Transportation

Stop locations and times are subject to minor revision after the start of the school year. Your student's bus driver will communicate any changes to pick up times prior to their being implemented. Please remember to have your children at the appointed stop 5 minutes prior to the stated pick up time.

Please contact the Transportation Department with specific questions at (630) 636-2999.


Click here for E-Link Information

Who do I call at Transportation?

Very often, people contact transportation on the main number (636-2999) with a request or a concern suited to a particular member of the department.  As a way to streamline communication, the following is a guideline to help get you directly in touch with the right person.  Call List

E-link

E-Link is a web-based interface provided by Verstrans to allow parents and students to find their transportation information.

Each student in the district has been assigned a unique user name and password. The password can be changed by the user after the first sign using the original password. Each student’s user name is their first initial, followed by a period, then their last name.

Example: John Doe – user name would be "j.doe."
The password is the same as the user name.

Once in the system, if you wish to change the password, use the "Set Options" link, and follow the directions.

To access student transportation information, use the "Work with Students" link. This will take the user to the next page, where the "School/Transportation Search" is the only available option. After clicking on that link, the use will be at the "Simple School/Transportation Search" page, where specific information can be entered.

In Step One, enter grade of the student whose information you are searching for. In Step Two, enter the house number and street name. If a street name is entered that is not immediately recognized, or is entered without a suffix (St., Dr., Ct., etc), then when the "Find School/Transportation Information" button is entered, the system may present the user with choices of street names to select from.

The transportation information that is returned is hypothetical, and should not be construed or accepted as actual student data. NO actual student information is available to student users of the system, in order to protect the privacy of students and families. The information provided is relevant only to students in regular education programs. Those students attending special service programs, ELL, Dual language and programs not housed at their home school of attendance have special transportation requirements. Information about those students transportation can be obtained by calling the Transportation Department directly at 630-636-2999.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the safety rules used to foster a safe environment for all bus riders?
Click here for information.

The bus drives right past my house. Why can't it stop at my house?
The higher frequency of stops makes the motoring public impatient. This results in people driving around the bus, a dangerous situation. It also delays the bus by increasing the number of stops and makes the student ride time longer. Stops are placed to be convenient for groups of
students in the subdivision.

We live on a cul-de-sac. Will the bus come down our street?
Except for special education circumstances, buses are generally not routed into a cul-de-sac. Cul-de-sac stops are considered unwise for the following reasons:

1. Cul-de-sac stops create blind spots often causing students to enter or exit in a danger zone around the bus (at a corner stop or street curb stop, they enter/ exit outside the danger zone)

2. Different styles and sizes of buses make maneuvering in cul-de-sac difficult

3. The rear of the bus has potential to swing around close to the sidewalk

4. Parked cars and other obstacles create road hazards that may not be seen until entering the cul-de-sac and at a point of no return.

5. Backing up a bus when students are on board is strictly forbidden

6. Property damage to mailboxes and landscaping. 

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, that 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.

My child carries a large musical instrument and/or heavy backpack. He is the only student using the stop. It needs to be closer to our home.
Bus stops are centrally located for all students along a route. Bus stops are not changed to accommodate one or more students because that may displace other students further from their home. 

My child is starting kindergarten. Will the bus pick my child up in front of the house?
There are no special laws or requirements for transporting students enrolled in kindergarten. Kindergarten students are eligible for transportation services if they live more than 1.5 miles from the school that they are attending. AM kindergarten students ride the elementary school bus to school and a special mid-day bus home. PM kindergarten students ride a mid-day bus to school and take the elementary bus home. Mid-day buses make stops for kindergarten students at their homes whenever possible. Kindergarten students will not be dropped off without a parent or authorized guardian visible to receive the student. If no one is home to receive the student, that student will be returned to the school and the parent will need to make arrangements to pick the student up from the school. Please advise your school as to the authorized individuals (i.e neighbors) who may assume the responsibility for your children.

Why are there only a few students on some buses and my child's bus is crowded?
Decisions regarding each bus route are made by careful planning based on information from school registration, previous similar routes and Department of Transportation data. Most routes are fixed in late summer and changes made after the first three weeks of school or sooner.

Distance from school, number of buses and drivers, and grouping of students and neighborhoods are all factors that are considered.
How far can a bus stop be from the student's home?
Bus stops may be up to 1/2 mile from the student's residence. The stops in District 308 are less than 1/2 mile from student's residences. 

Procedure for Requesting Stop Location Change

• Requests for changes to bus stop locations must be in writing.
• Indicate the student’s name, school, route number, requested stop location and the reason for the request.
• Requests can be communicated to the Transportation Coordinator by faxing 630-636-2990, or by mail:

District 308 Transportation Center
55 Stonehill Road
Oswego, IL   60543

• Upon receiving the request, the Transportation Coordinator will respond in a timely manner.
• Responses to change requests are answered in the order received.