| Policy Code | 520 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | April 15, 1996 |
| Amendment Date | October 11, 2016, September 11, 2023, August 25, 2025 |
| Cross Reference | — |
| Legal Reference | Education Act, Section 59; School Transportation Regulation |
The Board will endeavour to provide a safe, efficient and economical bus transportation system for all eligible students of the Division.
The Board retains ultimate control of its bus transportation services, but delegates authority for the control of the general operation and maintenance services to a Transportation Committee. The actual management of the busing services will be carried out by the Associate Superintendent, Business Services and the Transportation Supervisor in consultation with school administrators and the Superintendent.
Definitions
Eligible Students
Eligible students shall be defined as:
Grades K-6 - students who reside in excess of 1.6 km from the school in which the Board has designated they attend.
Grades 7-12 – students who reside in excess of 2 kms from the school in which the Board has designated they attend.
Eligible students may also include students who reside outside of any Town, Village, or Hamlet boundary within specific transportation areas, if feasible to do so.
Transportation Areas
Transportation areas shall be established by the Board to transport students within the general parameters of the designated attendance areas.
Distance
The distance of a residence from a school or a bus route shall be the shortest distance measured along a travelled road between the boundary of the school site and the boundary of the quarter section or lot on which the student's parents reside.
GUIDELINES
- STUDENTS RESIDING MORE THAN 1.6 KM FROM SCHOOL (GRADES K-6) OR 2 KMS FROM SCHOOL (GRADES 7-12)
- The Board will provide transportation from a designated pick up/drop off point for all eligible students.
- If the Board directs a student to an alternate school within the Division for special education / programming needs, transportation will be provided to and from the appropriate school.
- If a student is approved to enrol in a school outside their designated transportation area, the parent shall be responsible for transportation of the student to and from the site of the school or to and from the nearest school bus stop serving that school in the transportation area, subject to room being available on the school bus.
- In the interest of economical consideration, students may be required to walk a distance to a designated pick-up/drop off point in their area.
- Fees may apply as set out in Education Act School Transportation Regulation.
- STUDENTS RESIDING LESS THAN 1.6 KM FROM SCHOOL (GRADES K-6) OR 2 KMS FROM SCHOOL (GRADES 7-12)
- The Board may transport, from a designated pick up/drop off point, students residing less than the 1.6 km (Grades K-6) or 2 kms (Grades 7-12) from school, if feasible to do so, if there has been a safety concern identified by the Board such as a railway crossing or if the Transportation Committee has established courtesy busing in urban areas.
- Fees may apply as set out in the Education Act School Transportation Regulation.
- KINDERGARTEN TRANSPORTATION
Transportation for eligible kindergarten children will only be provided one-way, to school in the morning or from school in the afternoon, for programs operating on a half-day basis.
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS
The Board may provide transportation for students enrolled in an alternative program, outside of the student's regular designated transportation area, at the discretion of the Board.