Transportation — 610.359.4299

Bus Passes are distributed each year before the start of School. Countless hours are spent in preparing the best possible means of transportation for the students. Decisions are based on the safety and security of each child. Some may find that your child's bus stop has changed, or the busing is a different schedule than last year. This is due to the continued growth in our community. It is the policy of Marple Newtown School District to transport grades one (1) through twelve (12). The Transportation Department policy for walking is as follows:

• Grades 1 through 5 may walk up to ¾ of a mile to their school or respective stops. State Mandates allow up to 1 ½ miles.Grades 6 through 8 may walk up to 1¼ miles to their school or respective stops. State Mandates allow up to 2 miles.
• Grades 9 through 12 may walk up to 1½ miles to their school or respective stops. State Mandates allow up to 2 miles.

These distances are below the State Mandates listed. During the first week of school, we ask that your child be at the assigned bus stop a minimum of ten (10) minutes early. After the first week, your child is required to be at the bus stop five (5) minutes prior to pickup. Children late for their scheduled pickup will not receive transportation. Be aware that your child may be instructed by the bus driver to be at the bus stop earlier than the scheduled time to prevent students from being late to school. Talk to your child daily to see if any such change was made to ensure transportation to school. We thank you in advance for your patience, cooperation and flexibility during the start of the school year.Students that live within the walk zone for their respective school will have "WALKER" printed on their pass instead of a bus number. All students attending schools requiring transfers have their AM and PM transfer location and time printed on the bus pass. Regarding transportation other than to and from school: Again, there will be no "late buses" from any schools, public or non-public, this school year. All students requiring transportation will need to be on the buses at the regular departure times for their respective school. There will also be no transportation by Marple Newtown School District buses to CCD, Hebrew School, or other religious training programs.

All parents wishing to send their children home with another student will be required to provide minimum of 24 hours advanced notice in writing to both the Transportation Department and your child's school. Exceptions will be made in the event of emergencies regarding this policy. This will prevent potential overloading of the buses. Any parents requesting transportation other than that listed on the bus pass need to contact the Transportation Department for prior approval of changes - this policy will be strictly enforced.

If there is a question pertaining to this bus information, please call the Transportation Department at (610) 359-4265 or (610) 359-4299. We are available Monday through Friday 7:00 to 5:00. Copies of bus routes are being distributed to all schools, public and non-public, within the Marple Newtown School District boundaries. The public schools will post the bus routes for their school at the main entrance.