Bus Routes and Schedules
Infofinder i
The Garnet Valley School District is pleased to introduce Infofinder i, a program that allows you to click on a link and find your student’s bus number, bus stop and pick-up/drop-off times.
The Infofinder i link will be provided through school newsletters, which are emailed to parents of attending Garnet Valley School District students prior to the start of the new school year.
Infofinder i allows you to:
Find your child’s designated bus stop;
Find the estimated pick-up/drop-off times for your child's bus stop;
Locate which school your child would attend if you are planning to move.
Please note bus schedules will be updated as changes are made to the bus runs. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's bus schedule, please call the transportation office at 610-579-7482 or email [email protected].
Establishing Bus Stop Locations
When developing a bus stop location, Garnet Valley School District Transportation Department must consider a number of factors. In an effort to protect our students, we route our school buses in the most efficient manner consistent with state law and school board guidelines.
Some of the factors we consider:
Potential safety issues at the waiting/loading zone
Students’ accessibility to the bus stop
Visibility at the stop location for passing motorists - Every attempt is made to have 500 feet of visibility in either direction for other vehicles. (This may not be possible in every circumstance)
Maintaining state-mandated distance for activation of the school bus 8-way warning lights and stop signs
Because of the inherent danger a school bus poses when backing up, bus routes and stop locations will be established to preclude such hazards
Routes will be designed to avoid our buses traveling into areas that terminate at cul-de-sacs or dead-ends - Exceptions are made only for special education circumstances governed by state law
Buses will not be routed into developments where other vehicles or objects may block or hinder safe travel through the development
School bus stops on the district's congested roads and highways present significant hazards for students as well as the motoring public - The Transportation Department attempts to keep the number of stops on these roads to a bare minimum
House stops will only be granted to those addresses that are located on a hazardous route, as designated by the state of Pennsylvania and to those under Special Education law
The Transportation Supervisor has the responsibility and authority to develop all bus routes based on the guidelines established by the Garnet Valley School Board. Changes will be made following a formal review and approval from the Supervisor of Transportation or our district Dispatcher.
School bus drivers are not permitted to change stop locations without approval of the Transportation Supervisor or Dispatcher. Drivers who stop at locations, other than those established by the Board or Transportation Supervisor, are in violation of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code. This violation subjects the driver to department disciplinary action, as well as the issuance of a citation and fine for violating the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.
If you have an issue with your current assigned stop and would like the Supervisor of Transportation to investigate a different location, please contact us at 610-579-7482 or email [email protected]. Please allow up to two weeks to determine a decision.
Important Information for NEW Garnet Valley Students
If you are registering to attend Garnet Valley School District for the new school year and submitting your school registration form to the Garnet Valley Education Center, you must indicate that you request transportation. For new families, please access our Registration website for more information.
If you are a returning Garnet Valley student, please contact our Transportation department if there is going to be a change to your current transportation arrangement by submitting the Transportation Information Request form above.
Before & After School Care
We understand that many parents use before and after school care to accommodate their work schedules. The transportation department will transport students to certified before and after school care locations within the district. Please use the Before & After School Request Form to submit your request.
School Bus Safety
Please Familiarize Yourself With Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Laws
Establishment of Bus Stop Locations
In developing bus stop locations, a number of factors are considered:
Examining potential safety issues at the waiting/loading zone.
Visibility at the stop location for passing motorists.
Maintaining state-mandated distance for activation of the school bus 8-way warning lights and stop signs.
Because of the inherent danger in school buses backing up, bus routes and stop locations will be established to preclude the necessity of having buses back up.
Routes will be designated to avoid having our buses traveling into areas terminating at cul-de-sacs or dead-ends.
Buses will not be routed into developments where other vehicles or objects may block or hinder safe travel through the development.
