Transportation & Bus Information

District 73.5 offers fee-based bus service. Middleton and McCracken students ride buses operated through a contractual service agreement with Alltown Bus Service (847-674-0090). Meyer kindergarten students are transported by district-owned buses. Contact the Operational Services Coordinator at 847-676-8317 if you have any concerns or questions regarding transportation.

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انقر فوق الزر "ترجمة" أعلى الصفحة لترجمة النص

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متن کا ترجمہ کرنے کے لیے صفحہ کے اوپری حصے میں ترجمہ کے بٹن پر کلک کریں۔

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Bus Registration closes on August 4th!

July 22, 2024, through August 4, 2024

Bus Registration and Payment

Parents/guardians must sign up for bus transportation by completing the Transportation Registration form, agreeing to the bus riding contract and rules (Board Policy 4:110 Transportation), and paying the bus fee. Only students whose transportation fees are paid, or have been waived by the Business Office, will be allowed to ride the bus. See the Fees and Waivers section of the Student/Family Handbook for more information about fee waivers, or contact the District Office at 847-676-8317.

NEW for School Year 2024-2025

  • Students who live 1.5 miles or more from their school building WILL NOT be charged a transportation fee, but DO need to complete the registration for transportation.
    • The district will use information provided during registration to determine whether a student lives 1.5 or more miles from their school.
    • See the map below to check whether a student's home address is 1.5 or miles from their school.
  • Pricing change for School Year 2024-2025
    • The cost to ride the bus is $250 per student.
    • A link to bus fee payment will be sent to the email provided on the bus registration form after the student is assigned to a bus route.
  • Families in need of fee assistance can contact the District Office at 847-676- 8317 to apply for a fee waiver or set up a fee payment schedule.

Complete the Transportation Registration Form if you need to sign up your student(s) for transportation.

Important Information about Waitlist

Routing for 2024-2025 will begin on Monday, August 5th. Registrations received after August 4th will be accepted only if space is available on existing routes. If space is not available, students will be placed on a waitlist for the appropriate route.

Bus requests will be processed in the order they are received. The routes will not be altered to accommodate late registrations.

Waitlisted families will be notified as soon as possible if seats are available, but may need to make alternate transportation arrangements for the beginning of the school year. The district cannot guarantee that registrations submitted after August 4th will be processed before the first day of school.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities and Acknowledgements

  • Parents/guardians are responsible for the safety and well-being of their children before they board the bus in the morning and after they leave the bus in the afternoon. 
    • Meyer Kindergarten Riders 
      • Pick up: No kindergarten student is allowed to wait alone at a bus stop for pick up. A parent/guardian or authorized contact person must accompany the student and wait with them until they are safely on the bus.
      • Drop off: Kindergarten students will not be released from the bus if a designated adult is not at the bus stop to receive them. These children will be returned to Meyer School at the end of the route and parents will be called to pick them up.
    • 1st-8th Grade Riders: School buses will not have staff members riding in the mornings or after school. The responsibility of the driver ends at the time the student is dropped off at their respective bus stop. Once the child exits the bus, the parent/guardian is responsible for the student’s commute from the bus stop to their home. Parents/guardians must ensure that their child has a plan for getting to their home once they exit the school bus at their stop.
  • If a student misses the bus, the parent/guardian is responsible for transporting them to and/or from school. 
  • If a student is involved in extracurricular activities, serving detention, or staying after school for any other reason, it is the parent/guardian's responsibility to arrange for the student's transportation from school.
  • The district is not responsible for any damages or injuries incurred if a child misses the bus or chooses to walk or get to or from school by other means.
  • Parents/guardians agree to pay all associated bus fees and understand that their child will not be assigned to a bus stop or be allowed to ride the bus until bus fees have been paid. 
  • Parents/guardians have reviewed with their child the Student Bus Behavior Expectations and Safety information below and agree to abide by these expectations.

Student Bus Behavior Expectations and Safety

Safe behavior on school buses is expected of all students. Bus safety rules and regulations are discussed in each advisory or homeroom and bus evacuation drills are conducted for all students at the beginning of each school year.

Bus privileges are dependent upon compliance with rules established for safe operation of the buses. Students must conduct themselves in a manner that ensures safe transportation for themselves, other passengers, and the driver.

Good behavior and conduct are expected while boarding, riding, and departing the bus and include, but are not limited to:

  • Students are to board and depart the bus at their assigned stop only.
  • Students are not permitted to ride another student's bus.
  • Student walkers are not permitted to ride the bus, with the exception of activity buses.
  • Students should be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled arrival time.
  • At the end of the school day, students are to go quickly to their bus's designated area and wait in an orderly fashion for the bus to arrive. For students in 6th through 8th grade, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are on the bus before it leaves the school.
  • While waiting for the bus, students are not to stand or play on the street. After exiting the bus, students who must cross the street must do so in front of the bus and only when the stop arm is out and the flashers are operating.
  • Students must follow the directions of the bus driver and supervisor.
  • Students are to remain seated with seatbelts fastened throughout the entire bus ride.
  • Windows are not to be lowered below the safety mark. Students' heads, hands, arms, feet, and all objects must be kept inside the bus. Students must not tamper with the windows.
  • Loud conversation, profane language, throwing objects, and discourteous actions toward the bus driver, supervisor, or other passengers is not allowed.
  • Glass containers, live animals, and large objects may not be carried on the bus.
  • Students are not allowed to eat or drink on the bus.
  • Students must not litter or deface the bus. Trash receptacles are provided on all buses.
  • Please refer to "Prohibited Student Conduct" in Appendix B of the Student/Family Handbook for a comprehensive list of prohibited student behaviors.
  • MEYER Kindergarten: Please review information on bus stop requirements specific to the kindergarten bus in the Bus Routes, Stops, and Passes section below.

The bus driver is in charge of the bus and their directions must be followed. The driver is not a disciplinarian: they have only one task – to drive the bus safely. Each bus driver has been instructed to report instances of misbehavior to the bus supervisor or Principal. In extreme cases, the bus driver will return a student or the entire busload of students to school for corrective action by the Principal.

If a student does not follow the rules, the Principal may revoke or suspend a student's bus privileges. In addition to bus consequences, students may be subject to regular school disciplinary action. Families will always be informed before a student's bus privileges are revoked or suspended. Parents/guardians have the right to request a meeting with the Principal to review the circumstances that warranted the removal of bus riding privileges (Board Policy 7:220 Bus Conduct, Board Policy 4:110 Transportation).

School buses may be equipped with video cameras. Video cameras may be used on school buses as necessary to monitor conduct and maintain a safe environment for students and employees.

Bus Routes, Stops, and Passes

Bus routes, stops, and rider assignments will be determined by ridership at the beginning of each school year. Students are only allowed to ride the bus or buses to which they are assigned. Students will only be assigned to one morning route and one afternoon route. Additionally, they may only be picked up from and dropped off at their assigned stops. Students must show their bus pass to the driver each time they ride. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation if a short-term change is needed.

Late Buses

Parents/guardians will be notified by the district via email and text message if buses are late for pick-up or drop-off. Any questions related to bus pick-up or drop-off should be directed to the main office of each building.

After-School Activity Buses

Information about the availability of an activity bus for students participating in extracurricular activities, sports, serving detention, or staying after school for any other reason at Middleton and McCracken will be provided when students register for after-school activities. At times there may be extenuating circumstances outside of our control that will necessitate canceling after-school activity bus service. We will make every effort to communicate any changes in service to families as soon as possible as situations arise during the school year.