Transportation

Glenn Buechlein - Assistant Superintendent, Support Services/Transportation

(812) 482-1801 or gbuechlein@gjcs.k12.in.us

Every GJCS student who is eligible for transportation is assigned a specific bus stop and route number. GJCS uses the Traversa software program to determine bus stops. Bus stops are located at blocks or street corners. Even though we may pass your house during the route, we cannot stop at every house.

Please remember that we transport over one- thousand five hundred students every school day, so it is impossible to provide door-to-door service to everyone and do so in a timely manner. It is more efficient to pick up several students at one stop, usually at a corner or other mid-way point for the students.

For safety reasons students are to board and disembark from the bus at their assigned stop only.

Bus drivers will not permit students to ride buses to which they are not assigned.

Drivers will not make unsafe stops, especially those that require backing or travel down cul- de- sacs. Students will NOT be transported to or from places of employment, to business addresses, or appointments. Students residing outside of the school district are not eligible for transportation.

Most of the sub-divisions in our district do not have sidewalks and the lighting is poor in many areas. With our Traversa routing software, and our knowledge of the areas we service, we try very hard to place our bus stops at the safest location possible. But, it is very important to remember that it is the parent’s responsibility for the safety of the child to and from the bus stop.

Each bus carries 50-84 students every day to and from school. It would take a great amount of time to call each house informing them of a bus running 5 minutes late. Please do not hesitate to call our office or the school if you have a concern. Typically, GJCS buses run on time and drop times are consistent.

There are several reasons for this, the first would be safety. An assigned seat on the bus helps the driver know who is on the bus. It also eliminates the child trying to find a seat at the stop, thus allowing other students the ability to deny a seat to your child. When a child knows where they sit on a daily basis it also allows for quicker bus loading and unloading. Assigned seats also help with deterring acts of vandalism on the bus.

The driver's first and foremost responsibility is to drive the bus to ensure that students are transported in a safe manner. They cannot see everything that is happening on the bus at all times. If something is happening on the bus that concerns you and your child, please contact the Principal of your school or call our office so we can assist. Most often the driver is not aware there is a problem. However, each driver is happy to assist and make every child’s bus ride a safe and enjoyable experience.

All school bus discipline problems should be immediately reported to the Principal of your child’s school. Students who continue to cause problems can be removed from the bus for a period of one to ten days, or permanently, depending on the nature of the disciplinary problems. It is a privilege to ride a school bus in the State of Indiana.

While it might look as though the driver “looked at the child and drove off” it is simply not the case at all. Drivers must check all the mirrors on the bus before moving. By looking at the mirrors it may seem as though the driver looked at the child, however; the driver never saw the child. The best way to make sure your child does not miss the bus is to be at the stop earlier, 5 minutes before the scheduled stop. For safety reasons a student should never run after or chase a bus.

There is no specific number. Under Indiana law, the maximum number of students that can be transported in a school bus corresponds to the seating capacity designated by the manufacturer of the bus. Thus, a 72-passenger bus can carry 72 students, regardless of their age or size. Federal regulations govern how manufacturers determine seating capacity, using a 15-inch block for each designated seating position and rounding up to the nearest whole number. Most school bus seats are 39 inches wide; dividing 39 by 15 produces 2.6, which rounds up to three seating positions per seat.

Clearly that formula is not appropriate for all students. While state law does not limit the number of students per seat, it does require that aisles and exits be free of obstruction. This means that students cannot be hanging off the seats into the aisles, and their belongings cannot block emergency exits. A further consideration is that the passive restraint system called compartmentalization works only for students who are completely contained within the seating system; a student who is partially off the seat is not fully protected. Therefore, the number of students that can safely sit on a school bus seat is the number that fits entirely on the seat.

In order to qualify to drive a school bus in the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Corporation, a person must be at least 21 years old, possess a valid Indiana Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) with Passenger (P), school bus driver (S) and air brake endorsements, and must maintain a safe driving record. In addition, prospective drivers must pass the State Department of Education physical examination from an approved physician.

Drivers must also complete a comprehensive School Bus Driver Training Program provided by the state of Indiana and the Greater Jasper Transportation Department.

Bus driver candidates also undergo a thorough criminal background check through the Indiana State Police Bureau of Investigation. This investigation will check applicants for any criminal history.

Students should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives and wait for the bus at least six feet away from the curb. Students should be aware that the bus stop is not a place to run or play. Students remain the responsibility of the parents(s) prior to loading and after disembarking the bus. 

When the school bus arrives, students should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it's okay or signals to get on. 

Students should never walk or run behind a school bus. If a student must cross the street in front of the bus, they should walk on a sidewalk or along the side of the street and cross approximately 10 feet in front of the bus. If a student drops something near the school bus, he or she should tell the bus driver right away. Students should not try to pick up the item, because the driver might not be able to see them. 

When you see a school bus slowing down or stopping, attention should be paid not only to the bus but also to the surrounding area. Children often cross streets to board the school bus. DO NOT attempt to pass. 

Passing a stopped school bus with the stop arm extended and the red lights flashing is illegal and poses a threat to bus drivers. When a stop arm violation occurs, drivers radio the GJCS base the location and vehicle. All busses are equipped with stop arm cameras. 

• Yellow Flashing Lights: The bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle. 

• Red Flashing Lights and Extended Stop Arm: The bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving, before you can start driving again. 

Student Responsibility on the Bus: 

• Be respectful of the driver and other riders 
• Always follow directions
• Use kind words - no profane or disrespectful language 
• Remain seated while the bus is moving 
• No eating or drinking on the bus 
• Keep the aisleways clear
• Keep your hands, feet, and property to yourself

Possible Consequences for not Adhering to School Bus Rules: 

1. Verbal Warning: The driver will talk with the rider and contact the parent(s) and state exactly the behavior not in compliance. 
2. Incident Report: The driver will submit a Bus Conduct Referral to the school. The principal will talk with the student and parent and take appropriate action. 
3. Suspension of Bus Riding Privileges: On the third offense and after reporting the incident, the principal has the choice to suspend the student from riding the bus for a period of time. A bus driver has the right to suspend the riding privileges of any student for one day with administrative approval. A bus conduct report must be on file. 

For more information, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety.