus passes to students who live at least two miles away, affecting 223 high school students. It will cost about $150,000 to expand the program, officials said.

Rouhanifard credited the community group the Village with raising awareness of the issue.

"It's one thing to review data and policies in an office, and it's another to live them by walking in the shoes of our students and families," said Rouhanifard. "I deeply appreciate the Village for advocating on behalf of Camden residents for these changes and getting hundreds of students a safer way to get to and from school."

asteele@phillynews.com 856-779-3876 @AESteele