Important Transportation Update

A new school year is upon us, and we have a few brief reminders to ensure the safe and timely transportation of our students:
- Update Contact Details: Please check the Parent Portal to ensure your contact information is current for emergencies or if a bus driver needs to reach you.
- Drop-Off for Younger Students: If your child is in Pre-K to second grade, kindly be at the bus stop during drop-off for their safety. Our drivers will only release a child from Pre-K to second grade if an adult 18 or older is at the stop. However, parents can sign a release allowing the Pre-K to second grade student to be dropped off without an adult. Release forms can be obtained from your student's bus driver.
- Stay Informed of Bus Schedules: Be aware of your child's bus timing and location
Additionally, adjusting our transportation system may take approximately two weeks as we roll into the new school year. Every year, schedule changes, drivers familiarizing themselves with new routes, traffic variations, construction, and unpredictable weather can affect services.

We're committed to continual improvement and ask for your patience and understanding. Our shared goal is a safe and efficient transportation experience for all our students.
Comments (-1)

CCS Transportation

The transportation of 44,000 students every day is a very important job, and one that Columbus City Schools' (CCS) staff take very seriously.

The District's bus drivers go through rigorous background checks, and must have or earn a Commercial Driver's License (with a bus endorsement from the Ohio Department of Education) before they may drive a bus.

We serve students K-12 across the district, along with the Pre-K students with IEPs being served in our CCS classrooms.

Is Your Parent Portal Account Activated?

Stay engaged in your child’s education by setting up and signing into the Columbus City Schools Parent Portal. Through the Parent Portal, you’ll be able to securely access valuable information on your student(s):

Teacher Contact

Grades and Course Schedules

Daily Attendance

Missed Assignments

Paperless Applications for School Choice, Summer School, and Career Tech

Update Contact Information

Pay Fees

Transportation Information

For more information on the Parent Portal or to set up your account, please visit the Parent Portal page or download the document below.

FAQ

When will I receive my student’s bus routing information?
Why is my student’s bus stop different this year from last year?

To enhance the reliability and efficiency of our bus transportation system for the 2023-2024 school year, the transportation department completed a comprehensive evaluation of our bus routes from the previous school year. The review's findings prompted our department to implement adjustments, including consolidating certain stops and routes, to enhance the quality of your child's daily commute to and from school.

As a result of these adjustments, your child's bus stop location for pickup and dropoff may be different from what it was in the previous school year. Check the Parent Portal frequently for the most up-to-date information, including bus stop location and time.

Your child's safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to improve our transportation services. If you ever feel that the bus stop your child has been assigned to is unsafe, please get in touch with our Transportation Call Center at (614) 365-5074 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your feedback is important to us, and we are committed to addressing any concerns promptly.
Where is my student’s bus stop?
What is my student’s pickup time?
When should my student arrive at the bus stop?
If my student is late to school due to the bus being delayed, is this an excused absence?
If my student misses the school day because the bus didn’t pick him/her up, is this an excused absence?
What should I do if my student misses the bus?

The parent/guardian should immediately call the Transportation Department at 614-365-5074. The Transportation staff will contact the driver of the assigned bus for pick up and verify on our GPS system that the bus did/did not arrive as assigned. If the bus missed the stop we will send another bus as soon as it becomes available. However, if the bus already stopped at the location, the parent/guardian will need to arrange transportation of the child to school.
Can my student eat or drink while riding the bus?

Students are prohibited from eating, littering, chewing gum, and drinking anything on school buses. Smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages, and fighting on school buses will cause immediate termination of bus riding privileges. In addition, dogs and other animals, glass jars, and things not stored comfortably on a bus seat or that will protrude into the aisle are illegal to transport.
What if my child left something on the bus?

Keeping Buses Moving

Riding the school bus is a privilege. Your cooperation will be needed to ensure a safe and pleasant ride for your student to and from school. Any student choosing to misbehave could be denied the privilege of riding the school bus.

Dogs and other animals, glass jars, and things not stored comfortably on a bus seat or that will protrude into the aisle are illegal to transport.

When students are dismissed from school they are to go promptly to their school bus. Drivers are instructed to depart the school five (5) minutes after dismissal.

Drivers shall carry a route schedule on the bus and attempt to conform to it as closely as possible considering traffic conditions, road conditions, and safety considerations.

Drivers shall assign seats to pupils on the school bus.

Drivers are permitted, by law, to use reasonable force and restraint in maintaining order and control in emergency situations.

The transportation of passengers other than the students assigned to the trip is not permitted.

News

Transportation Ready to Start the New School Year Strong After In-Service Training

Hundreds of Columbus City Schools transportation staff, ranging from bus drivers and fleet service to secretaries and routers, gathered at the Greater Columbus Convention Center for in-service training on Friday, August 18.

Comments (-1)
May 1 Named School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Today is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in Ohio, and CCS would like to acknowledge and thank the incredible people who drive our buses each and every day.

Comments (-1)
Fort Hayes Specials Bus Compound Wins The Healthiest Bus Compound Award

“We are proud of the Fort Hayes Special Transportation staff for winning the Healthiest Bus Compound for the third year in a row,” said Jacqueline Broderick Patton, wellness initiative coordinator.

Comments (-1)
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE: Bus Routes Are Changing After Winter Break

As part of CCS' Transportation Reliability Improvement Measures, the District is undertaking an unprecedented mid-year action to update ALL bus routes across the city, effective January 3.

Comments (-1)
New Bus Safety Decals Encourage Motorists to Pay Attention

Columbus City Schools’ buses will stand out on roadways as they sport a new look -- a reflective red stop sign courtesy of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP).

Comments (-1)
National School Bus Safety Week: District Bus Driver Gwendolyn Harper has been Keeping Kids Safe for Three Decades

Gwendolyn Harper knows all about school bus safety -- she has been a bus driver with Columbus City Schools for nearly 30 years.

Comments (-1)
Superintendent's Message Regarding Transportation - 9/29/22

Dr. Dixon addresses CCS' families transportation concerns with a comprehensive update.

Comments (-1)
Columbus City Schools Transportation Update

Busing schedules are being finalized, and parents can expect to receive information on their child’s busing route in the coming days.

Comments (-1)
WATCH: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day 2022

We value all members of our transportation team who work tirelessly to transport our students safely to and from our schools. We are grateful for their hard work and dedication to CCS.

Comments (-1)