Students riding buses in Upper Arlington shall:

• Arrive at the assigned bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. 
  
• Wait in a location that is clear of traffic and away from the bus stop. The bus driver will instruct each student on his/her “designated place of safety” location. 
  
• Behave in a manner at the school bus stop that does not threaten life, limb or property of any individual. 
  
• Go directly to an available or assigned seat so the bus may safely resume motion. 
  
• Remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion, keeping aisles and exits clear. 
  
• Observe classroom conduct and obey the driver promptly and respectfully. 
  
• Do Not: 
  • use profane language, gestures or suggestions. 
    
  • eat, drink or chew gum on the bus except as required for medical reasons. 
    
  • use or possess tobacco on the bus. 
    
  • have alcohol or drugs in their possession on the bus except for prescription medication required for the student. 
    
  • throw or pass objects on, from or into the bus. 
    
• Carry on the bus only objects that can be held in their laps (when possible, transportation of band instruments and other items is supervised by the driver, as provided for in Rule 3301-83-20-J of the Ohio Administrative Code.) 
  
• Do not bring on the bus any items made of glass, aerosol or spray cans of any kind, animals, balloons or other items that may pose a danger to passengers or block the view of the driver. 
  
• Leave or board the bus at locations to which they have been assigned unless they have parental and administrative authorization to do otherwise. 
  
• Not put any body parts or other objects out of the bus windows. 
  
• Not damage the bus in any way. 
  
• Complete and return an emergency medical card to the driver as soon as possible. Drivers and bus aides must have access to appropriate information about a child to the degree that such information might affect safe transportation and medical well-being. This information must be available in the vehicle or readily accessible in the transportation office. All such information is strictly confidential.
  

• WAIT for the bus at the designated place of safety, at least 10 feet away from the roadway. 
  
• WATCH the driver for the proper hand signal. 
  
• When driver gives signal, CHECK for traffic, then WALK straight across the road 10 feet in front of the bus to allow the driver to see all pupils at all times. 
  
• ENTER bus and sit in available or assigned seat safely and quickly.
  

PM DROP OFF:

• STOP along side or roadway, 10 feet away from the front of the bus. WATCH the driver for the proper hand signal. 
  
• STOP at the left front edge of the bus. 
  
• LOOK for cars; left, right, left. 
  
• STOP at your designated place of safety. 
  
• WAIT for the bus to depart, then proceed to residence.
  

If You Do Not Cross the Street to Approach the Bus:
AM PICKUP:

• WAIT for the bus at your designated place of safety, at least 10 feet from the roadway. 
  
• WAIT for the bus to stop completely, door to open and for driver’s signal. 
  
• WALK to the bus and sit in available or assigned seat safely and quickly.

PM DROP OFF:

• WALK to designated place of safety. 
  
• WAIT for the bus to depart; then proceed to residence.
  

• Students should be at the bus stop five minutes prior to assigned stop time. Students need to be at the stop when the bus arrives. 
• All current riders must return completed bus cards to their bus drivers by September 15 in order for them to continue riding the bus.
• After September 15, all NEW bus riders should contact the Transportation Department at 614.487.6477 prior to attempting to ride a bus.
  • Exception: Middle Schoolers who have not been riding a bus due to participating in Fall Sports may start riding the bus IF they give the driver a note granting permission for them to ride the bus. The note should be dated, list the bus number and the bus stop to be used, be signed by a parent, and list a phone number where the parent can be reached.
• Occasionally, students like to have friends ride home with them on the bus. If buses are filled to capacity, friends will not be permitted to ride. In order for friends to ride, parents must call or email the bus garage to receive permission before a student may ride.
• It is against the law for a student to get on or off at a bus stop that requires them to cross four lanes of traffic, to get to or from their home, even if they can use a crosswalk or cross at a traffic light. Please make sure that the bus stop you choose for your child is on the resident side of a four-lane road. If you have questions regarding this law, please feel free to contact the Transportation Department.