Transportation

How do I know if my student is eligible for transportation services?

In District 33, we believe in neighborhood schools and providing students with the academic programming and services they need in proximity to their home to the greatest extent possible. As such, many ​of our ​students live in designated walking areas of their attendance-area school and; therefore, are not eligible for​ district-provided​ transportation services.

Elementary students who reside 1.5 miles or more from their attendance-area school or reside where walking to school or to a bus stop would constitute a serious safety hazard are eligible for district-provided transportation​ at no cost to the family​.

Diverse Learners, who receive door-to-door service, must have transportation written in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and authorized by the Department of Student Services.

Do I need to request transportation services for my child?

For returning students, transportation information is carried over from the previous school year. However, a parent/guardian must request transportation services for their child under the following circumstances:

• • child is an incoming kindergartner or new to District 33;
  • child attends a different D33 school than the previous year;
  • if your family lives at a new address; or
  • pick-up or drop-off address change

Requests can be made by sending an email to transportation@wego33.org. Please provide the child's name, school, grade, phone, home address, and pick-up/drop-off address if the address is different from home.

Please ensure your child is eligible for transportation before making the request. See transportation eligibility FAQs on this webpage.

If my child does not meet eligibility guidelines for transportation, can they still take the bus?

Possibly. If a route is available near the requested pick-up/drop-off address and has room for an additional student, they are eligible for fee ridership. Fees will be invoiced at the start of the school year.

What if my student has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and requires transportation?

Diverse Learners, who receive door-to-door service, must have transportation written in their IEP and authorized by the Department of Student Services. Once approved, transportation will be provided as required in the student's IEP.

What if my family is in a transitional living situation and my student needs transportation?

School districts must provide transportation to children and youth experiencing homelessness who are enrolled in the school of origin.

The parent, guardian, or caregiver should make a good-faith effort to provide or arrange for transportation, but it is ultimately the school district's duty to make sure appropriate transportation is provided. If the child's living situation takes them outside the attendance boundaries of the school district of origin, the two districts involved must agree upon the sharing of responsibility and cost for transportation.

All McKinney Vento student transportation must be authorized by the Partnerships Department. To connect with your District 33 Family Liaison, contact your building secretary.

What happens if I move within the district and my student now meets eligibility requirements?

A parent/guardian must update and verify residency, including any apartment number changes, with the building secretary. Parents will be responsible for transportation temporarily if a new route and/or bus stop is necessary. This may take up to (3) days after all residency documents have been approved.

Who is required to pay for transportation services?

Many ​of our ​students live in designated walking areas of their attendance-area school; therefore, are not eligible for​ district-provided​ transportation services.

Elementary students who reside 1.5 miles or more from their attendance-area school or reside where walking to school or to a bus stop would constitute a serious safety hazard are eligible for district-provided transportation​ at no cost to the family​. Diverse Learners, who receive door-to-door service, must have transportation written in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and authorized by the Department of Student Services. 
 
Transportation fees per student are:

$700 full fee for students in grades K-8

Families that are required to pay transportation fees will receive an invoice at the start of the school year.

Are payment plans available?

Yes, payment plans are available. For more information, please contact the Business Department at (630) 293-6000 ext. 1221.

Do I need to request transportation services for my child?

For returning students, transportation information is carried over from the previous school year. However, a parent/guardian must request transportation services for their child under the following circumstances:

• • child is an incoming kindergartner or new to District 33;
  • child attends a different D33 school than the previous year;
  • if your family lives at a new address; or
  • pick-up or drop-off address change

Requests can be made by sending an email to transportation@wego33.org. Please provide the child's name, school, grade, phone, home address, and pick-up/drop-off address if the address is different from home.

Please ensure your child is eligible for transportation before making the request. See transportation eligibility FAQs on this webpage.

Will my child be dropped off at the bus stop if an adult is not present?

As a safety measure, a parent/guardian must be present at the bus stop to receive children in grades pre-K and kindergarten.

If there is no parent/guardian at the stop, the bus will circle back to the stop after the route concludes. The transportation department will attempt to make contact with the parent/guardian. If there is no response, the student will be brought back to the school. School administrators will take steps to reach the family. However, if no one is available, the West Chicago Police Department will be notified.

If the parent/guardian cannot be present and wants to grant permission to another adult or older sibling to receive the child, they must do so in writing by emailing transportation@wego33.org.

What time should my child arrive at the bus stop and how long will they be on the bus?

Students should plan to be at their assigned bus stop 10 minutes before their scheduled pick-up. As bus routes become more established early on in the school year and students become more familiar with the bus-riding process, the route timing will likely become more consistent and efficient.

Students should still be at the bus stop 5-10 minutes early as weather and traffic can affect the timing of the route. It is important for parents/caregivers to understand that our schools each have dismissal procedures in place to help ensure that each child reaches their destination safely and comfortably. Staff will carefully check bus assignments as students are escorted to the bus.

Please understand that at the beginning of the school year, buses may not leave school grounds until 20 minutes after the final bell. As students become more comfortable with the dismissal routine, this time shortens substantially.

Can I still pick up my child from school if they regularly ride the bus?

Yes. If your student is not using the bus service for a specific day or time frame, you must send a written note to the school office 24 hours in advance advising who will be picking up the student. The person picking up the child may be asked for identification.

What if my child leaves something on the bus?

Personal items are the responsibility of each student. Neither District 33 nor the transportation company is responsible for lost or stolen items. However, it is the policy of the bus company to keep common items such as lunch bags or jackets on the bus for the student to retrieve during the next ride.

More valuable items, such as cell phones and technology devices, are taken to the bus company headquarters where they are secured in a locked facility. Parents/guardians may pick up these items directly from the bus company. To inquire about items left on the school bus, please call Illinois Central at (630) 584-1658.

Can my child receive transportation to and from childcare/community centers?

District 33's Transportation Services department readily provides transportation for transportation eligible elementary school students to the following community partners/centers -

• • ARC Center (West Chicago Park District) 201 W National Street, West Chicago, IL 60185
  • Little Prince Day Care, 550 E Washington St. West Chicago, IL 60185
  • West Chicago KinderCare, 2044 Franciscan Way, West Chicago, IL 60185

If your student is new to District 33 or there is a change in stop, you must contact the building secretary.

How are bus routes and bus stops determined?

Bus stops are created based on state guidelines and transportation standards to ensure safety and efficiency. D33 bus stops are generally on corners and within a two-block walk.  As a note, drivers are not authorized to make changes to bus stops.

How do I request a change to a bus route or stop?

If a temporary change is needed, please provide a written request to the school office. Requests should be provided a minimum of (3) school days prior to the requested change.

For safety and security reasons, students are not allowed to ride other buses or use other stops. If a permanent change is needed, please make that request with the building secretary.

What if I feel that walking to/from school or a bus stop constitutes a safety hazard for my child?

Parents may email the Transportation Department at transportation@wego33.org and request that the District review their concern to see if it meets the criteria for an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) hazard.

What if I have a question about my child’s bus route?

For questions regarding bus routes, please contact your child's school or reach out to the Transportation department at transportation@wego33.org. In your correspondence, please include the school that your child attends, their bus route, and their current assigned bus stop.