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Transportation

Pupil Transportation Services would like to welcome all families back for the 2022-2023 school year!

To ensure that all families are prepared for their child's transportation services to begin successfully we would like to provide some important information below:

FOR EARLY START SCHOOLS who start on August 15, 2022:

Contractors have been assigning to drivers and performing dry runs all week in preparation for day 1.
All information has been updated and provided to contractors as of Thursday August 11, 2022.
- Any necessary changes after Thursday August 11, 2022 for EARLY START SCHOOLS who begin on August 15th, 2022 should be directed to your child's school. They will update your household information and facilitate busing changes needed on your behalf.
Transportation changes that are requested by schools for families will take effect on TUESDAYS and FRIDAYS weekly. Your school will notify you when those changes are completed and the specific busing information.
Pupil Transportation Services will also be modifying busing if service related issues are identified. Pupil Transportation Services WILL communicate electronically these changes to ensure families are aware.
PLEASE BE PATIENT THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL. Transportation is a very intricate system that relies on all stakeholders to run smoothly. The first few days represents a significant challenge for drivers as they are
- navigating new traffic patterns and increased traffic volume,
- trying to identify and familarize themselves with new students,
- are readjusting their routes and their times significantly due to requested route changes by schools on families behalf,
- and collaborating with school staff on arrivals and dismissals.
- THIS WILL LEAD TO DELAYS. These delays will be short lived and families should be confident that their busing will stabilize quickly once these factors are addressed.

FOR TRADITIONAL START SCHOOLS who start on September 6, 2022:

Pupil Transportation Services is still AUTO ROUTING for all eligible students.
- There is no need to 'request' services. The district assumes all eligible students will need busing and schedules them for Day 1.
However, if you have moved you MUST report your address change either to your child's SCHOOL or to the DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT SERVICES. Pupil Transportation Services does NOT have the authority to change household addresses for your family.
Postcards will be sent with your child's busing information the week PRIOR to school starting. This ensures that the busing information that is provided is as accurate as possible.
Contractors will again practice and update their routes the week prior to school starting to familiarize themselves with their runs and to ensure they have the most up to date information for your family.

Finally, please be sure to BE READY at your stop location 10 minutes prior to your child's pickup time and wait at your stop 10 minutes after your scheduled pickup time. It is recommended that you call the bus company directly if there is a problem or delay. They will dispatch the driver directly and provide the most accurate information related to the situation. If there are challenges reaching a contractor for ANY REASON please contact your child's school for assistance.

Student getting off of school bus The Department of Business and Transportation Services provides safe, reliable, responsive and efficient transportation services, with students as our central focus. The department's buses travel more than 15 million miles annually. In fulfilling its mission, the department:

Provides home-to-school and school-to-home transportation services for approximately 51,000 students every school day.
Enables students to attend their school of choice, as well as participate in all school activities and programs.
Offers a flexible transportation system that accommodates varied needs, all within published policies and guidelines.
Directs more funding to classroom education by reducing transportation expenses.

The department is responsible for the provision of student transportation and the scheduling of all school, athletic and special-busing programs. It also administers Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) ridership programs.

All routing information originates from Infinite Campus, the Milwaukee Public Schools' (MPS) student-information system. Please contact your student's school if your family is moving, is changing child-care providers or if you would like to request a different bus stop. It is the school's responsibility to verify all requests.

The department is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m Monday through Friday during the regular school year. The phone number is 414-475-8922.

General Information

Eligibility

Eligibility for transportation services is governed by MPS Board of School Directors Administrative Policy 4.04. Eligibility is dependent upon the school a student attends and the student's home address. The following criteria are used to determine transportation eligibility:

A student in grades K-5 must reside one or more miles from their assigned school, outside of the school's designated attendance area and within the school’s transportation region.
Students in grades 6-12 must reside two or more miles from their assigned school, outside of the school's attendance area and within the school’s transportation region.

MPS charter schools set their own transportation rules. Please contact your student's charter school directly for details. Transportation region sizes differ based on the school type and programs within that school.

Walk Zones

Most schools designate “walk zones,” which typically fall within one or two miles from the school site, depending on grades offered by the school. Students living inside a school’s walk zone cannot receive transportation.

Moving

If you move outside of your elementary or middle school transportation region, your child may be provided transportation. If there is no existing bus stop, you must either provide transportation or change your child’s school. You will be asked to select a new school for your child for the following year or to sign a contract that says you will provide transportation.

Bus Stops

Students in grades K3–5 are expected to walk up to 1/4 mile to a safe corner stop. Students in grades 6-12 are expected to walk up to 1/2 mile to a safe corner stop.

Special Education/Access for Persons with Disabilities

Transportation for students with special education needs is provided based upon the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). All district schools serve children with special needs; however, not all services are available at all schools. Parents are advised to work closely with their child’s IEP team to determine which schools are best equipped to meet the needs of the child. Children with disabilities must follow the same rules for transportation as other children, unless the IEP identifies a specialized transportation need or modification. Parents of children with limited mobility should discuss the accessibility needs of the child with the principal/building administrator of the school they wish the child to attend. Children with special needs are also eligible for the Chapter 220 Voluntary Student Transfer Program and for Public School Open Enrollment program.

