Transportation FAQs

How early should my child be at the bus stop?
Students should arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before the bus is due. In order to maintain a dependable time schedule, bus drivers have been directed not to wait for tardy students.

What do I do if the bus does not come?
Some circumstances such as weather, traffic, and other unforeseen incidents may cause delays. Important: We ask that you please give the bus 10-15 minutes beyond the normal pick up time before calling the Transportation Department to report a late or missing bus. The first few days of school, the PM routes will run a little behind as staff members are helping students find their correct bus.  

How can I look up my child’s bus route?
Routes may be found on the Transportation tab in Powerschool. Routes will be placed in PowerSchool up to three days prior to the first day of school. We ask that parents check PowerSchool the night before school begins in case a change had to be made to their students’ route.

What is and is not considered when creating a bus stop?

  • Bus routing is designed with buses traveling main roads through neighborhoods and with students picked up and dropped off at central locations. Bus stops are located at corners or intersections whenever possible and are usually central to where students live.
  • It is not possible to provide bus stops that are within sight of all students’ homes. We do encourage parents to be out at bus stops to promote proper bus stop behavior.
  • A house stop will not be made simply because the bus goes past a student’s house. Many routes travel past students’ houses on the way to or from school. Adding additional stops negatively impacts the efficiency of a route and will often result in a route that is consistently late to school. Additionally, the higher frequency of stops made by the bus often result in impatient motorists driving around the bus causing a safety concern.
  • A house stop would not necessarily be made because there is only one student at the stop. Other students may be assigned to the stop, but ride infrequently. Additionally, stops are made at corners for efficiency and to accommodate other students who may move into the neighborhood.
  • Except for special education circumstances, buses are generally not routed into a cul-de-sac. A school bus requires 115 feet to safely turn and cul-de-sacs typically do not have enough room for safe access. Driving into a cul-de-sac often forces the bus to back up, which is not compliant with bus driver procedures in the State of Illinois.
  • Weather conditions are not part of the criteria for a bus stop change. We encourage parents to plan appropriately on inclement weather days.
  • The District does not guarantee bus stop locations from year to year. As neighborhood enrollments change, the District must change bus stop locations to ensure centralized stops and to maintain efficient routes.

How do I know if I am eligible for free transportation?
Students are eligible for free transportation if they live more than 1.5 miles from the school of attendance. Students may also be eligible for free transportation if they live less than 1.5 miles from the school of attendance, if it is within an approved hazard area.

What if I am not eligible for free transportation?
Parents may choose to pay for bus services for student not eligible for free bus service. Paid ridership is dependent on the availability of seats on an existing bus. Paid riders will be picked up at the closest existing stop on a route. Parents are responsible for ensuring their student travel safely to the existing stop to which they are assigned. The bus fee must be paid before the student will be placed on a route.

Who does Batavia Public Schools contract busing through?
We currently have a three-year contract with Illinois Central School Bus.