Understanding Lausd Buses: A Guide To The System

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) offers transportation to all students based on availability, with priority given to students who live near bus routes. Students can be picked up at a nearby corner or school site. Elementary students who live over 1 mile away and secondary students who live over 2 miles away from their school are eligible for transportation. Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may request transportation services. LAUSD also provides transportation for field trips. To become a school bus driver, applicants must meet various entrance qualifications, including graduation from high school and relevant driving experience.

Student eligibility for LAUSD transportation

The Los Angeles Unified School District offers transportation to all students, based on availability. If transportation can be provided, priority is given to students who reside in areas where buses are available. Students will be picked up at a nearby corner or school site.

Elementary students (grades K-5) who reside over 1 mile from their school and secondary students (grades 6-12) who reside over 2 miles from their school are eligible to request transportation. Students who attend the following span schools may receive transportation if they reside outside of a 1-mile radius: Arroyo Seco Lake Balboa, Laurel, Sherman Oaks CES, Western Ave, and Westside.

Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may request transportation services and will be automatically eligible for transportation. Discuss transportation needs with your school when developing an IEP. District-paid transportation may be provided for elementary students outside a 2-mile radius from the school they attend or a 5-mile radius for secondary students.

Families experiencing homelessness can sign their children up for transportation through the Student Health and Human Services division, which provides additional resources.

Rules and behaviour expectations

Students who are provided with District transportation are expected to behave respectfully towards the bus driver, school staff, other students, and any members of the community. The same rules of conduct and behaviour that apply in school are also expected on the school bus. The school bus driver is responsible for ensuring orderly conduct on and around the bus. Any student who engages in misconduct, disrupts school bus travel, disrespects the school bus driver, or jeopardizes safety may be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or removal from the bus transportation program.

• Students should be prepared to board the bus five minutes before their scheduled pick-up time and stand in the designated area, visible to the driver.
• Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that includes transportation services must be received by a parent/legal guardian, an adult, or authorized receiver.
• Children in Pre-K to 2nd grade must be received by an authorized person at the designated bus stop. The driver will not allow them to disembark otherwise.
• Middle and senior high school students must show the driver their bus pass each time they board the bus.
• Students must remain seated, facing forward, for the entire trip. Keep your feet and legs out of the aisle, and ensure all body parts are inside the bus.
• Loud conversations and cell phone use are not allowed, except in emergencies with driver authorization.
• Animals, large hazardous objects, smoking, eating, fighting, swearing, loud electronic devices, drinking, and littering are prohibited on the bus.
• Students may only get off the bus at their assigned stop. If they need to get off at a different stop, written permission from the school administrator and Area Bus Supervisor is required.
• Students should follow the driver's instructions for the unloading sequence, using the handrail for balance and staying back from the curb as the bus leaves.
• Students and parents/legal guardians should know their route number, school name, and stop location.
• If the bus is more than ten minutes late, contact the Transportation Services Division.
• Pick-up and drop-off times may change due to route adjustments, changes to school times, or traffic/weather conditions.
• Students are expected to maintain the same standards of behaviour at the bus stop as on the bus. They should respect the property around the bus stop, avoid littering, and remain at least 10 feet back from the curb until the bus has stopped.

Employment opportunities for drivers

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) offers employment opportunities for drivers as part of its Transportation Services Branch. The district is the second largest in the country, and it provides transportation for students based on availability and priority is given to those who reside near the bus routes.

LAUSD is looking for School Bus Drivers with a positive attitude and a desire to work for the district. The qualifications for becoming a bus driver include a high school diploma or equivalent, with light bus drivers requiring six months of experience or a certificate from the LAUSD training program. Heavy bus drivers need a year of experience with vehicles over 16,000 lbs, or an accredited course in heavy bus driving training.

The benefits of working as a bus driver for LAUSD include competitive salaries and generous benefits, such as full coverage for medical, vision, and dental for employees and their dependents. Employees also receive paid vacation, holidays, and illness time, as well as tuition reimbursement and career development opportunities.

For those who do not meet the minimum qualifications, LAUSD offers a free School Bus Certification Training Program that waives the minimum requirements for light and heavy bus drivers. This program consists of an orientation, application, screening, and training process, including classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training. The training takes around 10-12 weeks to complete, after which applicants can start their new career as an LAUSD bus driver.

Pick-up and drop-off procedures

Students should be prepared to board the bus five minutes before their scheduled pick-up time and stand in the designated area, visible to the driver. If the bus has not arrived within ten minutes of the scheduled arrival time, parents should contact the Transportation Services Division. Pick-up and drop-off times may change due to route adjustments, changes to school start/end times, or traffic and weather conditions.

For Pre-K to 2nd-grade students, parents or legal guardians, an adult, or authorized receiver must be present at the designated bus stop to receive the child. The Transportation Services Division will not leave elementary school-age children in second grade or below unattended at drop-off locations. Drivers will ask children to point out who is picking them up and will not allow them to disembark if they are unfamiliar with the receiver. Any individuals receiving a student will need to provide identification.

Students must follow the same rules of conduct and behaviour on the school bus as they would in school. They should exit their personal cars before the arrival of the bus and remain at least 10 feet back from the curb. They should wait in line until the bus has stopped completely and the door has been opened, boarding the bus in a single file without pushing. One hand should be kept free to hold the handrail.

Notifications and updates for parents

Parents and legal guardians play a crucial role in ensuring the safe transportation of their children to and from school. Here are some important notifications and updates for parents regarding LAUSD bus services:

• Transportation Requests: For the Fall 2024-25 school year, parents need to submit transportation requests. This applies to all families, including those with students in Magnet programs or receiving transportation through other programs. Elementary students residing over 1 mile and secondary students residing over 2 miles from their school are eligible for transportation services.
• Opt-In Process: All families must opt in for transportation services for Fall 2024 and beyond. This can be done through the LAUSD website or by contacting the school directly.
• Special Education Transportation: Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that includes transportation services are automatically eligible. For students without transportation IEPs, parents can opt in, and routing will be provided based on availability.
• Homeless Students: LAUSD accommodates students from homeless families by providing transportation services. Parents can enrol through the Student Health and Human Services division to access additional resources.
• Maintaining Bus Services: To maintain their seat on the bus, students are required to ride the bus at least once every 10 days. If this requirement is not met, services may be discontinued, but parents can request transportation again.
• Notification of Approval: Parents will be notified of their student's transportation status in the third week of July. If approved, the notification will include route information.
• Viewing Routing Information: Parents can access their student's routing information via the Parent Portal on the LAUSD website.
• Technical Issues: For technical issues with the Parent Portal, parents can contact their region's Parent and Community Engagement Office for assistance.
• Bus Delays and Updates: Parents can receive automated text and phone call notifications from the Transportation Services Division when their child's school bus route is delayed. To sign up, they can opt in to receive text messages by texting "START LAUSD" to 91841 or call (855) 502-7867 to opt in for phone call notifications.
• Bus Conduct: Students are expected to adhere to the same rules of conduct and behaviour on the school bus as they would in school. Parents are encouraged to review and discuss the bus rules with their children to ensure safe bus riding practices.
• Bus Stop Safety: Parents or authorized guardians should be present at the bus stop during pick-up and drop-off times. They should also ensure their children know the safest route to and from the bus stop.
• Identification: Any individual receiving a student from the bus must provide identification to verify they are authorized to do so.
• Route Information and Delays: For queries about route status or delays, parents can contact the Transportation Services Division at 1-800-LA BUSES (1-800-522-8737).

Frequently asked questions