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School Bus Safety – Secondary

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Every school day, Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) is responsible for the safe transportation of over 30,000 Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) students to and from school on close to 635 school bus routes and on municipal transit and in taxis.

At the Bus Stop

  • organize and adequately secure belongings before leaving home;
  • arrive at the designated pick-up point 5 minutes ahead of the scheduled pick-up time;
  • wait in an orderly fashion well back from the side of the road;
  • respect the private property at the bus stop;
  • recognize that a danger zone exists in the immediate vicinity of school buses;
  • wait until the school bus driver signals to them, if they need to cross the road to board the bus.

Riding School Vehicles

Students must:

  • board the vehicle in single file;
  • walk directly to their seat as specified by the driver and sit down;
  • remain seated until ready to leave the school vehicle;
  • never smoke, eat or drink on the school vehicle;
  • keep books and parcels on their lap and keep aisles clear at all times;
  • avoid distracting or disturbing the driver (students listening to portable radios must use headsets);
  • open windows only with driver’s permission and keep hands, feet, arms and head inside the school vehicle;
  • never throw objects inside the school vehicle or out the windows;

School Bus Danger Zone

The safe zone is 3 metres (or more) from the bus. Anything and anyone within 3 metres of the bus is in the danger zone.

The safe zone is 3 metres (or more) from the bus. Anything and anyone within 3 metres of the bus is in the danger zone.

Getting Off School Vehicles

Students must:

  • have their belongings organized and adequately secured before arriving at their stop;
  • remain seated until the vehicle comes to a full stop;
  • walk to the front of the vehicle and use the handrail while exiting in single file;
  • get off the vehicle only at their designated stop unless permission is granted by the principal;
  • immediately move away from the vehicle, recognizing the danger zone close to the vehicle;
  • when required to cross the road establish full eye contact with the driver, wait for the driver to signal, check traffic in both directions and then cross the road in front of the school vehicle.

When Safety Rules are Broken

It is essential parents/guardians support enforcement of school bus safety rules. When student behaviour is inappropriate:

  • the driver first talks with the student;
  • if the student does not co-operate, the driver reports the student to the principal, detailing the incident; the driver continues to seek student co-operation;
  • the principal records all such reports and takes whatever corrective action is warranted; this could include suspension of transportation privileges.

School Bus Drivers

School bus drivers are dedicated professionals who must meet Ministry of Transportation standards. In addition to student safety and behaviour, they must deal with all types of weather and traffic conditions, other motorists and the danger zone around their own vehicle.

School Vehicles

School vehicles used to transport students must meet federal and provincial standards and all licensing requirements. They are subjected to mechanical safety inspections twice annually and drivers do a daily circle check before starting out. All vehicles have two-way radios and local bus companies maintain radio contact while vehicles are on the road.

School buses are large vehicles which require more space to manoeuvre. Large mirrors are required to assist drivers with blind spots. The Ontario Highway Traffic Act requires motorists to stop when the school bus flashing overhead lights and stop arm are activated.

Most students are transported on conventional school buses, but school purpose vehicles, taxis and para-transit services are also used.

Special needs units, school purpose vehicles, vans and taxis are equipped with seat belts although school and transit buses are not. Passenger loads are designed to provide a seat space for each student on a school bus. Public transit permits standing on buses.

Further information

  • Call your school
  • Call Student Transportation Services at
    519‐650‐4934
    4275 King Street East, Unit 130
    Kitchener ON  N2P 2E9
  • Visit the Board’s Web site at www.wrdsb.ca or Student Transportation Services web site at www.stswr.ca

Revised June 2015


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