Transportation FAQs

School bus driver with students

My child’s bus stop has been moved from the location where it has been for several years. What can I do?

The Department of Transportation regularly reviews school bus routes and stops for both safety and efficiency. For those purposes, bus stops may be added, changed, or removed. You can request a bus stop change by submitting a request at the link below.

We live on a cul-de-sac. Will the bus come down our street?
Except to transport special education students, buses are not generally routed into a cul-de-sac. Most cul-de-sacs are not designed for large vehicle turning. This makes safe maneuvering of a larger school bus difficult.

How do I request transportation for a student?
Once your student is registered, you may request transportation services for your student by submitting a new transportation request at the link below.

School bus


How long will it take for my child to receive transportation services?

Generally, service is implemented within five business days, when existing stops/services are used. If the service request will require an additional bus, new bus stop, new route or extensive modification to a route, implementation could take up to 10 days. Your student must be registered prior to any scheduling of transportation service. 

If my bus is late, how long should he/she wait at the bus stop before contacting the Department of Transportation?
Children should arrive at the bus stop ten minutes before their bus’s scheduled stop time. Buses can be delayed for reasons such as traffic, weather, breakdowns, or substitute driver assignment. If your bus is more than 20 minutes late, please contact our office at 804-365-6520.

Can my child wait inside our house until the bus is coming down the street?
No. Students must be at their assigned bus stop ten minutes before the bus’s scheduled stop time.

What if there is an emergency transportation-related problem after office hours.
Contact Hanover County emergency communications at 804-227-3379.

My child left an item on the bus.
Bus drivers perform a routine check of the bus each day after their assignments are complete. Depending on the time of day and the type item left, the driver will either retain the item for the student or give the item to a school administrator.

Why do some children have to cross the street to board the bus?
We are not able to route buses so that all children can board the bus on the door side. We suggest if you prefer, children wait on the side of the street where they reside.

The bus will stop traffic in all directions to accommodate students that need to cross the street. Once the safety lights are flashing and the stop sign arm is extended, it is safe for the children to cross the street.

School bus driver behind the wheel

How are bus stop placements determined?
The Department of Transportation assesses each stop for safety and accessibility by using criteria such as: visibility, sight distance, centralization, road conditions, traffic conditions, efficiency, bus maneuverability, traffic controls, and roadway speed limits. Requests for a bus stop change can be submitted using the link below. School bus stops that go two weeks unused will be removed from the route.

I cannot see my child’s bus stop from the house.
We must balance the need to be both efficient and safe. It is not possible to provide bus stops that are within sight of all student's homes. We encourage parents to be present at bus stops to promote proper pedestrian and bus stop behavior.

What are the requirements for Pre-k, 1st, and 2nd grade student drop-off?
Pre-K, 1st, and 2nd grade students must be received by an authorized guardian or parent. In the event there is not a guardian or parent to receive the student, the driver will return the child to the school.

Are sidewalks required for my child to get to his/her bus stop?
Transportation identifies and assigns bus stop locations on various types of roadways such as roads with or with sidewalks, roads with designated pedestrian paths separate from the roadway, and traffic roads or roads with sufficient space to walk along the roadway to reach the stop.

My child is a special education student. Who should I speak to concerning his/her transportation?
You may contact our special education transportation specialist at 804-365-6536.

If I know my special education student is not going to school on a specific day, what should I do?
If your student will not be attending school on a specific day, you may contact our office at 804-365-6520.

How can I arrange to have my child ride a different bus home from school for one day?
School Bus Passes, which require a temporary bus change, are issued for emergencies only, at the discretion of the principal or the principal’s designee.

The parent or guardian must submit the school bus pass request as outlined by the school. There is no guarantee that the request will be approved simply because the request was submitted.

Bus passes which do not require a bus change (student is using a different bus stop on their assigned bus) are issued at the discretion of school administration.

Can my child bring an instrument or athletic equipment on the school bus?
Student passengers are permitted to carry on small musical instruments and athletics equipment that can be held on the student’s lap without blocking the aisle or between the student’s legs in a seat. The department can prohibit those items if those objects restrict the student's ability to board the bus without harming themselves and others or damaging the bus. The department may also restrict those carry-ons if discipline issues arise from the carrying of those items. 

My child goes to a daycare provider before/and/or after school will he be provided transportation?
Transportation may be available if there is an existing stop on an existing run which services your child’s school. 

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.