Know bus rules to keep kids safe… on the road, at bus stops, and in crosswalks
Our dedicated corps of bus drivers, monitors, dispatchers, mechanics, and other transportation support staff deliver reliable, safe, and efficient service for nearly 131,000 GCPS students each school day!
Of course, a lot goes into putting almost 2,000 GCPS school buses on Gwinnett roadways every morning and afternoon and ensuring that students are transported safely to and from school. GCPS bus drivers are required to have a Commercial Driver's License and undergo a comprehensive training program of driving skills, student management, classroom schooling, CPR, and first aid. All bus drivers are required to participate in monthly in-service meetings, attend a safety workshop each year, and pass our Annual Driver Proficiency Test. And our buses are maintained to manufacturer's specifications and comply with State and Federal emissions standards. All buses are safety inspected once a month and annually inspected by the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety. In addition, drivers run through a safety checklist before and after each day’s bus run.
Good-to-Know Bus Info
What if my child doesn’t get off the bus at the end of the school day? First, call the local school. If you can’t reach the school, call transportation at 770-513-6686.
Who do I call with a question about special education transportation services? Call 770-513-6881.
- How can I get help resolving my pick up/delivery questions during the school year? Start with a call to the school your child attends. Often, they will have the needed information. If they do not have the information, the school is best equipped to contact the appropriate transportation staff member for a quick response.
- My student needs to be picked or delivered somewhere other than our home bus stop. How is that handled? All students are picked up and dropped off at the bus stop serving their home address. Exceptions are made for those students who have a documented disability that requires a change, or those who have an “Alternative Address Form” or a “Transportation Parent Authorization Form” on file. These forms identify alternate pickup and/or delivery (within the attending school zone) at an address designated by parents for child-care purposes. Each year, a new form must be filled out as they are not carried over from year to year.
Did you know… According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a school bus instead of traveling by car.
While safety is the #1 priority for our Transportation Department, we all play a role in keeping kids safe as they travel to and from school. Whether on neighborhood drives or multi-lane roadways, drivers should remain vigilant and follow traffic laws to help keep schoolchildren safe. The start of the school year is a good time for motorists to remember these safety tips around schools and school buses:
- Make sure to give GCPS buses plenty of room and time to pick up and drop off students before and after school.
- Watch for amber and red flashing lights that indicate a stopped school bus.
- Be aware of reduced speed limits in school zones during designated hours.
- Stop for crossing guards and children at crosswalks near our schools
- Be alert when driving around schools, through school parking lots, and when using “car rider” lanes.
Online, learn school bus safety tips for your student and visit the Transportation web page for FAQs, transportation contact numbers, and other helpful information.
Obey traffic laws… help keep students safe!
Fast facts about GCPS transportation services
(Based on 2017-18 school year)
Gwinnett’s Transportation Department:
- Transports more than 130,929 students twice a day and is the 3rd largest transporter of students in the country
- Operates more than 1,980 school buses
- Drives 8,167 runs per day
- Has 45,076 bus stops
- Drives more than 131,000 miles per day (more than 30 round trips to Los Angeles per day)
- Drives more than 23.5 million miles per year