Important Transportation Update

CCS Transportation

  • Office of 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.


    Bus FAQs

    Q. If my student is late to school due to the bus being delayed, is this an excused absence?

    A. If a student is late for school due to a bus delay, it's an excused absence.

    Q. If my student misses the school day because the bus didn’t pick him/her up, is this an excused absence?

    A. If a student misses the school day because a bus didn't pick them up, it's an excused absence--whether or not the bus ever came has to be verified with transportation. Parents should call their child’s school to provide information.

Parent Portal

  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What to do if your child 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 was there the parent/guardian will need to arrange transportation of the child to school.  

    What if my child left something on the bus?

    Call the Transportation Department, 614-365-5074. Any “Lost & Found” item will be stored at the Transportation Department for a period of two weeks.

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.

    Students should be at their assigned bus stop waiting for the bus five (5) minutes before the scheduled pick up time. Drivers are not required to wait for tardy students because it will make the balance of the route late. We have many students living on major roads and waiting would cause a traffic hazard.

    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.

    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.

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