Transportation Services

Every day, our skilled drivers welcome hunderds of students providing safe and economical transportation to and from school, co-curricular and extra-curricular events. 

DID YOU KNOW the traditional yellow school bus is one of the safest forms of transportation in the United States? Consider the facts:

• School buses are nearly 2,000 times safer than the family car.
• Every year, approximately 440,000 public school buses travel 4.3 billion miles to transport 23.5 million students to and from school and school-related activities.
• The school bus is the only mode of transportation which has been reducing accidents, injuries and fatalities while increasing the number of vehicles, miles, and passengers annually.
• The school bus occupant fatality rate of 0.2 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled is much lower than the rates for passenger cars (1.5) or light trucks and vans (1.3).
• Pedestrian fatalities – those occurring while loading and unloading school buses – account for approximately three times as many school bus-related fatalities when compared to school bus occupant fatalities.
• Of all the vehicle occupant fatalities reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration between 1987 and 1996, a mere 0.04% were related to school bus transportation.
• This impressive safety record is a direct reflection of the professional pride and expertise of America's school bus drivers.

Safe and Caring

Our drivers are the first contact many students have with school each morning and the last contact they have each afternoon. Our goal is to make that experience a safe, positive and caring one for all students.

By the Numbers

• Over 1,000,000 miles driven each year
• 4,000 students transported to and from school each day
• 325 individual route sessions per day
• 2,000 field/activity trips each year
• 100 school buses and vans
• 80 licensed bus drivers
• 34 regular routes
• 30 routes for special programs
  
  

Transportation Basics

Springfield Public Schools operates transportation services for elementary students who live more than 1 mile from their schools and for secondary students who live more than 1.5 miles from their schools, as required by state law.

Many students with special needs qualify for special transportation if they cannot access school without it. Special transportation must be included in the child’s individualized education plan (IEP).

Only children eligible for transportation services will be transported. Parents may not ride buses with their students. Children who are not in school are not allowed to ride the bus. It is Springfield Public Schools goal to provide safe and economical student transportation.

There are responsibilities and rules for each member involved in the transportation system: staff, students and parents. We ask parents to become familiar with the rules and procedures and discuss them with their child.

Students and Parents

Springfield Public Schools has established a code of conduct and disciplinary procedure to ensure that students comply with safety rules while using the transportation system. The code of conduct includes a list of rules adopted by the Oregon Department of Education, as well as a list of additional rules adopted by the District. The code of conduct and procedures can be found in Board Policy EEACC.  Students and their parents should familiarize themselves with the Board Policy.

The following items are not allowed on the bus: animals, glass containers, aerosol cans, skateboards, fishing poles, snowboards, large musical instruments, hockey or lacrosse sticks, weapons or look-alike weapons, golf clubs, helium balloons, skis, shovels or laser pens.

Roller blades and shoes with wheels must be transported in a duffel bag or backpack. Craft projects must be in a bag or box. Any item used in an unsafe manner may be confiscated and the student must bring a parent to the Transportation Department office to retrieve it.

What If...

My child is late... If your child fails to return home at his/her expected time, contact the school first. Please keep in mind there may be many reasons for a bus to be late on its route. A bus could be late if there is a substitute driver, if there are mechanical problems, traffic tie-ups, inclement weather, or poor road conditions.

My child receives a Bus Conduct referral... The district maintains a discipline and appeals procedure to insure students follow the student conduct and safety rules while using the transportation system. In most cases, at least one warning slip will be issued prior to the suspension of transportation. Suspension may be appealed in writing to the School Principal.

I have a concern about the transportation service... We ask that you first contact the Transportation Department.  The staff at the Transportation Department will relay your message to the driver and they will get back to you as soon as they get an opportunity. If you are unable to resolve your concern, please discuss the situation with the Transportation Supervisor.

During inclement weather, how will I know if schools will be open or buses will be running on time... Please watch your local news or sign up for Flash Alert at www.flashalert.net for mobile updates.

Route Information

Bus route information is available at each school, the transportation office and online. Bus routes and stop times may be adjusted at any time. If your child fails to return home at his/her expected time, please contact the school first. Please keep in mind there may be many reasons for a bus to be late on its route. A bus could be late if there is a substitute driver, if there are mechanical problems, traffic issues, inclement weather, or poor road conditions.

Stopping for School Buses

School buses must follow all the traffic regulations that apply to individual motorists. Oregon school buses are equipped with flashing amber and flashing red lights near the top of the bus on the front and at the rear of the bus. The flashing amber lights are turned on to warn traffic that the bus is about to stop to load or unload children. When the red lights begin to flash, drivers traveling in either direction on any road, street, or highway must stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the flashing red lights are turned off. The school bus law applies if you are on a highway with two, three, or four lanes of traffic.

Use of Charter Buses

Springfield Public Schools may utilize charter bus services as needed for student transportation. All charter services are provided by student activity bus certified providers, as authorized by the Oregon Department of Education. Parents will be notified prior to the use of a charter bus.

Video Cameras

Video cameras are used on Springfield Public School pupil transportation vehicles. They may be used to monitor student behavior to and from school or curricular and extracurricular activities. Students in violation of District conduct rules shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established Board Policy and Oregon Administrative Rules governing student conduct and discipline. Video equipment may also be used to monitor the performance of Springfield Public Schools employees in the fulfillment of their duties in District vehicles transporting students to and from curricular and extracurricular activities. Any illegal acts recorded on Springfield Public Schools vehicles will be turned over to the appropriate personnel.

The Driver

To become an Oregon School Bus Driver, a person must meet very specific requirements established by federal and state law. Drivers for Springfield Public Schools are expected to maintain discipline while operating the bus in a safe manner. Each driver has received several types of training. In addition to behind-the-wheel training, the drivers are required to attend on-going instruction and to be proficient in first aid procedures and student behavior management.