Program Bus Information

Please refer to the staff toolbox for directions on how to request specialized busing. The process can also be found in the Special Education compliance manual.

If you are requesting special transportation services for the 1st time, please contact your special education director prior to completing the staff request form. Each request is approved by the special education director, then the approval is sent to transportation. Once we receive both the staff request and the parent request, securing a driver will take a minimum of 3 days to complete.

Transportation does not have the authority to adjust student's accommodations. All requests must be approved by your special education director.

Please review the following operating standards for special education/preschool students’ bus stop procedures. These procedures are necessary to help accommodate students who require “specialized” transportation with a safe, timely, and efficient ride to and from school. We provide a corner-to-corner bus stop location for special education and preschool students that may require some extra planning by parents/guardians. These operating standards and procedures are imperative for the appropriate and safe transportation of your child. For a complete list of safety rules and regulations visit our website at www.nsd.org/nsdtransportation:

• It is required to call Dispatch at (425) 408-7900 option #2, when your child will NOT ride the bus to/from school. We would appreciate 30-minutes or more notice. Please leave a voice message with your student's name, school and bus number. Note: Drivers are not to use personal cell phones. 

•  After three (3) days of attempting to pick up your child with no prior cancellation, your student will be placed on hold until transportation is notified to reinstate.
   
• It may be necessary for the parent/guardian or parent designee to help secure their child in the car seat, safety vest, or safety belt as they load/unload the bus. Drivers may not get out of their seats while the bus motor is running on the roadway, and/or in a parking lot with other vehicles moving.
   
• It is necessary for a parent/guardian or parent designee to be available at the time your child’s school is dismissed. Due to absentees and/or road conditions of routes, their drop-off time can change from day to day.
   
• The driver must see a parent/guardian or parent designee before they can leave your child at the stop. This assures your child’s safety. Please note Kindergarten and Preschool students are required to have a parent/guardian or parent designee present at the bus stop when they are picked up or dropped off.

You must indicate on the Special Education Transportation and Emergency Information sheet an alternative person(s) or close neighbor(s) that you have given permission to receive your child if an emergency keeps you from meeting your child. If additional persons need to be added to your emergency contact list, please submit in writing via note or a Permission to Release form (that can be found on our website). Any person designated to receive your child must have photo I.D. with them when meeting the bus. Otherwise, your child will be returned to school or the Special Education department.

A safe drive is dependent on communication with the driver. If there is anything that could help the driver maintain a safe ride to and from school (medical, behavioral, special needs), please communicate this to your driver(s).

• Please notify the Transportation Department of any change to your students’ transportation plan. Any change requires a minimum of three (3) school days for the change to be implemented. This would include changes in daycare accommodations and address changes for pick up or drop off locations. You must also notify the Special Education Department as your move may change your placement program. In addition, it is important to please notify us immediately of any phone numbers that have changed.

• If you would like to cancel your student’s transportation, please submit a cancellation form (located on our website).

• It is important to be at your student’s bus stop five (5) minutes before the assigned pick-up time. Due to traffic, increased load counts, and needs of other students on each bus, the bus will not be able to wait if you are late. Please be sure to dress your student in appropriate clothing for the weather and time of year.

• For students whose stop location is at their residence (wheelchair, etc.), please be ready for the bus ten (10) minutes prior to and ten (10) minutes following their scheduled pick-up time. Your student must be ready and waiting outside when the school bus arrives. If the child is not out to the bus within this time or if traffic has been impeded, drivers have been instructed to leave.
• Drivers are not allowed to honk the horn or use personal cell phones to get your attention.
• Northshore school buses do not travel on private property.

Thank you for your understanding and support to improve the efficiency of our transportation system. Your cooperation will help us provide reliable service for all Northshore students.

Special Education Transportation Parent Copy

Safety is our number one goal here at transportation. On the Special Education Transportation and Emergency Form, please indicate if your student will need a besi seat (under 40 pounds), needs a safety vest, wheelchair, and any additional information to ensure your student has a successful ride to and from school.  

