FAQS


  1. What distance do I have to live from my designated school to be eligible for transportation?
  2. If I have a question, where can I get an answer?
  3. What is the cost of transportation?
  4. What steps have been taken to integrate transportation services between the local Public and Catholic District School Boards?
  5. Should I be hurt or injured and cannot easily get to school (i.e. broken leg), will the Board provide service?
  6. How long does the transportation policy permit a student to ride on a vehicle?
  7. What types of things are considered when planning routes?
  8. If I am eligible for service and wish to be taken to an alternate address, can this be accommodated?
  9. How are students assessed for transportation service?
  10. If my child is having trouble with other students on the bus, who should I contact?
  11. Can I request that the bus driver change my stop time, location or route?
  12. Bus Cancellations - How can I find out if my child's bus is cancelled?
  13. Are video cameras used on school buses?
  14. How can I find out which school my child is eligible to attend?
  15. How can I find out if my child is eligible for transportation?

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What distance do I have to live from my designated school to be eligible for transportation?
  2. Bluewater District School Board

    Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board

    Urban area transportation is provided to pupils located at least the following distances from their school:

    Urban area transportation is provided to pupils located at least the following distances from their school:

    Grades JK-12

    1.6 km

    Grades JK-12

    1.6 km

    The maximum walking distance to the pick-up point for all schools and students is 0.8 km.



  3. If I have a question, where can I get an answer?
  4. Contact your local school or the Student Transportation Service Consortium of Grey-Bruce at (519) 364-0605.

    To determine which school your child should attend or to get transportation eligibility information go to: BPWebwebsite.

    This site provides three helpful options:

    School Information (address, grades offered and boundary map)

    Which School do I Attend? (find your home school)

    Transportation Eligibility (find out if you qualify for transportation)

    To use the web-site to determine "Which School do I Attend" or "Transportation Eligibility", you will need a street name and number.

    NOTE: BPWeb Website is unavailable between 12:45 and 1:00 pm each day as it refreshes its database.


  5. What is the cost of transportation?
  6. Transportation services are provided to eligible students at no cost.


  7. What steps have been taken to integrate transportation services between the local Public and Catholic District School Boards?
  8. Transportation services for all schools in Bruce & Grey Counties are managed by a Student Transportation Service Consortium of Grey-Bruce which supports the Bluewater District School Board and the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board. Where possible, bus routes will be shared between elementary and secondary schools, both Public and Catholic.

    The transportation consortium is located in the Catholic Education Centre at 799-16th Avenue, Hanover. It can be reached at (519) 364-0605.


  9. Should I be hurt or injured and cannot easily get to school (i.e. broken leg), will the Board provide service?
  10. The Board is not obligated to provide transportation for cases of short term disability. It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to arrange transportation in this situation.


  11. How long does the transportation policy permit a student to ride on a vehicle?
  12. The length of time for a student to ride on a vehicle will normally not exceed 90 minutes one way.

  13. What types of things are considered when planning routes?
  14. The following factors are considered when planning school bus routes:
    - condition of the roads to be traveled
    - school schedule
    - distances between homes and school
    - distances between homes and routes
    - safety of walking routes between homes and routes
    - number of passengers to be served
    - size of area
    - location of bus stops
    - location of safe turn-around points


  15. If I am eligible for service and wish to be taken to an alternate address, can this be accommodated?
  16. Student Transportation to/from Child Care Provider

    The usual service level definition for school bus transportation is one child - one seat - one bus. However, students will be permitted to travel on an alternate bus route for daycare purposes providing the parent agrees to the following conditions:

    1. The parent/guardian submits a completedTCF-A007 Transportation To/From Child Care Provider Form to the principal. The principal signs the form and forwards it to the Transportation Consortium for approval. Alternate arrangements are assumed to stay in effect in subsequent school years unless the Transportation Consortium is advised otherwise. It is not necessary to submit a new form each year. Parents are responsible for advising school of changes.
    2. A student may be assigned a morning bus stop to be usedevery morning for the entire school year. The student may also be assigned a different bus stop (on the same bus or on another bus) to be used every afternoon for the entire school year.
    3. The alternate address must be:

    - beyond the walking distance and

    - within the transportation boundary for the school the student is attending. Transportation to an alternate address outside the boundary for the school may be approved as per Consortium procedure TCP-A010

    1. The Transportation Consortium requires 3 business days to make changes.
    2. The request must be approved by the Student Transportation Service Consortium of Grey-Bruce.
    3. Transportation services will begin once the Bus Operator has contacted the parent/guardian to confirm arrangements and start date.

