FAQs
CONTACT
Dubuque Community School District Transportation Department
1350 West Locust Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4112
P: 563/552-3275
F: 563/552-3274
Inclement Weather Line: 563/552-3035
QUICK FACTS
Bus Drivers
- 85 bus drivers (including substitutes), along with 40 bus attendants (including substitutes), transport approximately 3,500 students daily
- 83 buses and one (1) van cover approximately 240 square miles in the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County and Jackson County
- an average of 70 routes are run twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon, with middle and high school students transported first followed by elementary students
- over 1,000,000 miles are logged per year for daily routes
- over 1,500 field trips, activities, and athletics also utilize bus transportation each year
Truckers
- three (3) truckers deliver breakfast and lunch meals, laundry, mail, classroom/school resources (including Print Center orders), copier paper, surplus equipment, etc. on a daily basis
Mechanics
- five (5) mechanics provide bumper-to-bumper service for buses, food/supply trucks, buildings and grounds vehicles, and school vans
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Boundaries
Does my child receive transportation if we live less than two miles from our school?
No. See Board Policy #7100: Student Transportation (PDF).
AM Pick-Up Time
How accurate are the pick-up times?
Pick-up times are accurate to within 10 minutes. Your child needs to be at the designated bus stop five (5) minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. Pick-up times may be affected by construction, traffic, inclement weather, road conditions, and students late to their stops or not riding. Please have your child(ren) ready to meet the bus.
NOTE: According to Iowa Code, bus stops must be at least 300 feet apart.
Address Changes
Do I call the Transportation Department if my address changes?
No. Please notify the school. The school will notify our Transportation Department.
Child Not Riding
Should I call the Transportation Department if my child is not going to ride today?
No, it is not necessary. However, we do appreciate calls concerning special education students or students living off of our main roads. Please provide the child’s name (spell last name), school, and the bus # if possible. Thank you!
Transfer Stops
My child transfers buses to and from school. Can my child get on or off at the transfer stop?
No. Please do not bring or meet your child at a transfer stop. Students eligible for transportation will be picked-up and dropped-off only at their assigned bus stop.
Bus Stops
Can my child be picked-up or dropped-off at another bus stop?
Yes, under the following criteria:
1) Child is eligible for transportation.
2) Space is available on the bus.
3) Written request to the Transportation Department (Alternate Stop form).
4) The alternate stop must be an everyday occurrence.
NOTE: The student must be an eligible bus rider and the alternate stop must be on an existing route, at a regular stop, and space is available.
Alternate Bus Stops (Temporary)
Can I request a temporary alternate bus stop.
Yes. Families may request an alternate bus stop on a temporary basis. The written request should be submitted to the school principal (three days in advance if possible). The school will notify our Transportation Department. The student must be an eligible bus rider and the alternate stop must be on an existing route, at a regular stop, and space is available.
A Friend
Can a friend ride home with my child? Yes. The friend’s family must make the request. The written request should be submitted to the school principal (three days in advance if possible). The school will notify our Transportation Department. The student must be an eligible bus rider and the alternate stop must be on an existing route, at a regular stop, and space is available.
Cancellations and Delays
How will I know if school is delayed or canceled?
1) Call the Inclement Weather Line (552-3035)
2) “School Messenger”
3) DCSD website
4) Radio and television stations
Commercial Driver’s License
What do I need to do to drive a school bus?
You need to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License – Class B.
1) You will need to pass general knowledge, air brakes, passenger, and school bus computer tests (free @ the License Bureau). You will need to pass a pre-employment drug test and an Iowa Department of Education (DOT) physical.
2) You will train with a DCSD school bus trainer.
3) You will need to pass pre-inspection, cone course, and road test with the Iowa Department of Transportation.
4) You will begin driving routes with students only with a supervising Driver. You will also take an annual 3-hour state course and take a 17-hour online “STOP” course during the school year (a one-time course). There is also a 60-day probationary period once you no longer require a supervising Driver and have a route. You will be evaluated by the Transportation Manager during your probationary period. Drivers participate in random drug and alcohol testing, maintain physicals, and are evaluated every three years.
Jobs
How do I apply to be a Bus Attendant, Bus Driver, Mechanic, and/or Trucker?
You can apply online at www.dbqschools.org/careers.
Pay Rides
What is a pay ride?
See Board Policy #7100: Student Transportation (PDF).
NOTE: Pay rides must be on an existing route, at a regular stop, and space is available.
How much are pay rides per year (per child)?
$155.00 for an AM ride
$155.00 for a PM ride
$310.00 for an AM/PM ride
When will I know if my child has a pay ride?
When seats become available (possibly as late as the second week of school).
When is payment due?
August 15 or before the student is allowed to ride.
Private Sub-Divisions
Why doesn’t the bus enter my sub-division?
School buses do not enter private sub-divisions to pick-up or drop-off students.
On the Bus
Are students allowed to use cell/smart phones on the bus?
Students may use electronic games, media players, or cell/smart phones on the bus. Ear buds/headphones must be used on any device producing sound.
Are students allowed to chew gum on the bus?
Students are NOT allowed to eat or drink on buses (including gum).
My child is on the school golf team. Can she bring her golf clubs on the bus?
No. See Board Policy #7113: Items on School Buses (PDF).
What other rules or policies apply to riding on the bus?
See Board Policy #5200: Student Behavior (PDF).
Who is allowed on the bus?
Our buses have the following signage in stepwells: “NO TRESPASSING.” Only eligible riders and DCSD staff members are permitted on our buses (activities/field trip exception). Please email or call the Transportation Manager if you have comments, concerns, and/or questions. Please do not attempt to engage the Attendant/Driver on route.
Are there cameras on the bus?
Yes. Our buses have front and back cameras. Our 2016-2017 buses also have dash-mounted and stop-arm, high-definition (HD) cameras. Our buses have the following signage in the stepwell: “YOU MAY BE MONITORED BY AUDIO/VIDEO SURVEILLANCE.”
Open Enrollment
Does my open-enrolled child receive transportation?
We do not provide transportation for open enrolled in-district students. In-district open enrolled students are eligible for pay rides (SEE Pay Rides).
Pre-Schoolers
Does my preschooler receive transportation?
We do not provide transportation for pre-schoolers including pay rides. However, we do offer transportation to pre-schoolers with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).