Bus FAQs
Bus FAQs
Frequently asked questions about school busing and bus passes.
Find answers about bus pass pickup, eligibility, fees, applications, bus delays, routes, and transportation changes.
Bus Passes and Applications
Where can I pick up my bus pass?
Bus passes are typically available for pickup at your child’s school 1 to 3 days after the bus application has been processed during the school year.
If your child’s bus pass is lost or stolen, the school office may issue a temporary pass valid for 48 hours.
Does my child need to carry their bus pass?
Yes. Students should carry their bus pass each day and scan or present it when required. Bus passes help confirm the student is approved to ride and support safe ridership tracking.
How do I replace a lost or damaged bus pass?
Replacement bus passes are requested and paid for through PowerSchool Parent Portal using Rycor School Fees. If your child needs to ride before the replacement pass is printed, please contact the school office about a temporary pass.
Why do I have to reapply for a bus pass every year?
Families must complete a bus pass application each school year so the Division has current student information, transportation consent, emergency contacts, address information, and transportation needs.
Routes and stops are reviewed each year to support safe and efficient transportation planning.
What do I do with last year’s bus pass?
Previous year bus passes are deactivated at the end of June each year and should be shredded or returned to the school.
Is a bus pass required for the first day of school?
During the Division grace period, yellow school bus drivers may accept students without a printed bus pass if the student has applied for transportation. Contact your school or the Transportation Department in August for the grace period date.
What if my child leaves something on the bus?
Please contact the appropriate transportation provider as soon as possible. Include your child’s name, school, route number, and a description of the item. Transportation Provider
What should I do if the bus is late?
Check the appropriate busing app or cancellation page for delay information.
If there is no posted delay and the bus is significantly late, please contact the transportation provider listed on the Transportation Contact page.
Eligibility and Fees
Is my child’s bus pass free or is there a Bus Pass fee?
A student may qualify for free transportation if they attend their designated boundary school, meet distance eligibility, and require transportation from their primary home address.
A user-pay fee may apply for school-of-choice, program-of-choice, out-of-boundary, out-of-division, or secondary/additional address requests.
What if I move or need different busing?
If your child changes schools, moves to a different address, or requires different transportation during the school year, a new bus application form is required.
If you move or no longer require busing, please contact Transportation so the seat can be released for another student.
Why is my child not eligible for temporary transportation?
Temporary transportation requests may include vacations, work-related trips, family emergencies, extracurricular activities, or short-term alternate arrangements.
The Division is generally unable to provide temporary transportation because buses operate on fixed routes with limited space, strict eligibility rules, and required student safety information.
Temporary riders also require extra coordination with contractors, drivers, bus pass tracking, start/end dates, emergency contacts, and route lists.
Routes, Stops, Delays and Apps
How do I know when my child’s bus is delayed or cancelled?
Delay and cancellation information depends on your child’s bus provider. Families should use the correct app or cancellation tool for their bus.
How can I find bus routes, times and stop locations?
BusPlanner helps families view approved bus route information, stop locations, pickup/drop-off times, school information, and eligibility tools.
When should my child be at the bus stop?
Students should arrive at the bus stop before the scheduled pickup time. If there is a time difference between BusPlanner and FirstView, use the earliest time shown.
How do I track when my child gets on and off the bus?
First Student riders may use Zonar MyView for ridership tracking. Students scan their bus pass when loading and unloading from the bus.
Safety, Conduct and Discipline
What are the expectations for student behaviour on the bus?
The school bus is considered an extension of the classroom. Students are expected to follow school bus safety rules, remain seated, keep the aisle clear, use respectful behaviour, and follow the driver’s directions.
Bus rules help keep students, drivers, and other road users safe.
Who handles bus discipline?
Student conduct concerns on the bus are reported to the school. Discipline, if required, is handled by the school administration.
Depending on the situation, consequences may include assigned seating, parent/guardian contact, behaviour expectations, conditions for riding, temporary suspension from the bus, or other school-based discipline.
Serious or repeated behaviour concerns may result in loss of bus riding privileges.
Can a student be suspended from riding the bus?
Yes. Because the bus is an extension of the classroom, unsafe or inappropriate behaviour may result in conditions, suspension from transportation, or other discipline handled by the school.
Parents and guardians are responsible for arranging transportation if a student is suspended from bus service.
Quick Links
Transportation Contact
For transportation questions, please contact the Grande Prairie Catholic School Division Transportation Department.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-532-3013