Transportation Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the school district charge a fee for students to ride the bus?

In the Snowline Joint Unified School District, our General Fund budget is faced with significant reductions, including cuts in student transportation. As transportation is not required by law, districts are assessing their ability to continue to offer transportation services. The State of California provides school districts with funding to specifically offset a portion of the cost associated with transporting pupils. During the 2010-2011 school year, Snowline District received approximately $1,028,954 from the State for student transportation. The projected cost of transporting our students is $2,558,186, leaving a shortfall of $1,529,232, which must be absorbed through the General Fund. In light of the continuing state fiscal crisis, funding reductions we have received, and the escalating costs of providing transportation services, the district will continue charging parents whose students are eligible and utilize our transportation services to help offset this cost.

What is the rate schedule for students to ride the bus?

1st Semester Bus Pass valid 8/11/11 through 12/16/2011
2nd Semester Bus Pass valid 1/06/2012 through 5/25/2012

Full Rate
Annual Fee
1st Semester
2nd Semester
First Child
$350.00
$175.00
$175.00
Second Child
$315.00
$157.50
$157.50
Third Child & ea. additional child
$280.00
$140.00
$140.00
Free/Reduced Rate
Annual Fee
1st Semester
2nd Semester
First Child
$160.00
$80.00
$80.00
Second Child
$140.00
$70.00
$70.00
Third Child & ea. additional child
$125.00
$62.50
$62.50

All students riding school buses, home to school, shall pay fees as set forth by the SJUSD Board of Education

If after a bus pass has been issued it is determined by the parent or student that the information originally provided on the application is in error or there is a request for substitute picture or change of address, the parent will be charged a $10.00 replacement processing fee.

WHO MAY NOT RIDE A SNOWLINE SCHOOL BUS:

  1. Students residing within the non transportation eligibility zones.
    Transportation Eligibility Zones: Grades K-5 reside at least One (1) mile from school of enrollment
                                                              Grades 6-12 reside at least Two & one-half (2.5) miles from school of enrollment
  2. Students who have been denied transportation in a disciplinary action
  3. Students that do not have in their possession a current/valid Snowline school bus pass
MEETING YOUR STUDENT:  
Kindergarten students must have a release authorization form on file at Transportation Department. If no one is present at the drop off time to meet a “must be met” student, the driver will return the student to the school, however, if that is not possible the student will be turned over to the local Police Department. After (3) incidents wherein a student is not met at their designated bus stop and must be returned to school, transportation privileges shall be revoked.

Only kindergarten students are required to have a designated person at least 13 years of age at the bus stop to receive them. Parents of kindergarten students may sign a waiver that allows the kindergartner to walk home unattended or with a person younger than 13 years of age. Students grades 1 through 12 are not required to have a designated person to receive them at the bus stop.

To assure the safety of your student(s), you, or a designated adult should be at your student’s assigned bus stop daily when he/she is pick up or dropped off. Your student(s) should know the route number, route letter or route color. There are times when your student may have a different driver or bus due to maintenance needs or a substitute driver assignment.

BUS STOPS:
Possession of a current bus pass entitles a student to ride to and from his/her school as purchased.  Students will be picked up and dropped off at the bus stop determined to be the safest and nearest to his/her home.  Ed Code: 39831.5   Students shall be assigned to the safest bus stop closest to their legal residence address of record.   A bus pass shall be issued with an assigned bus stop, student picture, name, school of attendance and grade. Students are to board or exit the bus ONLY at their assigned bus stops.  Students wishing to ride home with another student must possess a current bus pass and have a note of authorization from student’s parent before the student will be allowed to board or disembark from the bus at another stop other than his/her own.  Note must contain the following information:  student name, bus stop student to use for this one time, date, contact phone number and signature of parent/guardian.  Bus drivers shall stop only at designated stops approved to receive or discharge students by SJUSD.  Leaving the bus after boarding at a school site:   Once a student has boarded the bus at a school site, he/she may not leave the bus, at the school site unless escorted by a school official.

For the safety of all students and to avoid children chasing after a moving bus, once the bus has departed from the curb, at either the school site or bus stop the driver is not permitted to stop the bus to board late students.  Students are instructed to be at the assigned bus stop (5) minutes before the posted stop time.  Parents who drive their child to the bus stop, should park their vehicle on the same side of the roadway that the bus will be stopping, and keep in mind to allow for ample room for the bus to pull over safely.