Waiting for the Bus
Students should always be ready at their bus stops at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Challenging weather, road conditions, and traffic make it impossible for school buses to arrive at exactly the same time every morning. If your bus stop is visible from your house, make sure your student is waiting at the assigned bus stop prior to the bus arriving. Students should not wait inside their front doors, garages, etc. If your student misses the bus due to lateness, it will be the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation
Drop Off Variations
Afternoon drop off times provided in your student’s assignments, are an estimate. Drop off times will vary and are likely to be inconsistent due to a number of unpredictable circumstances, such as traffic, weather, number of students riding the bus, and the time of release or departure from the school.
Length of Bus Ride
Although the transportation department makes every attempt to minimize the length of time each student is on the bus, there are no time limits set by law or regulations. To be fiscally responsible, some bus runs may take longer than others because of the distance from the school. Some runs will have more students than others depending on your home’s location and the number of students in your area.
Assigned Bus
Students may ride only the bus to which they are assigned. Permission to ride another bus will ONLY be granted for emergency purposes. In an emergency situation, you must contact the Transportation Department directly to explain and obtain approval. A note from a parent is not acceptable. Students may not ride a different bus home with a friend. Students who need to go home with a friend from a different bus may be picked up in the car line once the school office is notified.
Bus Conduct
Safety of the students is our number one goal. Expectations must be followed to ensure the safety of all of the students on the bus. The bus driver will reprimand the student for minor violations. For serious or repeated violations, the driver will submit a bus referral form that will be forwarded to the school principal and the principal will contact the parent or guardian to discuss any disciplinary action that may be taken.
Parents and students must understand that riding the school bus is a privilege. Repeated and/or serious misconduct will result in a loss of riding privileges.
In the event a student causes damage to one of our vehicles the parent or guardian of the student will be responsible to pay restitution for that damage.
Kindergarten & First Grade Students
In an effort to keep our Kindergarten and First Grade students safe, it is the practice of the Garnet Valley School District not to release Kindergarten or First Grade students off the bus unless a parent or other designated adult or sibling (middle school-aged or older) is at the bus stop. If no one is at the stop to receive the student, the student will be transported back to the school and you may pick them up there.
Non-Public Busing
Register a Non-Public School
The purpose of this non-public school busing form is to register a school with the Garnet Valley Transportation department.
*Please note, this form is for school administrators ONLY.
Please do not use this form if you are registering your student.
To register your non-public school student for transportation, please use Registering Student Transportation to the right.
Request for Non-Public Student Busing
The purpose of this student request form is to submit a request for your non-public student's transportation. A separate form must be completed for each student annually for continued transportation services.
*Please be sure to send your Proof of Residency and ID to our Registrar, Erin O'Neill [email protected]
Letter to Non-Public Parents
Please take a moment to read the letter that was sent by Garnet Valley to all non-public school parents concerning student busing.
Student Bus Schedules
The Garnet Valley School District is pleased to introduce Infofinder i, a program that allows you to click on a link and find your student’s bus number, bus stop and pick-up/drop-off times. The Infofinder i link will be sent to each of our non-public schools.
Infofinder i allows you to:
Find your child’s designated bus stop;
Find the estimated pick-up/drop-off times for your child's bus stop;
Locate which school your child would attend if you are planning to move.
Bus schedules will be updated as changes are made to the bus runs so make sure you check Infofinder i frequently up to the first day of school. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's bus schedule, please call the transportation office at 610-579-7482 or email [email protected]
Before & After School Care
We understand that many parents use before and after school care to accommodate their work schedules. The transportation department will transport students to certified before and after school care locations within the district. Please use the Before & After School Request Form to submit your request.
Transfer Buses
Please note that transfer bus numbers are not listed in Infofinder i.
Two-Hour Delay
In the event GVSD has a two-hour delay due to inclement weather, GVSD will transport two hours later regardless of the out-of-district start time. In the event the private school has a two-hour delay and GVSD is operating on a regular schedule, GVSD will transport to the private school when drivers/buses become available.
Emergency Closings
In the event GVSD calls an early closing due to inclement weather, GVSD will pick up private school students as soon as possible.
