Transportation
Our school district currently contracts with Safe-Way Bus Company for student transportation. Elementary students who live one mile or more from their assigned school, and secondary students who live 1.5 miles or more from their assigned school, are eligible for district-provided transportation.
Students who attend daycare or stay at an address during the school day that qualifies for bussing are eligible to ride the bus from that location. See the Daycare/Alternative Address section below. Furthermore, Safe-Way Bus Company does offer a pay-to-ride transportation option. More information can be found on the Pay-To-Ride section.
What Families Need to know
- Bus passes will be sent to the eligible students’ homes during the month of August
- It will be a postcard with the bus number, location and time of pick-up on it
- Once the postcard arrives, be sure to place it in your child's backpack, it will be required to board the school bus
Confirming Transportation Needs
Families who qualify for district-provided transportation must register.
You will receive a message during the summer with a link to confirm your transportation for the upcoming school year. If you do not receive communication by August please contact the Transportation Department.
Contact Information
Erika Ryan
Transportation Specialist
Phone: (651) 457-9474
Fax: (651) 457-9485
eryan@sspps.org
Move recently?
Whether you required district transportation or not, it is important the school has the correct address on file for your student and family. If you have a new address, please fill out the change of address form. You can return this form to your student's school or to the SSPPS District Office Building- 104 5th Ave S, South St. Paul, MN 55075.
Staying Safe Around School Buses in Winter
Winter weather can create a challenging commute and dangerous conditions. Share these tips with your child if they use a school bus to get to and from school. Depending on many factors, bus routes may run late on the way to school, after school and for after school programs.
Wait a Safe Distance
Students should wait a safe distance for the bus
- Students should be at the bus stop five minutes before scheduled pickup We don't want the buses and students moving at the same time on slick roads and sidewalks
- Parents should discourage their children from standing on snow banks while waiting for the bus. Students might be standing on snow banks on the side of the road, making them susceptible to slipping and falling into the the street
- Students should wait for the bus to come to a complete stop
- If your bus stop is on a steep hill, some buses might not be able to drive to the bus stop. If there is a hill at your child’s bus stop, call the school to arrange a more accessible bus stop
Dress Appropriately
Dress warm waiting for late buses, be mindful of time
- Students should dress warm when waiting at the bus stop (snow pants, gloves, scarves, ear muffs, etc.)
- Parents should call their child’s school to determine if their school bus is late; contact information is available on each school's website
- Students should wait 20 minutes for their bus. But parents should use their judgment when allowing their child to wait for the bus past the scheduled time, especially during cold weather
Drivers Stay Alert
Drivers should stay safely away from school buses, be alert
- Motorists should keep at least a 7-second distance behind school buses while driving on the road. Buses stop frequently to pick up and drop off students, so motorists should be prepared to stop
- Drivers should be aware when a bus is stopped because students may be coming from different directions across the street
- Use caution near bus stops as children may be standing on snow banks where they could slip and fall into the street