FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How are bus stops selected?
Bus stops are selected based on the most efficient route for the bus to follow that also provides a bus stop for each child within a reasonable walking distance from home. As much as possible, busses are kept on the larger streets.
Busses will not be routed to stop at every block. As a bus travels down the street there will be some distance between each bus stop.
How do I change my child’s bus stop?
If you want your child at a different bus stop you can request it through a phone call to the large yellow bus or small yellow bus “routing questions” number noted in the back of these guidelines or drop a note to the Transportation Department explaining your request. Requests will be honored if possible. Please remember that during the month of September and a good portion of October the Transportation Department will be working on providing transportation for students who have experienced a late registration. Bus stop changes will not be processed until the initial rush of the school year start up is over.
How long will it take my child’s transportation to start?
The minimum time for a transportation change to become effective is five (5) working days. All changes are done formally as we advise you the parents, your child’s school, Laidlaw and those in the Transportation Department of the proposed change.
The best way to receive transportation services in a timely manner is to advise the Transportation Department well in advance of any changes. Before school closes in June, check with your child’s school to make sure that the Transportation Department has the correct information for September. During the school year, let your child’s school know of any address changes. During July and August call the Transportation Department at the main hotline number, 828-4895, to advise of any address or school changes.
If you wait until school starts in September to request transportation, you will experience a delay of at least several weeks before transportation arrangements are in place.
How can I get my child picked up or dropped off at a day care location?
You may request transportation to a second address (e.g: day care, after school program or relative) based on the following conditions:
The morning pick-up point must be the same every day (5 days per week). The afternoon drop-off point must be the same every day (5 days per week). The pick-up and drop-off points may be different (home address and second address).
To receive second address transportation parents or guardians may obtain a an application by calling 828-4850.
Mail or deliver completed applications to:
2nd Address Transportation
Joseph F. Jones Service Center
105 Bailey Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14220
Once begun, second address transportation will continue for the remainder of the school year and rollover for the subsequent year unless we hear differently from you.
Can big musical instruments be transported to school?
Children are not allowed to bring anything on the bus that they cannot easily hold on their lap. Items such as sleds or large musical instruments or similar large items could easily become airborne and cause danger for other students if the bus was involved in a sudden stop.
I notice that this handbook states that all students younger than first grade must be met by a responsible person at the bus stop. How do you define a responsible person and what if I can’t meet my child?
Parents are legally responsible for the safety of their children from the bus stop to the home. In this circumstance, we define a responsible person as someone 16 years of age or older. If there are circumstances that absolutely prevent you from having your child met at the bus stop, you can request a drop off permission slip from the Bus Aide for this circumstance.
What do I do if someone is picking on my child on the bus?
The Bus Driver and Bus Aide are charged with safety and discipline concerns on a bus. If you have concerns about discipline problems on the bus you can contact the Bus Aide Team Leader or Laidlaw Branch Manager. Your child’s school also has a transportation coordinator assigned who will help you with these types of issues.
Do children have to wear seat belts?
All of our school busses are equipped with seat belts. There is no absolute answer about whether a child should wear a seat belt or not on a school bus. We have included a position paper by a national organization on this issue and also the district policy on seat belts in a separate section of this handbook. We encourage you to read this position paper over, understand the policy, and make your own decision on this matter.
What does compartmentalization mean?
“Compartmentalization” is an occupant protection strategy unique to school busses. Student riders are surrounded by a compartment of energy absorbing material - 4" thick foam seats, seat frames that bend to absorb crash impact, a vehicle designed to absorb energy. The idea is the crash forces will be dissipated or absorbed before they get to the student passengers. Compartmentalization is a passive strategy. It exists without any action on the part of the children or extra supervision by the drivers.
