KPR Guidelines

KPR Home Website - Policies - Special Program Transportation

WHAT IS THE TRANSPORTATION POLICY?

The Education Act states that a Board may provide student transportation service; therefore, such service is not the right of every student, but rather a privilege to be accorded to those students who qualify within the terms established by the Board. Prime consideration in the design and operation of the resultant transportation system shall be safety, efficiency and economy, concurrently reflecting maximum entitlement to applicable provincial grants.

The Board places the highest priority on the operation of its contracted transportation services in a safe and courteous manner.

Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (Student Transportation Services), through the Chief Administrative Officer has the authority for implementation of this Policy and Administrative Regulations will reflect the philosophy of this Policy.

1.0 Eligibility Distances for Transportation

Home To School
Students will be provided transportation if their primary residence is more than the eligibility distance by direct route noted below, by publicly maintained road and/or walkway, from school:

Grades JK-SK 1.0 km.
Grades 1-8 1.6 km.
Grades 9-12 3.2 km.

The parent(s) or guardian(s) is/are responsible for the safe conveyance of their children to and from school.

Home To Stop
Students eligible for transportation according to the eligibility distances noted above will be assigned to a bus stop location according to the following distance guidelines:

Grades JK-SK 1.0 km.
Grades 1-8 1.0 km.
Grades 9-12 1.6 km.

The parent(s) or guardian(s) is/are responsible for their children prior to pick-up and following drop-off.

Where students from partner boards share the same buses at the same time, eligibility distance from home to school will align with the lesser of the partner board's distances.

1.2 Transportation will not be provided on roads that are not assumed and maintained year round by the municipality. In certain situations where roads are not yet assumed by a municipality but are maintained (i.e. new subdivision) bus routes may be considered on these roads after consultation with the local municipality and the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer. Students eligible for transportation may be required to get to an existing stop regardless of the distance if a safe bus stop location cannot be established within the distances outlined under Section 1, Eligibility Distances for Transportation.

1.3 The measurement of distances shall be done by the Student Transportation Services using an appropriate Measuring Instrument. The measurement will be taken by the most direct walking route commencing from the closest access onto school property. It will be measured outward to the closest access point, where public property, from sidewalk or driveway meets residential property.

2. Route Operations
Bus routes, including Board approved late bus runs, summer school busing and Board approved shared busing, shall be established by Student Transportation Services, prior to school opening in September. Absolutely no changes will be made without prior consultation with Student Transportation Services.

Length of Time on Buses
2.1 Except in special circumstances, Junior Kindergarten to Grade six (6) pupils should not be transported on the bus for more than one (1) hour.

2.2 Except in special circumstances, Grade seven (7) and eight (8), and secondary school pupils should not be transported on the bus for more than one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes.

2.3 Buses operating on a single route basis should be time tabled to arrive not earlier than fifteen (15) minutes before school commencement.

2.4 Buses operating on a double route basis should be time tabled to arrive not earlier than necessary.

Consistent Bus Pick-Up/Drop-Off Location
Within existing routes, consistent student pick-up/drop-off transportation service shall be defined as one (1) fixed location for all school days for the school year on one bus route. However, the location for pick-up for all school days for the school year may be different from the location for drop-off for all school days for the school year on the same bus route.

Where there is documentation of a family separation and legally acceptable joint custody, alternate pick-up/drop-off points may be established no more frequently than week about (week being defined as Monday to Friday) i.e. pick-up and drop-off from the residence of one (1) parent for one (1) week and pick-up and drop-off from the residence of the other parent for the alternate week under the following conditions:

1. residences must be within the same school catchment area,
2. verifiable written separation agreement from both parties,
3. existing bus stops will be used if possible,
4. only two residences will be considered,
5. annual approval filed and approved by the principal,
6. changes to the originally approved request may not be approved, and
7. students must be able to determine the correct bus that they are to embark to their appropriate residence each day.

Any other exceptions for emergencies must be approved by the school principal, or designate. Any exceptions on a special occasion event basis must be submitted in writing, in advance, and approved by the school principal, or designate.

3. Transportation to and from Child Care Facilities
Service may be provided to and from a child care centre or baby sitter address if this service can be accommodated using an existing bus within the current route network. Students eligible for transportation who live in the catchment area of the school(s) served by the address of the child care centre or baby sitter and attend such school(s), are eligible for this service.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) must annually apply, in writing, on the approved form, for this type of alternate address pick-up and drop-off, by 30 May for the following year.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) of students who are not eligible for transportation under Section 1, Eligibility Distances for Transportation, may apply, in writing, on the approved form, for transportation from a child care centre or baby sitter address and will be considered on a space available basis, provided no route adjustments are necessary, and no additional cost is incurred by the Board. Space available permission will be given for one school year only, and should bus space cease to be available, or should a change in route be deemed necessary by Student Transportation Services, such service will be discontinued effective the start of the subsequent school year. Such transportation arrangements will be reviewed annually.

Where a child care centre forms part of a secondary school or nearby elementary school, the Board will permit the child of a registered secondary school student to accompany the student on the school bus in order to attend the child care centre.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be responsible for the provision of all necessary approved child restraint equipment and the cost associated with the installation of such equipment.

