Routes and Bus Stops

How is a bus stop location determined?

District policy requires that, when practical, we place bus stops no more than 1 mile from the residence of a student. Bus stops are located as a function of safety, neighborhood logistics, district policy, and transportation requirements. We try to locate bus stops to serve the entire needs of a neighborhood for years to come. They cannot be located as a function of personal convenience or schedule. Bus stops are established as necessary at the most reasonably safe locations available, at least 1/4 of a mile apart, except when student's safety and welfare may be involved. Bus operators do not have the authority to create or delete bus stops.

Who can authorize a bus stop location change?

As bus stops are placed as a function of safety and regulation, only district transportation staff can make changes to stop locations. Bus operators are not authorized to add or change bus stops.

Why is my child’s bus stop so far away?

Per Board policy Ch. 8.30.V, any student who resides more than 1.5 miles from his/her assigned school is eligible to ride the school bus to and from that school. One mile is considered a reasonable walking distance to a bus stop for students who are to ride a school bus. Such distance is measured by the most direct route from the closest pedestrian entry point of the property where the student resides (where private property meets the public right-of-way) to the closest pedestrian entry point of the assigned school building or to the assigned bus stop. The district will determine the shortest pedestrian route whether or not it is accessible to motor vehicle traffic. If the closest bus stop is a school less than 1.5 miles from the student residence, the 1-mile rule to a bus stop will not apply. Students who are assigned to Magnet schools and/or programs through the Magnet/School Choice office or other programs such as Alternative schools, are not subject to the 1-mile to a bus stop rule. Bus stops can be more than 1 mile away. Bus stops are established as necessary at the most reasonably safe locations available at least 1/4 of a mile apart, except when students’ safety and welfare may be involved.

The bus passes right by my house. Why can’t it just stop and pick up my child at home?

Unfortunately, with our daily transport of 47,000 students, it is not possible to provide door-to-door service to everyone and do so in a timely manner. It is more efficient to pick up several students at one stop, usually at a corner or other midway point for the students.

There are no sidewalks from our home to the bus stop. Why don’t we have a closer stop?

The surface does not have to be a sidewalk, but simply a surface upon which the students may walk. Walks to bus stops can be evaluated for safety by Transportation staff if requested. Parents/guardians should ensure the safe travel/transport of students to and from the bus stop and supervision while at the stop.

Why are there no bus routes listed for my child’s school?

Some schools have no neighborhood buses because the boundary for that school is within 1.5 miles of the school, and this is considered a non-transportation zone. No bus routes will be listed for these schools.

Why is my child’s after-school bus stop so far away from my neighborhood?

After-school bus stops are limited to generally accessible locations such as schools and public locations. Placement of bus stops primarily follow the secondary magnet transportation model. With regards to the after-school bus stops, service is limited. Parents and guardians are responsible for transporting and supervising students to and from the bus stop.

A student's street address determines the schools that he or she will attend, unless the student has exercised choice. Every residential address has a school attendance zone and feeder pattern, which assigns students to an elementary school, middle school and high school. Families can use the to determine the student’s zoned school.

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