If a student is eligible for school bus transportation, how will the parent/guardian know which bus route the student is assigned to ride, where the bus stop is located and the pickup and drop off time at the bus stop location?

Prior to the beginning of the school year, a transportation mailer will be sent to the registered address of the student listing the bus route number, bus stop assignment location and the pickup and drop off times for the bus stop.

How can I get a bus stop changed?

You may request a change in a bus stop by contacting your student’s school and ask them to put thru a campus bus pass. You should receive a response within 10 days from the school. The student will need to continue to use you the current stop the student is assigned to. NOTE: Bus stops are changed for reasons of safety not due to proximity of the stop to a residence, the parent’s ability to see a stop from their residence, the fact that a bus passes a house to get to a stop, the lack of sidewalks, or that it may be dark outside, it is the responsibility of parents/guardians to accompany their student to the bus stop and to supervise them until bus arrives at the stop.

Why does it take 10 days to establish a new stop for a student?

To establish a new, safe stop location a new route must be identified and then reviewed by the transportation department for any potential hazards as well notify area office, driver, school and any other students that be effected by the route change.

Magnet parents have the responsibility to:

• Request that the ramp be used as a bus stop every day for the school year;
• Designate the magnet transfer ramps as a designated bus stop every day for the school year;
• Provide transportation for kindergarten students, magnet transportation is for students in 1st-12th grade.
• Complete ramp information card that kept on file for the security of the students;
• Notify the school and transportation office to pick-up their student at the ramp in an emergency situation;
• Designate a neighborhood bus stop in case of emergencies when the parent may not be at the transfer ramp, or for cases when they arrive at the ramp after transfer has been called. For safety purposes, students are not released after transfer has been called.

Who is eligible to receive school bus transportation to and from school?

The eligibility of student to receive school transportation services has been defined in Florida Statues (F.S.) Section 1006.21, to include the following:

Kindergartens through grade 12 students whose homes are more than 2.0 miles walking distance, from the assigned school.

Pre-kindergarten through 12 students with special needs or disabilities, regardless of the distance from home to school.

Elementary age children who live within two miles of their assigned elementary school and who are subject to hazardous walking conditions as defined in Section 1006.23 F.

Who determines if a student lives beyond the reasonable walking distance from school?

A reasonable walking distance for a student is defined by the Florida Department of Education Administrative Code as: “any distance not more than two (2) miles between the home and the school or one and one half (1-1/2) miles between the home and the assigned bust stop”.

The school gives the bus pass to the student and the student gives it to the driver until they are assigned to that bus--- This allows a student to ride the bus while eligibility is being determined. If the student is deemed eligible to ride the pass is approved. If the student is deemed not eligible the school is notified and they will notify the family.

Transportation mailed out postcards to families with student’s bus stop information.

Who handles student safety a school bus stops?

Parents are responsible for providing necessary protection for their student in going to bus stops during inclement weather. Parents shall also be responsible for the health, welfare, and safety of their student while such student is at bus stop and for ensuring that student arrive at bus stops on time in the morning.

What are the rules or guidelines for bus stop placement near a sexual predators residence?

Per Florida Statute 947.1405(7)(a)2 “Beginning October 1, 2004, a district school board may not establish or relocate a public school bus stop within 1,000 feet of the residence of a release who is subject to this subparagraph.”

The first the few weeks the buses could be 30 minutes to hour late; Magnet school buses could be up to 2 hours late.

For the first few weeks school buses can run late as drivers are getting familiar with students and their bus routes. Magnet Ramps will typically run late during the first few weeks as we assure all students are on the correct bus routes during the transfer process at the ramps.

If my child is eligible for Transportation and I have questions about getting my child on the bus do I call Transportation or the school?

Prior to the beginning of the school year, a transportation mailer is sent to the registered address of the student at their assigned school, listing the bus number, bus stop assignment location and the pick-up and drop-off times for their bus stop.

Who do I contact when I need to update my address and to see if I qualify for transportation?

Only the school that the student is attending can update the registered address.

Either the school or Find My Bus Stop (Webquery) can verify transportation eligibility.

Please Note: If school needs assistance they can reach out to Transportation Services with their designated area offices at 813-982-5500.

What should the parent/guardian do if they have verified that their student is eligible for school transportation and have not received a transportation mailer prior to the beginning of the school year?

The parent/guardian should contact the school that the student is currently attending to determine the bus stop locations. (The school will need to put thru a Temporary Campus-Based Bus Pass).

Find my school

How can I get my bus stop changed?

You may request a bus stop change by contacting your student’s school and asking them to put thru a campus bus pass. You should receive a response within 10 days from the school. The student will need to continue to use you the current stop the student is assigned to.

NOTE: Bus stops are changed for reasons of safety not due to proximity of the stop to a residence, the parent’s ability to see a stop from their residence, the fact that a bus passes a house to get to a stop, the lack of sidewalks, or that it may be dark outside, it is the responsibility of parents/guardians to accompany their student to the bus stop and to supervise them until bus arrives at the stop.

I moved over the weekend. Who do I contact to get a new bus stop for my student?

Routing is based upon the legal registered address at the school for the student. It’s the parent’s responsibility to provide documentation of address to the school. The school will make the necessary change and notify transportation.