School transportation

Bus transportation to and from school is provided free of charge to eligible students. Knowing whether your child is entitled to this service will help you plan your weekdays.

Who is entitled to school transportation?

School service centres and school boards are responsible for organizing bus transportation for students enrolled at schools within their territory. They also set the eligibility criteria.

As a general rule, if you live very close to your child’s school, your child may not be entitled to this service. The minimum home-to-school distance required to be eligible for school transportation depends on the age of the student. It may vary from one organization to the next.

A school service centre may, for example, decide the following:

• Kindergarten students must live more than 400 metres from the school
• Elementary school students must live more than 1.5 kilometres from the school

Exceptions may be made for children with special needs who live near their school.

How do I register my child?

You will find out more about how the school buses work when you register your child for kindergarten. If applicable, a letter will be sent to you before the start of the school year indicating your school bus number, your bus stop location, and what time your child will be picked up.

If you have shared custody, check with your school service centre or school board to see whether your child may be picked up and dropped off at two different addresses. If your child eats lunch at home, you are responsible for their transportation to and from where you live at lunchtime.

School bus safety tips

You have a role to play in ensuring your child’s safety both on and off the school bus. Here are a few rules you can teach them:

• Get to the bus stop a few minutes early.
• Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before approaching it.
• Wait in line to get on board and hold the handrail as you climb the steps.
• Go straight to your seat and sit with your legs in front of you, not sticking out in the aisle.
• Don’t throw anything on the floor or out the window.
• Don’t disturb the driver.
• Remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop.
• As soon as you exit the bus, move away from the vehicle and stay away from the wheels.
• Before crossing the street in front of the bus, move away from the front of the vehicle (about 10 paces) to make sure the driver can see you clearly.
• Look left, right, then left again before crossing to check for oncoming traffic.
• Let the driver know if you drop something under the bus or near the tires. Never attempt to retrieve the object yourself.
• Never walk behind a school bus.

Things to keep in mind

• School service centres and school boards provide free bus transportation for students who meet the criteria.
• If applicable, a letter will be sent to you before the start of the school year indicating your school bus number, your bus stop location, and what time your child will be picked up.
• Teach your child the rules of school bus safety.

Scientific review: Mélanie Lemieux, Educational Development and Daycare Technician, Centre de services scolaire des Bois-Francs Research and copywriting: The Naître et grandir team Updated: January 2024

Photo: GettyImages/martinedoucet