That’s right, a GCPS school bus! Here’s the 4-1-1 on transportation services in Gwinnett County Public Schools:
“Students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a bus instead of traveling by car.”
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Our bus drivers are well-trained and dedicated professionals whose primary responsibility is to transport students safely. They 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 (ADPT). That dedication to safety has earned GCPS national recognition as one of the five best transportation departments in the country, according to the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute, and a Green Award winner in the 2019 Georgia Pupil Transportation Safety Awards.
To prepare for a safe ride, GCPS bus drivers are making “dry runs” on Gwinnett roadways this week, through Friday, Aug. 2. They are driving their morning and afternoon routes during actual drive times to fine-tune schedules. A card with the school’s name will be displayed in the bus window to help you identify your child’s bus.
On the first few days of school, we recommend that students be at the bus stop approximately 15 minutes before their scheduled bus arrival but to be prepared for buses to arrive a few minutes behind schedule. Routes will run a little slower during the first few days, especially on the afternoon routes, as drivers go through additional safety procedures before releasing students at their bus stops.
Check out these bus safety tips for families.