- This is defined as the transportation of eligible DoDEA students from their assigned bus stop to school at the beginning of their school day, mid-day, and the return to their assigned bus stop at the end of the normal scheduled school day.
- Only one trip to and from school per day is authorized for each student.
- Transportation is not authorized to take students to their homes or to eating facilities for their mid-day meal.
- Only students attending DoDEA schools, bus drivers, dispatchers, STO personnel, assigned safety/security attendants, community bus monitors, and security personnel assigned by the installation commander are authorized to ride daily commuting services.
Walking Distances
The walking distance for Elementary School students will not normally exceed 1 mile from their primary residence to the school or designated bus stop. Middle and High School students may walk up to 1.5 miles from their primary residence to the school or designated bus stop. These distances may be slightly expanded or contracted to conform to natural boundaries such as housing areas or neighborhoods.
Note: See military installation “Child Supervisory Guidelines” for guidance and standards for what ages can walk to or from school unattended
Commuting Areas
The school commuting area is defined as a specific geographic area used to determine eligibility for transportation of dependent students to a DoDEA school. Each school will have its own defined commuting area. School bus services will be provided to all authorized students residing outside the walking distance and within the designated commuting area. The commuting area will be based on the availability of housing within the proximity of the school and will not normally exceed 1 hour in commute time.
Assigned Buses
Students are assigned to buses and bus stops. No change in either bus or stop is permitted without the Transportation Director's approval. Failure to ride the assigned bus to/from the assigned bus stop may jeopardize the safety of students and may result in disciplinary action
Bus Pass/Request
A written request from a parent/guardian is required for a student to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop. The request must include student name, parent/guardian name, and telephone number of parent/guardian. Any request that cannot be verified will be denied. All requests must be signed by a school or transportation official. If a student does not have a Bus Pass/Request, he/she cannot ride home on a different bus or get off at a different stop. Students will not be dropped off at other than approved bus stops.
Other Student Transportation Authorizations
Daily round trip transportation may be provided to students residing outside the commuting area but are transported at their own expense to an existing school bus stop within the commuting area during emergency or displacement situations.