Transportation Information
Go GREEN. Ride the big YELLOW bus!
Why is riding the bus a great idea?
- Saves your family money on gas
- Reduces traffic congestion at the schools
- Reduces traffic congestion in town
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, School Buses are 8 times safer than private vehicles!
- Eco-friendly – riding the bus reducing green house gases
- Reliable
Eligibility for free transportation: Resident students in Kindergarten through sixth grade who live two (2) miles or more from their district school will be transported for free. All students must complete the Transportation Form AND the Free & Reduced Lunch Application as eligibility is based on the same criteria. Students enrolled in the School Choice Program or resident students enrolled in the Open Enrollment Program are not eligible for bus transportation.
Eligibility to purchase a bus pass for transportation is extended to: Students in grades k – 6 who live one and a half (1.5) miles to less than two (2) miles from their district school may purchase a pass. Elementary students who live on streets under the 1.5 miles that the School Department and the Police Department have designated as hazardous will be allowed to apply for and purchase a bus pass. You should call the Transportation Supervisor at 587-1337 for the streets designated hazardous.
All students in grades 7 through 12 who live one and a half (1.5) miles or more from their school are eligible to purchase a pass. Once all eligible students have be accommodated, students in grades 7 through 12, who live less than 1.5 miles from their school, may be eligible to purchase a pass, provided there are seats available and additional bus stops are not required.
Mileage is determined from the front of the student’s residence, using the shortest route, to the front of the student’s school.
Elementary students who participate in the Open Enrollment (intra-city School Choice Program) and students in all grades participating in the School Choice Program are not eligible for transportation.
Bus Passes are ready to be picked up the second week in August from the Central Office or from the front office at the individual schools when school is in session.
Every student must show his /her pass each time they board the bus. No student will be allowed to board the bus without a pass. Replacement passes are $5.00
Bus Fee: The fees are used to help off set the cost of transporation, which is $44,429.94 per bus, per year. The School Committee has approved a fee schedule that allows for either payment in full or in three installments. The fee schedule set by School Committee.
******IMPORTANT******
- Transportation Forms must be filled out for each student and must be received by the deadline
- Availability is limited and seats on the bus will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis
- Payments accepted: personal check, cashier’s check or money order (sorry no cash, debit or credit cards).
- Checks should be made out to Northampton Public Schools and mailed to:Northampton Public School, 212 Main Street,Northampton, MA 01060-3112,Attn: Joy Winnie, Transportation Supervisor. Questions can be directed to:(413) 587-1337 or fax (413) 587-1318
- If you would like your passes mailed, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with application and payment.
