School Bus Transportation - Bus Routes and Stops

Bus routes

Centralized bus routing is the responsibility of transportation department personnel. The bus must follow the route as designated unless the principal or transportation operations manager recommends a change. Bus routes should follow state-maintained highways unless road conditions or other factors make this inadvisable. Unless the bus stop is at a point where pedestrian and vehicular traffic are controlled by adequate stop-and-go traffic signals, school officials may not route a school bus or authorize the driver to stop and receive or discharge passengers on a divided highway, unless the stop is a door-side stops.

Bus Routes by School

The transportation operations manager is responsible for assigning students to specific buses. Students may not ride any bus other than the one to which they are assigned. Students may be transported to locations other than their homes, for example, to a day care center, if certain criteria (see service to daycare centers) and the requirements of G.S. 115C-244(d) that such assignment not interfere with the proper administration of such school or with the safe and efficient transportation by school bus of other students enrolled in the school are met.

Three-tiered bus transportation system

The transportation department operates a three-tiered system where one driver and bus is responsible for delivering students to three schools in the morning and returning them home in the afternoon. As a result schools are assigned to open between 7:30 and 9:15 in the morning. The earliest opening times are at middle and high schools. Most elementary schools open at 8:30 or later. Operating the three-tier system saves the cost of buying more buses and hiring more drivers.

Bus stops

The board subscribes to state statutes and guidelines regarding the location of bus stops. As assigned by the superintendent, central transportation staff shall implement this strategy in cooperation with
the appropriate administrative authority at the local schools.

Bus stops are placed no closer than two-tenths of a mile apart unless safety hazards exist.
Buses are routed on state-maintained roads only.
Buses are generally prohibited from traveling into cul-de-sacs.
Generally, bus stops are placed on corners.
Maximum walking distances to a bus stop for students:
Elementary student - three-tenths of a mile
Middle School student - five-tenths of a mile
High School student - five-tenths of a mile

Express Bus Stops

Express bus stops are designed for students to be dropped off and picked up by parents at designated bus stops such as schools, YMCAs, shopping centers and neighborhood libraries. Each morning, parents are expected to accompany students to the bus stop approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time and wait with the students until students are safely on the bus. In the afternoon, parents are expected to be at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time, awaiting afternoon bus arrival.

Service to Day Care Centers

Regular Transportation
Service to Day Care Centers may be provided when the following criteria are met:
1. Must be located in the base attendance or satellite/magnet draw area of the school served.
2. Must be ample seating space available on the bus.
3. Must be located along an existing established school bus run on state maintained roads.
4. Must be of no additional cost to the state.
5. Must be more than 1.5 miles distance from the school (i.e. not in the walk zone).
6. Request must be submitted in writing to school administrator by the student’s parent or legal guardian.
7. Daycare staff must be present to load/unload students.
8. Bus cannot enter daycare property which is considered private property.

Exceptional Transportation
Service to Day Care Centers may be provided when the following criteria are met:
1. Must be located in the base attendance or satellite/magnet draw area of the school served.
2. Must be in attendance area of school in which student resides.
3. Must be ample space available on the bus.
4. Must be of no additional cost to the state.
5. Request must be submitted in writing to school administrator by the student’s parent or legal guardian.
6. Daycare staff must be present to load/unload students.
7. Bus cannot enter daycare property which is considered private property.

Appealing a route or the location of a bus stop

Individuals who are not satisfied with the route or the location of the bus stop assigned to their child(ren), may request a change by completing a Transportation Service Request Form.

All route and stop appeals from parents should be submitted in writing. The appeal should state clearly the action which is desired and justification for the requests.

After receiving an appeal concerning a route or stop, the transportation operations manager may:

Choose to let the original decision stand with respect to the establishment of a route or stop.
Choose to make a change in accordance with state law or the established rules and regulations of the State Board of Education.

The response to the appeal shall be in writing with answers clearly stated and fully explained. Please allow 7-10 business dats for response.

Individuals not satisfied with the decision of the transportation personnel may address their appeal to the associate superintendent of operational services.

Note: Transportation officials are required to continually assess bus routes/bus stops and make adjustments to ensure safety, efficiency, and consistency of service provided.