Homeless Students

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines the homeless as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This definition includes children and youth whose family has lost housing due to economic difficulties and is sharing the housing of others; who are living in motels, hotels, transitional or emergency shelters; or, whose nighttime residence is a place not normally used for housing. Unaccompanied youth and migratory children, who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above, have the same rights.

Homeless children have many rights and are eligible for many services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. For example, homeless children and youth have the right to stay in the school they attended prior to becoming homeless (the school of origin); transportation from their temporary residence to the school may be provided; Call (414) 475-8911 for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Transportation Changes

Please visit your child's school to make updates to your transportation arrangements. This includes any changes due to a move in your residence or if you would like transportation to an address other than your residence. You can view your transportation information electronically from home using MPS's Infinite Campus Parent Portal. You will need to create a user account. Your child's school will need to assist with creating a Parent Portal account.

MPS HIGH SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION - STUDENTS GREATER THAN 7 MILES

MPS High Schools students who reside over 7 miles from their current school of attendance, will be issued weekly Mcards for use on Milwaukee County Transit System.

Mcard distribution to schools will be facilitated the week prior to student attendance. Pupil Transportation Services will be available to assist with any questions your family may have. We can be reached at 414-475-8922.

MCTS also provides information on their website that detail the route paths and time for families using MCTS buses. The link to the MCTS Trip Planner is https://www.ridemcts.com/trip-planner

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How do I register my student to receive school bus service?

There is no need to register. If your child is eligible for transportation services and enrolled prior to the start of the school year, MPS will mail a postcard to your residence that provides your child's busing information. All transportation requests submitted after the school year begins will be handled by your child's school.

How do I change my child's bus route or bus stop?

Individual schools facilitate all transportation requests. Schools will electronically request route adjustments for busing changes and notify you when the busing changes have been processed.

What should I do if my child does not arrive at the assigned drop-off point at the expected time?

You should first call the bus company. You can also click the following link - Bus Company Phone Numbers - for a complete listing of bus companies that service MPS.

If you are unsure of the bus company or phone number, please call either your school or the transportation department at 414-475-8922.

Can my child be suspended from riding a bus?

Transportation is a privilege. In cases of bus misconduct, school administrators or the department of transportation can temporarily or permanently suspend ridership privileges. Disciplinary actions are generally progressive in nature, but serious misconduct may result in immediate service suspension. When considering school bus suspensions, MPS follows due-process and just-cause procedures that give all parties an opportunity to be heard.

A bus suspension is not a suspension from school. Parents are responsible for providing transportation for their child if school bus service has been suspended.

Who do I contact if there are problems on the bus?

Bullying and any other behavior concerns should be addressed immediately with school administrators. School bus drivers are responsible for reporting bus misconduct, but do not have the authority to suspend students. Please discuss with your child the importance of reporting issues as soon as they arise. Schools work with bus companies and the department of transportation to address any identified bus-ridership issues.

What can I do if my child is not eligible for busing?

MPS School Board of Directors Policy 4.04 dictates transportation eligibility. If you live outside of a school's transportation region and are unable to provide your own transportation, you may need to find another school assignment. You can click on Find a School for assistance.

MKV SUBMISSIONS

My Student

Contact Us

Phone: 414-475-8922
Fax: 414-475-8113
Email: tran@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Business & Transportation Services Senior Director:
David Fifarek
Office of School Administration

Bus Contractors

The following bus companies service MPS. They may be contacted directly.

Adroit.............................888-778-3413

Brew City........................414-921-8111

Everdriven ………………… 833-961-1349

American United Van … 414-220-3287

Durham School Bus …… 414-760-7480

First Student-West ……..414-649-2620

First Student -North…….414-353-1027

Hop Skip Drive ……………844-467-7547

Johnson School Bus…….262-251-4230

Lakeside -North ………….414-536-2040

Lamers Bus Lines ………. 414-282-3566

MC Transportation ……..414-877-6777

Milwaukee Transit……….414-344-6711

Safeway Transport……….414-255-6756

Specialized Care…………..414-383-7333

WI Central East…………… 414-481-1000

WI Central West ………… 414-279-9150

Transportation Supervisor-Ryan Elbert

Transportation Associates:

Southwest Region - Bruce Little

Northwest Region - Stephanie Strong

Central Region - Tracy Johnson

East Region/Behavior Management - Carla Knox

High Schools -Kicia Scott

NIC/Partnership Schools, Athletics, Behavior Management - Lakita Wells

Field Trip Instructions & Links

Please follow the links below to get detailed instructions on how to request a field trip, to enter a field trip request application, or for MPS bid pricing for the current school year.

Private Schools - Electronic List Submissions

Private School Planning Assistant III:
Wendy Cantoral-Argueta

Please email tran@milwaukee.k12.wi.us with any questions or concerns.

For document submission, please attach an electronic copy of your documents to the email, be sure to include the name of your school, and indicate pertinent return contact information.

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