Frequently Asked Questions

TRANSPORTATION OFFICE

 

The Bellville ISD Transportation Department will continue to strive for excellence. We are always looking for more efficient and effective ways to improve our operation. We believe in "Safety First"! Placing the safety of our students, parents, staff and community above anything else. Bellville ISD highly regards the trust and confidence that the parents and community have placed in us to take the best care of our future, BISD Transportation understands the responsibility that is placed on us to transport what is most precious cargo on earth: Our Students.

Transportation   

 We are committed to a positive interaction with all students. This behavior will contribute to a positive atmosphere of learning. BISD believes that an effective and efficient Transportation Department will help to improve the quality of education for our students. Our mission is to enhance the safety of transportation with continuous training on up to date safety techniques and practices, as well BISD's forward thinking and providing the most current technology to ensure the safest passage of learning for each and every student. Our Transportation Department looks forward to working with all students, parents and staff to ensure that our mission is accomplished.


Frequently Asked Questions for the Transportation Department

          

Below is a list of FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS to assist you with answers to the most frequently asked questions.  Also, please review the Bus Rider Safety Handbook located on the Districts website. If your question is not answered, please feel free to contact our Transportation Service Center at: 979-865-3673.

 

How do I find out my student's bus number?

There are several options to obtain your students bus information. If the campus has an open house or meet the teacher night transportation will have a booth to set up services. You can also call your students campus or the Transportation department.

 

What are the Transportation Department hours?
The Transportation Department is open from 5:30 am until 5:15 pm on school days. We are closed from 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM for lunch. Any message left during lunch will be returned the same day. 

  

Who should I call if the bus does not arrive to pick up my student on time?
Your student should be at their bus stop five (5) minutes before the scheduled arrive time, allowing a five (5) minute window for traffic problems. When contacting our office for bus location, please provide your student's name and school they attend. Route times may fluctuate during the first few weeks of school. Thank you for your  patience with us during this time.

 

Can the driver stop at my house to pick up or drop off my student?
Transportation will have assigned bus stops for each student that has registered for Transportation services. Each stop has been evaluated for the safety of it's passengers. If there are any problems or concerns about an assigned stop feel free to contact the Transportation office for review. Office # 979-865-3673

 

Who should I report my address or telephone number changes to?

The school registrar should be contacted as soon as possible with all address and telephone number information changes. The registrar will put the information into the system allowing visibility to the Transportation Department. Transportation Staff cannot change your address information. It takes 24 hrs from when your information has been updated in the school system before transportation can route your student to the new address. We encourage parents to update this information as soon as possible for a minimal delay in transportation services.Thank you for your help and understanding on this matter!

How will I be notified when the school bus is running late?
This year we have put in place a new Smart Tag System. This will have a parent portal for you to see the activity of your student. Please bare with use during the start of school to allow Routes and times to stabilize before we open the parent portal. This is new and exciting safety equipment that will enable you as a parent as well as the district campuses the ability to know where your student is while on the school bus and when and where they get off the school bus.

 

How will I be notified of a change to my student's stop time, stop location or bus number?
If the change in time is less than five minutes, the driver will notify the students of the change. If there is a change in stop location or bus assignment the Transportation Department will attempt to notify all students and parents of the change before the change occurs.

 

 I got home late (in PM) and I cannot find my student. The school is closed and no one answers the phone at the school. What do I do?
Smart Tag parent portal will help to avoid this issue. If not available calling the Transportation department is usually the best option under these circumstances. The Transportation staff will assist you in locating your child. Office: 979-865-3673. For after hours please contact the Director by Cell: 979-270-9066 and/or your local police department.

 

I have a question regarding a bus stop location or pick up/drop time. Who should I call?
Please contact the Transportation department at 979-865-3673. The staff is trained to answer most of the service questions. If the person can not help with the answer, leave your name and a detailed message for your call to be returned returned.   

 

My student's bus is overcrowded. Can some student's be placed on another bus?
School bus sizes are stated in terms of passenger capacity. It is assumed that elementary school-aged children will ride three (3) per seat. Every attempt will be made to limit middle and high school students to ride two (2) per seat. Even if the bus has three (3) elementary students or two (2) middle or high school students in each seat, it will seem crowded but it will not be over capacity. It is our goal to provide the safest form of transportation as possible. If there is a concern please feel free to contact transportation so that it can be investigated. Transportation will, after the conclusion of the investigation, make a decision on the appropriate safety action needed. When that has been determined we will make contact and inform you of our decision. We do not take lightly your concerns because the safety of your student is our only priority!

