Bus Passes

2020-2021 School Year

Saddleback Valley Unified School District offers limited busing to specific school sites. Annual bus pass sales begin May 25, 2020 and end June 26, 2020. Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis. The Transportation Department will make every effort to process each application and provide every student with a bus pass; however, our schools have limited bus seating capacity available. Students who do not receive a pass due to over capacity will be placed on a wait list in the order received.

If you are applying for a bus pass after June 26, 2020, you will receive an email within 72 hours to inform you of your application status.

The bus pass application is now online under Bus Pass Instructions and Application. Payment is not required at time of application. Payment is required when your student is assigned to a bus. Eligibility guidelines for a reduced or free bus pass are provided under General Information.

Application assistance for parents of Linda Vista and San Joaquin Elementary students is available from the school site. Please contact your school directly.

Please review bus pass purchasing instructions and bus rules prior to completing your application.

If you have any questions please email buspass@svusd.org.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Transportation for Hybrid Learning 2020-2021

When Saddleback Valley Unified School District schools reopen for hybrid learning on September 29, the district will provide limited transportation as in previous years, with new safety measures in place for COVID-19.

These changes include:

· Fewer students on each bus

· Assigned seating

· Students load in order, from the back of the bus to the front

· Students seated one to a seat unless with a sibling or in the same household

· Students required to wear face masks at all times unless medically prohibited

· Driver will wear PPEs (mask may be removed while driving for safety reasons)

· Windows open to provide fresh air

· Students unload from the front of the bus to the back

· Students dropped off at school within minutes of school start time, and leave immediately after ending bell rings

· Bus high touch areas sanitized between routes and disinfected daily

It is extremely important that parents and guardians take their students’ temperature and check for any symptoms of illness at home before they leave for the bus stop every day. Students should remain at home if illness is suspected.

Schools That Offer Busing

School Information

School Information

Limited busing to/from these schools from designated stops:

Linda Vista Elementary School
San Joaquin Elementary School
La Paz Intermediate School
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School
Mission Viejo High School

Bus pass sales for the 2020-2021 school year begin May 25, 2020 through June 26, 2020.

If you miss the bus pass sales period, for Linda Vista Elementary and San Joaquin Elementary, please contact the office staff at your school after August 10, 2020.

For all other schools please submit an online bus pass application to be added to the wait list.

Note: Please remember buses may appear to have space available even when all seats have been purchased. Not all riders who purchase bus passes choose to ride the bus daily to/from school based on appointments, absences, and other activities.

General Information

Who is eligible for busing?

Bus Pass Costs

Bus Pass Costs 2020-2021

Annual Regular Bus Pass: $485.00 per Student[*]

Reduced Fare (if eligible): $242.50 per Student[^]

[*] Bus pass cost is per student. There is no multiple students discount available.

[^] To qualify for a Free or Reduced Fare bus pass, families must be income eligible. Families applying for a Free or Reduced Fare pass must submit a letter from the SVUSD Food Services Department for the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year, as proof of eligibility for Free or Reduced services. If you do not have a copy of this letter, a copy may be obtained by emailing FOODSERVICES@svusd.org. Be sure to include your student's name and/or district ID number.

All bus pass purchases are final and non-refundable
There is no bus pass office or staff available for walk-ins.
All services are provided through the website and e-mail only.
The district receptionist has no bus pass information and cannot accept applications.
Pick up and drop off locations are based on your student’s home address listed on your student’s school file. Students can only get on/off the bus at their assigned stop.
Students must be at the bus stop five minutes before published pick up time, but not more than 10 minutes prior to the published pick up time.
When the driver arrives at the stop, the bus will be loaded with the waiting students and then proceed to the next stop.
Transportation does not need to be notified if your student is absent.
Questions can be e-mailed to buspass@svusd.org

Bus Schedules

Bus Pass Instructions and Application

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

The following information is REQUIRED in order for you to complete a bus pass application:

Student ID number for each student requesting a bus pass. Contact your child’s school site if you do not know his/her Student ID number.

Valid e-mail address. We will be communicating with you through e-mail so you need to have a current, valid e-mail address.

