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Home-to-School Transportation
Information
The Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC) provides
student transportation services within Simcoe County for the:
• Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB);
• Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB).
The role of the SCSTC includes contracting bus and vehicle operators on behalf
of the SCDSB and SMCDSB.
Did you know? The SCSTC:
• transports over 34,000 students to and from school daily;
• services 155 schools in Simcoe County;
• contracts over 715 school vehicles.
SCSTC contracted school vehicles travel over 61,000 KM each day – that’s
equivalent to
over 1.5 times around the equator every day!
www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca
Subscribe for bus delays at the SCSTC website – ‘Subscription Service’ icon
[email protected]
@SCSTC_SchoolBus
Transportation Eligibility
To be eligible for transportation, a
student’s primary address must be
within the school’s catchment area
and outside the designated walk
distance policy of
the SCDSB and SMCDSB.
The walk distance policies are:
 Grades JK – 8 1.6 KM
 Grades 9 – 12 3.2 KM
Measurements from home to school
are calculated from the residential
property line closest to the school,
to the closest entrance to the school
property using public roads and
walkways.
To determine if your primary
address is eligible for transportation,
visit the SCSTC website
(www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca)
and click on
“Am I Eligible for Transportation?”
from the ‘Home’ page.
Weather Related School Vehicle Cancellations
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Weather related school vehicle cancellations are identified by SCSTC contracted school
vehicle operators in consultation with the SCSTC.
Every effort is made to communicate the decision to cancel school vehicles in Simcoe County
between 6 and 6:30 a.m.
Weather related school vehicle cancellations will be communicated through the SCSTC
website, the local media and the SCSTC Twitter account.
If school vehicle services are cancelled in the morning, the school vehicles will not run in the
afternoon.
Weather related school vehicle cancellations may be made for a specific weather zone,
multiple weather zones, or a complete county-wide cancellation.
To identify your student’s school weather zone, contact your school or visit the SCSTC
website.
School vehicle cancellation information is communicated through:
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Local media
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SCSTC website (www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca)
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SCSTC Twitter account (@SCSTC_SchoolBus)
Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians Relating to Student Transportation
– Reference SCSTC Policy TR03
Visit the ‘Policies’ page of the SCSTC website (www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca).
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Know their child’s transportation information including: school vehicle operator name, route
number, school vehicle stop location and scheduled pick-up and drop-off times.
Assume responsibility to have their child arrive at the bus stop at least five (5) minutes before
their scheduled pick-up time.
Assume responsibility for their child’s safety and behaviour while they wait to board the
school vehicle.
Assume responsibility for their child when they are dropped off at their designated end of
day school vehicle stop.
Recognize that student transportation is a privilege that can be suspended or revoked if
expectations are not met.
Co-operate with the school vehicle driver, school vehicle operator, SCSTC and the school
Principal to ensure that their child conducts himself/herself in an appropriate manner on the
school vehicle.
Understand that the school vehicle is viewed as an extension of the classroom and, as such,
student discipline on the school vehicle falls under the responsibility of the school Principal.
Inform their child about school vehicle safety and behaviour rules.
Report to the school any problems or concerns that occurred on the school vehicle
identifying the school vehicle route number, date, time and nature of the problem.
Complete and update any medical/life-threatening information for their child (if applicable)
and submit this information to their school Principal.
Apply through the school to request any modification to their child’s transportation.
Assume responsibility for all deliberate damage or acts of vandalism caused by their child at
the school vehicle stop or on the school vehicle.
Be familiar with your school’s weather zone for school vehicle cancellations.
Visit the ‘Policies’ page of the SCSTC website (www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca)
for more information including the responsibilities of:
• Students
• School Vehicle Driver/Operator
• Parents/Guardians • School Principal
• SCSTC
First Rider Program – A program for first time JK/SK/Primary bus riders
(Offered annually in August)
The SCSTC is pleased to welcome your child to the
experience of riding on the school bus for the first time!
We invite you and your child to take part in the FREE
informative First Rider Program - a school bus safety
program for first time school bus riders
including a ride on a real school bus!
This FREE program is provided by the SCSTC, in partnership with our school vehicle operators, to
educate students and their families of the rules and responsibilities on and around the school bus.
Each identical session will run for approximately one hour.
Parents or Guardians and their students attending ANY school in Simcoe County may attend ANY
of the sessions.
The format for the First Rider Program is as follows (approximately one hour):
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Offered in August of each year at schools throughout Simcoe County.
Topics covered include: school bus facts, safety rules on and around the school bus and
responsibilities of riding the bus.
View a school bus safety video.
Students and families are taken on a short school bus ride to practice safe school bus riding
procedures.
The First Rider Program is offered annually in August prior to the start of school.
For updates on the First Rider Program including dates and locations
check the ‘Home’ page of the SCSTC website (www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca) and
click on the ’Safety’ tab.
Bus Tag Safety Program
(Offered to JK, SK and other school identified students)
The ‘Bus Tag’ is designed to assist school staff in
placing Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten
and other school identified students on their
correct school vehicle at the end of the
school day. It also indicates the student’s
PM stop location and acts as a visual reminder
for the school vehicle driver that the student
must be met by a parent/guardian.