DELAYED BUSES:   
If you are reasonably sure that the delay is not due to weather conditions, please allow 15 minutes before leaving the bus stop.  School buses have to endure the same rush hour traffic conditions that plague commuters.  A traffic snarl, traffic accident, minimum days, mechanical break-down, or a longer than scheduled loading at a previous school bus stop can easily throw your bus 10-15 minutes off schedule. If at the end of 15 minutes, your bus still has not arrived, you may call the Transportation Dept. at (760) 868-6739.  On extremely foggy, rainy or inclement weather days the buses will run late.  Please be patient and don’t worry, the schools shall be notified of any late arrivals.

BUS BREAKS DOWN OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT:
If a bus breaks down or is involved in an accident, we request that you contact the Transportation Department for the status of your bus and for revised pickup/drop off times.  If your bus cannot continue on route, a backup bus will be dispatched to pick up or drop off your student.  In both cases, it may take some time to resolve these issues.  Please call Transportation Department for updates; we will be monitoring the situation with our two-way radio system with which each bus is equipped. 

In the event that a school bus accident does occur the California Highway Patrol will be called to do an accident investigation pursuant to VC 12517.1.  The accident scene must be investigated and cleared by the California Highway Patrol officer on scene.  At the time the students will either continue on their bus to their destination, once release by the officer, or be transferred to a relief bus to continue on their way.  Students cannot be released at the accident unless it is a designated school bus stop and only upon instructions by the CHP officer.  Students shall only be release to their parent and/or guardian.

Accidents on a school bus are very rare, according to the National Transportation Safety Administration the school bus is the safest form of passenger transportation.  Our school bus drivers are specially trained to give students the best service and protection available.  School bus drivers are required by law to receive more training than any other driver in the state.  A school bus driver’s background is checked by the Department of Justice and/or the FBI prior to receiving a license to drive a school bus.  School bus drivers must participate in a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, and are randomly tested thereafter. All school bus drivers must attend regularly scheduled safety meetings, and attend additional training sessions to maintain the skills needed to safely transport students.  School bus drivers must have and maintain a clean driving record, both professionally and personally.

SNOW DAY INFORMATION:
Even though it may have snowed the previous evening, and weather forecasts may be calling for severe weather, the decision to call off school for inclement weather and/or unsafe road conditions is not made until approximately 5:00 a.m. after a careful analysis of current road and weather conditions throughout the District.

The SJUSD provides this web page as an additional avenue for parents, students and staff to obtain “snow day” information including “inclement weather” bus route schedules.  SJUSD will use an automated telephone calling system to notify parents, students and staff of any changes to the school day due to inclement weather.  To receive information via a recorded telephone message call (760) 868-6739

TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION:
For student safety and route control each bus is equipped with a two-way radio.  The Transportation Department is in constant communication with each bus on its scheduled runs.

BUS SCHEDULE CHANGES:
The bus driver is not authorized to make any adjustments or changes in his/her route.  Please note that whenever our bus schedules change, the driver will issue notices to students two to three days in advance.  The Transportation Dept. web site will be updated on the day of the actual change.

LOST ITEMS ON BUSES:
The bus driver will make an attempt to return the item to the student the following school day, as we DO NOT have a “Lost / Found”   Items undelivered will be taken the home school.

RIDING THE BUS IS A PRIVILEGE.
The Snowline Joint Unified School District Governing Board has adopted rules and regulations to assist students in understanding their responsibilities while riding buses throughout the school district and while on field trips.  The school bus is an extension of the classroom, and appropriate behavior is expected at all times. These rules will assure safe and proper travel to and from school and must be observed while the students are waiting at school bus stops.  Students who are identified as causing vandalism at the bus stop or exhibiting disruptive behavior at the bus stop may lose their bus riding privileges.  Students should not arrive at their bus stop more than 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time.

School district staff and bus drivers want every child to be safe.  Any student behavior that affects the safety of other children or the bus driver will not be tolerated.    (Title V, Code 14263) Video surveillance may occur on any school bus and a video recording may be used in student disciplinary proceedings.  The same student behavior rules apply to students waiting or being dropped off at their bus stop including respecting the rights of property owners and the neighborhood where the bus stop is located.  The District does not supervise bus stops and is not responsible for the control and conduct of students at bus stops.  Parents have the responsibility to supervise their students until they are safely aboard the school bus.

