Pick Up Time Criteria

Regular transportation attempts to arrive at every bus stop on time. Due to the variances between individual clocks, students are asked to arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time. Buses will load students and depart the stop. Special needs transportation follows much the same criteria but will wait up to 2 minutes at the stop. All buses will wait at the school in the afternoon for students to board until they are released by campus administrators. Students are expected to proceed immediately to the buses. Bus drivers are instructed not to stop or open the door for late students due to safety concerns.

Bus Route Design

Bus routes are created to enhance student safety while maximizing vehicle efficiency. Stops are created that allow students to wait off the main roadway for the bus if at all possible. Stops are also created to minimize students walking in highly traveled roadways for long distances without sidewalks. Stops are not placed in cul-de-sacs or dead-end streets whenever possible to minimize bus accidents while backing up (backing is a very dangerous maneuver for a School bus). Stops are spread as far apart as criteria will allow in order to decrease the number of stops each bus will make on its route thus minimizing riding time for the students.

Bus stops may be located at the corner of intersections, at the middle of a block, or at a school that matches the guidelines. The above criteria applies to regular education students only. Special needs stops may be subject to different criteria.

Parents must assume the responsibility for their students traveling back and forth from home to the stop.

Initial placements and subsequent changes can take up to five (5) to ten (10) business days to complete.

Bus Ridership Capacities

School buses are rated by manufacturers to have a capacity of three riders per seat. McKinney ISD transportation sets maximum ridership per bus at three riders per seat at elementary levels, two to 3 riders per seat at middle school and high school levels.

Phones on The Bus

Cell phones should not be visible. Cell phones should be kept to the student. If a student’s cell phone becomes a distraction or a safety issue, the driver can ask the student to put it away. If the student does not comply, the driver may take the cell phone from the student, and the cell phone will be returned as the student is getting off the bus.

Students Riding on a Different Bus

All students must ride their assigned bus.

Students Getting on/off at a Different Stop

Bus-hopping or changing from assigned buses is not permitted. Students may ONLY utilize their designated stop as assigned by Versa Trans. Buses will stop at designated stops only. If for some reason a student needs to utilize a different stop at any time, the following steps must be taken:

1. Note from parent/guardian sent with student

2. Note must be approved and stamped by the campus

3. Campus will verify that there is an emergency situation with the student/family that requires the student to get on/off at a stop other than their assigned stop.

4. Note is given to bus driver

Large Items/Sports Equipment/Instruments On Bus

All items brought on board must fit in the student’s lap. Please make special arrangements for transporting large articles such as large band instruments (such as, but not limited to tubas and euphoniums), large projects, or any other item which would take up another student’s seat.

Sports Equipment (such as, but not limited to a basketball or tennis racquet) and Color Guard props (such as, but not limited to guns and swords) must be COMPLETELY concealed in a duffle bag or backpack and not visible to the driver or students. Golf Clubs and Color Guard flags or poles are not able to be transported on the bus. Recreational equipment (such as, but not limited to skateboards) will not be allowed on the bus.