Bus Stop Locations - The When and Why
Many factors go into the decision for bus stop locations.
Parents are responsible to take an active role in getting their students to and from their bus stops safely. Students should also be reminded to arrive at their bus stops 10 minutes early and to respect the location of the bus stop – many bus stops border private properties.
Consideration has to be given to the length of the bus routes. WPS runs a three-tier system for busing. WPS uses all 30 buses to transport WHS students (Tier 1). Buses are then used to transport Adams students (Tier 2). The third Tier of buses is scheduled to transport Primary students (Tier 3).
As students move up from their neighborhood Primary schools to attend town-wide schools (Adams and WHS) families will find the 1st and 2nd Tiers will have fewer bus stops offered. Some of the factors that support the need for fewer stops are scheduling restrictions (school start and dismissal times), grade/age/ability of the students, the length of the routes, and distanced serviced.
WPS Transportation always strives to be consistent throughout the town. Some areas/streets of Weymouth are more accessible to buses than others. As the Transportation Department receives bus stop requests staff will investigate the requested bus stop location and determine what is possible. There are bus stops where children will have to walk to reach their stop.
Parents are urged to take an active role in supporting their students to and from the available bus stops.