Transportation
Guidance for Transporting
- A school bus is the safest vehicle for transporting students.
- Passenger Vans. Information is provided to help schools makes decisions about vehicle choice. Background of regulations related to passenger vans and links to a national position paper are included.
The use of a van for student transportation is a local decision.
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The Maine Department of Education recognizes that the shortage of qualified school bus drivers continues to present significant challenges for school administrative units across the state. School buses are specifically designed and equipped to transport students and remain the safest mode of transportation for children traveling to and from school. When considering alternative transportation options, school administrative units should carefully evaluate student safety, vehicle requirements, driver qualifications, and all applicable state and federal requirements.
- School Bus Seating Capacity.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Describes the number of persons that can safely sit on a school bus seat.
- Transporting homeless students and students in foster care. Maine DOE and Maine Schools follow the provisions of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The National Center For Homeless Education provides guidance on transportation for homeless students and students in foster care. 2-minute video on McKinney-Vento: For Educators.
- Transporting Preschool Children. Maine schools have a choice. They may transport preschool-age children or they may request a waiver for transportation of public preschool students. Transportation of preschool children is complex; safety is priority. Resources and guidance are provided.
- Transporting Students in Head Start Programs. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start programs are not required to provide transportation services. However, when they do provide those services, they must comply with key regulations. This link describes requirements for program transportation services, provides a transportation services checklist, includes information about meeting transportation standards, and provides access to a list of additional transportation resources.
- Transporting students under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Ensuring Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care: Transportation Procedures includes a federal overview. US Department of Education includes updates and resources for ESSA. Maine DOE ESSA website describes greater ESSAG details and provisions that will help to ensure success for students and schools.
- Transporting students with special needs. State, federal, and national resources are provided including guidelines for transporting children with special health needs on school trips.
School Bus Driver Information
- Driver Information. Includes publications, state information, federal information and additional resources.
- Driver Maine’s Hire-A-Vet Campaign 2017.
- Drug and Alcohol Testing for Drivers. Provides Federal drug and alcohol testing regulations for commercial driver licensed (CDL) employees.
- Maine School Bus Driver Appreciation Week. Maine schools celebrate National School Bus Driver Appreciation Week during National School Bus Safety Week which occurs annually during the third week in October. School bus drivers are responsible for delivering the world’s most precious cargo – our students.
School Bus Information
- National School Bus Safety Week. Links to the National Association for Pupil Transportation
- National Transportation Safety Board and School Transportation. Links to information about Maine preparing to respond to NTSB safety recommendations, NTSB school bus safety, and related news and resources.
- School Bus Safety. Links to resources and safety features of school buses.
- School Bus Security. Links to bus security resources
- School Bus Types. Features of Type A, B, C, and D
- Why Are There No Seatbelts On School Buses? Links to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
Training for Maine School Transportation Professionals
- Transportation training Includes state and federal resources. Most resources are free.