 

I cannot see my student's bus stop from my house. How can I get the bus stop moved closer?
The bus stops are located at centralized locations that can be safely accessed by a significant number of students. If you have a concern about your student's safety, you are encouraged to accompany your student to the bus stop. As a safety consideration it is safer to have several students wait at a stop versus an individual. Bellville ISD utilizes group stops where possible to cut down on the amount of ride time students are having to ride the bus.  Students may also be required to walk further in subdivisions that have multiple houses under construction (active construction). The safety of our as buses cannot fit down roads where there are vehicles parked on both sides, or if a subdivision is private and/or gated.

 

Why are the school bus seats spaced so close together?
The purpose of spacing school bus seats so close is to contain the rider in a cushioned compartment with only a minimum amount of space between energy-absorbing surfaces. 

In the 1970's the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Safety Administration determined that the safest and best arrangement for school bus seating would be a "compartmentalization" concept. Under this concept, seat backs are made higher, wider and thicker than before. All metal surfaces are covered with foam padding. They must also have a steel inner structure that springs and bends forward to help absorb energy when a rider is thrown against it. The seat is required to be anchored to the floor so that it will not pull loose during this bending action. The floor must be structured so that it in this event it will not bend or tear by the pulling action of the seat anchors. 

Finally, if the seats are too far apart, the rider could be thrown too far before being cushioned and/or could be thrown outside of the bus compartment altogether. The rule today states that the seat back be no farther than 24" away from a defined point.

 

My student left a jacket (books, instrument, etc.) on the bus. How can he get it back?
The drivers must check their bus after each run. Items left on the bus by students will be held by the driver and may be claimed by it's owner the next day. Fragile, expensive items are taken off the bus in the evening for their protection, then driver brought back on the bus the next morning to be claimed. If an item does not get claimed the driver will turn it into the schools lost and found.

 

What happens to my Pre-K, Kindergarten,  1st & 2nd grade student if there is no authorized person at the bus stop?

The student will be returned to his/her elementary campus for the parent to come pick them up.  After your student's been returned to the campus five (5) times, bus riding privileges will be suspended on the take home service.  Your student may continue to ride the bus to school only. If the student is returned after 4:30 pm they will be returned to transportation. In the event 5:30 pm arrive and we still cannot contact a guardian we will have to involve the local authorities.

 

What if I want my student to get off the bus at another address other than my house?

Students are only permitted to ride to and from their registered address on file with the school. For safety of all students we do not allow students to ride to other destinations. In the event an emergency arises contact the Transportation Center for more guidance. School bus transportation is defined from the state as to and from the student’s home address.

Why did you suspend my student from riding the bus?

The behavioral expectations on the bus revolve around the individual rights of every person on the bus, including the driver and the collective rights of students and driver as it pertains to Safety. Anything that jeopardizes the safety of individuals on the bus is viewed as a serious violation.

Drivers have bus rules and/or expectations posted on the bus. When there is an infraction, a referral is turned into the campus. The campus is left with the decision of the out come of the referral.  The transportation department is responsible for investigating the facts and reporting the incident as described by the driver and student. Most buses have video cameras, which are often used to verify incidents that occur on the bus. Our goal is to safely transport all students by maintaining safety and compliance for all students, parents and staff. 

 

Why does my student have a seat assignment?

Seat assignments are mandated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. If an accident occurs the driver is to provide a valid seating chart to the officers when they arrive at the scene. In the even of a fatality or serious injury accident this chart will help with identifying your student more expectantly. This will allow parents to be notified of their injured student and at what location they can find them. 

Seat assignments are also a positive way for the ride to be consistent and safe for the riders. It is very important that your student know their roll in being safe and understand the "Why's of Safety" 

How do you decide when it is too dangerous for school buses to transport students to school due to inclement weather? Who decides? How is the public notified?

The district works closely with local emergency response agencies, as well as representatives with the National Weather Service, to monitor condition when the threat of severe weather is possible. In addition, members of our Transportation Department are on the roadways in the early morning hours, assessing bus routes for any possible dangers.

The superintendent, along with staff representing operations, transportation, safety and security, and communications, assesses information gathered from local agencies, the National Weather Service, and personal observations to determine the best course of action. In many cases, making the call to alter the normal school schedule can be difficult simply due to the fact that weather is unpredictable, and that the weather conditions can differ from one side of the district to another. Ultimately, the decision to cancel school, or have a delayed start is made in the best interest of student and staff safety.

 

Thank you for your time in reading through and understanding the areas listed above. If you need further assistance or have other questions please email the Transportation Department at: [email protected]
 

 



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