COMMUNICATIONS HEADING
            21 Johnson Street

    TRANSPORTATION POLICY HEADING
            (2ed bullet down) 25 school buses are avail...

    IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR "PAY TO RIDE" HEADING

        Yes, we have a "Pay to Ride" program for students
who live in the walk zones. If you live in the walking zone
and there is an available seat on the bus that follows your
route, you may apply for Pay to Ride. The program will be
granted on a first comes, first serve, space available
basis. Applications for this program will be available on
the school web and will be sent home from school in
September, bussing for this program will start the first
week of October.


Sudi we will need to up date the Pay to Ride application
also
 School Year date
 Start date: October 2, 2006
 Address: 21 Johnson Street
 
(I think we need to take Nadine's name off the letter head
also)

Any questions give me a call, I do try to check email as
often as possible, but usually during work days I have
problems getting on the web.
 

PVMHS STUDENT BUS TRANSPORTATION FORM
  PAY TO RIDE 2005-2006 | PAY TO RIDE APPLICATION in SPANISH and in PORTUGUESE
School Year 2006-2007 Regular Transportation Plan

August 23, 2006

 2006-2007 School Bus Routes

Peabody Public Schools bus routes are published on this web site as well as  in the local press.  Routes have been sent to the Peabody Citizen, Peabody Weekly News, and the Salem Evening News.

 Communications Regarding Transportation Routes and Stops

If you have a specific question regarding transportation for school year
2005-2006 that is not answered in these pages, you may contact
us by: 

• E-mail :  bus@peabody.k12.ma.us

• Phone: 978-536-6581

• Fax: 978-977-0844

• Letter: Peabody Public Schools, Transportation,
  21 Johnson Street, Peabody, MA 01960

We will make our best effort to answer your questions in a timely manner. 

 Peabody Public Schools Transportation Policy

Beginning in September 2003, regular education students qualified for free yellow bus transportation to and from school, based on the
following criteria: 

To live within the district’s transportation budget and still provide the best and safest transportation plan possible, the Peabody Public Schools will deliver transportation service under the following conditions: 

• The district continues to utilize a three-tier transportation system.  Each bus is used for three routes (elementary, middle school and high school) in the morning and three routes in the afternoon.

• Twenty-eight buses are available on tiers one, two and three.

• To reduce run times, increase bus load factors and improve on time performance, the number of stops has been reduced.

• Sidewalks will be used to the maximum extent possible within the established walk zones.  Sidewalks must exist on at least one side of the street to qualify for a walk zone.

• Only Peabody Public Schools Transportation Officials are authorized to change established bus routes. Bus drivers are not authorized to change routes or stops.

• Kindergarten students must walk to assigned bus stops.   Kindergarten students will not be picked up “door to door”.  Kindergarten students will be dropped off only if a parent is visible.  An older sibling may take a kindergarten student off the bus only if written permission has been given to the Transportation Director in advance.

• There will be no transportation to a destination other than the student's home.  Because the transportation budget is so tight, there will be very few empty seats.  Therefore, transportation to Day Care or a friend's house via another bus will not be allowed.

 Bus Routes/Schedules

The following links connect you to transportation schedules by school.  Afternoon Routes are the same as morning routes, in reverse.

Safety Issues

As always, the safety of all students is our first priority.  Not only in the safe operation of the school bus, the safety of the students inside the bus is our concern as well.  Some items students bring with them on the school bus have caused safety issues.  Loose items can become projectiles; balls can roll under the brake pedal and balloons can impair the driver's vision. The following item should not be transported on the school bus:

- Balloons
- Baseball bats, basketballs, soccer balls, skateboards, roller blades, hockey/field hockey sticks, or any athletic equipment that will not fit in the book bag
- Fundraiser items: boxes and bags of wrapping paper, boxes of Girl Scout cookies
- Pets, bugs, or other types of critters
- Birthday cakes, cupcakes or party supplies
- Large school projects, large posters, flag

"If it is too big for the book bag; it is too big to take on the bus."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the state mandated transportation requirement?

Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 71, Secton 68 speaks to the minimum public school transportation services required of Cities and Towns.  To summarize, the law requires public school districts to transport students in Grades K-6 who live greater than 2.0 miles from school.  Chapter 71, Section 68 does not speak to walking safety considerations.  In the final analysis, it is the responsibility of the parent to get students to and from school.

What is the present Peabody Public Schools transportation policy?

See the transportation policy above.

Are there presently any bus fees or Pay to Ride fees?

No.  Presently, there are no pay to ride fees for transportation.

How are private school students effected by the new policy?

Private school transportation is governed by Chapter 76, Section 1.  Per Chapter 76, The Peabody Public Schools is obligated to provide school transportation to private school students under the same terms and conditions as those provided to public school students.  Private school students must abide by the same ride/walk policy as public school students.

How is distance measured?

Distance is measured portal to portal, from a point at the curb in front of a student’s residence to the commonly used entrance(s) of the destination school following the shortest path.  Neighborhood walkways are considered in the distance calculation.  The School Department uses GPS technology to measure distance.  The School Department’s GPS is regarded as the final accurate measurement of distance.

How is “safety transportation” determined?

The Peabody Police Department's School Safety Officer determines safety.  Sidewalks are required on one side of the street only.

If I disagree with the School Department’s distance measurement, how can I appeal?

Appeal can be made to the Transportation Director in writing.  The Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping system will be applied to the problem and a determination will be made.  In some cases, over the road, Global Positioning System (GPS) will be used to determine distance using the shortest path.  The distance measurement by the Director of Transportation will be final.

If I disagree with the placement of a bus stop, how can I appeal?

Appeal can be made to the Transportation Director in writing. 

Why has there been a reduction in the number of bus stops?

School Department policy requires stops to be no more than ½ mile from the student’s residence.  All stops in the FY 2003-2004 transportation plan meet this policy.  Buses can be used more efficiently by strictly following the ½ mile to any stop policy.

Is there an opportunity for “Pay to Ride”?

No.  At the present time there is no policy providing for a pay to ride plan.

Will there continue to be late buses at the High School and at Higgins?

Yes.  Three late buses will arrive at the High School at 3:00 PM, Monday thru Thursday on full school days.  Four late buses will arrive at the Higgins Middle School at 3:30 PM, Monday through Thursday on full school days.  There are no late buses at any elementary school.

Will there be a charge for late buses at the High School and Higgins?

No.  At present, there are no late bus fees.

How can I find out more about crossing guard locations?

Follow the crossing guard map link. (under construction)

What are the school opening and closing times?

Follow the school day schedule link.

Why can’t a bus come down my cul de sac or dead end street?

Bus safety protocols as well as the district’s contract with the regular transportation vendor require that no bus is ever routed where the driver will be required to back the vehicle.  Cul de sacs can be narrowed by vehicles, sports equipment and snow banks in winter.  By practice, regular transportation buses will not enter cul de sacs.