Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can ride the bus?
2. Why are there no seat belts on school buses?
3. What is the difference between the bus number and the trip number?
4. The school bus passes my home every morning and afternoon on the way to my child’s stop. Why can’t it just stop and pick up my child?
5. We live on a major street, and my child has to cross this street to catch the bus. How can I have a stop on my side of the street?
6. We live in an apartment complex, a cove, or a dead end street. Why does my child have to walk to the main road to catch the bus?
7. We live in an area that is not provided transportation. However, my child has to travel on streets I consider unsafe. How can I get transportation for my child?
8. My child rides an exceptional children’s bus and it has not arrived/not delivered my child home. Who do I contact to determine when I can expect the bus?
9. My child rides a regular or NCLB bus to school, and it has not arrived/not delivered my child home. Who do I contact to determine when I can expect the bus?
10. My child did not get off at his/her stop. What should I do?
11. Why do buses always come to a complete stop at railroad crossings, and never make a right turn on red?
12. Where do I call when I have complaints regarding my child’s bus driver?
13. My neighbor’s child rides a special bus that picks them up at home, and the driver lays on the horn every morning when they arrive. How can I get this to stop?
14. I witnessed a bus traveling in an unsafe manner. Who do I call?
15. Are there written rules provided to my child so they know what is expected of them on the school bus?
16. I`ve heard that there`s a person living next to my child’s bus stop that may be a convicted sexual offender, what can I do?

Q1: Who can ride the bus? Back to Top

A: TRANSPORTATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (REGULAR EDUCATION)

Students attending Memphis City Schools are provided transportation to and from school if they meet the following qualifications: A student must live outside of their “original” school district in order to be considered for transportation. “Original” district refers to the school attendance boundaries that were effective before bussing began in 1973. If you are living in a district where students would be attending the same school today as they would in 1973, then no transportation is provided. If, however, your district has been reassigned since 1973, and you live at least 1 ½ miles from your elementary or middle school, and at least 2 miles from your high school, then transportation will be provided.

Q2: Why are there no seat belts on school buses? Back to Top

A: The first priority of Memphis City Schools is to provide all students safe travel to and from school. All precautions are taken in order to insure no student is injured while traveling on a school bus.

Numerous studies have been conducted regarding the use of seat belts on school buses. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) have reached the conclusion that seat belts on school buses would provide little, if any, added protection in a crash. School buses are designed in such a way that the closely spaced seats with energy-absorbing backs provide crash protection. The NAS has stated that the funds spent to purchase and maintain seat belts on school buses could be better spent on school bus safety programs.

Q3: What is the difference between the bus number and the trip number? Back to Top

A: On a regular bus, the bus number is the 4-digit number painted on the sides and back of the bus. On an Exceptional Children’s bus this is normally a 3-digit number. The Trip number will be the 4-digit number that will be on a placard in the bus window. The school it is serving will follow this number. Memphis City Schools refers to Trip Numbers when identifying a run as the bus number is subject to change.

Q4: The school bus passes my home every morning and afternoon on the way to my child’s stop. Why can’t it just stop and pick up my child? Back to Top

A: While Memphis City Schools would love to provide every child with door-to door service, it is just not possible to do so. Due to the large number of children transported, the limited number of buses available, and the time involved in stopping at each and every student’s home, stops are centrally located throughout neighborhoods to serve as many students as possible. Every effort is made to ensure that no child has to walk further than ¼ mile to a bus stop, while most stops are closer.

Q5: We live on a major street, and my child has to cross this street to catch the bus. How can I have a stop on my side of the street? Back to Top

A: As Memphis City Schools often uses major streets as school boundaries, please check and make sure you are eligible for transportation to your school. Memphis City Schools wants all students to have access to a safe bus stop. If your child has to cross a major street to get to their bus stop, call the Transportation office at 416-5540. They will assess the situation and add a stop when necessary.

Q6: We live in an apartment complex, a cove, or a dead end street. Why does my child have to walk to the main road to catch the bus? Back to Top

A: When a regular bus enters an apartment complex, a cove, or a dead end street, it is usually necessary for them to back up to turn around. Backing up a school bus is dangerous, and is a practice Memphis City Schools avoids. Additionally, most streets in apartment complexes are too narrow for a large bus to maneuver safely.

If you notice a bus in an apartment complex, cove, or dead end street, it will be an Exceptional Children’s bus. By law, we are required to provide home service for these students. Also, these are the smaller buses and are easier to maneuver.

