Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

Pick up and drop off times will not vary to any great extent on a normal basis. Circumstances beyond our control could make the bus late occasionally. Vehicle “break downs”, detours, emergencies, or weather related problems are a few reasons that could make the bus late. We will always make sure a bus will be at your stop. If the wait is longer than fifteen minutes please contact the transportation office at (207) 874-8240.

Under certain circumstances, ineligible students may be allowed to ride the school bus. Medical necessity, safety, special hardship, etc. are just a few reasons. You may request an exception for your student by calling your student's school.

School bus stops are placed in central locations to shorten route length and travel times. Transportation Services makes every effort to see that these stops are safe and have appropriate walking routes to them. In many cases a bus will stop at a front door if there is no appropriate stop within a reasonable distance. By statute, school buses must also have at least one hundred feet between bus stops. Please contact the transportation office if you feel your child’s stop is unsafe or should otherwise be changed.

Transportation across district lines is not permitted under normal circumstances. Route timing, distances, and bus capacities make it impossible to accommodate this type of request.

No. A student who is ineligible for “to and from” school transportation is not eligible to ride to a daycare in an eligible area.

All home locations within the city use the city tax maps to calculate distances. They are very accurate. If you feel your child is eligible contact Transportation Services and they measure the distance.

Eligible students may be dropped off at a different location only with the written permission of a parent or guardian, and only if the alternate location is eligible for transportation. Parents should present a note to the school administrator when this becomes necessary.

Transportation Services makes every effort to fully maximize bus capacities. On occasion, buses may not be fully utilized due to the nature of the transportation. Special Education and other programming needs may dictate fewer students riding a particular bus. Also note that a bus could be in the middle of it's route.

Drivers inspect the interior of the bus after each route. Articles may be claimed directly from the driver or you may contact the transportation office at (207) 874-8240. Unclaimed articles are kept at the transportation office “lost and found”.

Seat belts on school buses are not required equipment. School buses utilize the “compartmentalization” concept to insure student safety. Since the mid - 70’s the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that this approach to student safety is the most practical for school buses. Compartmentalization is an arrangement whereby seats are placed close together to absorb the energy of a child’s body thrown against it. Additional padding, higher seat backs, frame construction, and anchoring requirements make compartmentalization the accepted choice of and the industry standard.

Transportation Services does utilize lap belts and other restraint systems in certain circumstances. Special Education buses currently provide lap belts for all students. Pre-school students utilize a child-restraint system especially designed for younger children weighing less than 40 pounds.

Please call the transportation office at (207) 874-8240 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily. Please ask for the Director of Transportation. 

Please call the learning strategist at your child’s school. They will contact the transportation office to arrange for special needs transportation.

Yes, transportation is typically provided if a student needs access to an alternative program within the district.

Yes, transportation is provided from both Deering H.S. and Portland H.S.

Yes, all drivers are required to maintain in good standing a commercial drivers license (CDL) with a Y (school bus) endorsement.

Yes, by law it is required on a semi-annual basis that all students be instructed in the proper way to evacuate a school bus in an emergency situation. Drills are performed on each route in the early fall and late spring of each school year. Drivers are trained in the proper use of emergency exits and procedures.