Transportation
The goal of the Springfield School District transportation department is to safely transport students in a timely manner.
Please use the links below to find transportation information as it relates to: Students, Parents, and Drivers in PA.
Springfield School District has contracted with Student Transportation of Pennsylvania (STA) to provide transportation management services to the district commencing with the 2014-2015 school year. STA is a national provider of student transportation services and provides management services to various districts throughout Pennsylvania.
Services to students will continue to be provided by many of the same drivers that have provided services in prior years and are familiar to students and parents. Should there be any questions about daily services, please contact Ms. DiMatteo or Ms. Mazzella at the numbers noted below.
| Briana Mazzella | 484.472.6750 | Terminal Manager |
| Laura Dimatteo | 484.472.6749 | Terminal Dispatcher |
| Tobi DiSalvatore | 610.938.6037 |
District Transportation Contact: |
- SSD Transportation Routes
- For Students
- For Parents
- For PA Drivers
- Related Files
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SSD Transportation Routes
Routes and times provided to parents/ guardians are listed in the Home Access Center for all eligible students who qualify for transportation under the district guidelines of 1 mile or more for grades 1 through 8 and 1.5 miles or more for grades 9-12. During the first 2 to 3 weeks of school, drivers will monitor actual students riding the bus. The district will adjust route stops and times if it is based on number of students riding the buses, timing, etc.
The district appreciates your patience as we work through the first few weeks of school and monitor actual use of transportation services to determine route changes if necessary.
For Students
Student Transportation Responsibilities
Appropriate and safe behavior is necessary. Distractions of the driver can contribute to unsafe travel conditions. Students should abide by ALL school rules while on a bus or at a bus stop. The following actions assist in protecting all students.
Students shall:
- Follow directions of the driver the first time given and NEVER distract the driver.
- Arrive at the bus stop approximately ten minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Times assigned are approximate and many factors can contribute to a bus arriving earlier or later than the assigned times
- Wait in a safe place, clear of traffic and away from where the bus stops.
- Wait in an orderly line and not engage in unsafe behavior, including “horseplay” that can easily and quickly become unsafe.
- Cross the road or street in front of the bus only after the bus has come to a complete stop and upon the direction of the driver
- Go directly to an available or assigned seat when entering the bus.
- Remain seated and keep aisles and exits clear.
- Refrain from throwing or passing objects in, from, or into buses.
- Carry only objects that can be held on her/his lap. If students need to bring large objects to school, please plan for other means of transportation. We cannot guarantee space for large objects due to spacing and safety concerns.
- Refrain from using profane language, making obscene gestures.
- Refrain from transporting or using tobacco, alcohol, drugs or any other controlled substance in the bus. Violations will be reported to the school and/ or police.
- Refrain from eating and drinking on the bus.
- Not carry hazardous materials or non-service animals into the bus.
- Respect the rights, safety, and comfort of others.
- Not video or record themselves or others while riding on the bus. Violations will be reported to the school and/ or police.
- Refrain from leaving or boarding the bus at locations other than the assigned stop.
- Refrain from extending head, arms or objects out of the bus windows.
- Students shall be denied school bus transportation if they do not conduct themselves properly.
For Parents
Parent/Guardian Transportation Responsibilities
Parents, guardians, and persons acting in loco parentis shall:
- Assist students in understanding safety rules and responsibilities and encourage them to abide by them.
- Recognize their responsibilities for the actions of their children.
- Support safe riding practices and discipline efforts to ensure safety.
- Assure students are at their assigned bus stop ten minutes before the bus arrives. Buses may arrive within ten minutes of the posted times.
- Teach children proper procedures for safely crossing the roadway before boarding and after leaving the bus. See the “How to Cross the Road” and “Danger Zone” files linked below.
- First-grade students are required to have a parent or guardian meet them at the bus stop in the afternoon. If there is no adult to meet the child, they will be driven back to school for pick up.
- Respect the rights and privileges of other students and parents.
- Communicate safety concerns to the transportation supervisor or school principal. Having conversations with the drivers delays the bus continuing on their routes.
- Monitor bus stops, if possible.
- Be aware of illegal or undesirable activities and other dangers involved in and around the loading and unloading zone, including the dangers of loose clothing, drawstrings, clothing accessories, back-packs, and other loose personal items.
- Never enter the bus. Walking onto the bus is NOT permitted by parents, or guardians.