Out-of-District Visitors
Only students residing in the GVSD attendance boundary who have registered for transportation may ride a GVSD school bus.
Bus Transportation when Garnet Valley SD is Closed
When an out-of-district school start date falls before the Garnet Valley School District (GVSD) start date, transportation will be provided to and from the out-of-district school.
When GVSD is closed but the offices are open, the district will provide transportation. Please contact the transportation office 610-579-7482 if you will need transportation when the district schools are closed.
The only time the district will not provide transportation to out-of-district schools is when the district offices are closed. Please review the Instructional Calendar for the 2021-2022 school year.
Length of Bus Ride
Although the transportation department makes every attempt to minimize the length of time each student is on the bus, there are no time limits set by law or regulations. To be fiscally responsible, many private school bus runs have multiple schools combined into one run depending on the location, distance and number of students attending the private school thus extending the time spent on the bus for the private student.
Bus Ride
Morning buses for Private School students transport in one of two ways:
Picked up by their assigned home bus to be transported directly to their Private School. In most cases, the bus transports to multiple schools.
Picked up by their assigned home bus to be transported to Pennington School where they will transfer to their assigned out-of-district bus. Parents also have the option of driving their child to Pennington School by 7:10 AM.
Notify the Transportation Office if:
Your child rode the bus to school and will not need transportation home.
Your child did not ride the bus to school but will need transportation home.
Your child will not need transportation for an extended period of time.
Your child is not at the bus stop for more than a week, the transportation department will assume that your child is no longer in need of our services and bus service will stop.
Transporting Musical Equipment and Other Large Items
Musical instruments, sports equipment, school projects and book bags must be able to fit on the student's lap. No item will be permitted to be in the aisle, behind the driver's seat, blocking any type of emergency exit or occupying a seat. Plan on driving your child if he/she has any large item that must be taken to or from school.
Transportation Office Contact
Ms. Arlene Mann
Supervisor of Transportation
610-579-7481
Ms. Lynda Lynch
Administrative Secretary
610-579-7488
Mrs. Stacy Estle
Administrative Secretary
610-579-7482
Ms. Karin Simms
District Dispatcher
610-579-7469
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Transportation
Q. How do I register for a bus if my child is NEW to the school district?
If you are registering to attend Garnet Valley School District for the new school year and submitting your school registration form to the Garnet Valley Education Center, you must indicate that you request transportation. For new families, please access our Registration website for more information.
If you are a returning Garnet Valley student, please contact our Transportation department if there is going to be a change to your current transportation arrangement by submitting the Transportation Information Request form above.
Q. Does my child need to register for the bus each year?
If your student is registered within the Garnet Valley School District the Infofinder i, our transportation bus routing system automatically registers them into the next school year.
Non-public school students must register every year, even if they are attending the same school.
Q. How long may a child be required to ride a bus?
This is a local decision (based on geography, population distribution, etc.). There are no time limits set by law or regulations.
Q. How far may my child be required to walk to get ot the bus stop?
Pennsylvania state law states that: A child, regardless of age, to walk up to a mile and a half to a bus stop. The mile and a half is measured by public roads and does not include any private lane or walkway of the child’s residence. However, Garnet Valley School District tries our best to minimize the walking distance for all and follow that no student grade K through 5 will walk more than a mile to their stop.
Q. May a school district ask a non-public school student to ride a vehicle with high school students?
Yes
Q. Why do some students have a transfer bus?
In some cases we may require a student that is being transported to schools other than Garnet Valley schools, to ride into one of our buildings with GV students to then board another bus or shuttle to get to their school. This is a common practice to increase the efficiency of the fleet and is usually scheduled for non-public school students.
Q. Are buses permitted to enter cul-de-sacs or dead-end streets?
Except for special education circumstances, buses are not routed into a cul-de-sac’s or dead-end streets.