Bus stop information. You will be asked to select a bus stop location for each student. If you do not know your assigned bus stop location, please refer to the Who is eligible for busing? tab above. Click on your child’s school to view the list of bus stop assignments based on address.

If you are applying for a Free or Reduced Fare bus pass, you must submit a copy of your letter from the SVUSD Food Services Department for the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year, qualifying your student for free or reduced nutrition services. Please email the letter to Buspass@svusd.org. If you do not have a copy of this letter, please contact Food Services, at FOODSERVICES@svusd.org. Be sure to include your student's name and/or district ID number.

Annual bus pass sales begin May 25, 2020 and end June 26, 2020.

BUS PASS APPLICATION

Click here to complete the Online Bus Pass Application

Bus Rules and Guidelines

Rules of Conduct

Follow the same conduct as expected in the classroom.
Be courteous; no profane language.
No eating, drinking or chewing gum on the bus.
Keep the bus clean; do not be destructive.
Cooperate with the bus driver; the driver is authorized to assign seats.
No smoking or flammable materials are allowed on the bus.
Passengers should remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion. No standing while the bus is in motion.
Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus.
No glass containers, animals or medication are allowed on the bus.
The use of radios or other audio/video equipment which may interfere with driver concentration are not permitted while riding the bus.
Refrain from loud conversation, singing, or whistling.

Walking To and From Bus Stop

Walk with a buddy or a group.
Walk on main streets where there are likely to be other people.
Avoid strangers.
Use your district assigned bus stop to get on and off of the school bus.
Never accept food or gifts from strangers.
Make sure to let your parents know where you are.
When crossing a street, cross only in marked crosswalks.
Walk away from any stray animals you see. Don’t run or show that you are afraid.
Arrive 5 minutes early to the bus stop.
Students arriving late who need to cross the street to get to the bus must wait for the assistance of the driver before crossing.

Bus Loading Area

Be considerate of the property/surrounding area at your bus stop/boarding area.
Line up in an orderly manner in preparation for boarding the bus.
Live animals, (caged or otherwise) with the exception of guide dogs, are not permitted on a school bus.
All food and/or beverages must be finished, put away, or discarded prior to boarding the bus.
Bulky items or articles considered hazardous to passengers in the event of sudden stops or accidents, shall not be transported or carried by passengers

Boarding or Exiting the Bus

Arrive at the bus stop ahead of time. Wait on the sidewalk. STAY OUT OF THE ROAD.
Board and exit the bus one at a time. No crowding or pushing. Hold onto the handrail.
Take seats quietly.
Students shall not leave their seats until the bus comes to a complete stop.
Never run after the bus. If you miss the bus, return home or to the school office.
Do not cross in front of the bus without being assisted by the driver (See “Escorted Red Light Crossing Instructions” below).
Never walk close to the front of the bus; allow at least ten steps in between you and the front of the bus.

Escorted “Red Light Crossing” Instructions

“Red Light Crossings” are required whenever a student must cross the street to load or unload the bus, in order for the student(s) to get to his/her home or destination.

If you must cross the street, do so with the ASSISTANCE OF THE DRIVER.
Exit the bus after the driver, then STOP and wait for the driver’s instructions.
Cross only when the driver tells you to do so.
Cross in front of the bus with the driver and go directly to the sidewalk.
NEVER cross the street behind the bus.
In addition to the escorted “Red Light Crossings” that are noted on the driver’s route sheet, each driver will ask the students at each stop if any of them must cross the street to get to their home or destination.

Discipline Policy

Pupils transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to, the driver of the bus; and the driver shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils while they are on the bus or being escorted across a street, highway, or road. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied transportation. The bus driver shall not require any pupil to leave the bus en route between home and school or other destination. (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Education, Section 14103)

When a passenger is in violation of rules of conduct, he/she may be reported to the school principal, or his/her designee, by means of a “School Bus Conduct Report,” to be given to the parent/guardian and:

First Violation: The rider and his/her parent or guardian will be contacted by the principal, or his/her designee, and a conference arranged.
Second Violation: The passenger may be denied district transportation services for a period of three days.
Third Violation: The passenger may be denied district transportation services for a period of two weeks.
Fourth Violation: The passenger may be denied district transportation services for the remainder of the school year.

