Statement

Parents/guardians are responsible for their student’s safe travel to and from a bus stop location.

STSWR is responsible for the selection and location of bus stops. Bus stops will be located in accordance with established policies and procedures and will factor in road, traffic and safety conditions for the student, bus driver and other motorists. In general, buses do not enter courts, cul de sacs or crescents and typically stay on arterial and/or secondary roads. Bus stops are located accordingly.

Bus stop locations are periodically reviewed and may be subject to change. Only approved bus stop locations will be utilized for student pick up and drop off.

Under normal conditions and exclusive of Specialized Transportation, STSWR does not provide “door to door” transportation.

Procedure

When determining a school bus stop location, STSWR considers multiple factors and the cumulative effect of all factors present:

• School buses are built to federally regulated safety standards and are equipped with flashing lights to assist students in crossing streets and roadways. Under the Highway Traffic Act, motorists in both directions must stop so that students can cross safely;
• Distance between bus stops must allow for adequate time for the bus driver to activate the lights to alert other motorists;
• Traffic volume will be assessed as required;
• Posted speed limits;
• Number of travelled lanes that a student may have to cross to meet transportation;
• Sightlines to provide visibility for approaching motorists;
• Intersections, both controlled and uncontrolled; and
• Many communities served by STSWR do not have sidewalks. A lack of sidewalks may not result in eligibility for transportation or closer bus stop locations.
• Physical barriers such as unguarded railway crossings, bridges without sidewalks or railings, and unprotected waterways will be factored in when selecting a school bus stop location;
• Grade of road or curve of roadway should allow for clear visibility. Therefore, natural view obstructions will be considered;
• Community bus stops that are accessible to a number of students are used whenever possible.

Distance Guidelines

Distance to Bus Stop

The following distance guidelines shall generally be used to determine bus stop location:

a) For students living in urban municipalities and established settlement areas, students may be required to walk the following distances to bus stops.

Grade	Distance
Junior and Senior Kindergarten	0.5 km
1- 8	1.0 km
9- 12	1.6 km

b) As a general rule, students living in rural areas, outside urban municipalities and established settlement areas, will be picked up or dropped off at their laneway. Where this is not possible, they may be required to walk up to 0.5 km from their property to a bus stop.