If your student requires a safety vest, please contact us for an appointment at 425-408-7944 or cramos@nsd.org.  Our hours for appointments are between 10am-2pm Monday - Friday. Your student will be properly fitted, and a safety vest will be checked out to your student for as long as needed. Parents/Guardians are financially liable for lost or damaged vests.

Please contact transportation directly at 425-408-7900 or email transportation@nsd.org

Safety is the overriding factor in choosing routes and bus stops. Bus stops will be placed on public roadways that are of sufficient construction, size, and width to accommodate a school bus. Further considerations include:

• percent of grade,
• number of lanes (at least two),
• whether the roadway is paved,
• the speed of traffic,
• whether there is adequate sight distance to locate a bus stop safely,
• and the avoidance of travel on private roads and/or driveways.

Bus routes are designed with buses traveling on main arterials with students picked up and dropped off at central locations. Visibility – Bus drivers need to have at least 500 feet of visible roadway to the bus stop. If there is not ample visibility (e.g. curve or hill) a “school bus stop ahead sign” is put in place before the stop in accordance with WAC 392-145-030. Bus drivers activate their school bus warning lights 300-100 feet before arriving at the bus stop, where the posted speed limit is 35 mph and under, and 500-300 feet before arriving at the bus stop where the posted speed limit is 35 mph and over.

Bus stops are located at corners for several reasons:

• Bus stops may be located at corners or intersections whenever possible. Street signs at corner stops are much more visible to drivers than house numbers.
• Students are generally taught to cross at corners rather than in the middle of the street.
• Traffic controls, such as stoplights or signs, are located at corners. These tend to slow down motorists at corners, making them more cautious as they approach intersections. The motoring public generally expects school buses to stop at corners rather than individual houses. Impatient motorists are also less likely to pass buses at corners than along a street. Cars passing school buses create the greatest risk to students who are getting on or off the bus.
• Bus drivers activate their warning lights and stop arm when picking up and dropping off students. Corner stops allow ample time for the driver to activate the yellow warning lights before getting to the stop.
• Ride times for students are shorter if buses are kept on the main arterial and avoid traveling down side streets. Exceptions are in place for certain students whose needs are addressed through an IEP (individual education plan) or 504 plan are eligible for “curbside” service. This service is typically restricted to situations where a less restrictive environment is not possible or where medical issues require this type of service.

Distance from home to bus stop:
Students may, depending on conditions, be required to walk up to 1 mile on public roadway to access a stop.

Distance to closest stop:
Bus stops will be no closer than 300-600 feet apart with the exception of hazards, e.g. speeds over 40 MPH, ditches, railroads.

Criteria considered requirements for adding a stop or making a house stop.

• It is not possible to provide bus stops that are within sight of all student's homes or daycares unless house stops are made for all students. We encourage parents to be present at bus stops to promote proper pedestrian and bus stop behavior.
• Bus stops are not added solely due to the bus routed past the home. The higher frequency of stops made by the bus creates impatient motorists, increasing the risk of the public driving around the bus and creating a safety concern for students who walk to the bus stop.
• Bus stops are not modified to accommodate a single student stop. Other students may be assigned to the stop, but ride infrequently. Stops are made at corners for efficiency and to accommodate other students who may move into the neighborhood and other students using the stop due to an inadequate walk path.

Other considerations:

• School bus stops are located for optimal visibility to motorists.
• Students who live in a subdivision will walk out to the main entrance of their neighborhood.
• The safety of all school bus stops are evaluated with the understanding that the parent/guardian (or other adult) will provide age-appropriate supervision for their student(s) at the bus stop.

Transportation exceptions for students who reside within 1 mile:

• The students who need to cross a roadway with three or more lanes at an intersection that is not controlled by a crossing guard, stop sign or traffic light.
• Absence of appropriate walking path.
• Alternative routes, such as parks or community trails are not provided.

Families that would like us to re-evaluate their stop location can start the review process by completing a Transportation Modification Form.