Bus Information
Laguna Beach Unified School District offers a parent-paid bus transportation program. School bus transportation is provided by Durham School Services for students attending El Morro, Top of the World, and Thurston. Families wishing to utilize home to school bus transportation for their student(s) may purchase a bus pass online. A current LBUSD-issued bus pass is required to ride and students may only board and disembark according to the bus and stop number printed on their pass.
- BUS PASS PURCHASE
- BUS USE FEES
- BUS ROUTE SCHEDULES & DESIGNATED BUS STOPS
- FAQ
- RULES & SAFETY GUIDELINES
- ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES
BUS PASS PURCHASE
Purchases are non-refundable. Passes require 2 business days to process and will be sent to the student at the school site. Review all rules and safety guidelines before purchasing. Kindergarten students (including TK) must be received at the bus stop by a parent or designated adult. Bus drivers will release all other grade students at their designated bus stop without a parent present. The parent or guardian is responsible for the student until they board the bus and after they disembark from the bus. Flexible riding options are not available; students may only board and disembark according to the bus number and stop printed on their pass. Day-to-day changes are not permitted. Drivers are not authorized to make any stop changes or accommodate change requests. Parents are responsible for providing their own transportation for end-of-day plan changes such as playdates, birthday parties, sports events, and Boys & Girls Club closures.
2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR BUS PASS PURCHASE LINK
We are pleased to offer limited transportation services for Summer Programs 2023. Grades 1-8 Summer Academy Intervention & PK-8 Extended School Year (ESY) are held at El Morro Elementary School June 20-30 and July 10-21. Grades 1-8 Learn, Enrich, Advance, Discover (LEAD) is held at Thurston Middle School July 24-28 and 31-Aug 4. Please review your pass purchase options carefully. Purchases are non-refundable.
2023 SUMMER ACADEMY (INTERVENTION - ESY) BUS PASS PURCHASE LINK
District-Paid Bus Pass Application/Solicitud De Pase De Autobús Pagado Por El Distrito
District-paid applications are submitted via email to transportation@lbusd.org. It is recommended applications be submitted in advance of the upcoming school year.
BUS USE FEES
TRANSPORTATION FEE SCHEDULE |
|
---|---|
Type of Pass | Cost |
Annual Each Way (AM or PM) |
$210 Installment payment option offered for purchases prior to the start of the school year |
Summer School Each Way (AM or PM) | $42 |
Temporary One-Week | $23.50 |
Annual pass cost is reduced each school month to prorate for remaining available months of use. Please note that school months divide the school year into 10 segments and do not align with calendar months.
BUS ROUTE SCHEDULES & DESIGNATED BUS STOPS
Bus Route Schedules
Schedules are subject to change. Routes may be restructured to accommodate transportation needs.
Riders are requested to be at the stop, in line and ready to board, 5 -10 minutes prior to the scheduled time. Drivers are unable to wait for late riders. The time listed is both an arrival and departure time. Boarding and disembarking occurs immediately upon bus arrival at the stop location.
Times may vary from the schedule due to conditions such as passenger loading, traffic, and roadway issues.
Designated Bus Stops
Not all stops are in use at all times. School site bus schedules reflect stops currently in use.
FAQ
Does my student need a bus pass?
A current LBUSD-issued pass is required to ride the bus. The bus pass tells the driver who the student is, where the student needs to be dropped off, and if the student needs to be met by an adult.
How do I get my student's bus pass?
Bus passes are delivered to your student at their school site within 2 business days following purchase. Bus drivers will have a list of eligible riders for morning transport on the first day of school only. After such time, students must present a pass to the driver upon boarding.
What if I cannot afford a bus pass?
We offer an installment payment option for annual passes purchased prior to the school year. The total due may be divided into monthly payments for automatic rebilling to your credit card.
District-paid bus passes may be requested at any time by submitting a completed application. Qualifying criteria is based on the California Department of Education free eligibility guidelines for the current school year and requires verification as outlined on the form. It is recommended District-paid applications be submitted in advance of the upcoming school year.
Am I required to meet my student at the bus stop?
We require TK and Kindergarten students to be met at the bus stop by a parent or designated adult. It is recommended all students be met by a parent or parent designee. We also encourage all students to walk together in groups. The parent or guardian is responsible for the student prior to boarding the bus and following disembarkment from the bus.
