Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How are the bus routes designed or decided?
A: Each year, the District reviews each route for efficiency. The review includes the locations of students, the route of travel, increase or decrease in ridership, and start times. With this information and the assistance of computerized routing software, the best routes are developed.
Q: How are bus stops determined?
A: As we have evaluated routes and applied the standards discussed in the Bus Routing Plan Webinar, stops have been consolidated or moved to standard locations to serve the community. By doing so, the stops will stay more consistent, with fewer route modifications required each year.
Q: Why have some stops been eliminated?
A: Enrollment is calculated at the beginning of each school year. Bus stops are created to meet the needs of all the students assigned to that particular bus route. This requires that some bus stops be evaluated, moved, or eliminated to accommodate student transportation needs.
Q: May I ask our bus driver to change a stop location or to add a stop?
A: No. The drivers do not have the authority to change or add a stop and assume all liability if they do so. To serve the needs of the community, stops have been placed at common locations such as intersections and moved away from preferential locations, such as specific houses. If you have a request concerning bus stop locations, please contact the Transportation Office at (847) 566-0305 or email transportation@fsd79.org.
Q: Does our child need to stand outside at the bus stop 10 minutes early every school day? Even in inclement weather?
A: Yes, your child needs to stand outside 10 minutes early every school day to be prepared if the bus arrives a few minutes early or late due to traffic or weather conditions. He or she should be waiting on the side of the street where the bus door opens before the arrival of the bus.
Q: Can we drive our child to the stop and have him or her wait in the car during inclement weather?
A: Yes, but please make sure you do not interfere with the bus operation. Please do not block intersections or lines of sight and stay a safe distance away from the bus path. The buses have what is known as “tail swing” and the tail end of the bus often hangs out farther if the driver has to drive around objects or vehicles.
Again, as noted above, if your child is waiting in your vehicle, he or she must be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the bus is due. Having your child approach or cross the street as the bus arrives at the stop puts him or her in potential danger, as the roads may be slick and the line of sight is blocked for other drivers.
Q: Whom do I call if the bus never arrives?
A: Contact the Transportation Office at (847) 566-0305 or email transportation@fsd79.org.
Q: Whom do I call if my child does not get off the bus at the assigned stop or the bus accidentally passes our stop?
A: If your child has not been dropped off, call the Transportation Office at (847) 566-0305 or email transportation@fsd79.org.
Q: When I have a question or concern about the bus service, whom should I call and what information should I provide?
A: Call the Transportation Office at (847) 566-0305 or email transportation@fsd79.org. Please be prepared to provide your name, student's name and school, address, child’s bus number, and bus stop location so that she will be able to answer your questions.
Q: If I move, but stay within the District, to whom do I talk about changing buses?
A: Notify your child’s school building administrative assistant about your address change and the need to assign your child to a different bus route.
Q: What happens if I move out of District but still want my child to finish out the remainder of the year at his or her current school?
A: Advise the building administrative assistant at your child's school of your move and your new address. Note that bus service will not be provided for students who move out of the district.
Q. My child goes to or from an address other than home (ie. daycare, grandparent, babysitter). Can they ride the bus to or from a location other than our home?
A. If the location is within Fremont School District 79’s boundaries, children may ride the bus to or from that location. As long as it is for all days of the week.. Parents must fill out a special busing request form first. Please contact the transportation office for the form.
Q. What if the location is not within FSD79's boundaries?
A. We do not bus students outside the district’s boundaries.
Q. What if I want to pick up my student on a day he or she normally rides the bus?
A. Send a note to the teacher with your child stating that you will be picking him or her up after school. In the case of an emergency, call the school office so the staff can let the teacher know not to put your child on the bus.
Q. My middle school child occasionally stays after school. Are there late buses?
A. Middle school students who are authorized to stay after school may ride the elementary bus home. We provide shuttle buses from the middle school to the elementary school every day just before the elementary school dismissal time (3:45 p.m. on normal dismissal days). Students should behave accordingly on elementary buses. Bus stops may not be the same as the middle school route. Because of space considerations, students in band, athletics, or plays are not allowed to ride the elementary buses home.