Frequently Asked Questions
Adding or
changing a stop
Q: Why can't you put a bus stop in front of
my house?
A: We would have to determine if a. you live
within the 1 mile boundary or 11/2 mile walk or b. if safety is a factor and if
the requested stop is with a safe walk to your address. Unless there is a safety factor involved,
stops are not generally closer than ½ mile apart
Q: Can my Big Bus stop be changed? I don’t
think it is safe. What are the steps to
have this happen and what can I do to help this change happen?
A: The request is generally turned into
Transportation by the school. When
Transportation receives a request to change a bus stop it is looked at by
several people and sometimes they go out and view the site. This usually takes place about three weeks
after school has started. The school
will be notified of the approval or denial.
Q: When will transportation start?
A: As soon as we can get the request
processed. We process on a date
received basis.
Finding your Bus and Times
Q: What time is my bus at
my stop?
A: Parents can look at the Transportation
Web site to find their stop times under General Transportation Stop and Route
Data. http://www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/student-transportation/1405.htm
Q: How do I find out which bus I ride?
A: 1. Visit our website. http://www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/student-transportation/index.htm From the Transportation Dept page, click on
General Transportation data. Arrow down
to your school and find the stop closest to your home.
2. Call your school. They have access to a tool that can tell you
if you are eligible for bus service and the closest stop to your address.
3. Call our office and we can help
find the stop for you.
4. Go into
Schools on PPS home page http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools-c/find_your_school.php and click on “which school will I attend” put
your address in and it will tell you.
Late busses
Q: Why is my bus late?
A: While
we make every effort to have your bus on time, events beyond our control can
and do occur. Heavy morning traffic and adverse weather conditions are the most
common problems.
Q: My pick up time is 8:15 and now it is
8:25. I have been waiting since 8:20 because the bus is “usually” late. Where
is my bus? can they come back to pick me up?
A: We cannot send a bus back for students
who missed their bus. Please be waiting for the bus 5 minutes before the
scheduled pick-up time.
Late Opening
Q: If school opens two hours later than
normal, what time does the bus come?
A: In most cases, the bus will arrive two
hours later than the regularly scheduled time.
Q: Why can't everybody be on the same late
opening schedule?
A: Some schools, especially High Schools
have late opening schedules based on their individual needs.
Safety of the bus
Q: Why don't all school buses have seat
belts?
A: Our buses are held to the highest
standards of construction to provide the safest method to transport our
children. The design is cushioned and “compartmentalized” to act like an egg
carton holding eggs.
Snow Routes
Q: If
the buses are on snow routes in the AM will they be on their snow routes in the
PM?
A: Yes, when the buses are on snow routes
they are on snow routes all day.
Q: If
the buses are running on snow routes do the after school extended day buses
run?
A: No, when the buses are on snow routes
the extended day transportation is canceled.
Q: If
the district calls for snow routes do worksites open 2 hours later?
A: No,
worksites will not be open on days that snow routes are in force.
SPEcial eDucation Transportation Questions.
Q: How long does it take for
transportation to be set up?
A: It
takes 7-10 working days. At the beginning of the school year it can take a
little bit longer to get transportation into place.
Q: When will transportation start?
A: As soon as we can get the request
processed. We work on a date received
basis. Transportation will generally
start on a Tuesday within 7-10 days from when we receive the request.
Q: Can we put Special Ed students on the
bus before my school’s bell time in the PM?
A: The driver will be
unable to take the students until the bell rings.
Q: If
the district calls for snow routes do worksites open 2 hours later?
A: No,
worksites will not be open on days that snow routes are in force.
School Bus Education for the Student: the Stopps
program
Q: What is the schools
responsibility regarding the STOPPS program?
A: Elementary students are shown the video
“Toby the Tire”. Middle School students are shown the video “How to Be Safe on
the Bus”. After viewing the video they go out to the school buses for the “on
the bus instruction”. High School students receive a brochure and that is all.
TRI-MET and PPS
Q: How do I qualify for a
free or reduced bus pass?
A: We do not sell reduced bus passes or
tickets. We pay the same as the public and do not get a discount.
For the 2010-11 school year all
When the busses arrive at school
Q: Does a staff member need to meet the
buses at the school in the morning?
A: Yes they do. ALL School busses MUST be
met in the morning. Also there is the benefit of open communication between the
bus driver and the school. The bus
driver can let the staff member know of any problems or concerns that happened
on the bus on the way to school.
Q: What time does a staff member need to be in the loading Zone?
A: The buses arrive ten minutes before the tardy bell, they need
to be met at this time.
If you have questions that are not
answered here, please contact our office.
transportation@pps.net
or 503-916-6901, Ext 0.