What if my student wants to go home with a friend or to a different bus stop?
Students may only board and disembark according to the bus and stop number printed on their pass. Day-to-day changes are not permitted. Drivers are not authorized to make any stop changes or accommodate change requests. Parents are responsible for providing their own transportation for end-of-day plan changes such as playdates, birthday parties, sports events, and Boys & Girls Club closures.
What if my student needs to go to more than one location?
We provide home to school transportation and offer one am bus and one pm bus assignment per student. Families with dual household custody arrangements may create a hybrid pass for two home locations by purchasing one home bus route online and then emailing transportation@lbusd.org to arrange for the addition of the second home route at no additional cost, subject to availability. Documentation may be requested as verification. If the limitation of one stop location creates a hardship which you are unable to resolve, we will consider special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
What if I need to make a permanent change to my student's bus pass?
A permanent change to a bus pass may be requested via email to transportation@lbusd.org and requires the purchase of a replacement pass, provided room exists on the requested route. Please allow 2 business days for a pass change request to be processed following payment completion. Students may only board and disembark according to the bus and stop number printed on their pass, so changes take effect once your student is in possession of the new pass.
May I make a temporary change to my student's bus pass?
We understand the need for a temporary transportation change arises from time to time and offer a one-week temporary round trip bus pass for additional purchase. Week-long bus passes (5 sequential school days) may be purchased online, provided room exists on the requested route. Please email transportation@lbusd.org to make a request. Include your student's name, school site location, dates requested, and stop locations when requesting the temporary pass. Please allow 2 business days for the temporary pass to be processed following payment completion. Students must present a District-issued pass in order to board the bus.
My student left an item on the bus, how do we get it back?
Drivers check their buses after each run. Contact your student's bus driver the following day. Check with the school site to see if the driver has returned the item to the office. You may also call Durham Transportation directly at (949) 376-0376. Labeling all of your child's belongings with your child's name and school is helpful.
How do I replace a lost bus pass?
Bus passes are considered the property of LBUSD. According, students are expected to safeguard their passes. Passes must be presented daily upon boarding the bus. LBUSD assumes no liability for lost passes. A $5 replacement fee is charged for a lost bus pass or a change to the printed bus pass. Replacement passes may be purchased online using the bus pass purchase link at the top of this page.
May my student have a snack to eat on the bus?
For the safety of all students, we do not permit food or drinks on the bus.
Why are buses sometimes late?
School bus drivers do all they can to remain on schedule; however, they do experience conditions that can delay the bus such as traffic delays, roadway collisions, and construction. All students are asked to be at their bus stop 5-10 minutes prior to the departure time so that they are ready to board when the bus arrives.
Are refunds available?
Refunds are only issued if a student moves out of the District or to a non-transportable area. All requests for refunds are made using our refund request form and may be submitted to transportation@lbusd.org. Refunds are prorated based on remaining full school months. Please note that school months divide the school year into 10 segments and do not align with calendar months. A $10 processing fee is charged per pass. The District does not refund fares for students suspended or expelled from transportation or school for disciplinary reasons. The bus pass itself must be surrendered to the school or district office to complete the refund request.