    Joint Custody

    The usual service level definition for school bus transportation is one child - one seat - one bus. However, where the court has awarded joint custody of the children, transportation will be provided under the following conditions:

    1. The custodial parents/guardian must reside outside of the school walking boundary and within the school attendance boundary for the school the student is attending. Transportation to a custodial address outside the boundary for the school may be approved as per Consortium procedure TCP-A010.
    2. Form TCF-A008 Transportation for Joint Custodymust be completed and signed by each custodial parent/guardian and submitted to the principal. Principal will forward a copy to the Transportation Consortium for approval.
    3. The Transportation Consortium requires 3 business days to make changes.
    4. Parents will be allowed to requestonly one arrangement per school year.
    5. The following schedules will be considered:

    a: Alternating Weeks
    b: Consistent 1 Week Schedule
    c: Consistent 2 Week Schedule

    1. Bus route paths will not be modified to accommodate transportation to/from a joint custody address. Parent/Guardian may be required to meet a bus on route. Additional bus stops will be considered for rural addresses if the address is on the bus route. Students requesting transportation to an urban/built-up area will be expected to use existing bus stops. Parent/Guardian may be required to meet a bus on route.
    2. The request must be approved by the Transportation Consortium.
    3. Transportation services will begin once the Bus Operator has contacted the parent/guardian to confirm arrangements and start date.

    Note: You must have Adobe Reader to view forms. For a free download, click here


  17. How are students assessed for transportation service?
  18. The process for assessing transportation services is as follows:

    • Register your child at your designated school.
    • The school office administrator will enter your home address, your babysitter's address and any other necessary information into the Board's computerized student information system.
    • If eligible for transportation, your child will be assigned to the most efficient bus route.
    • The transportation department will then notify the appropriate bus operator to arrange a place for your child on a bus.
    • The bus operator for your area will call you to provide the time, pick-up location and effective date for your child.
    • Every attempt will be made to have your child on the bus within 72 hours from the time of registration at the school.

  19. If my child is having trouble with other students on the bus, who should I contact?
  20. If you have a concern regarding student behaviour on the bus, you should contact the school principal. The bus is considered an extension of the classroom and the school principal is responsible for student behaviour issues. If another bus is available, without added cost to the school board, the transportation department may consider moving your child.


  21. Can I request that the bus driver change my stop time, location, or route?
  22. Sorry, but no. Drivers are the employees of the bus operator, which are under contract with the Board. Therefore, the operator and driver are to comply with Board policy and terms of contract. No requests can be authorized by a driver.


  23. Bus Cancellations - How can I find out if my child's bus is cancelled?
  24. Bus cancellations and delays and school closures are available online at the Bus Cancellation website. You can subscribe for automatic email notifications by going to: Delays & Cancellations Subscriptions and enter your email address. For detailed instructions on how to complete the subscription process click here.

    Local radio & TV stations will also post bus cancellations on their web-sites. For a list of local radio stations see the list of Local Media.

  25. Are video cameras used on school buses?
  26. The use of video surveillance may be used. The personal information is collected under the authority of the Education Act S. 170 and will be used to reduce/prevent property vandalism, theft and violence and to ensure the safety of students. The video is protected under the 'Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act'.

  27. How can I find out which school my child is eligible to attend?
  28. To determine which school your child should attend or to get transportation eligibility information go to: BPWebwebsite.

    This site provides three helpful options:

    - School Information (address, grades offered and boundary map)

    - Which School do I Attend? (find your home school)

    - Transportation Eligibility (find out if you qualify for transportation)

    Click here for more information on this site.

    To use the web-site to determine "Which School do I Attend" or "Transportation Eligibility", you will need a street name and house number.

    NOTE: BPWeb Website is unavailable between 12:45 and 1:00 pm each day as it refreshes its database.

  29. How can I find out if my child is eligible for transportation?
  30. To determine if your child is eligible for transportation go to: BPWeb website.

    This site provides three helpful options:

    - School Information (address, grades offered and boundary map)

    - Which School do I Attend? (find your home school)

    - Transportation Eligibility (find out if you qualify for transportation)

    Click here for more information on this site.

    To use the web-site to determine "Which School do I Attend" or "Transportation Eligibility", you will need a street name and house number.

    NOTE: BPWeb Website is unavailable between 12:45 and 1:00 pm each day as it refreshes its database.

    To learn about transportation eligibility Click here


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