Cul-de-sac or dead-end street stops are not used for the following reasons. Styles and sizes of buses make maneuvering in a cul-de-sac difficult. The rear of a bus has the potential to swing around close to cars and sidewalks. Backing of a school bus is only done if absolutely necessary. Parked vehicles and obstacles create hazards that are not seen until entering, creating the possibility of a difficult exit.
Q. The bus drives right by my house, why can't they just pick up my child?
Every time the school bus makes a stop it adds at least 30 seconds to the length of the route. If we stopped at every house along the route the students would never get to school on time. The average bus transports about 60 students, if we stopped for everyone, the ride would be considerably longer. This is why stops are centrally located in neighborhoods to minimize the number of times the bus needs to stop.
Q. I cannot watch my child get on the bus, why can't the bus pick up my child from my house?
See the above answer but also, in order to be consistent and fair in placement of bus stops, we are not able to establish stops based on personal circumstances. A parent or guardian with this concern is recommended for you to walk to the bus stop with the student.
Q. Due to heavy backpacks and large musical instruments, why can't the bus stop closer to my house?
Bus stops are centrally located for all students along a route. We cannot make bus stop changes to accommodate one or more students because they may displace other students further from their home. In addition, students are not allowed to carry large instruments on the school bus.
Q. Why is my child's bus so crowded when other buses are not as full?
Each bus route is carefully planned based on information from school registration, previous similar routes and Department of Transportation data. Distance from school, number of buses and drivers and grouping of students are all factors that are considered.
Q. When can my child be dropped off at a different location other my house?
Students are only transported home to school -- school to home -- and may only be dropped off at a pre approved location for Before or After Care. Any parent requesting transportation to other than the child's scheduled bus stop must submit a Before or After School Care Request form .
Q. May a parent board the bus?
Pennsylvania legislature passed a Bill in 2001 with the following provisions:
"Any person who shall enter a public-school bus or public-school activity bus after being forbidden to do so by the authorized school bus driver in charge thereof, or the school principal to whom the public-school bus or public-school activity bus is assigned shall be guilty of a class one misdemeanor. Any person who shall unlawfully and willfully stop, impede, delay, or detain any public-school bus or public-school activity bus being operated for public school purposes shall be guilty of a class one misdemeanor."
Q. If my child does not ride the bus in the morning, can I assume the bus will pick them up after school?
This is a two-part answer:
1. If your student is a regular public-school student, NO. The bus will be loading other students at the school that afternoon and your student is more than welcome to ride the bus home with no additional notification.
2. If your student is only one of a few or the only student that rides that vehicle, then YES. We ask that you notify the Transportation office that the student will need a ride home in the Pm. Please feel free to call 610-579-7482 or email at [email protected].
Q. Why is there an address stop on the bus route if buses do not stop at houses?
House stops may occur for special needs students on a regular route, on four lane roads, or a State declared hazardous road.
Q. Is it permissible for my child to wait inside my house while waiting for the bus to arrive?
NO. Please be sure your child is waiting at the curb 5 minutes prior to the scheduled time. Students should not wait inside their front door or in garages etc. until the bus arrives. Buses will not return to your stop if your child was not outside and visible at the stop location.
Q. May a school district suspend bus service for my child?
Yes. Transportation is a privilege, not a right.
Q. When must the school district provide a bus to non-public schools?
When a school district provides transportation for its public pupils, it must provide transportation services to nonpublic pupils of the same grade level that it is providing for its own pupils. The nonpublic school must be nonprofit and located within ten miles of the district’s boundary, measured by the nearest public road. If the school building in which the pupil is enrolled is not located within the ten-mile distance, the nonpublic pupil is not eligible for transportation, nor are his parents eligible for payment towards transportation costs.
Q. How do I find out about school closing, delays, or other school closing emgerencies?
For students that attend one of our in-district schools you will be notified by the Superintendent via email, push notification (if active) and phone call. If you do not answer a voice mail message will be left. For our out-of-district students you will be notified by the transportation office via email and phone call from the messenger system.
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