Transportation FAQ 2025-2026

How are bus stops and routes determined?

 

Every student is eligible for transportation and is assigned a specific bus stop and route number when requesting transportation during registration. The ZCS transportation department uses specialized software that considers bus seating capacity, student data, and attendance area to create the safest, most efficient bus routes. Using established walk zones of .2 miles for elementary students and .4 miles for middle school students, general education bus stops are located at street corners in housing additions.  This ensures that regular drivers and substitute drivers pick up and drop off all students at the correct locations. 

 

Loading and unloading of students will happen only at regularly assigned bus stops, though occasional variations may be required due to roadway irregularities such as construction, weather conditions, or other emergency situations.

 

Construction in housing additions will alter bus stops until construction is complete.   Those altered stops may exceed the walk limit for grade levels so that buses have the space they need to turn around safely within a neighborhood. 

 

As determined by the ZCS Board of School Trustees, high school bus stops are limited to global or main line stops.  ZCS Transportation does not have the authority to change high school bus stops.

 

Why does our bus stop change from year to year, or even during the school year?

 

Each year, students move in and out of neighborhoods and matriculate to different grade levels or different buildings. Stops may be altered to accommodate the needs of the students in the area. Our process considers the students for each school requesting transportation in each area and the distances walked to each stop to best determine the safest location for all students.

 

If a route changes during the school year, a notice will be provided t to students and an automated phone call will be sent to families. A mid-year bus stop change does not occur often but could be necessary because of construction in an area, road closures, or in other specific circumstances.

 

The bus passes by my house on the way to a stop down the street. Why can’t the bus just stop and pick up my child at my house?

 

Please remember that ZCS Transportation transports close to 8,000 students daily. It is impossible to provide door-to-door service to everyone in a timely manner. The efficiency required to keep route durations to a reasonable time for students necessitates picking up several students at one corner bus stop.  

 

I need my student to ride a different bus this afternoon.

 

ZCS policy does not allow for a student to “bus hop” or ride home with friends to another stop or on another route. They cannot ride another bus other than the one they were assigned for their home location unless a student has a dual-home residency situation and both homes are within the student’s school attendance boundary.   This policy is in place for safety – so that schools, teachers, bus drivers, sub bus drivers, and students know how they are getting to and from school, safely and consistently, each and every day.

 

Why do I have to be at the bus stop to receive my elementary student? 

 

Elementary students who are required to have a parent or guardian receive them at their assigned bus stop will be returned to the student’s school if the parent or guardian is not present at the scheduled stop time to receive the student. This applies to most kindergarten students.  Drivers will wait up to one (1) minute for parent or guardian after which the bus will proceed.

 

The pickup time on the Bus Stop Information sheet I received says one time, but the driver needed to change it to an earlier time. Why?

 

Our routing system calculates the mileage of the route, the number of stops along the route, the number of students at each stop and the speed limits of the roads to determine the approximate pick up and drop off times. The program cannot calculate the traffic conditions, weather, and road conditions along the route. High school bus routes can change drastically within the first two weeks of school due to ridership counts. Routes can have more than 100 students assigned but only 40 students ride which could change a route by more than 10 minutes.  Given these factors, and others, it sometimes becomes necessary for the driver to adjust the expected pick up times in order to arrive at school on time.

 

The afternoon drop off can also vary depending on when the buses are released from school, who is riding, traffic conditions, and weather. This is especially true the first week of school. 

 

We were late this morning, and my student went running after the bus, but the driver never stopped. Why?

 

In the interest of safety, please never let a child run after a moving bus. This is very dangerous. If your student misses the bus, please take your student to school. You may also call the ZCS Transportation office at 317–873-1237 for further instruction but most routes are not able to accommodate looping back without delaying other students. It also may look as though the driver can see your student, but drivers must check all their mirrors on the bus prior to moving. By looking at the mirrors, it may appear as though the driver looked at your student, but they are actually checking the area around the bus to safely depart. The best way to make sure your student does not miss the bus is to be at the stop at least five minutes prior to the scheduled stop.

 

Why does my student have to sit in an assigned seat?

 

All students, Pre-K through 8th grade, have an assigned seat on the school bus. This is done for bus safety. An assigned seat on the bus helps the driver know who is on the bus and eliminates the time spent on the student trying to find a seat. Assigned seats also promote positive behaviors, allow for moves when needed, and assist in situations when a disciplinary or fact-finding investigation is needed.

 

Things are happening on the bus that the driver does not do anything about. Why?

 

The driver’s first responsibility is to drive the bus, and they are constantly working to do that safely with respect to road and driving conditions.  There are occasions when this requires more attention to what is going on outside the bus than inside. If something is happening on the bus that concerns you and your student, we are here to help.  Start by contacting the principal of your student’s school. You can also call the ZCS Transportation office at 317–873-1237 for assistance or to relay a message to the driver. Each driver is happy to assist and make every student’s bus ride a safe and enjoyable experience.

 

What items are allowed to be transported on the bus?

 

Musical instruments, athletic equipment and other large items may only be transported if they fit on the lap of the student in the seat. Items cannot be stored in the aisles or blocking exits or pathways.

 

Are ZCS buses equipped with cameras?

 

For ZCS staff use, all buses have at least three active cameras.

 

What happens if I have a transportation concern?

 

If you have a concern about the bus driver or route, please call the ZCS Transportation office at 317–873-1237. We are happy to assist.

 

What qualifications must bus drivers have to drive a school bus?

 

A person must be at least 21 years old to drive a school bus, hold a valid Indiana class B CDL license with passenger and school bus endorsement including qualification to drive a vehicle with airbrakes. The driver must also have a safe driving record and pass a criminal background check. In addition, the applicant must attend a school bus driver safety class taught by the state of Indiana Department of Education. Each year drivers are required to attend regular safety and training classes and are part of other ongoing training and monitoring processes.