Does your child take the bus, bike or walk to school? Here’s what to know about safety
A new school year has started up again, and thousands of children are back to riding the school bus, walking or riding their bicycles to and from school.
It’s been less than a week since the first day of school for students in Tacoma Public Schools, and already there has been an accident that left two Mount Tahoma High School students injured after a reckless driver doing “burnouts” in the school parking lot hit the students who were waiting at the bus stop.
For some children, this may very well be their first time that they are commuting on their own, so it is important to teach them all of the things they can do to remain safe as they head home.
School Bus Transportation
Tacoma Public School’s Student Transportation Service serves more than 10,000 elementary to high school students daily. Eligibility to receive bus service depends on the distance between where the student lives and the school, among other things.
Students that are eligible to ride the bus to school are required to follow the district’s bus safety rules in order to keep themselves and others safe and to continue to be able to ride the bus.
The do’s and don’ts of riding the school bus:
Do’s
In the morning, be at your stop between five to ten minutes before the scheduled pick-up time
Buses will not wait for students who are not present
When waiting at a bus stop, wait in a line that starts back from the curb
In the afternoon, walk quickly to your bus. Buses depart 5 to 7 minutes after the bell.
If students miss the bus, the parent/guardian will need to pick them up from school
When crossing the street, cross only in front of the stopped bus when the STOP paddle is out and red lights are flashing
If crossing the street at an intersection, cross with the green light and WALK signal
Get on or off the bus only when it is completely stopped
Only leave the bus at your assigned stop
Have student identification ready to show the driver when boarding the bus or at any time the driver asks for identification
Don’ts
Do not stand when the bus is moving
Do not place any part of your body outside the bus windows
Do not bring anything onto the bus that is heavy, sharp or bulky, or that could affect the safety of other bus riders. This includes skateboards, sticks, unicycles, skis or vaulting poles, breakable containers, straps or pins sticking out from clothing, or anything flammable.
Weapons, including knives and guns, are strictly prohibited
Do not eat or drink on the bus
Do not bring matches or tobacco on the bus
Do not open windows, unless you have permission from the bus driver
Do not take photos or videos of students or the driver without their permission
A full list of what students should and should not do as well as discipline procedures for misbehavior on the bus can be found on the Tacoma Public School website.
Walking & biking to school
Tacoma Public School offers a walking map with safe routes to every school in the district that parents can look over and review with their children. Parents are encouraged to do a practice walk with their children on a non-school day.
Students who choose to walk should follow these safety guidelines:
Stop at the edge of the street or the curb
Look left, right, left and behind you
Make eye contact with drivers
Cross at corners or at marked sidewalks
Students who choose to ride their bike should follow these safety guidelines:
Follow all traffic laws- Cyclists are permitted to ride on sidewalks in Tacoma, but parents should discuss with their children about whether or not they should ride on the sidewalk or in the street.
Be aware of traffic and ride in a single file line in the direction of traffic
Ride on the right side of the road
Use lights when riding at night
Wear your helmet
Use proper hand signals to signify a right or left turn as well as slowing down and stopping
Public Transportation
Pierce Transit and Sound Transit offer free rides to everyone who is 18 years old or younger. Riders who are 13 years and older are eligible to receive a free Youth Transit Pass also known as the Youth ORCA card. Students can pick up the card for free from their school’s front office or online.
Students can also show bus drivers their current school ID when boarding the bus. Youth are able to ride the bus even if they do not have a school ID or a Youth ORCA card.
Do’s and Don’ts of riding on Pierce Transit
Do’s:
- Wear reflective gear or bright colored clothing or accessories, so that you are more visible if its dark out.
- Use your phone’s light or a flashlight to ensure the driver can see you.
- Use headphones and speak quietly when using a cell phone
- Be civil and respectful of others.
- Make room for others when the bus is crowded.
- Respect transit property.
- Make sure any food or beverages are in spill-proof containers.
- Use Pierce Transit facilities and services for transit use only.
Don’ts:
- Bring unlawful firearms or other weapons
- Disturb, harass, or bother others with loud, raucous, harmful, aggressive, violent, obscene or sexually harassing behavior, profanity, or offensive odors.
- Bring any of the following items: gas-powered equipment; gasoline; flammable liquids; fireworks; explosives; or corrosives.
A full list of Pierce Transit’s rules are on the Pierce Transit website.
This story was originally published September 14, 2023 at 11:01 AM.
