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Transportation

The Transportation Department is responsible for transporting more than 3,000 children to and from school, field trips, and athletic competitions. Last year, the department’s 70 bus drivers traveled 771,890 miles to 33 school programs, including Goshen’s four schools and a variety of parochial, vocational, and special education programs, as well as sporting events and field trips.

The Transportation Department makes safety its top priority. Driver training, student safety drills, and safety awareness programs are all emphasized to promote school bus safety.

School bus rules and regulations

  • The bus driver has complete authority over all pupils and power to enforce all rules and regulations.
  • Students shall be ready when the bus arrives and shall enter promptly.
  • There shall be no unusual loudness such as talking, laughing or unnecessary confusion which will interfere with the effectiveness of the driver.
  • Shoving, pushing, profane and obscene language are prohibited.
  • Students shall keep their head, arms and hands inside the bus at all times.
  • There shall be no smoking, drinking or eating on the bus.
  • Students shall keep the bus clean and sanitary.
  • Students shall keep the seat assigned by the driver, unless they have permission to move.
  • Students shall pass through the aisle to and from assigned seats without disturbing or crowding others.
  • Students shall remain seated and facing forward while bus is in motion.
  • Students must always cross approximately 15 feet in front of the bus.
  • Students cannot bring live animals or insects on the bus even if in a container or a box.
  • Students cannot bring an item on the bus that cannot be held on the lap comfortably. This is a state regulation.

It is important to note that:

  • Principals may suspend a student’s bus-riding privileges if his or her conduct interferes with bus safety or violates bus rules and regulations.
  • Supervision to the bus stop, at the bus stop and home from the bus stop is a parental responsibility.
  • Students are not permitted to make an occasional bus route change. Any bus route change must be on a regular basis, and the necessary form must be on file at the school and the transportation office.

Bus safety tips for parents/guardians

The most important fact that parents/guardians must be aware of is the Danger Zone around the outside of a school bus. Despite all of the special mirrors on a bus, drivers may not always be able to see young children who are close to the bus. Parents/guardians can help by:

  • Encouraging students to stay out of the danger zone and do so themselves.
  • Crossing the road with your child, following the driver’s hand signal.
  • Avoiding traditional yellow raincoats, which blend in with the color of the bus.
  • Removing all jacket and coat drawstrings.
  • Encouraging students to keep all belongings in a book bag. Loose items dropped by children can cause them to reach into the Danger Zone.
  • Avoiding musical instruments too large to fit on a child’s lap (they are not permitted  since they could block an emergency evacuation). This is also true of oversized book bags with airport-style wheels.
  • Notifying the Bus Garage and your child’s school in writing if your son or daughter needs to go to an alternative site (i.e.: a babysitter). Forms are available at the schools and at the Bus Garage.

Five o’clock late buses (for High School, Middle School and Burke Catholic students)

These late buses are for students who need to utilize a late bus because of athletics, meetings with teachers, etc. Students need a pass in order to ride these buses. Students will be taken to the same bus stops listed on the Pass Buses.

Five o’clock Late Buses leave at the following times:

  • 5 p.m. – Burke Catholic
  • 5:05 p.m. – CJ Hooker Middle School
  • 5:10 p.m. – Goshen High School

Departments & Services Links

Transportation contact

Karen Wells
Director of Transportation
(845) 615-6700
Fax: (845) 615-6707
karen.wells@gcsny.org

Transportation Request Forms

Your child must be registered with the district BEFORE you can request transportation. Visit the Student Registration page for information.

If you have trouble accessing the documents on this page, please contact Transportation Director Karen Wells at (845) 615-6700 or at  karen.wells@gcsny.org.