Q7: We live in an area that is not provided transportation. However, my child has to travel on streets I consider unsafe. How can I get transportation for my child? Back to Top

A: Memphis City Schools realizes there may be some areas that do not qualify for transportation under existing guidelines, but circumstances dictate it would be too dangerous for students to walk to school. This normally includes streets that have no sidewalks and no safe place for students to walk. For students who may have to cross busy intersections, crossing guards are provided for their safety. If you feel you live in an area where it is unsafe for your child to walk to school, contact the Transportation Office at 416-5540. They will take your request, and have someone look at the area in question to determine if transportation is needed.

Q8: My child rides an exceptional children’s bus and it has not arrived/not delivered my child home. Who do I contact to determine when I can expect the bus? Back to Top

A: If your child’s Exceptional Children’s bus has not arrived, you may call the dispatcher. In turn, they can contact the driver by radio to determine their location and estimated time until they arrive at your home. If your child rides a bus that originates from the north terminal (any Route that begins with the number 3 or 4), you may contact the dispatcher at 458-3329. If your child rides a bus that originates from the east terminal (any Route that begins with the number 5 or 6), you may contact the dispatcher at 743-0906. If lateness has been a continuing problem, and you feel the situation needs further attention, contact the Transportation Office at 416-5540.

Q9: My child rides a regular or NCLB bus to school, and it has not arrived/not delivered my child home. Who do I contact to determine when I can expect the bus? Back to Top

A: If your child’s bus has not arrived, you may contact the Transportation Office at 416-5540. They will contact the appropriate terminal and determine when the bus should arrive at your stop. If lateness is a continuing problem, and you feel needs further attention, contact the Transportation Office at 416-5540 and report the situation.

Q10: My child did not get off at his/her stop. What should I do? Back to Top

A: While everyone knows the frustration of being stuck behind a school bus that comes to a stop at every railroad crossing, or refuses to make a right turn on red even when the coast is clear, please understand that these drivers are only following the law. It is State Law that every school bus, whether loaded with students or not, come to a complete stop at every railroad crossing, and never makes a right turn on a red light. These laws are only in place to protect your children.

Q11: Why do buses always come to a complete stop at railroad crossings, and never make a right turn on red? Back to Top

A: While everyone knows the frustration of being stuck behind a school bus that comes to a stop at every railroad crossing, or refuses to make a right turn on red even when the coast is clear, please understand that these drivers are only following the law. It is State Law that every school bus, whether loaded with students or not, come to a complete stop at every railroad crossing, and never makes a right turn on a red light. These laws are only in place to protect your children.

Q12: Where do I call when I have complaints regarding my child’s bus driver? Back to Top

A: Memphis City Schools works closely with their contractors, Laidlaw Transportation Services and SchoolTrans, to ensure only quality personnel are scheduled to transport your child to and from school. All applicants must pass a written test, and undergo extensive background and fingerprint checks. Even after all these safeguards, we realize there may be a time when you have a complaint regarding your child’s bus driver. When a situation arises that your are uncomfortable with, call the Transportation Office at 416-5540, and they will make every effort to resolve the situation in a matter that is satisfactory to you.

Q13: My neighbor’s child rides a special bus that picks them up at home, and the driver lays on the horn every morning when they arrive. How can I get this to stop? Back to Top

A: State Law prohibits drivers from blowing their horn except in an emergency situation. Blowing the horn to alert a parent that the bus has arrived does not qualify as an emergency. If you have a situation where this is happening, call the Transportation Office at 416-5540 to report it. If possible, please try to have the bus number when you call. All Exceptional Children parents need to be aware of this law, and realize the driver cannot be forced to honk when she arrives at your home. It is the responsibility of the parent to be on the lookout for the bus, and have their child out the door when the bus arrives.

Q14: I witnessed a bus traveling in an unsafe manner. Who do I call? Back to Top

A: You should call the Transportation Office at 416-4450. When calling, please try to provide the bus number, location, and the time that you witnessed any unsafe driving.

Q15: Are there written rules provided to my child so they know what is expected of them on the school bus? Back to Top

A: Yes. At the beginning of each school year, sufficient copies of the bus rules are sent to all schools. Each student who rides a bus is to take a copy of these rules home, review them with their parents, and return them to school with both the parent’s and student’s signature. To view of copy of these rules, click below.

Q16: I`ve heard that there`s a person living next to my child’s bus stop that may be a convicted sexual offender, what can I do? Back to Top

A: Due to the transient nature of persons on the TSOR, we encourage parents to actively review the TSOR to ensure that your son(s) or daughter(s) current bus stop is satisfactory given this potential concern. You can review the TSOR at the following web page: http://www.ticic.state.tn.us/SEX_ofndr/search_short.asp or call toll free at the TSOR Hotline 1-888-837-4170. If you determine your child’s bus stop needs to be reviewed, immediately contact the MCS Transportation Division at 416-5540.