Student Transportation FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for transportation service (busing)?

Eligible riders are students who live outside of the school walk limits and are attending their catchment schools. Students with diverse abilities are also categorized as eligible. Eligible riders receive service at no charge.

WALK LIMITS

  • Elementary School – 3.2 km
  • Middle School – 3.2 km
  • Secondary School – 4.0 km

Transportation is also offered to non-eligible, or Courtesy, riders on a first come, first served basis.

What are walk limits?

Walk limits are outlined as follows:

  • Elementary School K to 5 – Busing is available to elementary students who live 3.2 km or farther from their catchment school.
  • Middle School 6-8 – Busing is available to middle school students who live 3.2 km or farther from their catchment school.
  • Secondary School 9-12 – Busing is available to secondary school students who live 4.0 km or farther from their catchment school.

Who is a courtesy rider?

A courtesy rider is a rider who lives within the walk limits (3.2 km for elementary and middle schools; 4.0 km for secondary schools) and is granted bus service if/when space is available on a bus route that has been established for eligible riders. Courtesy riders will use stops already established on bus routes.

How does the District decide who rides?

  1. Students with complex, special and/or unique needs as determined by the Learning Support Services Department.
  2. Elementary & middle students living outside the walk limits of their catchment school.
  3. Students force-transferred to a school outside their catchment.
  4. Secondary students living outside the walk limits of their catchment school.
  5. Elementary & middle students attending district programs*.
  6. Secondary students attending district programs*.
  7. Students living within the walk limits to their catchment school

*Refers to specific district programs as outlined by the District Board; does not refer to ALL district programs

Does the District provide transportation service for students with diverse abilities?

Consideration for the transportation of students with diverse abilities and special needs will be done on a case-by-case basis. 

Please speak with your child’s school support team for details

When can I register my child for transportation service?

Please go to the Bus Registration page and select the appropriate year to register for service.

  • Active Returning Rider Registration runs from April 1-30
  • Open Registration runs from May 1 - July 31
  • Any registrations submitted August 1 or later will not be processed until October

When will I find out if my child has qualified for transportation service?

If your child qualifies for busing, an email will be sent during the last week of August informing you of the busing details.

If your child does not qualify for busing, the Transportation Department will contact you during the summer break before the last week of August.

What do I need to register my child for transportation service?

You will need your child’s pupil number. Most students in grades 6 - 12 will know their number from signing on to their schools’ computers. If you do not know it, please contact your school’s administrative assistant.

Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns regarding busing?

  • If you require assistance while registering your children for busing, please contact your school office.
  • If you have questions or concerns about your child’s busing, the Transportation Department can be reached at [email protected].
  • If you would like to speak to someone about school bus fees, please contact the Finance Department at [email protected].

What do I do if our family moves in the middle of the year?

  • If you move and no longer require busing, please inform the Transportation Department in writing at [email protected].
  • If you do not cancel your busing registration, you may continue to be charged for services.
  • If you move and still need busing, click this here to register your child for the school bus at your new address location.
  1. Go to the bus registration website and complete registration with new address.
  2. The Transportation Department will email you to inform you whether accommodations can be made for your new address. This may take up to 5 days.

Instruments and Equipment on School Buses

The Abbotsford School District is committed to the safe transportation of students. District policies and procedures related to items carried on school buses are established in alignment with the Motor Vehicle Act, with the safety of students and drivers paramount.

Items transported on a school bus must not interfere with the safe operation of the bus, another student's seating area or access to the aisle. Instruments and equipment may only be transported on a school bus when they:

  • fit completely inside the student's backpack;
  • can remain safely on the student's lap for the duration of the bus ride; 
  • do not exceed the height of the seat backs, and
  • do not interfere with another student's seating area or the aisle.

Instruments and equipment may not be carried separately from the student's backpack.

Items may not be:

  • stored on the floor;
  • placed in the aisle;
  • sticking out of the backpack; or
  • attached to the outside of the backpack.
  • exceeding the height of the seat backs.

If an instrument or piece of equipment does not fit completely inside the student's backpack, cannot be safely carried on the student's lap, and does not exceed the height of the seat backs, it cannot be transported on the school bus.

Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging alternate transportation for instruments and equipment that do not meet these requirements.

Schools may explore storage or other school-based options for instruments and equipment associated with school programs, where appropriate and available.

Questions about whether an item can be transported on a school bus should be directed to the Transportation Department.

Other items that are not permitted on school buses include:

  • laser pointers;
  • booster seats;
  • helium balloons;
  • weapons;
  • animals, except where an approved exception applies;
  • drugs and alcohol; and
  • vapour products/e-cigarettes.

The Transportation Department may restrict any additional item that presents a safety concern or does not comply with the Motor Vehicle Act, District policy or transportation procedures.

Cancelling School bus service for your child(ren):

If you no longer require the school bus service, please contact Transportation by email to cancel. Otherwise, payment will be expected. 
The Transportation Department does not take cancellations over the phone.

EMAIL TRANSPORTATION