Transportation

Students riding our buses shall:

• Arrive at the assigned bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. 

• Wait in a location that is clear of traffic and away from the bus stop. The bus driver will instruct each student on his/her “designated place of safety” location. 

• Behave in a manner at the school bus stop that does not threaten life, limb or property of any individual. 

• Go directly to an available or assigned seat so the bus may safely resume motion. 

• Remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion, keeping aisles and exits clear. 

• Observe classroom conduct and obey the driver promptly and respectfully. 

• Not use profane language, gestures or suggestions. 

• Not eat, drink or chew gum on the bus except as required for medical reasons. 

• Not use or possess tobacco on the bus. 

• Not have alcohol or drugs in their possession on the bus except for prescription medication required for the student. 

• Not throw or pass objects on, from or into the bus. 

• Carry on the bus only objects that can be held in their laps (when possible, transportation of band instruments and other items is supervised by the driver, as provided for in Rule 3301-83-20-J of the Ohio Administrative Code.) 

• Not bring on the bus any items made of glass, aerosol or spray cans of any kind, animals, balloons or other items that may pose a danger to passengers or block the view of the driver. 

• Leave or board the bus at locations to which they have been assigned unless they have parental and administrative authorization to do otherwise. 

• Not put any body parts or other objects out of the bus windows. 

• Not damage the bus in any way. 

• Complete and return an emergency medical card to the driver as soon as possible. Drivers and bus aides must have access to appropriate information about a child to the degree that such information might affect safe transportation and medical well-being. This information must be available in the vehicle or readily accessible in the transportation office. All such information is strictly confidential.

There will be consequences and possible revoking of bus pass if rules are not followed.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Students should be at the bus stop five minutes prior to the assigned stop time. Students need to be at the stop when the bus arrives. 

• NEW bus riders should contact the Transportation Department at (440) 830-4047 prior to attempting to ride a bus.

• It is against the law for students to get on or off at a bus stop that requires them to cross four lanes of traffic to get to or from their home, even if they can use a crosswalk or cross at a traffic light. 

• Please make sure that the bus stop for your child is on the resident side of a four-lane road. If you have questions regarding this law, please contact the Transportation Department.

BUS STOP DESIGNATED PLACES OF SAFETY

• Each bus rider will be assigned a designated place of safety on the residence side of the street
• The bus driver must account for each rider at the designated place of safety before leaving
• Students are not to proceed to their residence until the school bus has departed.

IF YOU CROSS THE STREET TO APPROACH THE BUS:

AM PICKUP:

• WAIT for the bus at the designated place of safety, at least 10 feet away from the roadway. 
• WATCH the driver for the proper hand signal. 
• When driver gives signal, CHECK for traffic, then WALK straight across the road 10 feet in front of the bus to allow the driver to see all pupils at all times. 
• ENTER bus and sit in available or assigned seat safely and quickly.

PM DROP OFF:

• STOP along side or roadway, 10 feet away from the front of the bus. WATCH the driver for the proper hand signal. 
• STOP at the left front edge of the bus. 
• LOOK for cars; left, right, left. 
• STOP at your designated place of safety. 
• WAIT for the bus to depart, then proceed to residence.

IF YOU DO NOT CROSS THE STREET TO APPROACH THE BUS: 

AM PICKUP:

• WAIT for the bus at your designated place of safety, at least 10 feet from the roadway. 

• WAIT for the bus to stop completely, door to open and for driver’s signal. 

• WALK to the bus and sit in available or assigned seat safely and quickly.

PM DROP OFF:

• WALK to designated place of safety. 

• WAIT for the bus to depart; then proceed to residence.

Lorain City Schools is committed to providing school transportation to as many students as possible.

Here you will find three forms to request transportation, and you are probably wondering which one to complete to ensure your child is considered for busing.

ALL FORMS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

• EMAIL | bus@lorainschools.org 
• FAX | (440) 233-2235
• HARD COPY | Mail or drop off in person to:

Lorain City School District
ATTENTION: TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
1800 Colorado Ave, Lorain, Ohio 44052

Let’s discuss each form to understand which one is right for your family.

1. HIGH SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION REQUEST FORM: This form is ONLY for high school (Grade 9-12) students who live 2.0 miles or more from Lorain High School and would like busing transportation to and from a designated bus stop.

Bus stops will be at several designated locations throughout the city for our high school students. To see the stops and request transportation, please fill out the HIGH SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION REQUEST FORM and email it to bus@lorainschools.org or bmedrick@lorainschools.org | Spanish/Español SOLICITUD DE TRANSPORTE PARA LA ESCUELA SUPERIOR

All forms MUST be submitted to the Transportation Department for review. Reviewing and establishing a student route takes about four(4) days.

2. K-8 TRANSPORTATION REQUEST FORM: This form is ONLY for students in Grades K-8 who live 2.0 miles or more from their home school and would like to receive bus transportation. 

Families MUST submit a Transportation Request Form to qualify for transportation (Revised code 3327.01. To do so, please submit the K-8 TRANSPORTATION REQUEST FORM | Spanish/Español SOLICITUD DE TRANSPORTE GRADOS K-8

3. SPACE AVAILABLE REQUEST FORM: This form is for all students in Grades K-12 who live less than 2.0 miles from their home school in areas that are designated as walking areas but would like to request busing if space is available along designated routes.

To do so, please submit a SPACE AVAILABLE BUS TRANSPORTATION REQUEST FORM outlining your request. Spanish/Español ESPACIO DISPONIBLE EN EL AUTOBUS 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Requests will be considered when there is space available on buses along their designated routes 
• Priority will be given to the youngest students who live the greatest distance from their school
• Students accepted under these provisions may be bumped by an eligible rider at any time
• Students will be required to walk to an existing stop in a transportation-eligible zone within 1/2 mile of their residence
• The bus stop must be in the same location for both AM and PM
• Existing bus routes will not be modified to accommodate these requests