New bus depot causes concern for Shoreview residents in San Mateo

“The potential of a ton of buses when we’re already gridlocked with traffic, that’s going to be a huge hit,” Cwirko-Godycki said. “What does enforcement and management look like?” 

The time it takes for Panossian and his fellow neighbors living along the lagoon to get to Highway 101 is considerable already, particularly during school drop off and pickup times. He said it can take around 20 minutes to get to Highway 101, and he is worried the additional bus traffic will only exacerbate the issue. Kehoe Avenue is the main outlet to and from northbound Highway 101.

After shopping around for the right location to house the district’s fleet of buses, the site at Bayside Academy was chosen because of the school’s large, unused blacktop space alongside Leslie Creek. The school’s central location within the district was also a factor, Amy Ruffo, executive director of Facilities and Construction, said. 

In terms of traffic, Ruffo believes the buses will not add to the congestion.

“The school buses leave earlier in the morning before that pickup and drop off happens,” Ruffo said. “The influx of buses will be happening outside of that peak pickup and drop-off time.” 

More frustrating than the traffic grievances, Panossian said, has been the lack of communication from the district to the residents in the area whose daily lives will be impacted.

“We have a very involved community in this specific area because it is neglected on the east side of the freeway,” Panossian said. “But none of us, even with the involved community, were aware this was approved.” 

The project was first approved in April 2023 by the school board and Ruffo provided updates at subsequent meetings about construction projects. Acknowledging that direct outreach to residents near the school site was not made, Ruffo said, as of Jan. 6, a new fact sheet will be available on the district’s website. 

The latest communication on the bus depot, otherwise, was between Bayside Academy Principal Maria Valencia Demattei and the Parents Teachers Association in December, Ruffo said. She met with the facilities leadership team at the school twice in 2023.

Panossian felt, as a neighbor to the school, he was left in the dark.

“This was done completely behind our backs,” Panossian said. “It’s public record I’m assuming, but when you don’t advertise it, very few people are going to actively look at school board meetings. It’s the district’s duty to do their due diligence and let the community know.” 

Rumors circulated of upwards of 60 buses being stationed at the new depot, but Ruffo said maximum occupancy would be 35. The district currently uses 46 buses, but predicts less busing will be needed in coming years considering the move of school campuses. 

Environmental impacts were also a raised concern from residents, but the long-term goal is to electrify all buses the district uses, Ruffo said. This effort will be conducted in phases, but she expects all buses to be electric within five or so years. The construction at Bayside Academy will include the appropriate infrastructure to charge the buses. Additional trees and landscaping will also be planted between the school property and creek to alleviate worries over the view. 

“We’re also retiring our oldest buses first so the ones that are a bigger strain on the environment will go first and keep our newest ones longer,” Ruffo said. 

The new depot will be more centrally located within the district, Ruffo said, so the buses will also have to travel shorter distances. Currently, many buses park in a site the district rents in San Carlos. 

Residents near Bayside Academy can expect to see buses parked there this year, with the construction slated to be finalized by summer, and Ruffo said the district is planning to host a community meeting this spring to answer questions.