Transportation
The mission of Transportation Department is to support the educational process of the Montour School District by providing students safe transportation in a caring environment for all students.
The District operates 64 vehicles and transports students to over 40 public, private, and parochial schools each day.
The bus fleet and other support vehicles are maintained by the district. Each vehicle is brought in every 3,000 miles for routine maintenance. Most non-warranty work and all inspections are completed on site. All buses are given a thorough inspection by the Pennsylvania State Police each summer.
Bus Stop Guidelines
- Elementary students may be required to walk no more than 1.5 miles and secondary students no more than 2 miles from their property to the bus stop or school unless, in the opinion of the Board, a safety condition warrants otherwise.
- Kindergarten students will not be dropped off without a parent or guardian present at the bus stop.
- Except for locations on roads designated as hazardous, bus stops will be at least ¼ mile apart.
- The District will comply with all requirements of the Hazardous Roads Act.
- The District buses will not travel into streets or roads terminating in a cul-de-sac or dead end, unless required by State regulations.
- District transportation vehicles will “back up” during their routes only when alternate routes are not feasible for safety or economic reasons.
- Transportation vehicles will be routed in the most efficient manner consistent with safety and State Law.
- Buses will not travel into private developments.
- Bus routes and schedules will be submitted to the Board of School Directors each year.
- No Bus Passes are permitted unless it is an emergency.
The School Bus Driver
- Prior to becoming a school bus driver, all candidates are screened based on criminal backgrounds, driving records, and drug and alcohol testing.
- School bus drivers must have a current Commercial Drivers License with passenger and school bus endorsements, and must pass an annual physical examination.
- School bus drivers also receive behind-the-wheel and classroom instruction prior to being approved as a school bus driver.
The School Bus
To ensure that children are provided with the safest mode of transportation, all of our school buses meet rigorous federal, state and local design specifications. School buses are formally inspected each year. Montour buses are also equipped with video and audio surveillance systems.
The Student’s Role
Students can greatly increase the safety associated with riding a school bus by:
- Following the bus driver’s directions as soon as they are given.
- Boarding the bus and being seated as soon as possible, and if there are assigned seats, sit in their assigned seat.
- Arriving at the bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to the established pick-up time.
- Respecting the neighborhood
The Parent’s Role
To help make the school bus ride safe and enjoyable, parents are urged to talk to their child about bus safety.
Parents should:
- Remind children that playing near or running toward a moving bus is dangerous.
- Remind children to never retrieve items that fall under the bus or next to the bus wheels.
- Make sure children are at the bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to the established pick-up time.
- Emphasize the need to follow the bus driver’s directions and to follow all bus rules.
- Help children remember landmarks that identify their bus stop.
- Make sure children do not have any hanging objects or materials that potentially could become caught or lodged in handrails or other tight spaces.
- Provide morning and afternoon supervision at bus stops, particularly for primary-aged children.