The iconic yellow buses will soon wind their way across Dallas, officially announcing the start of school. With bus routes just released and 25 new Multi-Passenger Vehicles (MPVs) ready to roll, Dallas ISD’s Transportation Services department is prepared for the 2015-2016 school year.
The new MPVs bring the total number of district owned vehicles to 75. While most of the logistics from last year remain the same, Kathi Hayward, executive director of Transportation Services, encourages parents to visit their website to confirm bus routes, stops, and pick-up and drop-off times. Additionally, the website contains information on student eligibility and special busing for magnet programs and transformation schools.
“Several new campuses will open this year, and some campuses have new bell times, so parents should take the time to confirm their children’s schedules,” Hayward said.
Students should get to their designated bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Students and parents need to know the “route number” of their bus, which parents can find on the Dallas County Schools website. Hayward also suggests students and their parents know the service center of the assigned route and its phone number. This year, bus drivers will give their riders refrigerator magnets listing all the service center phone numbers along with other emergency contact information.
For more information about riding the bus in Dallas ISD, including questions regarding special needs students and field trips, visit the Contact Information page on the Transportation Services website. The department has also compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the transportation of special needs students, which you can view here.
The Transportation Services Call Center will be available to answer transportation questions starting Aug. 21. The call center, which can be reached at 972-925-4953, will be open the following dates and hours:
Friday, Aug. 21, from 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 23, from 12–6 p.m.
Aug. 24–Sept. 4 from 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
