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Transportation

Mary Ellen Killenbec, Director

Department Phone Number: 
(315) 435-4260
Physical Address: 
Room 111 369 6th North St Syracuse, NY 13208
Mailing Address: 
Attention Transportation Department 369 6th North St. Syracuse, NY 13208

Pupil Transportation

  • Students are eligible for busing in grades K-8 if they live or go to day care over 1.5 miles from the school, and students in grades 9-12 are eligible if the distance is over 2 miles.
  • As it is not possible for the buses to stop at each child's door, bus stops may be approx. 2-3 blocks from the student's home. Selection of safe bus stops is the District's responsibility, but the safety of children traveling to and from the stops is the responsibility of the parent or guardian, just as if the child were walking to and from school. Children in elementary and middle school will usually take a yellow bus. Some middle and most high school students will take Centro buses.
  • Any busing changes must have the child picked up at the same location five days a week and dropped off at the same location five days a week. The pick-up and drop-off points may be different but must remain consistent throughout the school week. If the request is only for one day, such as to a friend's house, it should be done through the school. If the change is long term, such as a move to a new home, you should report the change of address to the Central Registration office at 435-4545 immediately. A list of people who can receive your child when they get off the bus should also be completed on the "Parent/Guardian Bus Release Form" and returned to the school so that the bus driver will know to whom they can release your child. Allow at least 5 days for any transportation paperwork submitted to the school to go into effect.
  • If your child qualifies for curb-to-curb stops, you must be present at the stop or the child may be returned to the school. The adult who is to supervise the student should arrive at the stop at least ten minutes before the student is scheduled to be picked up or dropped off. Students who require special busing for other reasons (such as students who go to/from a location other than their home) must have the "ChildCare/Special Request Form" completed and returned to the Transportation Department no later than April 1 preceding the school year. This procedure must be followed every year as there is no automatic renewal of special busing.
  • Any student who will be attending a non-public or charter school must notify the school and complete the proper paperwork before April 1st of the preceding school year.
  • If you have any questions regarding your child's transportation, please call the Syracuse City School District Transportation Department at 435-4260.

A Note To The Parents

We are glad that you are taking the time to talk to your child about school bus safety. School buses are one of the safest forms of transportation, but unfortunately every year children die across the country in school bus accidents because students and motorists ignore or haven’t been taught, the basic school bus safety rules.

What Do Parents Have To Do With School Bus Safety?

A lot! What you teach your child at home could save his or her life.

School Bus Safety Is A Serious Matter.

Millions of children travel safely by bus each school day. But, bus related mishaps do happen.

You Can Make A Difference

As a parent, you can help ensure your child’s safety by:

  • Monitoring your child’s bus stop.
  • Working with the school to promote school bus safety.
  • Reinforcing safety rules at home.
  • Being a positive role model.

School Closing Policy

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS TO DECIDE IF IT IS SAFE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO TRAVEL THEIR USUAL ROUTES TO SCHOOLIn the event that schools are closed due to severe weather, an announcement will be made on local T.V. and radio stations. Announcements by the news media generally begin airing at 6:00 a.m. Occasionally, delays in school openings may occur. At these times, please pay careful attention to the media for specific start and transportation pick-up times, as well as other relative information.Decisions on school closings have to be made very early in the morning, and weather conditions in Syracuse can change drastically before students actually begin traveling to school.If it becomes necessary to close schools early on a given day, an announcement will also be made on local TV and radio stations. School personnel will not leave their buildings until all students are provided transportation home and walkers are dismissed

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