Transportation

Click here to see Methacton School District's Board Transportation Policy #810

First Student transports approximately 5,000 students that reside in the boundaries of the Methacton School District each day on 104 buses to over 40 different district, non-public, private and charter schools.  Our goal is to route school buses in the most efficient and safe manner consistent with State Law and School Board policies and guidelines. 

The following factors were identified by the Methacton Transportation Committee to be considered in determining bus stop locations that are safe for the students, buses and community:

Definitions and Clarifications

• Mandated distances for activation of the school bus 8-way warning lights
• Visibility at the stop location for approaching motorists
• Student access and distance to the bus stop
• Age of the students
• Minimizing School buses backing up
• Avoiding school buses entering cul-de-sacs, dead end streets, or developments where other vehicles or objects may create unsafe travel
• Traffic Volume
• Road Speed
• Hazardous roads as designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
• Cul-de-sac / Turnaround:  Except for special circumstances, buses will not be routed into a cul-de-sac/turnaround/dead end street/incomplete or undesignated road.  This is considered a best practice for the following reasons:
  • Cul-de-sac stops create blind spots often causing students to enter or exit in a danger zone around the bus.
  • Different styles and sizes of buses makes maneuvering in a cul-de-sac difficult.
  • The rear of the bus has potential to swing causing potential of property damage or injury.
  • Parked cars and other obstacles create road hazards that may not be seen until entering the cul-se-sac.
• Hazardous Routes:  Only the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation can certify a road as hazardous.  Even if designated a hazardous road, the law permits students to walk up to 500 feet to reach a bus stop.
  • The law provides for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to review potentially hazardous walking routes.  The request for this is made to the local PennDOT engineering district office.  PennDOT regulations do not address hazards other than road or traffic conditions.  Determinations are made by PennDOT in accordance with state mandated guidelines PA Code 447.4, Hazardous Walking Routes.  PennDOT will review the nature of the hazard, if any, and make a final decision.  PA Code 447.4 states “Even if designated a hazardous road, the law permits students to walk up to 500 feet to reach a bus stop.”
• Distances from Bus Stop:  According to state law, and regardless of age, students can walk up to 1.5 miles to a bus stop.  (PA School Code of 1949 24 PS 13-1362 and Regulations of the PA State Board of Education)
• Length of Ride (Time on Bus):  There are no limits set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education on the length of a bus ride.  The district makes every effort to adhere to a limit of 50 minutes to transport within district boundaries.  Any additional time spent on the bus due to transporting a student outside of district boundaries is considered allowable and may exceed 60 minutes.
• Distance between bus stops:   Maintaining state mandated distances for activation of the school bus 8-way warning lights 150-300’ before the designated bus stop.

Mirror Stops:  Where possible, all stops for private, public and parochial students should be at the same location.

First-Time Rider School Bus Tips How to help ease your child’s school bus worries.

1. Attend your school district’s ‘Meet your School Bus Driver/Tour a Bus’ event, which often occurs a few weeks before the start of each school year. If an event is not scheduled, contact your school or your local First Student location.

2. Before the first day of school, point out the bus stop where you and your child will go to meet the bus each morning.

3. If you haven’t met, be sure to introduce yourself and your child to the bus driver on the first day of school. This way, your child will be sure to get on the right bus to come home at the end of the day. (Your child’s teacher will also be there to help.)

4. Reassure your child that you or someone your child knows well, such as a day care provider, will be there at the end of the day. 5. Enjoy the ride! Teach your child some easy-to-remember safety tips about how to behave that will help create a positive experience on the bus.

When will I know my child’s bus stop location and times for the upcoming school year?

• Busing information will be visible in the PowerSchool Parent Portal beginning on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 12pm.

What time should I have my child at the bus stop?

• Please have your student arrive at the bus stop approximately ten (10) minutes before their scheduled pick-up time and wait a safe distance away from the road for their bus. We ask for your patience with fluctuations in the schedule during the first few weeks of the school year. Pick-up and drop-off times become more consistent after the first few weeks of a new school year.

Why can’t the bus stop at my house when it drives right by anyway?

• We create our bus routes with the highest level of safety and timeliness in mind. Increasing the frequency of bus stops in a neighborhood increases the students’ bus ride times and unfortunately, increases the chances that an impatient motorist may attempt to pass the bus. Every attempt is made to place bus stops at locations that are central to the largest group of students in a neighborhood.

I can’t see my child at the bus stop from my house. What should I do?

• In order to create safe and efficient bus routes, not all bus stops will be visible from a parent’s house.  We believe that student transportation safety is a responsibility that is shared between the district and our families. Parents can ensure their child’s safety by accompanying them to the bus stop to confirm that their child is behaving appropriately and waiting for the bus at a safe distance from the road. Alternatively, safety responsibilities can be shared among other parents at the bus stop.

How long will my child be riding on the bus?

• While there are no bus ride time requirements set by law or regulations, we strive to keep the bus ride time to and from a Methacton School District school to 50 minutes or less.

Why is my child’s bus late?

• Unusually heavy traffic, motor vehicle accidents on roadways, and weather conditions are generally responsible for most school bus delays. Please know that we do everything possible to have all of our buses running safely and on schedule every day. If a bus is running 15 minutes late, the school district will send a message to the parents of children on that particular route. In the event that you need to call the transportation department (610-489-5078) to inquire about your child’s bus, please know your child’s bus number and the address or intersection of your bus stop. 

Does the bus have assigned seats?

• We strive to have all kindergarten students sit in the front of the bus in the rows immediately behind the bus driver.  In addition, our bus drivers are permitted to assign seats to students on a case-by-case basis for the optimal safety of our students and drivers.

Do you have a lost and found for items my child forgets on the bus?

• Bus drivers will routinely collect any items that are left behind on our buses at the end of the school day. Generally, the bus driver will keep clothing, lunch boxes, and smaller items on the bus in case a student asks about them. Larger items are turned in to the transportation department.  We try to identify the owner of the item and then return the item to the school building that the student attends.

As a parent, can I get on the school bus to talk to the driver or my child?

• To ensure the safety of our students and the efficiency of our bus schedules, a parent or other adult may not get on a school bus. PA legislature passed a Bill in 2001 that states in part “…any person who shall unlawfully and willfully stop, impeded, delay, or detain any public school bus being operated for public school purposes shall be guilty of a class one misdemeanor...”.

First Student school buses are packed with state-of-the-art safety features to protect our riders.

• High-definition GPS systems are on most First Student buses, providing exact location and speed of a school bus at any time.
• Child Check-Mate is an on-board electronic reminder system that reminds drivers to check for sleeping children before leaving the bus.
• Flashing lights and extended stop arms warn motorists that children are boarding or unloading.
• Well-anchored seats with high backs and heavy padding create a protective seating area.
• Smaller buses for preschool children and special needs students utilize car seats or specialized restraint systems. Many of these buses have an assistant on board. First Student buses operate under stringent safety protocols.
• Preventive maintenance inspections are conducted by certified mechanics, ensuring buses run at peak performance.
• Vehicle safety checks are performed before each route.
• Our strict no-idling policy reduces school bus emissions. First Student drivers must meet extensive safety and training requirements.
• A comprehensive background check as well as a drug and alcohol screenings.
• A Department of Transportation physical exam.
• More than 40 hours of classroom and behind-the-wheel training.
• Monthly safety and training meetings.
• Regular driving history checks and random drug and alcohol screens.

Safety is a core value at First Student. We pride ourselves on our safety record, dedicated personnel and overall performance. Safely transporting the six million children entrusted to us on our buses each day is a responsibility we take very seriously. For more information, visit www.firststudentinc.com.