The ‘Bus Tag’ program provides:
 A colour coded ‘Bus Tag’ with the student’s assigned PM route number and PM stop location
to be attached to the student’s backpack.
 A colour coded route card with route number in the windows of the school vehicle that the
‘Bus Tag’ can be matched to.
The ‘Bus Tag’ assists school staff in boarding students onto the correct school vehicle by matching
the route number and colour on the tag with the route number and colour on the school vehicle.
The ‘Bus Tag’ assists school vehicle drivers by indicating to them which stop the student must
disembark at. It also reminds drivers which students are to be met by a parent/guardian.
New and replacement ‘Bus Tags’ are available through your child’s school. For
more information about the Bus Tag Program visit the ‘Home’ page of the SCSTC
website (www.simcouecountyschoolbus.ca) and click on the ‘safety’ tab.
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It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that their Junior Kindergarten
(JK), Senior Kindergarten (SK), French Immersion (SCDSB only) or other identified child is
met by a parent or guardian at their designated end of day school vehicle stop.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
How is the walk distance for bus eligibility
calculated?
Measurements from home to school are
calculated from the residential property
line closest to the school, to the closest
entrance to the school property using
publicly owned roads/walkways.
Parents/Guardians of students within the
designated walk distances are responsible
for the safe arrival of their student to
school.
What criteria is considered when
determining the location of a school vehicle
stop?
All pick-up and drop-off locations are
reviewed for safety considerations before
being implemented. For factors reviewed
when locating a school vehicle stop, please
reference SCSTC Policy TE02 on the
‘Policies’ page of the SCSTC website
(www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca).
How far will my child have to walk to their
school vehicle stop?
The maximum walk distance to a school
vehicle stop is 0.8 KM.
The walk distance to a school vehicle stop
may exceed 0.8 KM in situations where the
SCSTC determines the roadway is unsafe for
a school vehicle to manoeuver.
How do I request changes in service or
request a new bus stop?
Any request for a change in service, or a
new stop, must be submitted through
your school to the SCSTC. The SCSTC will
approve or deny this request based on
school board and SCSTC policies and
procedures. The school will be notified of
the outcome. All stops must be
authorized by the SCSTC to ensure they
have been reviewed for safety and to
assist in ensuring accurate school vehicle
route information is maintained.
How long does it take for approved
changes to come into effect?
It typically takes 5 business days to
organize transportation arrangements
once the SCSTC has received the
information from the school and
confirmed that the request follows the
policies and procedures of the school
board and the SCSTC.
How will I be informed of any changes to
my child’s busing?
Parents/Guardians will receive
information regarding any changes to
their child’s school vehicle stop or route
through their school.
Additional information about school vehicle transportation in Simcoe County
(including FAQ’s and Policies) can be found on the SCSTC website
(www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca).
Top 10 – Bus Safety Rules:
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Always be on time for the bus.
Do not push or shove.
Find a seat and sit quietly.
Always talk quietly.
Always remain in your seat.
Never eat or drink on the bus.
Know and recognize your school.
Know and recognize your bus stop.
Always hold on to the handrail
when boarding and departing the bus.
10. Know the danger zones around the bus.
Teach your children the correct
procedures and proper behaviour
around school vehicles.
Visit the SCSTC website
(www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca)
and click on the
‘Safety’ or ‘FAQ’s’ page.
Know the Danger Zones
 Every child must know the DANGER ZONES around
the school bus.
 Children should never enter the DANGER ZONE
unless the driver has given them permission.
 If a child can touch the bus, he or she is too close.
 If a child must cross the street, know all the rules to
cross safely:
o Be sure you can see the driver and that the
driver sees you.
o Watch for the driver's signal that it is safe to
cross.
o Stop when you reach the edge of the bus.
o Look and listen both ways to be sure it is safe
before you cross.
 The 10 Giant Step rule is a good measurement for
children to identify the DANGER ZONE around the
school bus, particularly when crossing in front of the
bus. Children should take 10 giant steps away from
the bus and 10 giant steps past the front of the bus
if they need to cross the roadway.
SCSTC Information Resources
Website: www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca
 Bus Delays and Cancellations
 Safety Programs
 Contact Info
 Transportation Eligibility
 FAQ’s and Policies
 Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians
 Responsibilities of Students
 `Which School do I attend?’
Twitter: @SCSTC_SchoolBus
 Bus Cancellations
 Bus Safety Tips
 Transportation Information
 What’s new from the SCSTC
Subscribe to receive email alerts when your child’s bus is delayed:
From the SCSTC website (www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca)
‘Home Page’ click on ‘Click for Bus Delays’ then select the
‘Subscription Service’ icon.
My Busing Information
AM Route #:
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Pick-Up Time:
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PM Route #:
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Drop-off Time:
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Bus Company AM:
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Bus Company PM:
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Stop Location AM:
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Stop Location PM:
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My School is in the
weather zone.