Frequently Asked Questions
Keep checking this page for answers you need to know about BTPS Student Transportation.
- How do I know if I am eligible for transportation?
- What is a Transportation Service Area and who determines them?
- How do I know what Transportation Service Area my residence is in?
- What is my designated school?
- What is Boundary Exemption Bussing?
- What are my transportation options if I want my child(ren) to attend a school of choice?
- How do I register for bussing?
- What if I live outside Buffalo Trail Public Schools area and want to attend a BTPS school?
- Why do I have to pay for the bus to come into my yard?
How do I know if I am eligible for transportation?
Transportation eligibility is based on the distance you reside from your designated school. You must be 2.4 km or more from your designated school to be eligible for transportation funding. Your designated school is the school that lies in your transportation service area. Please call the transportation department at (780) 806-2054 to find out if you are eligible for transportation and for your desginated school. Click here for more information on transportation funding.
What is a Transportation Service Area and who determines them?
Transportation Service Areas are the boundaries that determine what school you will be provided school bus service to if you are eligible for bussing. The Board of Trustees determine the Transportation Service Areas for their division as per theSchool Act. Click here for more information.
How do I know what Transportation Service Area my residence is in?
Please call the Transportation Department at (780) 806-2054 to find out what Transportation Service Area you reside in. We have all of the boundaries on our computer software program called Edulog and if you provide us with your land location or address we can tell you your Transportation Service area and your designated school.
What is my designated school?
Your designated school is the school that lies in your Transportation Service Area. Please call the Transportation Department at (780) 806-2054 if you are not sure what your designated school is.
What is Boundary Exemption Bussing?
Boundary Exemption Bussing means that school bus transportation service is extended to students who live outside their school`s transportation serivce area, provided they fill out and sign the required application form and meet the requirements for boundary exemption bussing. For more information please review the administrative procedure.
What are my transportation options if I want my child(ren) to attend a school of choice?
Unfortunately school of choice is not funded in terms of transportation funding by Alberta Education. Your child`s educational funding will follow your child to whatever school you send them to; however, they will only receive transportation to their closest or designated school if you reside 2.4 km from that school. Your options for school bus transportation would be to apply for boundary exemption bussing and meet the bus on route at a designated stop providing there is space available on the bus and your child has been accepted and enrolled at their school of choice. Your second option would be to drive your child yourself to their school of choice at your own expense.
How do I register for bussing?
Please call the transportation office at (780) 806-2054 to register for bussing. Registration forms can be printed from the web page and faxed or emailed to our office. Contact information is also on the Transportation Department web page.
What if I live outside Buffalo Trail Public Schools area and want to attend a BTPS school?
You can attend a Buffalo Trail Public School (BTPS) if you live outside of the division; however, school bus transportation services may not be provided. If you would like to receive school bus transportation you would have to apply to your resident school board to release you in order for BTPS to be able to consider your cross-jurisdiction transportation request. Once you receive approval from your resident board for BTPS to transport your children from your residence gate, you will have to write a cross-jurisdiction request letter to the Board of Trustees of BTPS. The Board of Trustees will consider your request at their next scheduled board meeting.
Why do I have to pay for the bus to come into my yard?
Transportation funding is only provided to one`s residence gate. Regardless of the reason for entering one`s yard (i.e. safety, distance, visibility, etc) if a parent requests yard service for any reason there will be a fee. Please review the Adminstrative Procedure on Yard Service and Turn Arounds.