Threats of bodily harm, acts of extreme violence, or any behavior that is a danger to self or others may be cause for immediate denial of district transportation services.

The principal of each school, along with the SVUSD Transportation Department, shall be responsible for policy enforcement. The Superintendent may review any or all violations for final recommendation, if necessary.

We need your assistance to ensure the safety of our students.

Please note the following:

When you notice a school bus with red lights flashing, do not pass the bus.
Cars may not pass buses on the street or in the school parking lot if the red lights are flashing. Please keep this in mind when picking up or dropping off your student(s).
California Law requires that all vehicular traffic traveling in both directions stop when the “flashing red lights” are activated. Traffic may not pass the bus in either direction until the “flashing lights” have been turned off.
At dismissal time, the bus drivers are directed to keep the flashing lights on until all students are on the bus. Do not pass the bus if the lights are flashing.

Bus Rules and Guidelines (printable)

Eligibility Guidelines for Free or Reduced

SVUSD follows the USDA Food and Nutrition Service Income Eligibility Guidelines used for determining free or reduced-price meals. If you qualify under these guidelines you are eligible for free or reduced transportation. To view the income eligibility guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year click the link below:

Income Eligibility Scales for School Year 2020-21

To establish eligibility for a Free or Reduced Fare bus pass, in addition to completing the online bus pass application, you must submit one of the following:

A copy of your letter from the SVUSD Food Services Department for the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year, qualifying your student for free or reduced nutrition services. If you do not have a copy of this letter, please email FOODSERVICES@svusd.org to request one. Be sure to include your student's name and/or district ID number.
CalFresh – A copy of CalFresh Certification Notice that shows dates of certification or a letter from CalFresh that shows dates of certification.
A copy of 2019 Federal Income Tax Return Form 1040 (page 1 of tax return ONLY) for EACH wage earner in the household. Copy of dependent listing if required with tax return.

Please email your document(s) to Buspass@svusd.org. If you need assistance, your school’s office may be able to send copies of your documents to Transportation through District mail. Please provide your own photocopies.

Bus Pass Frequently Asked Questions

Bus Pass Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I know if I am eligible for bus transportation?

A. SVUSD currently provides limited busing to Linda Vista Elementary, San Joaquin Elementary, La Paz Intermediate, RSM Intermediate, and Mission Viejo High School. To confirm your home address is eligible for bus transportation to one of these schools, please refer to the Who is eligible for busing? header.

Q. How do I apply for a bus pass?

A. Applications and payment (if applicable) are submitted online. Each spring you may submit your application and payment. Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis. The Bus Passes webpage will have the most updated information regarding the dates of the bus pass window for the upcoming school year.

Q. What do I do if I miss the bus pass sales window?

A. Once the bus pass sales window has closed, you can still submit an online application to be added to a waiting list. If a seat becomes available you will be notified by email.

Q. What is the cost of a bus pass? Do you offer a family discount for multiple riders?

A. The cost of a bus pass for the 2020-2021 school year is $485 per student for an annual regular fare bus pass and $242.50 per student for those who qualify for a reduced fare bus pass. These prices are subject to change each year. At this time, we do not offer a family discount for multiple riders.

Q. How do I pay for my bus pass?

A. Payment for your bus pass is made online through the K12 payment system. Once your application is accepted, payment instructions will be emailed to you.

Q. What happens if the bus I need is at full capacity?

A. If you apply for a bus pass and the bus is full, you will be added to a waiting list. If a seat becomes available you will be notified by email. NOTE: You will need to submit an online bus pass application in order to be added to the waiting list.

Q. Will I need to show the driver a bus pass to board the bus?

A. Currently, riders will not be issued an actual bus pass. The bus driver will have a list of students allowed to ride on their bus. For elementary students, identification will be verified by school staff at the bus stop or at the school. If your student is in intermediate or high school please have them bring their student ID. NOTE: This ‘no bus pass’ policy is currently under review and is subject to change.

Q. Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns?

A. You can email buspass@svusd.org with any questions or call (949) 580-3335.