Transportation FAQs

How do I request bus transportation for my student?

Contact your child’s school to inform them of your transportation needs. The school will then contact the transportation department to confirm address and eligibility (Only students that reside in the
school district are eligible for bus transportation). The transportation department will send you and the school secretary an email with bus stop information and the start date. Transportation for currently enrolled students can usually begin within 24-48 hours of the request.

How are bus stops and bus routes determined?

Our transportation team uses a school bus routing software to determine the safest and most logical bus stops for all of the students in the district. There are many factors in assessing bus stop locations including traffic conditions, intersection locations, safety conditions, boundaries, student data and bus capacity. Each of these factors can change rapidly with the growing population and thus can require changes to bus stops and routes throughout the year. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive to keep our bus routes and bus stops as safe as possible for all of our students, bus drivers and community members.

We were late to the bus stop this morning and my student went running after the bus and the driver did not wait for my student, why?

First of all, do not EVER allow your student to run after a moving bus! This is very dangerous and you can never assume that the bus driver has seen your student. If your student misses the bus you will need to take your student to school. Most routes do not allow time to loop back around to pick up a late student. If you feel your bus is consistently more than 5 minutes outside of your assigned bus stop time please call our transportation office to discuss the situation, 317/745-6875.

What items are allowed to be transported on the school bus?

DCSC policy states that musical instruments, athletic equipment and other large items may only be transported if they fit on the lap of the student in the seat. Items cannot be stored behind the driver seat, in the aisles or blocking exits or pathways. Items such as basketballs, baseball bats and tennis rackets must be completely enclosed inside a bag.

My student wants to ride the bus home with a friend this Friday, why is this not allowed?

DCSC policy allows only 2 addresses per student per year for bus transportation assignments. Our bus routes and bus capacities are monitored closely for overall safety and efficiency. Bus drivers are responsible for 50-70 students and bus stops per route. Making frequent changes to these is difficult for the bus driver to monitor and ensure students are getting off at their correct bus stop locations. We limit the changes to maximize the safety of our students.

My student is having trouble with another student on the bus and the bus driver isn’t doing anything about it, why not?

Bus drivers have a very important job – driving the school bus safely. It is impossible for the bus driver to see and hear everything that is going on behind them. If something is happening on the bus that concerns you or your student, please contact your school’s principle or the transportation department to investigate the incident further. The bus driver wants to make the bus ride safe and enjoyable for all passengers.