Section 141303 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations states:
Pupils transported in a school bus or in a school activity bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to, the driver of the bus and the driver shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils while they are on the bus or being escorted across the street, highway or road.  Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied transportation.  A bus driver shall not require any pupil to leave the bus en-route between home and school or other destinations.
Governing boards shall adopt rules to govern this section.  Such rules shall include, but not limited to, specific administration procedures relating to suspensions of riding privileges and shall be made available to parents, pupils, teachers and other interested parties.
Section 39842(a) of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations states:
Any person who enters a school bus or school pupil activity bus without prior authorization of the driver or school official with the intent to commit any crime and who refuses to disembark after being ordered to do so by the driver or other school official is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or by both.
Remember:  For the safety of everyone aboard, the bus driver must devote full attention to the road. The safety of the whole group depends upon the proper, safe conduct of each individual. Pupils are responsible for safekeeping, controlling, and presenting their passes. For added security, District video/audio equipment may be used on school buses.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION:
It is important that students and parents understand that riding a school bus is a privilege and not a right of the student.  This privilege can and will be revoked when serious misconduct occurs or when minor infractions repeatedly occur.  Refusal of the district to provide transportation under these conditions does not excuse parents from their responsibility, by law, of having their children in school each day.

CONSEQUENCES FOR UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR:
Students demonstrating unacceptable behavior shall be given a verbal warning upon the first offense.  If a student fails to respond to a verbal warning, a written Notice of Unsatisfactory Conduct will be issued and the parents and school will receive a copy of the notice by mail.  Students continuing to demonstrate unacceptable behavior shall be subject to the following disciplinary consequences:

  • First offense after a warning                           Three (3) days’ suspension of bus riding privileges
  • Second offense after a warning                     Five (5) days’ suspension of bus riding privileges
  • Third offense after a warning                         Fifteen (15) days’ suspension of bus riding privileges
  • Fourth offense after a warning                       Complete revocation of bus riding privileges

Serious discipline violations (i.e. fighting, drugs, vandalism or weapons) involving a student(s) may result in exclusion from Snowline bus transportation effective with the first offense and continue for the balance of the current school year effective with the next school day.

DISPLAYING BUS PASSES:
A student will be required to display his/her bus pass to the bus driver each and every day before boarding at bus stops and school loading zones.
Students shall arrive at their designated bus school bus stops at least (5) five minutes prior to their scheduled pick up time.  Beginning the first semester the students will be given a ONE week grace period to obtain his/her bus pass.  The student will be given a written reminder to obtain a valid bus pass during the grace period.  After this time a student will be denied transportation on the bus in the afternoon when loading at a school site.  A student without a bus pass will be sent to the school office to make other arrangements for transportation home.  Uninterrupted transportation service can only be maintained if a student has in his/her possession a valid bus pass and presents it to the bus driver as required.

OCCASIONAL RIDER
Students desiring to ride only on an occasional basis may use Single Ride one-way tickets for each ride, each way.  Single Ride tickets may be purchased at the Transportation Department Bus Pass Office.  Single Ride tickets will allow for ridership on a space available basis only.  You may purchase a book of 20 Single Ride tickets for $20.00

REPLACEMENTS AND REFUNDS:
If after a bus pass has been issued it is determined by the parent or student that the information originally provided on the application is in error or there is a request for substitute picture, change of residence address, the parent will be charged a $10.00 replacement processing fee.

Replacements: Bus passes are the property of Snowline Joint Unified School District and will be returned upon request. SJUSD is not responsible for lost or stolen bus passes. If a replacement bus pass is needed, a current wallet-size photograph and a $10.00 replacement processing fee are required.

Refunds: Refunds will be made for unused bus passes when a student moves out of the school district or into the walk area for his or her home school. Please return the bus pass, with a written request, to the Bus Pass Office for a prorated refund. Upon approval, a refund check will be made. Please allow four to six weeks for processing. Refunds will not be made for loss of service due to disciplinary reasons.  Prorated refunds for students that experience a change in educational placement due to unforeseen circumstance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Returned Check Charge:   A $10.00 service charge will be assessed for any returned check and the student’s bus pass shall be revoked.