Centralized Bus Stop Locations

• Centralized stops are created after balancing issues of safety, distances from home, routing efficiency and total ride length for all students onboard. Bus stop change requests should be submitted to the Coordinator of School Transportation and will be reviewed for safety, and equity for all riders. Bus drivers are not permitted to change or alter bus routes or stops without prior authorization from the SOCSD Transportation Department, with the exception of emergency road closures or hazards beyond their control.
• It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the student arrives at the bus stop at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up and drop-off times. Pick up and drop off times are approximate and may vary due to unforeseen conditions such as traffic, weather and road conditions. If your child is not ready at the designated pick-up time in the morning, it is the parent’s responsibility to arrange for alternate transportation to their respective school. The Transportation Department cannot send the bus back or dispatch a second bus to pick-up your child.
• Stops will not be moved for the convenience of parents, e.g. inability to take child to the bus stop due to having multiple children, being disabled, caregiver is elderly, etc. The District strives for consistency and fairness. Stop locations will only be changed after a safety evaluation has been performed by the Transportation Supervisor. (See “Requesting a Bus Stop Evaluation” below.)
• Factors that affect the creation of stops:
  • School buses will not enter dead-end streets;
  • Buses will not enter a cul-de-sac, except when the distance exceeds one quarter mile from the entrance of the cul-de-sac or nearest central pick up location to the student’s home;
  • Numbers of students at bus stops will be varied according to the concentration of riders in an area, the degree of traffic, the presence of stop signs, speed limits and bus turn-around requirements;
  • The maximum of 25 students at a stop will be acceptable only where there is adequate waiting space away from heavy traffic areas. Approximately 10 to 15 students will be the usual number scheduled for pickup at any one point;
  • An effort will be made to minimize crossing of the road by students.
  • Public roads: Transportation will be provided on side roads that are maintained by town highway departments unless the lack of maintenance makes it unsafe for drivers and students to be traversing these roads. Examples of unsafe conditions are flooding, road erosion, ice, snow and mud.
  • Private roads: Transportation will not be provided on roads that have not been dedicated and/or maintained by town, county, and/or state highway departments.

What Determines a Safe Bus Stop?

A safe bus stop:

• Is where the bus driver has a good line of sight (both forward and back);
• Is where the other motorists can see the bus stopped in time to react appropriately;
• Ensures the safety of ALL the students utilizing the stop, the students onboard the bus, the bus driver and other motorists on the roadway;
• Must provide students a minimum of 10 feet in front of the bus to cross the street at the direction of the driver, once all traffic has stopped for the students exiting the bus; and
• Is our top priority for students. Please follow the procedures below if you require a bus stop safety evaluation.

Requesting a Bus Stop Evaluation

• To review New York State bus stop rules, please visit the New York State Pupil Transportation website at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/schoolbus/Parents/htm/school_bus_stops.html
• Prior to completing a Bus Stop Safety Evaluation Request, please review what constitutes a safe stop, above. Remember that the District utilizes centralized stops that have been reviewed extensively and are considered safe. The request form is always available on the Transportation homepage.
• Upon completing and submitting the form, the Transportation Office will acknowledge its receipt. Bus stop safety evaluations will not take place during the first two weeks of the school year.