McGillivray Central P.S.
School Bus and Bus InformationSchool Bus Questions
Busing for the Thames Valley District School Board is now operated by Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services (STS), a consortium which also provides busing for London District Catholic School Board as well as the local French language boards.
Can I have my child dropped off at an alternate location?
In the past, a note from home or a discussion with the driver was usually all that was necessary to have your child dropped off at another location for one or two days of rearranged child care or even music lessons or "sleep overs". But for insurance purposes as well as emergency situations or an accident, we must have accurate information of who is on, or not on each bus, so this practice is no longer possible. If you need to change your child’s pick up or drop off location, contact the school for an Alternate Bus Stop Application. Keep in mind the change is for every day, five days a week for the school year.
What is a "primary address"?
This is the primary residential address on file with the school for your student. Transportation eligibility is based on this address. Your child can only have one primary address.
What is an "attendance boundary"?
Each School Board sets an attendance boundary for the school. Children who reside within the attendance boundary are entitled to attend that school. Your local school can provide information on their respective attendance boundary.
What is a "transportation boundary"?
A transportation boundary is set by the School Board to designate the area within the school attendance boundary outside of the walk distance whereby children attending the school qualify for Board-provided transportation.
I am moving. Who do I need to notify?
Contact the school and register your child, or, if the school remains unchanged, provide the new address information to the existing school. Student Transportation Services arranges transportation based on the information provided by the school and does not take change of address information from the parent/guardian over the phone for security reasons.
How long does it take for transportation arrangements to come into effect?
It typically takes 5 business days to organize transportation arrangements once Student
Transportation Services receives the information from the school.
Routes are prepared prior to the start of the school year. Because route arrangements have already been completed, altering arrangements requires communication between the bus company and STS and may impact other children already scheduled on the
vehicle. In light of the above, and due to the volume of requests, during the month of September, it can take up to 15 business days. You will be contacted with the new arrangements once finalized.
Why can transportation not alternate between two addresses on different days?
Board policies do not provide for this service for safety and security reasons.
I need my child dropped off at another address. What do I need to do?
Transportation to an alternate address can be arranged if the following conditions are met:
The primary address is eligible for transportation.
The alternate address is within the school transportation boundary.
The alternate address is used consistently every day, Monday through Friday, every week for the school year.
No new stops or runs will be created for alternate addresses. The child will be required to use the closest existing stop.
Complete the request form available at the school. The school will send it to Student Transportation Services for consideration and approval.
The school will contact you with the new arrangements once finalized.
My child goes to a babysitter and the babysitter address is eligible for transportation. Can my child get on the bus at the babysitters?
The following conditions have to be met:
The primary address must be eligible for transportation.
The babysitters address must be within the school transportation boundary.
The babysitters address can then be considered and must meet the conditions for an alternate address. (The alternate address is used consistently every day, Monday through Friday, every week for the school
Can my child get on and get off at different addresses on the same day?
The following conditions have to be met:
The primary address must be eligible for transportation.
Complete the request form available at the school. The school will send it to Student Transportation Services for consideration and approval, noting the conditions for an alternate address must be met. (The alternate address is used consistently every day, Monday through Friday, every week for the school year with no new stops or runs created)
Why can’t my child eat on the bus?
Children can not eat on the bus because it is a shared environment and due to the potential for severe allergic reactions of other students.
How do I arrange temporary transportation?
Temporary transportation is not offered for construction areas, broken bones, short-term stays at other residences, birthday parties, lessons etc.
Can I make special arrangements directly with the bus driver?
No. The bus driver is an employee of the bus company and the bus company is under contract with Student Transportation Services. Student Transportation Services does not permit the bus driver or bus company to make, alter or amend the service provided.
