Route Parameters and Guidelines

LTISD provides bus transportation to and from school as a courtesy service for eligible
students residing in the district. The State of Texas prescribes the conditions governing
school bus operations in Texas Education Code (TEC), Section 42.155(d).

Eligibility

Transportation is available for all children who live in the district, except for those areas
deemed exempt by the Board of Trustees. Some students who attend more than one
school to participate in classes not offered at their school are transported between
schools during school hours.

Attendance Boundary/Zone

Transportation services are not provided to students that are enrolled at a campus that
is not located in their attendance zone/boundary. Parent or guardian of all students
enrolled outside their local school attendance boundaries shall provide their own
transportation to school.

Pick Up Time Criteria

Regular buses attempt to arrive at every bus stop on time. Due to variances between
individual clocks and road traffic, students are asked to arrive at their bus stop five (5)
minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time. Buses will load students and depart the stop.
Regular buses do not wait for late students. Students are expected to proceed
immediately to the buses. Bus drivers are instructed not to stop or open the door for late
or running students due to safety concerns.

Daily Service Criteria

Regular buses are scheduled to provide service to student riders. Bus stops may be
suspended or omitted for lack of ridership. Infrequent riders should contact the
Transportation Department stating their wish to ride when service is needed. Routes are
designed and redesigned as the appropriate needs arise.

Bus Route Criteria and Route Design

Bus routes are created to enhance student safety while maximizing vehicle efficiency.
When possible, stops are created that allow students to wait off the main roadway for
the bus. Stops are also created to minimize students walking on highly-traveled
roadways for long distances without sidewalks. Stops are generally not placed on
dead-end streets so as to minimize bus accidents while backing up the bus.

Transportation officials will designate bus stops at different locations due to inability to
turn around, road conditions, safety concerns, or to maximize efficiency.

Stops are spread as far apart as criteria will allow in order to decrease the number of
stops each bus will make on its route, thus minimizing the overall riding time for the
students.

In general, elementary students may be required to walk up to a quarter-mile to a bus
stop, while secondary students may be required to walk up to half a mile. However, due
to conditions beyond the control of the District, these distances may vary. Bus routes
are designed to limit student ride time. Students are expected to follow the guidelines in
the Student Code of Conduct while riding in any District-owned vehicle.

Students getting off at a different stop, ride a bus other than their assigned bus or not a
bus rider. At times, a student may need to get off at a different stop, or ride a bus with a
friend. These requests are approved on an emergency basis only. The parent or
guardian must contact the school to make requests. The request must include the name
and address of the student with whom he/she needs to ride home with as well as a
contact number for the parent.

SMART Tag

Parents must register through the SMART Tag Parent portal to receive texts/email
alerts. These alerts include when the bus is 7 -10 minutes away, map of route, when
buses are delayed, etc. Learn more about SMART tag.

Video Cameras on Buses

LTISD uses video cameras on buses to enhance student safety. The videos assist
drivers, station supervisors, and school administrators in monitoring student bus activity.
Awareness of this program provides students with an incentive to exhibit positive
behavior on the bus, therefore, resulting in a safer riding environment.