Bus Routes
About Us
The Transportation Department supports all the district's transportation needs ranging from busing to and from school, special needs busing, and activity trips.
The department has a vehicle maintenance facility and maintains all the district vehicles.
Gilbert Public Schools Transportation Department is committed to providing safe and efficient transportation for all students, staff, and employees. District buses travel over 11,000 miles daily and approximately 2,245,000 miles per year with safety as our top priority at all times.
All drivers must be a minimum of 18 years of age, possess a Commercial Driver License, State School Bus Driver Certificate, meet a physical tolerance profile, and undergo random and annual drug testing. GPS drivers receive regular training which exceeds Arizona minimum standards. The Transportation Department has a vehicle maintenance facility that maintains all district vehicles.
Gilbert Public Schools is currently accepting applications to join our transportation team!
Transportation Hotline
Transportation Hotline: 480-497-3311
Here Comes the Bus App
Here Comes the Bus App
Here Comes the Bus is a free app you can download to see where your bus is and get alerts when the bus is getting close to your stop.
With the ‘Here Comes the Bus’ app parents can:
- View the real-time location of their student’s school bus
- Ensure their student gets to the bus stop at the right time, every time
- Know when and where their child boards or exits the bus - Students ID badges will be scanned when they board and exit the school bus
Parents can easily download the ‘Here Comes the Bus’ app. Once downloaded, select whether you would like email, push notifications or both, regarding your student’s school bus. You can also select what you would like to be notified of.
Please download the app. And enter 85861 for the school ID code
Safety Advice
Safety Advice
On way to and from the bus stop:
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Cross streets at the corner.
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Use crosswalks whenever possible.
- Obey traffic signals.
- Look both ways before crossing the street.
- Stay on the sidewalk.
At the bus stop:
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Stay on the sidewalk and don’t play in the street.
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Stay back from the curb as the bus approaches.
- Always cross the street in front of the bus.
- When you get off the bus, move away from the bus.
Back to school:
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Attend Open House at your student’s school for additional route information for the new school year.
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Take your child to the bus stop prior to the start of school.
- Make sure your child knows his/her name and address, if not, write this information inside their backpack.
Student Conduct
Student Conduct
What are our expectations for student conduct?
Inappropriate conduct at bus stops, on District vehicles, or in the process of boarding or exiting from a vehicle may result in student disciplinary action including, but not limited to, denial of transportation privileges.
Listed below are some general rules to follow:
- All student conduct policies apply at bus stops.
- Obey the driver's instructions.
- Keep the aisles clear.
- Remain seated until the scheduled stop.
- Keep all body parts inside the vehicle.
- Do not yell or use vulgar or abusive language.
- Be respectful to the driver and others.
- Do not throw anything inside the vehicle or from the vehicle.
- No food or drink on the bus. (water ok).
- Tobacco use not allowed.
- School ID required to ride the bus.
Please refer to the Student Handbook for more information on transportation rules and regulations, and consequences for failure to comply with these rules. At the beginning of the school year all students receive the Awareness Contract, which includes policy regarding student conduct on district vehicles.
Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right. Suspension of bus riding privileges does not relieve parents of the responsibility of sending a child to school.
Special Education
Please Remember
That buses may run a little late due to traffic or other unavoidable conditions; however, if the bus is 10 minutes or more late, please check the “Here Comes the Bus” app or call our office at 480- 497-3311. Your morning pick-up times will likely change throughout the year as new students are added or removed from your child’s bus route.
Unfortunately, these changes are unavoidable and pickup and drop-off times cannot be set to accommodate each family’s specific needs.
Special Education Transportation Information
Special Education Transportation Policy for Families with Specialized Transportation
GPS TRANSPORTATION RESPONSIBILITIES
- GPS utilizes school buses, passenger vans and approved Vendors to transport students. Arizona’s child restraint statutes exempt school buses from compliance; however, if your child requires assistance with being seated, and weighs less than 40 pounds, we may utilize a bus car seat. Please feel free to discuss preferences and options with your child’s IEP Team.
- All transportation personnel are CPR and First Aid trained and have received other training relating to transporting students with special needs. You may have a different morning and afternoon transportation team.
- Drivers are not authorized to honk their horns at the bus stops, so please do not ask them to. Remember, the bus is only scheduled to wait two minutes for your child to board. Drivers are required to stay on schedule to the best of their ability. If they are delayed at each home just 3 minutes, they will eventually be running 30 minutes behind schedule.
- If your child’s bus has a monitor on-board, they will help your child on and off the bus if they are in elementary school or otherwise need assistance on the stairs. Parents may carry their child up and down the stairs if they are unable to do so on their own. The Monitor will ensure the child is buckled in properly before the bus moves.
- We only transport students to and from a location within the District boundaries.
