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1: What distance do I have to live from my designated school to be eligible for transportation?
Eligible students who reside more than the following distances by public road or publicly owned and maintained access route from the designated school may be provided transportation:
A. JK-3 1.0 km
B. Grades 4-8 2.0 km
C. Grades 9-12 3.2 km
All distances mentioned will be the shortest distance by public road or publicly owned and maintained access route between home and school and are measured from where the laneway or driveway joins the public road.
2: What if my child is attending a
school that is not my designated school
Parents are responsible for transporting the student (s) to the school. However, the Board will try to accommodate transportation if parents request bussing to and from a location within the attending school boundary. (Eg: If a child lives in the Evergreen boundary area but attends Lakewood and the caregiver resides within the Lakewood boundary, transportation will be considered.)
3: What if my child is attending a special academic program such as Fine Arts, Academic Excellence or the Ojibway Program. Is there bussing provided?
The Board may provide bussing if the student is enrolled and attending a special academic program but there must be room on the bus and no additional costs incurred. Students may be bumped at any time to make room for other eligible students.
4: How are bus stops decided?
All bus stops have been determined on the basis of safety of the stop for students boarding/disembarking as well as for those already on the bus. The responsibility of getting the student to the stop safely is that of the parents.
5: My child goes to a sitter for 2 days and to my home the other three days a week. Can this be accommodated?
The Board has a policy in place for reasons of safety and efficiency therefore students are only permitted to have one pick-up and one drop-off point. These points may be different providing it is a daily occurrence and there is room on the bus.
6: My husband/wife and I are separated and share custody and we need different transportation at different times or I work part-time/shift work and have a different requirements.
For the safety of your child and efficiency in the system, there will be one set of arrangements permitted. Unfortunately by accommodating multi-arrangements there are too many places where communication can break down therefore increasing the risk of misplacing a student. One doesn’t realize how many places communication can break down as there is communication between the driver/operator, driver/school, teacher/principal, principal/driver, board/operator, etc - it only takes one break which could mean a child dropped off at the incorrect location, an empty home or not picked up at all. As well, by providing multi-sets of arrangements, it artificially inflates our capacity requirements. Currently, we only receive funding based on one set of arrangements which means that other programs (like from the classroom) would have to subsidize multi-arrangements.
7: If I need a temporary arrangement as I have been called out of town, will the Co-Operative provide transportation?
We will do everything we can to accommodate your request; however there are criteria that must be met. They are as follows:
- Request must be made one/two (1/2) day(s) in advance
- They must be for a minimum of five (5) consecutive school days
- It must be within your school boundary
- No additional stops or changes to the route will be accommodated
- There must be room on the bus
- Meets regular eligibility requirements
8: If I have a question, where can I get the answer?
You can contact the Transportation Co-Operative at 223-1256 Ext. 1, toll free 1-866-860-7770 Ext. 1 or email bussing@nwobus.ca. We will be happy to answer any questions or concerns.
9: Will the board provide transportation to the Co-operative Education work placement and Community Involvement Hours?
Transportation may be provided to a co-operative education and high school students attaining Community Involvement hours providing the distance criteria are met, there is room on the bus and there is no change to the bus route.
10: Should my child be hurt or injured and cannot easily get to school will the Board provide transportation?
Students will not be provided with special transportation due to a temporary physical challenge for example a broken leg.
If a condition is prolonged, the condition must be supported in writing by a licensed medical doctor, the school must be aware of the condition and physical activity is not permitted at the school. These will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
11: Does the Board have a maximum riding time policy?
It is the Board’s practice where possible, that the length of time for a student to ride on a bus will not normally exceed sixty (60) minutes one way. In some cases due to geography, routes may exceed 60 minutes.
12: If my child is having trouble with other students on the bus, who should I contact?
The school bus is considered an extension of the classroom where students are responsible and accountable for their actions. Any concerns should be discussed with your child’s school principal.
13: Can I place my child on a different bus because he/she is not getting along with another student. I know another bus is in the area and there is room.
The Co-Operative does not make changes to bussing on this basis. If a problem arises the Transportation Co-Operative and the Principal of the school will assist in resolving the situation.
14: The bus driver is picking on my son, can I put my son on another bus.
Any complaints about a bus driver should be reported to the Transportation Co-Operative where they will be investigated. It is not the practice of the Co-Operative to move a child to another bus if a parent has a concern with a bus driver.
15: Can I request that the bus driver change my stop time, bus stop or part of the route?
Drivers do not have the authority to make any changes to the route including times, configuration or stops. Drivers are employees of the bus operators and not the Board. Bus Operators are under contract with the Board and as such both the bus operator and driver must comply with the Board’s policy and terms of the contract. A driver cannot and will not authorize requests and could be subject to disciplinary action should this occur. All requests should be made through the Transportation Department. You should give 24 to 48 hours notice for a change to be made.
16: What is Visible Parent Program?
All Students in JK or SK require a parent/guardian or a student 11 years of age or older to accompany them to and from the bus stop. This is for the safety of your child. Please note that you have ensure that your JK/SK child is met at the bus stop as we will not let your child off the bus, if this is not adhered to, your child may be suspended from the bus.
17: My child is on the Hockey/Football Team. Can he/she take is equipment on the bus?
We do not permit hockey/football bags on the bus. It is a safety issue for all students; if there was an emergency it could hinder the students from exiting the bus and the law requires us to keep the exits free and clear. As well, in the event that bus must stop suddenly, these types of items can become a danger to students within the bus.
18: My child is in the school band. Can he/she take the musical instrument on the bus?
All musical instruments must be transported in instrument cases and must remain in the case while on the bus. If the instrument is too large to fit under the seat than the instrument can not be taken on the bus.
19: What items are not permitted on the bus?
v Skateboards
v Skis/Ski Poles
v Hockey Bags
v Birds
v Animals
v Fireworks
v Alcohol
v Ammunition
v Explosives
v Firearms
v Weapons
** Any object or material that the Driver, Operator, School or Transportation Co-Operative deems unsafe or dangerous.
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