Transportation

The Wilkinsburg School District’s primary goal is to transport all students who ride a bus safely to and from school. Student behavior while entering, riding, and leaving the bus contributes to safe transportation.

The primary purpose of rules and regulations on the buses is for the safety of all students. Your child’s cooperation in obeying these rules and regulations is appreciated.

The Transportation Department is responsible for arranging bus transportation for students who attend Kelly Primary, Turner Intermediate, and Westinghouse Middle and High Schools who are residents within the Wilkinsburg Borough. We also Provide Port Authority Connect Cards for students who are Wilkinsburg residents attending Private, Parochial, Charter schools, and Pittsburgh Public Magnet Schools located within a 10-mile radius of the borough’s lines.

Transportation Company Information

Wilkinsburg School District uses the services of AJ Myers, & Sons to take our children safely to and from school. While our goal is on-time pickup; we realize that sometimes buses can be late. Arrival Times of the bus may vary, according to weather and traffic conditions. If your bus is late or does not come, please contact the bus company at 412-646-2320. If after speaking to the garage staff, you still have questions or concerns, please contact the Transportation Department at 412-871-2107 or email Diane Ionadi at [email protected].

REMEMBER BUS TRANSPORTATION IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT!

Student Conduct on School Buses

School buses are considered an extension of the classroom and students are expected to conduct themselves accordingly. Students who are transported on district-contracted school buses shall comply with the student code of conduct. Behavior that is not permitted includes but is not limited to the following: being disobedient or disrespectful to the driver, standing or moving while the bus is in motion, sticking head or hands out of windows, throwing objects out of windows, using tobacco of any type, scuffing or fighting, using obscene and/or unacceptable language, littering on bus, disturbing others, eating or drinking on the bus, tampering with the bus and/or any equipment on the bus, possessing or being under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, any controlled substance, dangerous drug or “look-alike” drug.

Progressive consequences for improper conduct on a school bus:

Progressive discipline depends on the severity of the consequence (fighting and some other more serious incidents, removal from school and bus could occur)
A bus conduct report is written and forwarded to the principal. The principal will warn the student and send a copy of the report to the student's parent(s) or guardian (s).
A bus conduct report is written and forwarded to the principal. The student is moved to the front of the bus. The principal will warn the student and send a copy to the report to the student's parent(s) or guardian(s).
A bus conduct report is written and forwarded to the principal. The student is denied bus privileges for five (5) days. The principal will notify the student's parent(s) or guardian(s).
A bus conduct report is written and forwarded to the principal. The student is denied bus privileges for ten (10) days. The principal will notify the student's parent(s) or guardian(s).
A bus conduct report is written and forwarded to the principal. The student is denied bus privileges for the remainder of the school year or for whatever length of time is deemed appropriate. The principal will notify the student's parent(s) or guardian(s).
* If a student loses bus privileges, it will be the parent (s) or guardian (s) responsibility to transport the student

BUS SAFETY TIPS

Arrive at the assigned stop ten (10) minutes before bus pickup.
Stand on the sidewalk or the edge of the street by the curb.
Stay off private property.
Do not stand on the traveled part of the road.
Be respectful and watchful of traffic.
Wait in a quiet and orderly manner

Waiting for the Bus

Always wait for the bus in a single line, stay away from traffic.
Be aware — cross with care! Wait until the school bus has stopped all traffic before stepping out onto the road.
Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.
Do not push or shove to get on or off the bus.

On the Bus

When getting on the bus, stay away from the danger zone, make eye contact with the bus driver, and wait for the driver’s signal. Board the bus one at a time.
Obey the bus driver and exhibit orderly conduct.
Remain seated at all times.
Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus.
Keep the isles clear and the bus clean.
Talk quietly; do not distract your school bus driver.
Use of profane language, eating, drinking, smoking, throwing objects, unsafe objects or weapons and vandalism may result in disciplinary action. Criminal conduct may be referred to law enforcement.

Leaving the Bus

Remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
Leave the bus in an orderly manner.
Leave at your assigned bus stop.
Cross in front of the bus. Reminder to all MOTORIST: It is a violation for a vehicle to pass a school bus while the red lights are

FAQ about Transportation

Will all students, regardless of their proximity to their school, be bused?

No. Only students K-6 who live further than .7 miles from Kelly Primary and Turner Intermediate will receive busing. All others, attending Kelly Primary and Turner Intermediate will be considered walkers.

Wilkinsburg Students Attending PPS - Grades 7-12

Westinghouse High School students will be assigned a school bus by the Wilkinsburg School District. Charter School students will have the availability of Port Authority Connect Cards or daily single trip tickets for their entire school calendar year when they return to school in person. Private and Parochial students will receive Port Authority Connect Cards when the Wilkinsburg School District returns to in-person instruction and starts busing Turner Intermediate and Kelly Primary students.

When will students receive bus information?

Students will receive their bus information two weeks before school starts.

The bus goes right down my street. Why can’t the bus stop at my house?

Bus stops are centrally located for all students. In most cases, we try to use intersections which are easy to locate and where motorists are more alert to pedestrians. The district attempts to keep the number of stops minimized thus keeping the buses moving and reducing ride times. It is not feasible to stop at every driveway. Also, stopping at every driveway inconveniences the motoring public causing them to become impatient trying to get around the bus and compromising safety.

I think my child has too far to walk to the bus stop, can the stop be moved closer to my house?

Pennsylvania State Law allows a district to ask a child, regardless of age, to walk up to a mile and a half to a bus stop. The average walking distance to a school bus stop for students in the Wilkinsburg School District is less than 1/4 of a mile. No children in the district have to walk 1 1/2 miles. Bus stops and schedules are not changed for this reason.

I just moved into the district and my child attends a charter school, will busing be provided?

We are obligated to provide some form of transportation while we transport our own students. We provide Charter School, Private School, and Parochial students with a Port Authority Monthly Connect Card. Unlimited usage during school calendar days. If your student attends Propel Schools and is in PreK – 5^th grade, Propel has its own buses for Wilkinsburg residents. You need to contact the propel transportation department for information.