Transportation FAQ

If the bus is not on time, continue to wait for 10 minutes longer. (example: continue to wait until 8:10 a.m. for an 8 a.m. pick up time.)

If the bus does not arrive within 10 minutes after pick up time, call First Student Bus Dispatch Office at (630) 406-0700.

For items left on bus, contact First Student Bus Dispatch Office at (630) 406-0700.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer transportation services for students who do not qualify.

Currently, transportation services are for students to and from their home address. The District has not put into place an option to service daycare provisions.

The District transportation service costs are based on the transportation reimbursement eligibility standards as prescribed by the Illinois State Board of Education. Contracting private transportation services may be at the discretion of individual households.

Transportation is provided for students assigned to a specific route therefore, we cannot allow students to ride a bus they are not registered to ride.

There is no expectation or requirement that parents report to the bus driver if the child will not be riding the bus for a specific reason or day. If the child will no longer be riding the bus at any time, we recommend contacting the transportation office, (630) 299-5594.

School start times are 1 hour later therefore, your child’s bus should arrive one hour later than the schedule during the remainder of the week.

All eligible students who live more than 1.5 miles from their home school should have received a transportation letter. If you believe you live more than 1.5 miles from your child’s school, please contact the transportation office, (630) 299-5594, leave your child’s name and your telephone number so we can research the matter.

The distance from your home address to the child’s home school of attendance has to be more than 1.5 miles to qualify for transportation.

Our buses at Benavides STEAM Academy along with Preschool buses have bus monitors. We do not have bus assistants at this time for other schools. We will monitor the environment on the buses between the school principals and bus drivers.

Yes, our school buses will have video cameras that will be available for our principals to review in their investigation to reports of incidents occurring on the school bus. These clips are very helpful but, may not be able to provide complete details of the incident. Therefore, our principals will also need student reports to ensure and maintain that everyone has a safe bus ride to and from school.

The bus driver will report the incident to the school principal for investigation. If your child witnesses a fight on the bus, we encourage them to report what they saw to the school principal.

The child should report the situation to the bus driver, school principal, or the parent so the matter can be researched.

School buses are larger in size and weight and are not required by federal motor vehicle safety standards to have seatbelts. According to manufactured standards, school buses are designed with compartmentalization construction to keep children safe.

District 131 setup bus stops that would enable students and parents to walk within a focused 15 minute walk, whenever possible. Many streets in the district are narrow and difficult for simultaneous school bus and traffic access and driving ability.

The child should practice walking from their home to the bus stop so, the child can become familiar with the area. Our bus drivers will have a list of students at each bus stop to help them.

Bus drivers would not force any child to get off the bus. If the child is afraid, the bus driver will contact dispatch to inform the school and return the child to their school and the principal will contact you.

Parents are required to be at the bus stop for Kindergarten and Preschool students. You should be at the bus stop 10 minutes earlier in the afternoon to be prepared to meet your child. Otherwise, the bus driver will take the child back to the school and the principal will contact you.

All other children will be permitted to get off the bus without an adult present at the bus stop.

Bus drivers should have a sign in the front window with the bus route identification to match your transportation letter. You can always check with the bus driver.

Bus drivers have been fingerprinted and undergone a background check before starting the training program. The bus company has approved trainers to insure each person is competent to safely operate the school bus.

We are unable to permit parents or adults to ride the school bus. Parents should reassure their children that the bus driver will ensure a safe ride. We will have adults meet the school buses at the school site to help the children when they arrive.