PARENT'S & GUARDIAN'S RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide the IEP team a single pick-up address and a single drop off address that is specific to your child’s special needs program boundary they are enrolled in. We do not pick up or drop off at business or other non-residential locations except daycares that your child is currently enrolled in.
- Accompany your child to and from the bus stop each day. Be at the bus stop five minutes before your child’s schedule bus arrival time.
- Call 480-497-3311 to let us know if your child does not need the morning or afternoon bus.
- Let the driver and/or assistant know anything that you feel will help them to ensure your child has a safe and calm bus ride. This includes any medical (short or long-term) details that might be helpful for your child’s care.
- Call or email Transportation if you have any concerns with respect to your child’s transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: You have several options. Your child should always be met at the bus stop by a parent. You may, however, authorize us to drop off your child with other family members, friends or neighbors if necessary. Please have your child’s IEP team reflect these details on the IEP Pro Transportation Form. This is dependent upon the child’s age and disability of course and requires that you communicate clearly during the IEP meeting
Q: What happens if no one is at the stop when the bus arrives to drop off my child and no other arrangements have been made?
A: Bus arrival times can vary due to traffic and if other students are absent. The bus arrives at the drop off location, will wait two minutes and then depart. Please do not wait until you hear the bus before going outside to the drop off point. We do not call the home or walk to the door if nobody is outside to receive your child. Your child will be returned to school and must then be picked up by the family.
A: Call Transportation day or night if you do not need service. The number is 480-497-3311.
A: You should be outside with your child ready for school five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. If the bus arrives early, the driver will not depart until your child is on board or until two minutes after the scheduled pick-up time, whichever comes first. After the bus has waited past the pick-up time, they will leave and will not be sent back to pick up your child that day.
A: The bus will pick up your child at the assigned bus stop, which may be in front of your home, or at a centralized location if you live in an apartment complex, mobile home park, etc.
A: There are several parts to this answer. If you move to a new address, you must contact your child’s District Homeless Education Liaison or Foster Care Liaison to arrange for a change in services. Pick up and drop off may be two different addresses, but only one am pick up address and one pm drop off address is allowed. Again, there are no alternating day options and no temporary changes allowed.
McKinney-Vento
Please Remember
That buses may run a little late due to traffic or other unavoidable conditions; however, if the bus is 10 minutes or more late, please check the “Here Comes the Bus” app or call our office at 480- 497-3311. Your morning pick-up times will likely change throughout the year as new students are added or removed from your child’s bus route.
Unfortunately, these changes are unavoidable and pickup and drop-off times cannot be set to accommodate each family’s specific needs.
McKinney-Vento Transportation Policies
GPS TRANSPORTATION RESPONSIBILITIES
GPS utilizes school buses, passenger vans and approved Vendors to transport students. Arizona’s child restraint statutes exempt school buses from compliance; however, if your child requires assistance with being seated, and weighs less than 40 pounds, we may utilize a bus car seat. Please feel free to discuss preferences and options with your child’s District Homeless Education Liaison or Foster Care Liaison, if your student has special needs, please refer to our Special Needs Transportation Policy.
All transportation personnel are CPR and First Aid trained and have received other training relating to transporting students. You may have a different morning and afternoon transportation team.
Drivers are not authorized to honk their horns at the bus stops, so please do not ask them to. Remember, the bus is only scheduled to wait two minutes for your child to board. Drivers are required to stay on schedule to the best of their ability. If they are delayed at each home just 3 minutes, they will eventually be running 30 minutes behind schedule.
PARENTS’ & GUARDIANS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide the District Homeless Education Liaison or Foster Care Liaison team a single pick-up address and a single drop off address.
- We do not pick up or drop off at business or other non-residential locations except daycares that your child is currently enrolled in.
- Be at the bus stop five minutes before your child’s schedule bus arrival time.
- Call 480-497-3311 to let us know if your child does not need the morning or afternoon bus. Call or email Transportation if you have any concerns with respect to your child’s transportation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A: Call Transportation day or night if you do not need service. The number is 480-497-3311.
Q: How long will the morning bus wait?
A: You should be outside with your child ready for school five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. If the bus arrives early, the driver will not depart until your child is on board or until two minutes after the scheduled pick-up time, whichever comes first. After the bus has waited past the pick-up time, they will leave and will not be sent back to pick up your child that day.
Q: Where will the bus pick up my child?
A: The bus will pick up your child at the assigned bus stop, which may be in front of your home, or at a centralized location if you live in an apartment complex, mobile home park, etc.
Q: How do I arrange to have my child picked up and/or dropped off at a different address?
A: There are several parts to this answer. If you move to a new address, you must contact your child’s District Homeless Education Liaison or Foster Care Liaison to arrange for a change in services. Pick up and drop off may be two different addresses, but only one am pick up address and one pm drop off address is allowed. Again, there are no alternating day options and no temporary changes allowed.