Transportation Frequently Asked Questions

1. My student is open enrolled to their school. Can they ride the bus?

Yes. Families will need to find the closest bus stop and transport students to and from that stop.

2. My student is in the Advanced Learning program. Are they eligible to ride the bus?

Yes. Please check the Bus Route Information webpage to determine which stop is closest to you. Families are required to transport their student(s) to and from that stop.

3. If I have one student who is in the Advanced Learning program and eligible for transportation and another student who is open enrolled, can they both ride the bus?

Yes. This is only on a space-available basis.

4. My student was assigned to a bus stop, but another stop is more convenient. Can we change stops?

You must fill out a Request to Use Alternate Bus Route/Stop form, which is located on the Bus Route Information webpage.

5. How do I get a bus scan card for my student?

Send an email to bsdbuspass@bsd405.org, or go into your school office and request a scan card. Once BSD Transportation receives the request, we will process it and send the card to the school office for distribution.

6. The Metro doesn’t run close to my house, and I don’t see any BSD yellow bus service. Will routes be added to help my student to get to school?

Not at this time, as the district recently had to reduce two bus routes that serve BSD’s choice schools, starting in the 2023-2024 school year. This change came about due to several factors:

Bellevue School District has had challenges hiring bus drivers for the past few years. We have been fortunate to have enough drivers to support all the routes in the past, but do not currently have enough driving staff to cover all the routes.
Ridership in the areas near the impacted routes were identified as having the least impact for supplemental routes, as Metro bus service became available for those riders. Please visit the King County Metro website to find the nearest bus stop and times

7. Do I need to call the BSD Transportation office if my student won’t be riding the bus one day?

It is not required for general education parents to call in. We do ask our special education parents to call in if their student is not riding.

Safe Walk

The state currently provides funding for walks outside one radial mile (as the crow flies) from the school’s flag pole. The School Board has gone beyond the state guidelines in certain areas in order to provide better overall service at considerable additional cost to the District. Elementary children are only required to have a one mile walk versus a one "radial" mile walk. Students are allowed to walk outside specified walking distances to designated stops and to ride buses on a space-available basis.

What are the state guidelines for a Safe Walk?

The state guidelines use a point system for determining a Safe Walk for crossing or walking on a roadway or for crossing railroad tracks. Points are assigned based upon such factors as grade of student, location of walkways, traffic speed, traffic volume and length of a hazardous section. Judgment points can also be assigned for other hazards along the walk such as a ditch along a roadway. High point totals signify a possible unsafe walk condition. Some conditions result in an automatic determination of an unsafe walk condition regardless of the points.

What is an unsafe condition?

Unsafe conditions are defined as potential hazards (i.e. traffic speed, excessive traffic volume, lack of a walking path, lack of a stop light to cross a road, small width of road, etc.) that may occur walking on or along a roadway or crossing a roadway or railroad tracks. Other unsafe conditions may include walking in areas with poor social conditions such as drug/alcohol, sex offender/predator/street violence. Other conditions may qualify for review such as instances of significant student harassment and potentially dangerous animals.

How does the Safe Walk appeal process work?

Parents/guardians consult with the school’s Principal first. The Principal should explain the process, consult transportation policy, and discuss the issue with the Transportation Department if needed.

If no solution is found, a “Request for Review of Safe Walking Conditions” appeal form is initiated at the school and signed by the Principal. Forms are available at the school.

After review by the Principal, the formal appeal is sent to the Transportation Department for investigation. A review is made of the Safe Walk, which includes driving to the location and verifying distances, traffic patterns, lighting, walking paths, etc. State guidelines are used to perform the investigation. In some cases the Transportation Department may resolve the appeal by making a route adjustment or conferring with the parent/guardian on alternative transportation services which may currently be available.

The Safe Walk Committee meets and is presented the factual data based upon the investigation from a representative of the Transportation Department. Parents/guardians are advised of the time, date and place of the Safe Walk Committee meeting and are afforded an opportunity to state their case and circumstances in person.

The Safe Walk Committee makes a decision and the parents/guardians are informed via letter.

Who sits on the Safe Walk Committee?

The Safe Walk Committee is made up of independent members who are not part of the Transportation Department. It includes members of the Bellevue Police Department, a district safety representative, a City of Bellevue traffic engineer, and two Bellevue School District parents from the community at large.

What can I do if my appeal is denied by the Safe Walk Committee?

The School Board will only consider overturning a decision of the Safe Walk Committee in the event that there was a significant error in the implementation of the Safe Walk procedures or that new and compelling evidence has been discovered since the Committee’s decision. The School Board has directed the Safe Walk Committee to provide a fair, balanced, and thorough review of these appeals; and, therefore, the Board relies upon the greater experience and knowledge of the members of that Committee.