Student Transportation Services

Cesar L. Vega, MAM, Director of Business Support Services, (619) 428-4476 x 3065

Purpose: “To provide the most effective and efficient means of student transportation services possible to our students conducive to safety, care, and responsibility”

Welcome to our department; here in San Ysidro we thrive each and every day to create a pleasant and safe environment for all the pupils we transport, to and from school. We do that by using state-of-the-art equipment like new type I and type II buses and by using technological innovations like navigation systems designed to monitor, in real time, the location of each one of our buses.

Transportation Services:  the Transportation department provides services to special needs students who, as indicated in their Individualized Education Programs or IEP, require such service. We currently operate four Special Needs routes and one Non-Public School route. As of fiscal year 2011-12, we do not provide home-to-school transportation services any more.

Hours of Operation: the Transportation department operates from 6:00 am through 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  Bus pass hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

To achieve our mission, we provide inservice and training to all of our drivers in compliance with State and Federal regulations. In addition, all of our buses go through rigorous inspections every 3000 miles or 45 days (which ever come first) to ensure optimum and safe operating conditions.

Transportation Safety Plan: the safe transportation system of the San Ysidro School District is a partnership effort of each school and its personnel, and in collaboration with the Transportation Department’s safety and training team. To increase awareness however, and to create a safer environment for students during the bus ride, to and from school, we ask parents to follow these guidelines:

Conduct at School Bus Loading Zones

To promote the highest level of safety at school bus loading zones, all students shall adhere to the following instructions:

  • Stand in a line facing traffic so you can see the bus approaching. Stand back 12 feet from where the bus will stop. Do not approach the bus until the driver opens the door.
  • Prior to loading the bus, all students shall have in their possession a valid bus pass/identification card which must be shown to the driver while boarding. No student will be allowed to ride the bus without a valid bus pass. If a student has misplaced or lost his or her bus pass, the parents or legal guardians will be responsible for the transportation of the student until a new one is issued. Parents can obtain a replacement at the San Ysidro School District, Transportation Department located at 4350 Otay Mesa Road. San Ysidro, CA. 92173. For more information you can call (619) 428-4476 ext. 3065.
  • When loading at a school, follow the directions of the driver or person on bus duty. Stand back the required 12 feet from the bus in a line formation until the driver opens the bus door and indicates that you may begin boarding.
  • Warning!!! Never go under any bus to retrieve something you have dropped. Always ask the driver for assistance.
  • Destroying property, playing in or running on the street, or any type of horseplay at a bus stop is dangerous and prohibited.
  • When waiting to load or unload the bus, students are the direct responsibility of the driver or school staff, and they must follow their directions at all times.
  • School buses can only stop at designated bus stops. If you miss the bus, have your parent or guardian take you to school. Never run after your bus if you miss it, or attempt to reach it at another location. Every student has a bus pass issued by the transportation department which indicates his/her designated bus stop to load/unload the school bus; therefore, no student will be allowed to board or get off at a different location. Note: once the bus leaves the bus stop, it cannot come back.
  • The school bus driver shall insure that all students are in a safe location and out of the DANGER ZONE prior to moving the school bus. It is extremely important that, upon students disembarking the bus, to walk away as far as possible from the school bus. Remember, if you drop something NEVER reach underneath the bus. ALWAYS get the assistance of the school bus driver.
  • If you are late as the bus arrives and you must cross the street to the bus stop…WAIT!!!!Do not run across the street- The “Flashing Red Lights and Stop Arm must be activated! The school bus driver will secure the bus, turn on the lights/stop arm, come out in the street with a hand held stop sign, stop traffic, and let you know when it is safe to cross the roadway and board the bus.
  • Upon boarding the school bus, make sure and sit down immediately, put your seat-belt, and remain seated at all times.

 

Red light Crossing & Unloading Procedures

One of the most important procedures a school bus driver will perform is the safe loading/unloading and red light crossing procedures due to the hazards involved. It is of extreme importance that parents/guardians take their time explaining the following instructions and ensure their child is familiar with these procedures:

  • Remain seated until the bus is completely stopped and the door is opened. The opening of the door is your indication that the bus is secured and it is now safe to exit the bus. Exit the bus in an orderly manner…no jumping, skipping steps, or running…use the handrails. For safe exit alternate seats, left to right, beginning with the front of the bus and continuing towards the rear. Remember that the red lights are flashing when the bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers, so this needs to be completed in a timely, orderly manner.
  • As stated before, move completely away from the bus, go directly to your home or ride and stay away from the Danger Zone. There are areas around the bus that the driver cannot see a small child. It is very important that you get clear of the vehicle as soon as you exit the bus. When the driver closes the door and checks their mirrors the bus will be moving into the flow of traffic as to stay on a schedule for the next stop.
  • ”Red Light Crossing Stops”… The law requires that all pupils at or below the 8th grade level must be escorted by the driver who shall carry a hand-held stop sign, under the protection of “Flash Red Lights” and “Stop Signal Arm” at any stop requiring students to cross the roadway upon which the bus is stopped. The San Ysidro School District policy is to escort any pupil who must cross the roadway. Any student who must cross the roadway must wait on the sidewalk area for the driver to tell the student it is safe to cross and must walk straight across the street between the driver and the front of the bus.
  • Never touch or grab the bus…never crawl or reach under the bus. If you have dropped an object tell the driver so that he/she can shut down the vehicle and retrieve the item for you or assist you in retrieving it. If the driver does not see you wait until the bus has pulled away to get your dropped item.

 

School Bus Danger Zone

The danger zones around the outside of the school bus are approximately 12 feet from the bus, around the entire perimeter of the bus, with the front, right side, and rear being the most dangerous.

Walking to and from Schoolbus Stops

  • Go directly to and from the bus stop.
  • Plan the safest route with the fewest streets to cross.
  • If possible cross streets at corners, using crosswalks if available. Look in all directions before crossing, and when safe, walk across the street. Always obey traffic signals.
  • Do not run out in the street from between parked vehicles or shrubbery.
  • Walk to and from school bus stops out of the roadway facing traffic.
  • Never accept a ride from a stranger.
  • Leave home early enough so you do not have to run to catch your bus.

 

Bus Rules Procedures and Guidelines

  • Guidelines – recommendations for a positive experience:
    • Arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes before scheduled departure.
    • Fill seats as directed by the driver.
    • Report any damage or vandalism on the bus to the driver.
    • Report lost or found articles to the bus driver.

Regulations – required for safety and compliance with laws:

  • No animals or pets on the bus, except for licensed guide dogs.
  • No skateboards, radios, tape players, or other type of stereo equipment on the bus.
  • No talking to bus driver while bus is in motion.
  • When getting off the bus, cross the street in the crosswalk or under the direct supervision of the driver. Never cross the street behind the bus.

Rules – mandatory, violations subject to immediate disciplinary action:

  • No screaming, yelling, or loud talking.
  • No eating, drinking or smoking.
  • No pushing, shoving, or physical contact with other riders.
  • No profanity, name-calling, abusive language, or rude/offensive behavior.
  • No littering, throwing items, or damaging the bus.
  • No opening or using the emergency exit, except in a true emergency.
  • Remain seated at all times.
  • Keep all items, including body parts, inside the bus.

Important Links:

  • Field Trip Request Form
  • Bus Pass Application (English)
  • Bus Pass Application (Spanish)
  • Parent Handbook

Dispatch Office:

  • (619) 428-4476 Ext. 3058

Safety & Training Dpt.

  • (619) 428-4476 Ext. 3065

Mechanic’s Bay

  • (619) 428-4476 Ext. 3077