Policies and Procedures

Late Riders Policy

Bus drivers will NEVER leave a stop in the morning where the student did not show up without first doing the following:

• They will double check the time of their arrival with their watch and that of someone on the bus.
• They will then wait two minutes until it is two minutes past the normal pick up time.
• The bus driver will call the family -
  If there is no answer, they will leave a message to say what has been done.
  If the family responds, they will find out what their intentions are.
• If students come running, the bus driver will very calmly but firmly inform them this should not happen again - students are to be at their stop 5 minutes before the pick up time. 
• If it happens again, the above steps will be followed. The bus driver will also inform them that parents will be called that night just to advise them this can't happen again. 
• If it happens a 3rd time, the above steps will be followed and students will be advised that the Transportation Manager will be calling their parents to discuss options. 

This all applies to situations in which the student is simply running late, and when they have made other arrangements for transportation (or aren't going to school that day)and didn't notify the bus driver.

Ridership Policy

The SAFETY of the students riding our buses is ALWAYS our first priority. We have lots of other priorities, but that one is always first and foremost.

No note – no ride

Students of LCES and LDCSS who wish to ride a different bus than they normally do(for a special occasion) are required to introduce themselves to the driver and present a written note to the driver from the student's parents.

We ask parents and students to give written notice when there are ridership changes for birthday parties, babysitting, work, etc. We welcome guest riders warmly but we must ensure they have parental approval.

Are there exceptions?

There are, but they are few. If a snowstorm forces LDCSS students from the north to stay at the home of friends in London, that is clearly an extenuating circumstance. We always leave the drivers with the final decision on ANY specific situation, allowing them to use their best judgment.

No note – no unscheduled stop

Students are discouraged from asking to be dropped off at alternate stops. Drivers have no way of verifying if such a drop-off is entirely safe. We will let a student off at an unscheduled stop if we have written permission from a parent. If the student will be getting off the bus at unscheduled stops on a regular or semi-regular basis during the year, then a general permission note is satisfactory. All parties are to be kept informed in writing of what is acceptable to the parents.

Absent Riders

Our drivers cannot be held responsible for riders who do not get on the bus. They will ask siblings and friends about absent riders, especially younger ones but they cannot account for students who do not get on the bus. Especially with smaller students, we work on the understanding that until they are in the custody of the bus driver, they are still in the custody of the school.