Transportation FAQs

school bus top

Frequently Asked Questions

How and when do I register my child to ride the bus?

Please register your students as soon as you determine that  they need to ride the bus to school, so we can plan accordingly for the number of riders.

 

Do I need to register if my address/school has not changed?

Yes, registering confirms that you still want school bus service this year, and it gives us permission to transport your child.

 

What are behavior expectations on the buses?

Please review our new initiative: Positive Behavior Interventions & Support On The School Bus.  We expect students to be respectful, be safe, and  be responsible on the bus.

 

What is the Bus Rider of the Month program?

It's a program that allows our drivers to acknowledge desired behaviors on the bus and celebrates the students' successes! 

 

What can I expect on Snow Days?

Durango School District uses an alert notification broadcast system in the event of a snow closure, school emergency or other critical school communication. Currently the system notifies parents and key personnel through phone calls, text messages and emails. If you wish to receive alert notifications via email and/or text, please be sure to provide your email(s) and/or cell phone numbers (and indicate the number is a cell phone) to your school when registering or by updating your information through your IC Campus login.  
Learn more about Snow Day decisions here.
 
How do I find out what bus my child will ride to and from school?
In most cases you will be contacted by phone or email by the Transportation Department.  You may also call the Transportation Office anytime during our office hours. Our office hours are as follows: Monday-  7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
 
Is bus transportation provided for a kindergarten student?

The District does provide service for kindergarten students. Kindergarten students will ride the regular route buses.

 
Is bus transportation provided for a preschool student?

We do provide transportation services for preschool students who have been approved by the Transportation Department.  To get approval for your preschool student to ride the bus, please get a Preschool Rider Form from our Transportation Forms and Policies page.

 

  • To use the fillable forms you may need to download, Adobe Reader.  A free version can be found here
    Computer: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
  • Phone/Tablet:
    Adobe Acrobat Reader - Free to download through your App Store
  • Completed forms can be emailed to the transportation department at [email protected]

Once we have received your students Preschool Rider Form, you will be contacted by the Transportation Department via email to inform you of your approval or denial, and give you stop locations and times, along with any special instructions. 

For further details on the requirements for preschool students, please contact our office at 970-247-5335.

 
How can I help ensure that my child will not miss the school bus? How soon should my child be at the bus stop?

Have your child arrive at the bus stop five (5) minutes before their scheduled pick up time, the driver cannot wait for late riders. Prepare your child for longer waits in inclement weather with suitable clothing for a possible longer wait. Your child returning home after waiting only a few minutes past the pickup time, may result in him/her just missing a late running bus.

 

My student needs to ride to/from school with a student who is on a different bus route, is this allowed?
Yes, with a note from the parent/guardian or the school.

 

What do I do if student didn’t get off at their stop?
Call the Transportation office at 970-247-5335.

 
Do 9-R school buses have seat belts? Are school buses safe?

No, they do not have seat belts. The National Academy of Sciences and the U.S Department of Transportation agree that school buses are the safest form of transportation for getting children to and from school.

 

What are the consequences for my student not behaving on a school bus?
Please refer to our Rider Rules in our Forms and Documents section located on the right side menu.

 

Where is the lost and found for school buses?
The item will stay on the bus for approximately a week, and then taken in to the respective school. All cell phones and electronic devices are brought into the transportation office.

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Stopfinder: Coming Soon

Imagine knowing where your child is while on the bus, or how where the bus is on a snow day?  With Stopfinder, you gain greater peace of mind as you stay informed on your child’s whereabouts. Receive bus location and messages, updates and alerts in real-time.  We are working to incorporate the Stopfinder app into the Transportation Department’s communications process.

 

What is Transfinder and why is the district adopting it?

Transfinder is a location tracking system that ensures the safe transportation of students as efficiently as possible. It gives our drivers turn by turn directions, tells the Transportation Department who is on the bus and where the bus is.