Transportation FAQ

 If you indicate that your student will be a bus rider as part of the enrollment process, your student will be assigned a bus as part of the back to school process.  Families may also contact the Department at 318-449-3108.

Students may be asked to walk up to a maximum of a half (.5) mile to their bus stop.  There are many possible reasons for this such as, but not limited to:  inability of the bus to turn around, is a combined bus stop for several students or bus route efficiency.  Door to door service is not guaranteed for any students other than ones assigned a special needs bus as designated by their IEP (Individual Education Plan).

 Please contact your school(s) and change the address with them.  Once the address has officially been changed and the student information system is updated, your student(s) will be assigned a new bus.  You may also contact the Transportation Office at 318-449-3108 after the address change has been completed and the student information system is updated.

Due to safety and logistical concerns, we do not allow “split time” between buses.  Students will be picked up/dropped off at their designated bus stop for the address listed as their primary residence in the student information system.

Students are only picked up and dropped off at the designated bus stop for the primary residence address listed in the student information system.  Daycare service, private or public, is not provided.  Door to door service is not guaranteed for any students other than ones assigned a special needs bus as designated by their IEP (Individual Education Plan).

Yes.  Door to door transportation is not provided.  Magnet/Montessori students will be provided with pick up/drop off locations and times.  Families will meet the bus at these locations/times to pick up/drop off students.

No.  Per Board policy, any family with high school students participating in open enrollment is responsible for providing transportation.

There is a one mile walkzone for all schools.  Students living within this zone will not be placed on a bus.  Students are not asked to cross railroad crossings or major highways.  In these cases, students will be placed on a bus.  Families may contact the Transportation Department if they believe there are other extenuating safety concerns or issues.

Schools have a protocol to follow for approving a temporary change.  Temporary is defined as 1-5 days.  School should be contacted at least 3 days in advance.  Please provide the school with all contact information for adults, reason for the request, temporary address and current bus operator.  While it is hard to describe all possible scenarios that may require a temporary change some examples are (but not limited to):  parent(s) are out of town & student is staying with relative/friend, student is not a bus rider but needs to ride home with friend/family member one afternoon, etc. 

Yes.  For safety reasons, RPSB strongly recommends that a parent/guardian/older sibling be present at the afternoon bus stop to receive all students, especially younger students (Pre-K-3).  However, students will be let off of the bus even if no one is present.  Bus operators are instructed to keep students on the bus if they believe there is a present threat to student safety.  Parent contact will be attempted.  If parental contact is not made, student(s) will be returned to their school or local law enforcement office.

All items must fit in a student’s backpack or lunchbox.  All items must fit in the student’s lap or under their seat.  Items such as sports equipment, archery cases/equipment, large band instruments, class party food/drinks, weapons, drugs, vapes, lighters, etc. are prohibited.  This is not an exhaustive list of prohibited items.  

Families are asked to arrive at least 10 minutes before scheduled pick up/drop off time and wait at least 10 minutes past the scheduled time.  Students should be standing and ready to board the bus once the doors are opened.  Students are asked to not wait in the home, on the porch or in a vehicle.