• How we determine your bus assignment

    We assign bus transportation based on state guidelines and school board policies. Here's how we make those decisions, and what families can expect.

    General transportation rules

    • Students are assigned to specific buses based on state rules and capacity.

    • Students living inside a No Transport Zone are not automatically assigned to a bus. See details below.

    • Students attending a school via transfer are not guaranteed transportation.

    • Students with temporary medical conditions may qualify for special accommodations.

    Types of transportation

    Neighborhood busing

    Students walk to a nearby stop shared with others. Buses stop at multiple neighborhood locations before arriving at school. In the afternoon, students return to the same stop.

    • Note: Students in a No Transport Zone are not eligible for neighborhood busing.

    Express transportation

    Families drive students to a central stop (such as a school or community center). Buses pick up and return students to that location.

    Due to driver shortages, express buses may also make neighborhood stops. Travel times may be longer during peak traffic.

    Ride times

    • Proximity students (elementary and secondary): Under 1 hour

    • Magnet, application, and transfer students: Up to 45 additional minutes

    No Transport Zone (NTZ) families

    WCPSS does not automatically provide bus service to families who live within 1.5 miles of their assigned school if this area has been assigned as a No Transport Zone by the Transportation department. We consider the following when creating or modifying a No Transport Zone:

    • Traffic and safety conditions along the route

    • Speed limits and traffic controls

    • Sidewalks or safety features

    • Nearby commercial or industrial areas

    • Cost of additional stops

    • Bus route efficiency

    NTZ boundaries may change if road safety improves or new routes are added. If your home is within a No Transport Zone, you are responsible for transportation.

    Bus stop placement

    We place stops based on safety and accessibility:

    • Maximum walking distance of: 0.3 miles for elementary students; 0.5 miles for middle and high school students

    • Express stops may exceed are not subject to these distances

    • Stops are placed at corners, at least 0.2 miles apart

    • Buses use only state-maintained roads; they generally do not enter cul-de-sacs

    Requesting a bus stop change

    You can request a change to your child’s bus stop location for safety reasons by filling out the “Other Questions and Concerns” form below. Please note that the distance from your home to the assigned stop is not considered a safety issue.

    Stop safety criteria

    • Adequate lighting

    • Safe walking paths

    • Space for multiple students

    • Visibility to approaching vehicles

    • Traffic speed and volume

    • Safe space for the bus to stop or turn