Policies & Responsibilites

• Parents/Guardians/Daycare providers are responsible for the safety and conduct of their child prior to the arrival of the school bus at the child’s designated bus stop. 
• Have students at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to scheduled bus arrival time. 
• It is important for students to be at their stops before the bus arrives, so that they will not cause the other students to be late. 
• Also, when a school bus is stopped for any length of time, the wait causes an unsafe traffic buildup in front of and behind the bus. 
• Discuss student responsibilities with your child.
• Encourage your children to obey all traffic rules, signs, and signals.
• If appropriate and comfortable, discuss any medical issues regarding your child (i.e. EpiPen use, etc.) with the driver.
• Never ‘chase’ the bus either on foot or by car.
• Do not board the bus for any reason.
• Never pass a bus when the red stop sign is visible and/or the yellow flashing lights are on.
• Before your child boards the bus, please ensure their personal belongings are labeled with their first and last name. This helps ensure any lost belongings get back to you.

• Arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. The driver is NOT permitted to wait for students. 
• When the bus arrives, stand well back from the curb or stopping point and wait until the bus comes to a full stop. 
• Do not put your head or arms out of the windows when on the bus. 
• The school bus is an extension of the classroom and the same expectations for behavior and community apply to both.
• Do not eat or drink on the bus. 
• Students are expected to be courteous and obedient to the driver. 
• Tobacco, drugs, and alcohol are prohibited. 
• Weapons, explosives, or any other dangerous articles are prohibited. 
• The ignition of matches, lighters, etc. is prohibited. 
• No object is to be thrown into, out of, or inside the bus. 
• Students must not use obscene language, gestures or gang signs. 
• Fighting, yelling or loud talking is not permitted. 
• Bullying, harassment or intimidation of others is not permitted. 
• Students will never use the rear emergency exit except upon the direction of the driver or other authority. 
• Willful destruction or defacing of school bus or private property surrounding school bus stops is prohibited.

Bus Drivers

• The primary responsibility is the safe operations of the school bus.
• At all times, provide for the safety and welfare of the students assigned to his/her bus.
• Provide a clean, sanitary, and safe bus for student transportation.
• Obey traffic laws and driving regulations.
• Follow the school bus schedule as rigidly as conditions will permit.
• Be in control of the bus and passengers at all times.
• Shall not permit unauthorized persons, including their own student, to ride the bus.
• Set a good example of conduct, language, cleanliness, and dress for the students.
• Shall not smoke on the bus or on school property at any time.
• Conduct emergency evacuation drills as directed.
• Enforce the regulations of the Board and administration.
• Report all infractions involving school bus discipline to the bus contractor and school administrator via a “Bus Incident Report”.
• Report all detectable bus maintenance problems to the bus contractor’s office.
• Do not talk on the phone or text while driving.
• Report any of the following to the Bus Contractor’s Office:
• Any accidents in which the bus is involved.
• Any complaints from the public not associated with the conduct of students.
• Any possible hazards encountered.
• Any causes for failure to operate on schedule.
• Any recommendations concerning road conditions, routes, or schedules.

Bus Monitors

• Watch for any concerns that may arise on the ride to/from school.
• Manage student behavior.
• Assist the bus driver with the orderly departure of the students and/or emergency evacuations.
• Assist with loading and unloading of wheelchairs for students with disabilities.
• Assist the driver with the cleanliness of the bus.
• Demonstrate team work with bus driver daily.

Boston Public School buses are allowed a 10-minute window to arrive before or after the scheduled pick up time.

In the mornings, students are expected to be at the bus stop ten minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time. We encourage parents/guardians to download and utilize the Zum app to see your child's bus assignment and track their bus.

Students/Parents must be visible at the bus stop, not waiting inside the home or car. Drivers may bypass a stop if they do not see any student/parent waiting.

Bus Drivers are not allowed to blow the horn at bus stops.

If you believe your child’s bus stop was missed, please call 617-635-9520 and a customer service representative will assist you. If it is confirmed that the bus did not service your child's stop, we will arrange a backup bus to be sent to pick up your child.

Backup buses are not available immediately and are sent out upon availability after 9:30 am.

School staff members are responsible for placing students on the correct bus during dismissal time. The school staff is responsible for releasing drivers from school. Bus drivers should not be leaving without being cleared to do so by school staff.

BPS buses are allowed a 10 minute window to arrive before or after the scheduled dropoff time. We encourage parents/guardians to download and utilize the Zum app to see your child's bus assignment and track their bus.

Students with corner bus stops can get off the bus at their assigned bus stop without a parent/guardian present, if they feel comfortable doing so. Drivers cannot keep students, including kindergartners, onboard against their will if the bus is at the assigned stop. However, students may stay on the bus if they do not want to get off (such as if their parent or guardian is not at the bus stop). BPS officials will then try to locate the parent or guardian. Parents should make sure their children are familiar with the surroundings at their bus stop and know the safest route to walk home if no one is there to meet them.

Student with door-to-door bus stops cannot be let off the bus without a parent/guardian present under any circumstances. If a parent/guardian is not at the stop, BPS officials will try to get in contact with the parent/guardian and arrange for them to meet the bus.