4. Staggered School Hours
The Board, where feasible, will utilize staggered start/finish times to facilitate transportation cost efficiencies. The hours must be approved by the appropriate superintendent and Student Transportation Services.

In the case of shared bus runs, Student Transportation Services will serve as intermediary in co-ordinating staggared school hours between the Board and other Boards involved.

5. Shared Bus Routes
With the inception of Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario in February of 2005, the Board will henceforth work co-operatively with the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board in providing efficient safe and effective student transportation. Student Transportation Services will plan and implement bus routes and Transportation systems which are in full accordance with this goal and which may include the sharing of routes and vehicles between students of both boards.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT DURING TRANSPORTATION?

All students using the School Transportation System are responsible to their Principal through the Bus Operator for their Conduct on the bus.
1. Abide by the Bus Operator’s Instructions.
2. Behave in an Orderly Manner.
3. Refrain from use of Profane Language.
4. Refrain from Smoking.
5. Refrain from Eating or Drinking.
6. Respect the Safety of the other Students.
7. You will be held responsible for any wilful damage.
8. RIDING ON A SCHOOL BUS IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSPORTATION AND WHO SETS THE POLICIES?

The Board of Trustees for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board establishes guidelines for transportation services. Please note that the Education Act states that a Board may provide student transportation service: therefore, such service is not the right of every student, but rather a privilege to be accorded to those students who qualify within the terms established by the Board.

HOW ARE BUS STOPS DETERMINED?

Based on the guidelines as established by the Board, Student Transportation Services staff allocates bus stops in safe, centralized pick up areas. Based on the large numbers of students transported centralized pick up points are used when possible.

WHO CAN CHANGE A BUS STOP OR ALTER A BUS ROUTE?

Only Student Transportation Services staff can change a bus stop or alter a bus route. All enquiries regarding bus stops and or routes should be directed to Student Transportation Services.

DOES THE BOARD PROVIDE “OUT-OF-BOUNDARY” OR “OUT-OF-BOARD” TRANSPORTATION?

Transportation for Out-of-Boundary or Out-of-Board students is ultimately the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardians(s).

However, upon submission of the required documentation to Student Transportation Services transportation may be provided on existing routes if there is adequate space, provided no route adjustments are necessary and no additional cost is incurred by the Board.

Existing routes, stops, and space on the bus must be available and does not constitute or establish a right to transportation services. Should eligible students have need for the space, the out-of-boundary or out-of-board students will lose the transportation privilege. Since Student Transportation Services receives thousands of these requests each year and routes can change annually, parents will need to provide alternative transportation until such time as their request can be processed, keeping in mind that this request must be filed each and every year.

HOW DO I FIND OUT IF THERE ARE CANCELLATIONS OR A DELAY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER?

Bus cancellations are announced on local radio stations and posted on our website at www.stsco.ca. Staff at your local schools provide information each year pertaining to radio station data for parental use. Parents should be aware of their child’s bus route number, bus driver’s name and the bus company. If a bus route is cancelled in the morning it will not operate in the afternoon.

With inclement weather (e.g. ice, snow conditions) the following radio stations generally will be notified for broadcast:

Peterborough City and County (Also including Campbellford and area schools):
The Wolf - 101.5 FM
FRESH - 100.5 FM
COUNTY - 105.1 FM
CKPT - 1420 AM
CHMS (The Moose) - 97.7 FM

Clarington (Bowmanville & Courtice) area:
CKDO - 1580 AM
CKGE - 94.9 FM
KX - 96 FM

Cobourg, Port Hope & Northumberland:
CKSG/BREEZE 107.9 FM
STAR - 93.3 FM

City of Kawartha Lakes:
CKLY\BOB - 91.9 FM

Bancroft (Apsley):
MOOSE - 97.7 FM

Quinte West (Brighton):
CJBQ - 800 AM
MIX - 97.1 FM
COOL 100 - 100.1 FM
CJOJ - 95.5 FM
CJTN - 107.1 FM

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE BUS IS NOT ON TIME, THE STUDENT DOES NOT ARRIVE AT HOME, THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON THE BUS OR ROUTE OR WITH THE DRIVER?

Parents should familiarize themselves with the bus company, driver’s name and route carrying their children. It is common today that drivers can change routes and jobs regularly so it is imperative that parents make sure they have all the appropriate phone numbers relating to transportation services. In the above circumstances the call should be placed to the bus company first and if satisfaction is not received contact Student Transportation Services.

CAN STUDENTS HAVE DIFFERENT PICK UP AND DROP OFF POINTS OR SWITCH BUS ROUTES?

As a general rule our policies are quite clear and the answer is NO! Application may be made in writing each year to the Transportation Department. The request must be consistent 5 days a week all year, be within the catchment area of the school, be on an existing bus route and have space available on the bus route in question. There is a tremendous student management risk element at all levels to try and accommodate the requests received. Alternate day requests or special requests can not be accommodated based on the student safety factors involved.