North Okanagan-Shuswap School District No. 83 Transportation Department commits to excellence in the safe transportation of the students in our care, demonstrating professionalism, courtesy, respect and the re-enforcement of school district policies and values. To read more about our transportation department please click here.
For information regarding bus routes, and to register new students for the bus, please call (250) 832-9415. Thanks!
Parents of students riding the bus are asked to please download the Traversa Ride 360 (also known as Tyler’s My Ride K-12). Rather than sending bus information postcards in the mail, parents and students can now access real-time data to access bus stop locations, assigned routes, and scheduled pick up and drop off times. More information here.
FAQ about School Bus Transportation
The school district’s goal is to provide quality, predictable and reliable access to transportation to eligible riders, within the resources available, and to make bus routes efficient and sustainable. The changes which occurred after the extensive 2018 transportation review were made to ensure that there are seats available for all eligible riders every day.
Bus route changes
Each year bus routes are adjusted to reflect where our eligible bus students live. From time to time there are major changes, such in 2018 when routes were adjusted to provide shorter ride times for those who are on the bus the longest. This, combined with an uptick in enrollment, means there isn’t as much room for courtesy riders. In the past, some eligible bus students have spent up to 90 minutes extra per day on bus runs that had been extended to accommodate courtesy riders (which are students within the 3.5 km limit, students in a program of choice, or students who are not attending a catchment area school). This was changed in 2018.
What is an eligible or non-eligible rider?
To be eligible for consideration for regular bus transportation to and from school, the student must:
– Attend their catchment area school;
– Live more than 3.5 km from his/her catchment area school;
– Must be registered in SD83 schools or programs.
Transportation of a non-eligible student is the responsibility of the parent. Non-eligible students may be provided transportation as courtesy riders, providing the following conditions exist:
– There is an existing bus route; and
– The bus has available space; and
– No additional stops are required.
Bus transportation service
It is the parents’ responsibility to determine how their children will safely travel to and from school or to and from the bus pick up and drop off locations; bus transportation is one option. In accordance with the School Act, bus transportation for students to use in going to and from school is provided at the discretion of the Board. It is recognized that bus transportation routes will not be able to suit the requests of all parents.
Why can’t my child catch the bus to a program of choice?
Transportation is not available to students who chose to attend outside their catchment area school or a program of choice. For example, it would not be financially feasible to transport a student or two from North Shuswap or Falkland to A.L. Fortune for the hockey program, to Bastion for the French Immersion program or to South Canoe for the outdoor learning program. If a family chooses another catchment area school or program of choice, they know when they register that transportation is not provided.
Will courtesy riders be allowed if there is room?
The transportation staff will monitor the situation to see if further adjustments can be made to increase access while maintaining efficiency. Once eligible ridership has been determined, if there is room on the bus and if no additional stops are needed, courtesy riders will be allowed.
Does the school district provide busing to daycare?
Unfortunately, the school district does not have the resources to provide busing to local daycares. Please contact your daycare provider to see if they offer this service.
Are there any other options?
City transit may be an option for some older students, particularly Shuswap Middle School students. Check out the Transit Route here. For example, the bus can be caught at Fletcher Park just shortly after 8 a.m. and students will arrive at SMS a few minutes later. The school district has met with the City of Salmon Arm to see if there are other areas where they can work together to support students, such as perhaps adjusting transit routes or solutions for traffic congestion.
I’m new to the area what do I need to do to find out about busing?
If you are new to the area and if your child will be taking the bus please call the transportation department to register at (250) 832-9415 as soon as possible.
Where is the 2018 transportation review?
For further detail, please read the Transportation Report on the website by clicking here
More details about our transportation service:
About Transportation
Bus Riders Code of Conduct
Driver Training
School Bus Safety Program