🚍 Transportation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. 🗺️ What is my school zone?

• Use the APS School Zone Locator to find your designated school zone.

• For additional zoning questions, contact Student Placement at 📞 404-802-2233.

2. 🚌 How do I find stop information?

• Visit the WebQuery Tool.

• Enter a partial address for the most accurate results.
  ✅ Example: Type “1661 Metropolitan”, not the full address.
  ✅ Example: Type “Mt Zion”, not “Mount or Mt. Zion Road”.

• Select your student’s grade and choose the correct address from the list.

🔗 View APS Bus Stop Policies

3. 🏠 I have a change of address. Who do I contact?

• Contact your student’s school directly to update your address. Transportation cannot make changes to a student's address.

4. 🔁 How often are routes updated?

• Route updates become effective on Mondays.

• Check for updates every Friday online.

🚸 Click below to find bus stops by school name and/or bus number:

• Elementary School Routes

• Middle School Routes

• High School Routes

Note: Pickup and drop-off times are approximate and may vary due to traffic and ridership changes. Bus schedules are subject to change throughout the year.

5. Can my student get off the bus without an adult present?

• Students 8 years old and younger must be met by a parent, guardian, or approved designee at the bus stop.

• If no one is present or the child appears to be unsupervised, the student may be returned to their school in the afternoon.

• This is in accordance with Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) safety guidelines.

6) Why is my child’s bus late?

Delays may be caused by weather, traffic, driver absenteeism, mechanical issues, or unforeseen incidents. If a regular driver is absent, the route may be doubled or run later by another driver. Additionally, buses undergo pre-trip inspections that may reveal issues requiring a replacement vehicle, causing further delay.

We understand the inconvenience and are doing everything possible to maintain schedules. If your child’s bus is late, please wait 10 to 30 minutes before contacting the school or Transportation Office.

7) Why was my child suspended from riding the bus?

School buses are extensions of the classroom with additional safety concerns. Behavior that jeopardizes the safety of any rider—including the driver—is taken seriously.

Drivers submit referrals for misconduct, which school administrators review to determine consequences. Parents are contacted by the school, not transportation staff. Most buses are equipped with cameras to aid in incident verification. Our goal is to provide transportation for every student—but not at the expense of safety.

8) Why can't the bus enter my subdivision or apartment complex?

Buses are large vehicles that require wide, clear streets and ample turning space. Narrow streets, cul-de-sacs, parked vehicles, and recreational items (like basketball goals or bikes) can create unsafe conditions.

While we aim for convenience, safety and maneuverability come first. Routes are designed to serve the greatest number of students within physical and logistical constraints.

9) Why can’t my child get off at a different stop in the afternoon?

Per Board Policy ED-R(1), bus routes are based on official student residence addresses submitted during registration.

Students may only board and exit at their assigned stop unless part of an approved district program. Unauthorized changes are not permitted for safety and accountability reasons.

10) My child has special needs. Who should I contact for transportation?

Contact your child’s Special Education Lead Teacher (SELT) at their school. After the IEP team determines transportation is required, the SELT will complete and submit a Request for Special Transportation (RST) to the Transportation Department.

You will be contacted once the service is in place, typically within 3–5 school days of receipt.

11) How long does it take to set up transportation for a special needs student?

It takes five (5) school days to gather emergency contacts, process routing, assign a driver, and communicate logistics with families and school staff.

12) Why can’t last-minute bus changes be granted?

For safety and consistency, changes are only allowed for permanent schedule adjustments along a student’s regular route. Last-minute or one-time changes cannot be accommodated.

13) Who do I contact for bus concerns or stop requests?

Contact your regional transportation supervisor for any bus stop concerns or to request a new stop.
🔗 Find your regional supervisor here

14) Why don’t school buses have seat belts?

School buses are designed with compartmentalization—closely spaced, high-backed, energy-absorbing seats—to protect students. Their size and weight also reduce impact forces in a collision.

Seat belts may be present on buses transporting special needs students.

15) Why does the bus come so early?

Route times are influenced by traffic, school start times, student volume, and route length.

In Atlanta’s congested traffic, some students—especially those in magnet or transfer programs—require early pickup to ensure on-time arrival at schools across the district.

16) Why can’t the bus stop in front of my house?

Stops are placed to ensure maximum safety and efficiency. Dangerous curves, limited visibility, or the need for unauthorized stops can put students at risk.

Bus drivers are not allowed to make stops outside of their assigned route and could face disciplinary action for doing so.

17) Why does my child have to walk to school?

Per district policy, transportation is provided only for:

• Elementary students living more than 1 mile from school

• Middle/High school students living more than 1.5 miles from school

If your child lives within the walk zone and you have safety concerns, please contact your transportation supervisor to discuss the walking route.