Frequently Asked Questions - Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Transportation assign bus stops for routes to and from school?

A: We develop and place bus stop according to:
1. The number of students living in a geographical area.
2. We use the walking distance as stated in Board Policy AR 3541
3. We don’t assign bus stops for students where crossing RR Tracks, freeways
and some major highways where the speed and width of the road creates a
hazard.
4. We understand many streets and roads do not have sidewalks or adequate
pedestrian paths and we try to mitigate most safety concerns when stops are
created or assigned to a route.

 

Q: Why are the buses late?

A: Several factors contribute for buses to arrive at bus stops and schools late:
1. Weather, road construction, accidents and heavy traffic.
2. Driver shortages where routes have to be combined.

Q: Why can’t my child get off any stop they want?

A: State laws (EC 39831.3 and 13 CCR 1238) requires students can only exit the bus at their assigned and designated bus stop. Students who want to exit the bus other than their designated stop (temporary) must have a signed note from the parent and campus principal. A note is needed for each day because routes change drivers and buses. Parents will need to request a new bus stop for a permanent change.

Q: Why did the driver leave my child at their home school?
A: Several reasons may lead the driver to deny entry onto a school bus:

1. If a student does not have a bus pass, the driver cannot verify where their designated stop is located. For the safety of the students, having the student on a campus is safer than a student being lost in the city because they exited the bus at the wrong stop.
2. Sometimes when a student’s behavior is poor, an afternoon bus suspension is given as a discipline tool to reinforce safe bus rules. Riding the school bus is a privilege and bus passes can be suspended or revoked depending on the severity of the offense (bullying, harassment, not staying seated, etc.)

 

Q: Why can’t my child eat and drink (except for water) on the bus?

A: Students have choked on food products and drinks and food wrappers attract insects (ants and bees). In addition, some students have food allergies (peanuts, including peanut dust) and sharing or consuming foods cannot be supervised by the driver.

 

Q: Why do the bus stop pick-up/drop-off times change often, especially at the beginning
of school?

A: Several factors lead to bus stop times and routes being changed
1. When parents apply for transportation after the deadline, then staff has to add stops which changes all times on a bus route. In addition, when the requested number rise above the capacity of that bus, bus stops are taken off one route and added to another.
2. Driver shortages can lead to routes being combined and altered.