Del Valle dealing with a traffic mess

DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) - Parents are losing patience sitting in the long line of outside Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary .

"Oh, it's horrible," said Senobia Casey, who arrived more than 30 minutes early to get a good spot.

But the wait to pick up kids has improved since the first day of school.

"It took more than an hour-and-a-half," said Mayra Hernandez, who picks up three kindergartners.

She was parked on FM 969.

The Texas Department of Transportation has since changed the timing of two stoplights not only for drivers trying to get in and out of the elementary school, but also for the new Dailey Middle School in the Austin's Colony subdivision.

To add to the issue, more parents are now driving their children to school because the district eliminated bus routes in the neighborhood after adding new sidewalks.

The district said 640 students were eligible to ride the bus before but now have to find another way.

"We had this bus system for six years," said Casey. "We're a commuting community. Taking away buses like this is ridiculous."

The neighborhood association is trying to help coordinate safe walking groups.

"We sympathize and understand why parents are upset," said Richard Vasquez, school board president for the Del Valle Independent School District .

He said stopping the buses for the elementary school alone saved $300,000. The district does not get paid to pick up kids who have a safe walking route that is less than two miles away from school. Vasquez said the transportation cuts are also saving jobs.

"We're working to make reductions without affecting services for our students," said Vasquez.

There are no plans to bring back the buses, but the Travis County Sheriff's Office plans on rolling out a new traffic flow plan Tuesday. Deputies and teachers have been helping direct drivers.

"We're just asking for patience and cooperation as we work through these things," said Vasquez.