RULES & SAFETY GUIDELINES
Rules and Safety Guidelines
- Use only the designated bus stop and bus assigned: students may only board and disembark according to the bus number and stop printed on their pass
- Flexible riding options are not available: day-to-day changes are not permitted; drivers are not authorized to make any stop changes or accommodate change requests
- Parents are responsible for providing their own transportation for end-of-day plan changes
- Kindergartners (including TK) must be received at the bus stop by a parent or designated adult; bus drivers will release all other grade students at their designated bus stop without a parent present
- The parent or guardian is responsible for the student until they board the bus and after they disembark from the bus
- Student safety depends upon the proper and safe conduct of each individual
- Students are responsible for safekeeping, controlling, and presenting their bus pass
- Arrive at bus stop ten minutes before bus is due
- Behave in an orderly manner at bus stop: as bus arrives, form a line and stand at least six feet back from curb; do not move toward bus until it has come to a complete stop and door is open
- Be respectful of neighbors while walking to and from the bus stop and while waiting for the bus
- Use only public access on the way to and from the bus stop
- Always obey all traffic laws
- Display bus pass to the driver upon boarding the bus
- Board the bus, find a seat quickly and remain seated at all times, facing front, while bus is in motion
- Follow instructions of the driver: drivers may assign seats, assign three to a seat, assign seatmates, and take other actions needed for safe passage of the students
- Talk quietly: do not shout, yell, use profane language or gestures, fight, or behave in a boisterous manner
- Keep all body parts inside the bus
- Not eat, drink, or chew gum, while on the bus
- Not bring animals, glass objects, or large bulky or hazardous articles of any kind on the bus, including boogie boards, bike wheels, and skateboards
- Not litter the bus or engage in vandalism, destruction of property, or graffiti (costs will be billed to the student and their parent)
- Not possess or use tobacco, drugs or alcohol, firearms, knives, explosives, or other dangerous objects aboard the bus
- Not light matches, lighters or firecrackers aboard the bus
- Not play or tamper with any part of the bus
- Not ask driver to discharge students anywhere but at a designated bus stops, in accordance with the law
- Remain quiet at the bus stops
- When exiting the bus, follow the drivers' instructions: if crossing on the opposite side of the street, always cross in front of the bus, and utilize the crosswalk, obeying all traffic laws
- Respect the danger zone around the bus
Durham School Services Safety Information
This section is pursuant to Ed. Code Sections 39831.3-39831.5 and Vehicle Code Section 22112.
Student Behavior and Discipline
All District policies and rules regarding safety, behavior, and discipline remain in effect on the school bus. Parents are encouraged to review the student responsibilities and Durham's rules and regulations with their student(s). With parent assistance and the cooperation of all student riders, the District is able to continue to provide safe transportation. The principal of each school site shall be responsible for policy enforcement. The Superintendent, or designee, may review any or all violations for final recommendation, if necessary.
First Violation: The rider and parent/guardian will be contacted by the principal, or designeeSecond Violation: The rider may be denied district transportation services for a period of three or more daysThird Violation: The rider may be denied district transportation services for a period of two or more weeksFourth Violation: The rider may be denied district transportation services for the remainder of the school yearThreats of harm, acts of violence, or any behavior that is a danger to self or others may be cause for immediate denial of district transportation services
Misuse of Bus Pass
Misuse of a bus pass is subject to disciplinary measures.
Using or attempting to use a stolen, found, or forged bus passAllowing another student to use one's own bus passUsing or attempting to use an expired bus pass
Possession of any pass which is not the property of the possessor, shall constitute evidence of improper possession and use, or attempted use, and is reason to exercise disciplinary measures.
Students Without a Bus Pass
- If the student is at the bus stop, student is transported to school, and the driver notifies the school office
- The school office contacts the parent/guardian
- Students without a bus pass will not be allowed to ride the bus home from school
ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES
OC Bus Youth Ride Free Program
We are happy to partner with Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) to distribute Youth Ride Free passes now through September 2023. Please provide a signed parental request form to the school site office or transportation@lbusd.org. Passes will be distributed directly to students at the school site.
City of Laguna Beach Transit & Trolleys
The City of Laguna Beach provides after-school trolley service from Thurston Middle School to downtown Laguna Beach. A trolley will depart Thurston Middle School at 3:20 p.m. every weekday, making stops at Park/St. Ann's, Legion/Short, Legion/Goff and the downtown Bus Depot. In addition, morning and afternoon trolleys on the Weekday Coastal route between North and South Laguna will deviate off Coast Highway to serve Laguna Beach High School at arrival and dismissal times.
LAGUNA BEACH LOCAL ON-DEMAND NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSIT
The City offers a free, on-demand, shared-ride transit service called Laguna Local between the Top of the World, Bluebird Canyon and Arch Beach Heights neighborhoods and Downtown. Beginning in February 2023, the Laguna Local service area will be expanded to serve additional locations in North and South Laguna. Please note their list of service details on the webpage, including an average wait time of 15-30 minutes following ride request, bike racks with a weight limit of 50 pounds (no e-bikes), and children under age 13 must be accompanied by adult.
HIGH SCHOOL SHUTTLE SERVICE TO THE PORT LB (LANG PARK COMMUNITY CENTER)
If your student's transportation needs are unmet by the options offered, please contact your student's school site counseling team for assistance.