Transportation

Parents, please note that once a set initial pick-up/drop-off location has been assigned for your student, it can not be changed. All stops are assigned based upon the student's place of residency. However, should you need to request an alternate, long-term, busing drop-off/pick-up, please contact the Transportation Department. Changes will be decided or denied based on each case and seating availability on routes. Students must be picked up and dropped off at the same location each day of the week. For safety purposes, the district will not accommodate daily rider change requests. If the child needs to go to a different location other than their scheduled residential stop, they will need to be a car rider. Students are not permitted to ride the bus in the mornings from another location either. Sleep overs require the children not scheduled to the stop to be brought in by car.

**Students are required to be AT DESIGNATED BUS STOP 5 MINUTES BEFORE SCHEDULED ARRIVAL TIME**
According to Ohio Pupil Transportation Operation and Safety Rules, students are to arrive at the BUS STOP  before the bus is scheduled to arrive. The Ohio Department of Education further explains the rule as follows:

Ohio law requires children to be waiting at the bus stop prior to its arrival. Bus drivers count the students at the bus stop before they load and as they get on the bus to ensure all children are safely on board. If students are not waiting at the bus stop, the bus driver cannot count them, and cannot be certain the students are all safely on board. Waiting at the bus stop before the bus arrives further ensures that no one chases after the bus - which is a very dangerous thing to do. Many districts also instruct their buses to not stop at locations where no students are waiting. 

Join the Niles City School District team as a bus driver! We are currently looking for qualified candidates to fill our open positions. Position includes:

Click here to submit your online application for consideration today or call 330-652-5764.

When the severe weather season approaches, we ask that all children be at their bus stop five minutes prior to bus arrival. The bus driver is required to count the students at each stop upon arrival. If a child is waiting inside a home or in a car they cannot be counted properly. Children generally wait until they see the bus arrive before exiting a car or home and run to the bus stop. This is not only dangerous for the students because of slippery sidewalks,  it also causes the buses to arrive late to the next child who is waiting out in the weather. If you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Department.

The Niles City School District is announcing enhancements to student safety by installing Stop-Arm Cameras on all school buses. Monies from the Ohio BWC School Safety and Security Grant covered more than half the cost of the cameras. This technology represents the district’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students on their journey to and from school each day.

The Stop-Arm Cameras will assist in addressing the growing concern of stop-arm violations, which put our students at risk while boarding and disembarking from school buses. Video footage of violations captured by this camera system will be sent to the Niles City Police Department for review and will assist them with the enforcement of traffic laws when it comes to stop-arm violations.

Key features of our Stop Arm Cameras include:

The addition of the Stop-Arm Cameras reaffirms the Niles City School District’s commitment to ensuring the safest possible environment for our students. As a reminder, Ohio law requires motorists to stop at least ten (10) feet to the front or rear of a bus that has its red lights activated and stop-arm extended. Violators can face fines up to $500. Click here to read the full law.

Stop-Arm Cameras were installed on district buses the week of October 9, 2023, and are all currently activated and in use. We would like to extend our gratitude to our community for their continued support in prioritizing the safety of our children. Additional questions can be directed to the Transportation Department at 330-652-5764.

Below is a picture showing when, where, and how motorists are required to stop when a school bus has its red lights activated and stop-arm extended. This covers all of the roads within Niles City Schools limits.

 

The Niles City School District utilizes the StopFinder app for transportation alerts. We are hopeful this app will help our parents stay informed about bus scheduling, delays, and stops in a timely manner. StopFinder is designed to keep parents in the loop to avoid misinformation and strengthen confidence in our transportation operation. Those using the app will have real-time information on where your child's bus is and when its arrives at school! The app is available on both Google Play and the Apple App store.

Parents or guardians who provide their email to the district will be invited to use the app. The email will have instructions on how to download, set up, and connect the app to your child(ren)'s information. Once the set up process is complete, parents will be able to see all information regarding their student(s)' stop(s).

To provide, update, or check your email information, please click here to visit your Final Forms account.

Pick up and drop off for students who attend TCTC is at Niles McKinley High School. The buses will be parked along the sidewalk by the band shell and depart at 7:15 a.m. SHARP. Students must arrive and load onto their bus before then. Students return to McKinley High from TCTC at 2:20 p.m. Students are to leave campus at this time unless they participate in an after-school activity. Those students are to wait outside until dismissal at 2:45 p.m. before entering the building for their activity.

On days when Niles City Schools do not have school and TCTC does (i.e. Snow Days, Calamity Days), transportation will not be provided to TCTC by the district.