Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the District's Transportation Policy on Eligibility?

  Eligibility is determined by our policy below. 

  We will provide transportation services for students to their catchment schools under the following guiding principles:

  • Transportation services will be provided on a priority basis based on the age of the student and the distance from the student's catchment school. 
  • Transportation services will be provided to schools outside of a student's catchment, but within their existing zone of schools*, when the student is attending an educational program of choice or an academy that is not offered at their catchment school. 
    • Educational programs of choice are defined as: 
      • French Immersion (as long as the student is attending their designated French Immersion catchment school)
      • Trades Awareness and Skills Knowledge (TASK)
      • Nature Kindergarten
  • The District will charge all riders a safety fee to directly increase the safety of students and staff using the District's transportation system. 

  *Zones refer to the Belmont Zone (Colwood-Langford) and the Milnes Landing Zone (Sooke). 

  "The School Act does not require school districts to provide school bus transportation services and therefore it is the responsibility of each family to determine the best transportation option to and from school to meet their needs."

• I registered, but did not receive an email prompting me to pay the bus fees. How do I pay the fees?

  Bus fees will be added to your School Cash Online account on August 25, 2025. Log in to your School Cash Online account and ensure your children are linked. Once linked, the school bus fees will appear as a payment option. Step-by-step instructions for adding children to your account can be found on page 9 of this document. 

• My children don't show up in my School Cash Online account. What can I do?

  You will need to attach them to your account. You can find step-by-step instructions on how to attach your children to your account on page 9 of this document. Once they are attached, you will see the option to pay the school bus fees.

• My child does not attend their catchment school. Can I still register them for transportation??

  Transportation services will be provided to schools outside of a student's catchment, but within their existing zone of schools, when the student is attending an educational program of choice or an academy that is not offered at their catchment school. 

  • Educational programs of choice are defined as: 
    • French Immersion (as long as the student is attending their designated French Immersion catchment school)
    • Trades Awareness and Skills Knowledge (TASK)
    • Nature Kindergarten

  If your child is attending an out of catchment school for reasons other than the above, they are ineligible for transportation. 

• How do I register my child if they split time between two addresses, and will the Safety Enhancement Fee need to be paid twice?

  We recognize that some students split their time between two households. In these cases, one parent should register using a single address and pay the associated fee. If an additional parent address is needed, please contact our Transportation Department for further information. Only one additional address can be accommodated. Please note that second addresses are not reviewed until late September. 

• What is the transportation fee?

  Fee Structure

  • Transportation Fee: $300 per rider 
  • Safety Fee: $25 per rider
  • Online Processing Fee: 3%

  Total Fees per Family:

  Number of Riders	Transportation Fee	Safety Fee	Processing Fee	Total
  1	$300.00	$25.00	$8.25	$333.25
  2	$600.00	$50.00	$16.50	$666.50
  3	$750.00	$75.00	$21.00	$846.00
  4	$750.00	$100.00	$21.75	$871.75

  _{*Safety fees are non-refundable.}

• What is the refund policy for transportation fees?

  Refund Policy

  • Safety fees are non-refundable ($25.00 per rider).
  • If you need to cancel your bus registration, the transportation fee will be prorated, and you will receive a refund for the unused portion.
• What is the safety enhancement fee be used for?

  The bus safety enhancement fee is used to implement and use enhanced safety features on our buses. 

• My child left something on the bus. How can they retrieve it?

  Items left behind will remain on the bus for students to retrieve on their next ride. It is recommended to call or email transportation if you believe something was left behind on the bus. If it is a valuable item, our bus staff can collect it and store at the Transportation office. 

• What time should my child be at the bus stop?

  Students should be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

• Can my child bring sports and/or band equipment on the bus?

  In accordance with the Motor Vehicle Act, school bus drivers cannot transport items other than a regular backpack which can fit comfortably on the student’s lap without extending into the space of others or into the aisle. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Guitars, trombones, tenor and baritone saxophones
  • Drums, cellos and other large instruments
  • Hockey sticks and equipment
  • Lacrosse sticks
  • Baseball bats
  • Skateboards (long and regular boards)
  • Large school projects that will not fit on a student’s lap
  • Bicycles

  Items which can be transported:

  • Regular sized back packs or bags that sit comfortably on a student’s lap
  • Small band instruments such as flutes, trumpets, alto saxophone and other instruments up to that size
  • Sport balls that fit into a backpack

  Transporting students to and from their schools safely is our primary goal. We appreciate your support in maintaining a safe environment for your child’s ride to school.

• I changed addresses over the summer, can I still register?

  Yes, provided there is available space on the required route and you remain an eligible rider.

• Our family just moved into SD62, can I still register for the school bus?

  Yes, provided there is space on the existing route and you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in our Transportation Policy.

• Must all Kindergarten to Grade 3 students be met by a parent or guardian at their drop-off stop?

  Yes, a parent, guardian, or older sibling must be present to meet the bus. If no one is available to meet the student, they will be returned to the school. Parents/guardians may provide written permission to the Transportation Department if they wish to allow their Kindergarten to Grade 3 student to walk home unaccompanied.

• Can drivers add a stop or change a route?

  No. Drivers can suggest changes or a parent can call the Transportation Department, but the final decision rests with the Transportation Department.

• Will I receive a call if the bus is late?

  If there is a significant delay or cancellation, notifications will be communicated through the following channels:

  • Email
  • Phone recording
  • Updates posted on this page of our website

  During changing weather conditions, roads may become congested and slippery, potentially causing traffic and bus delays. Unusually cold or stormy weather can also extend travel times, and unexpected mechanical issues with buses may occur more frequently in severe weather.

  To keep your child comfortable and safe, please ensure they are dressed appropriately for the colder weather, as buses can cool down quickly in low temperatures.

• Who do I call if the buses are running late?

  The Transportation Department at 250-474-9845

• Can my child bring a friend on the bus?

  No. Unregistered students are not permitted on the bus.

• Can my child bring a pet animal on the bus?

  No. Only certified guide/assistance animals are permitted. All guide/assistance animals must first be approved by the Transportation Department.

• Should I call if my child will be absent from school?

  Only if your child is registered for an accessibility bus or is the sole student at a stop that is considered 'out of the way'.

• Can my child be picked up and dropped off at different locations?

  Please contact the Transportation Department for confirmation. We will try to meet the needs of the student and family where possible.

• Does my child need to ride a specific bus route?

  Yes, students must ride on the specific route provided to them.

• Are e-cigarettes allowed?

  No. Smoking of any kind or substance on the bus will result in disciplinary action or termination of service.

• Can I ride on the bus with my child?

  No, only registered students may ride on the bus.

• My child is small. Can a booster seat be used?

  Booster seats are not allowed because there is no way to properly secure them.