Transportation FAQ
Where can I find my account information, including making payments?
The Parent Portal through Power Schools contains your transportation account information.
Payments can be made by ACH check or credit card.
Can I track where my child's bus is located?
Yes, the District provides a free application to track the bus for your students. This application is StopFinder. When you sign up for transportation the very first time a link will be sent to you to download the application and provide information for the set up. If you have already used the StopFinder app, then you do not have to do anything. The students route information will be updated annually.
Do buses have seat belts?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued an abrupt change to a long standing school bus safety position late last year.
After decades of recommending compartmentalization, in November 2015, the NHTSA changed the organization's long held position on school bus seat belts. "The position of the NHTSA is that seat belts save lives. That is true whether in a passenger car or in a big yellow bus," said Mark Rosekind, NHTSA administrator in an announcement. "Saving lives is what we are about, so NHTSA’s policy is that every child on every school bus should have a three-point seat belt."
Prior to that sudden and unexpected policy change announcement, NHSTA’s recommended compartmentalization, a passive form of restraint that relies on closely spaced, high-back padded seats. Compartmentalization has been used on school buses across the country since 1977. Compartmentalization is combined with a large, heavy, high deck vehicle driven by a professional operator. This combination makes it the safest form of ground transportation; nearly eight times safer than students riding in personal vehicles. (NHTSA paper 05-325).
District 49 Board of Education made the determination that all future buses purchased by the district will be equipped with seat belts meeting the NHTSA recommendation. Already, five replacement buses purchased in 2016 year are equipped with the new restraint system.
Where is the transportation department located?
The transportation department is located at 11971 Swingline Rd., Peyton, CO 80831
Will the buses run for the charter schools when District 49 is on break?
Buses run on the Board of Education approved District Calendar. If a charter school is in session during a District 49 break, bus service will not be available.
We will not have any busing for charter schools (LTA, GPA, BLP, BLRA or RMCA), PPEC, PTEC, SSAE or Allies in the mornings. In the PM we will offer busing for LTA, PPSEL, GPA, BLP and BLRA since they will not transfer any buses.
Will children who ride a special needs bus with an IEP service designation have to pay a fee?
Students who qualify for transportation under their Individualized Education Plan will not have to pay a fee, but will need to complete an application to receive the ZPass. This ZPass will increase security for your child as it tracks their location getting on and off the bus.
How much does it cost to ride the bus?
School bus fees depend on the number of students that ride. Please visit the transportation fees page.
How may I pay for Transportation Fees?
Your Transportation Fees can be paid through your Parent Portal. You must create an account under PowerSchools. Please log onto the Parent Portal and pay your fees. Payment for bus fees can also be made by phone at 719-495-1159.
Will you provide scholarships to help cover the fees for families who are unable to pay the fee?
Families who qualify for the National Free and Reduced Lunch program and students who have an IEP requiring transportation will not be charged for transportation.
Will bus drivers take cash?
No. Bus drivers will not accept payments of any kind. Please make all payments online, or by mail to D49 Transportation, 11971 Swingline Rd., Peyton, CO 80831, attention Fee For Service.
How do I find my bus stop?
Bus stop locations are listed in Infofinder via the Bus Stop Locator link
How will my child get to the bus stop? My stop is a long distance from my home.
Representatives from District 49 transportation department have developed bus stops in numerous quadrants of the district. Because regular education transportation must be cost neutral, efficient routes are designed to serve the most students with the limited resources available. Parents are responsible for the safety of their child while traveling to and from the bus stop.
How were the stops selected?
District leaders and transportation department staff work extensively to develop appropriate stop locations for our families. Stops are placed at school sites and within the respective zone boundaries.
Additionally, community park locations and neighborhood stops are available for elementary-age children to decrease walking distances. The stops throughout the Falcon area were selected based on centralized locations allowing the largest number of students to utilize the least number of stops while providing a safe waiting place.
District 49 is hiring bus drivers. A school bus driver is responsible for the safe operation and transport of school aged children to and from school. A full time bus driver position has full benefits and has a guaranteed minimum of 5 hours per scheduled work day. A commercial driver license (CDL) is required, however paid training is provided to obtain that license. New training rate of pay starting July 1st, 2023 will be $18.26/hour.
After completion of training, the new starting rate will be $20.16/hour. This may be increased if you have prior experience.