Posted on 10/23/25
Baltimore, MD - Oct. 23, 2025:
Dear Baltimore Community,
I want to take a moment to update you on private school bussing, an issue I continue to hear about from so many of you. Interest and engagement around this topic have continued to grow, and I deeply appreciate the passion and persistence our community has shown.
As many of you know, efforts to secure public funding for private school transportation face significant opposition within the Maryland General Assembly. Many legislators view any state support for private schools, including transportation, as equivalent to directly funding those schools. In a state like Maryland, that makes advancing policies like this an uphill battle.
Despite those challenges, I have worked for several years to establish a nonpublic school transportation program, and I’m proud to share that I successfully secured initial state funding to begin this process. These funds were directed to The Associated, which, through the Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC), is administering a grant program to support nonpublic school transportation efforts in our community.
I am grateful to the Baltimore Jewish Council, the OU Teach Coalition, and the Agudah for their dedicated work in crafting and advancing policies to make this initiative possible, and to The Associated for taking on the important task of administering these state funds on behalf of our community.
While many students continue to rely on MTA buses, these routes remain a valuable and expanding resource, and fortunately they are now free of charge for most students. I am thankful to the Maryland Department of Transportation and to the Agudah for their continued efforts and assistance in ensuring our community has access to these public transportation options.
As part of this new initiative, Avi Green, founder of Safe Green Transit (SGT), was awarded a grant to expand private school bussing options across our schools. His organization is helping to reduce traffic, improve safety, and give parents reliable transportation alternatives. I’ve invited Avi to share more about how Safe Green Transit is making an impact:
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Update from Safe Green Transit
Morning rush hour in Northwest Baltimore has long meant hundreds of cars heading to the same schools, creating traffic, safety hazards, and frustration for families and neighbors alike. Safe Green Transit (SGT), a community-based nonprofit, is helping address this by organizing shared yellow bus transportation for local private schools.
Each SGT bus route replaces 20-30 cars on the road, easing congestion and improving safety for students, drivers, and pedestrians. The organization partners with local bus companies, schools, and parent volunteers to design routes that meet community needs while keeping costs as low as possible.
Here’s how the process works:
Parent sign-ups: Each fall, families fill out a Bus Ride Sign-Up form on the SGT website (usually beginning around Sukkot) to indicate which school and area they need transportation for.
Route planning: At the end of October, SGT reviews all submissions to determine how many routes are needed and how best to organize them efficiently.
Cost determination: Based on available funding, some routes are fully subsidized while others are partially subsidized so that as many families as possible can participate.
Coordination: When schools have the capacity to manage transportation themselves, SGT works directly with administrators to plan routes. For schools that cannot take on that role, SGT independently organizes and manages the routes to ensure families are not left out.
Every new route takes a little time to settle in; the first week or two often involve adjustments as drivers learn the safest and most efficient ways to handle pickups and drop-offs. Parents stay connected through real-time GPS tracking and WhatsApp groups, allowing for direct communication with drivers and route coordinators to prevent surprises and keep everyone informed.
Currently, SGT operates seven routes, with plans to add four more next year. The program has already shown clear benefits: smoother traffic flow, fewer morning backups, improved safety near schools, and less stress for families.
About the Founder:
Avi Green, founder and president of Safe Green Transit, also serves as a Deputy Director for the United States Air Force, where he manages large-scale logistics and technology operations. Earlier in his career, he drove buses and managed fleets while working his way through school, experience that later shaped his ability to design and oversee efficient community transportation systems.
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While we are seeing encouraging progress, I cannot yet say definitively what next year will bring. The legislative session begins in January, and the state budget is not finalized until April. I will continue working during this upcoming session to secure additional funding to expand the program for the following year.
With recent cuts in federal funding, and the possibility of more before session begins, the overall status of the state budget remains uncertain. Once the budget is finalized in April, I will provide the community with a detailed update so that families can plan appropriately for the next school year.
This remains one of my top priorities, and I am committed to continuing to push for expanded options that serve our families safely, efficiently, and equitably.
Thank you to everyone who continues to reach out, share feedback, and stay engaged. I will keep you updated as this work continues.
Warm regards,
Senator Dalya Attar