Transportation

Education In Motion

Mission

It is the mission of the Pixley Union School District Transportation Department to support the academic achievement of our students by providing for the safe operation of a school transportation service. We believe that pupil transportation enhances the educational opportunities of our children.

We are dedicated to providing courteous, respectable and professional service to our customers when addressing all of your transportation needs.

Students are our priority and their safety is our primary concern.

Professional School Bus Driver training & Safety

Before a person can apply for a special driver certificate (school bus license) to drive a school bus, he or she is fingerprinted and must submit to a thorough background investigation conducted by the California Highway Patrol. The applicant may begin training before the background check is complete, however, he/she may not take any test administered by the California Highway Patrol until after the interview and background is complete and the applicant is cleared.

California’s school bus drivers receive more training than the majority of other bus drivers in the nation. Applicants for a special driver certificate must successfully complete a minimum of 20 hours of classroom instruction (covering Federal Regulations, California Vehicle Codes, California Code of Regulations and California Education Codes). They must also successfully complete a minimum of 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training to become completely competent and proficient in driving a school bus, as well as daily pre-trip inspection procedures of the bus. Applicants may not transport students until all training is complete and the applicant has successfully completed written and behind-the-wheel tests administered by the California Highway Patrol. Each year certified school bus drivers must receive at least ten hours of any type of training that is directly related to pupil transportation safety, and in the renewal year (every five years) the driver must successfully complete at least ten hours of classroom instruction (in addition to any other training received during the year).

Red light Crossover Law

California Law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus is pulled off to the side of the road and has flashing RED lights on. Drivers must stay stopped until the red lights have been turned off. Drivers who violate Vehicle Code 22454 passing a school bus with activated red cross over lights face up to a $695.00 fine and will also receive one point on his/her California state driving record. The Law requires all Drivers of a school bus to activate the red light crossover system immediately upon stopping and leaving them on until ready to depart. Pixley School buses are equipped with Cameras and will be used to turn in RED LIGHT RUNNERS to the CHP. Please help us keep our students safe.

School Bus Danger Zone

In order for school bus drivers to to safely load and unload students they must recognize that there is an area around a stopped school bus that is very dangerous. This is the area near the bus where the bus driver might not see students or where cars might be moving when students riders are getting on and off the school bus. Bus drivers must ensure proper execution of procedures any time students are loading or unloading. Additionally, it is essential that bus drivers use both direct vision and properly adjusted mirrors to see students in the DANGER ZONE.

The DANGER ZONE is : the TWELVE FOOT area that surrounds a stopped school bus. Especially the most dangerous area which are around the left and right front tires, the front door and the right rear tires where it is difficult for the bus driver to see students with their direct vision. These areas are where the school bus poses a great threat to student riders. Additionally, students are at risk to passing motorists on both the left and right sides of the stopped school bus.

School Bus Equipment

To assure use of safe equipment, all school buses are inspected daily by the driver, every thirty (30) day's by our mechanic shop, and twice annually by the California Highway Patrol. All district buses are also equipped with a Child Check Mate System, ensuring bus drivers check for sleeping children after each run and before locking up the bus at the end of each day.

Two-way Communication

For student safety and route control each bus is equipped with a two-way radio. The office staff is in communication with each bus on its scheduled routes.

If there is a problem such as a late bus or perhaps a student being on the wrong bus, the office staff will be able to contact the bus driver to make the necessary corrections.

Message To Parents

The Pixley Union School District Transportation Department has this information to acquaint you with the procedures covering your child's school bus transportation. We need your assistance and cooperation to maintain a timely, reliable and safe service. Your familiarization with , and adherence to these procedures will aid considerably in transporting your child safely. Updating phone number's with the district as soon as they change is extremely important to help relay information. Sending a signed note with the student to help change drop off or pick up location. Notes will not be accepted over the phone.

Kindergarten Students

This notice is to remind you the P.U.S.D Transportation Department has a department policy that states:

There must be a parent or responsible party designated by the parents or guardian at the bus stop to meet the bus for all kindergarten students. Siblings 2nd grade or above are acceptable escorts if the parent or guardian has made that designation in writing and provides it to the bus driver and the office staff. If a responsible party is not at the bus stop, the student will be returned to school. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Unsafe Driving Conditions

Should the Director Of Transportation or designee feel that it would endanger the passengers, the driver, or the equipment, transportation will cease until such conditions improves.

Vehicle Code 34501.6 states: The governing board of a local educational agency that provides transportation of pupils shall adopt procedures that limit the operation of school buses when the atmospheric conditions reduce visibility on the roadway to 200 feet or less during regular home to school transportation service.

Operational policies for school activity trips shall give school bus drivers discretionary authority to discontinue school bus operation if the driver determines that it is unsafe to continue operation because of reduced visibility.

The Director of Transportation, or designee shall notify the schools by phone if the above conditions exist.

School Bus Drivers

We are proud of the job that Pixley School Bus Drivers perform on a daily basis. The training and certification requirements are very strict and regulated by three entities: CHP (California Highway Patrol), DMV (Department Of Motor Vehicles), DOE (Department of Education). The regulatory environment is very heavy. They must learn new equipment, students, and technologies on an ongoing basis.

When they drive our students, they have the most precious "CARGO" imaginable, driving them through very difficult an crowded areas and streets. They deal with road rage, traffic congestion, mechanical issues, difficult weather conditions, etc. They deal with students' behaviors and issues, sometimes driving 84 students at once! IN the 2022/2023 school year they have completed 56,000 thousand accident free miles. WE ARE PROUD OF THIER SAFTEY RECORD!!!