For PA Drivers
Pennsylvania's School Bus STOPPING Law:
When you meet or overtake a stopped school bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you MUST STOP.
- When you approach an intersection where a stopped bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you MUST STOP.
- You MUST STOP at least ten (10) feet away from the school bus.
- You MUST WAIT until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving.
- DO NOT MOVE until all the children have reached a place of safety.
- You MUST STOP on roadways with painted lines.
- You MUST STOP on roadways with signed dividers.
- Drivers on separate roadways do not have to stop on a highway with clearly defined dividing sections or physical barriers separating the roadways. This only applies when the school bus is on the opposite side of the road. WHEN IN DOUBT, STOP.
If you are convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, you will receive ALL of the following penalties:
1. 60-day Driver’s License Suspension
2. Five (5) points on your driving record
3. $250.00 fine
Related Files
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Q. My child attends the SLC. Why do they go to Sabold or Scenic Hills after they are picked up at the SLC?
- Q. Are there ever assigned seats on the school bus?
- Q. May a parent board the school bus?
- Q. Are the buses permitted to enter a cul-de-sac?
- Q. Why is there an address stop on the route if buses do not make house stops?
- Q. Why do you not call when you know the bus will be late?
- Q. What can cause my child's bus to be late?
- Q. Why can't the bus stop at my house? I cannot watch my child get on the bus.
- Q. Due to heavy backpacks and large musical instruments, why can't the bus stop be closer to my home?
- Q. Why is my child's bus crowded when other buses have fewer students?
- Q. Can my child take a bus other than the one they are assigned to go to a friend’s house?
- Q. Can my child be dropped off at a location other than his/her bus stop?
- Q. What is the penalty for not stopping for a school bus loading/unloading students?
- Q. My child cannot enter or exit the bus due to an injury. What can I do?
- Q. Is it permissible for my child to wait inside the house until the bus arrives?
Q. My child attends the SLC. Why do they go to Sabold or Scenic Hills after they are picked up at the SLC?
A. First grade students who take transportation are shuttled to Sabold or Scenic Hills depending on your neighborhood school. Students will then board their assigned bus. This is the most efficient and cost-effective way to transport the students. Otherwise our buses would have to drive many of the same routes twice causing further delays and later drop-off times.
Q. Are there ever assigned seats on the school bus?
Q. May a parent board the school bus?
A. No. Pennsylvania legislature passed a Bill in 2001 with the following provisions:
"Any person who shall enter a public school bus or public school activity bus after being forbidden to do so by the authorized school bus driver in charge thereof, or the school principal to whom the public school bus or public school activity bus is assigned shall be guilty of a class one misdemeanor. Any person who shall unlawfully and willfully stop, impede, delay, or detain any public school bus or public school activity bus being operated for public school purposes shall be guilty of a class one misdemeanor."
Q. Are the buses permitted to enter a cul-de-sac?
A. Except for special education circumstances, buses are not routed into a cul-de-sac.
Cul-de-sac stops are not used for the following reasons. Styles and sizes of buses make maneuvering in a cul-de-sac difficult. The rear of a bus has the potential to swing around close to cars and sidewalks. Parked vehicles and obstacles create hazards that are not seen until entering, creating the possibility of a difficult exit.
Q. Why is there an address stop on the route if buses do not make house stops?
Q. Why do you not call when you know the bus will be late?
Q. What can cause my child's bus to be late?
A. Traffic and weather conditions, along with absenteeism, maintenance difficulties and unforeseen incidents are responsible for delays in arrival of school buses. We strive to have all buses running on schedule each and every day. Please allow 20 minutes before calling transportation for information concerning a late bus.
Q. Why can't the bus stop at my house? I cannot watch my child get on the bus.
Q. Due to heavy backpacks and large musical instruments, why can't the bus stop be closer to my home?
A. Bus stops are centrally located for all students along a route. We cannot make bus stop changes to accommodate one or more students because they may displace other students further from their home. In some circumstances, buses may have difficulty going down a particular street if it is narrow or would make the route more challenging.
Q. Why is my child's bus crowded when other buses have fewer students?
Q. Can my child take a bus other than the one they are assigned to go to a friend’s house?
A. No. We are unable to accommodate these requests. Buses could face overcrowding if students attempt to ride buses other than the one that they are assigned. If there is a special circumstance, you must contact the Transportation Department. Schools may not have the most recent transportation data, know route alterations, etc.