- Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Getting Kids to School
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Getting Kids to School
Responsible for the transportation of all school-aged children that live within the City of Pittsburgh, the District anticipates the need to transport close to 17,596 students to and from school each day during the 2021-2022 school year. Similar to school districts across the country, Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) must transform its approach to transporting students to limit the impact of a national school bus driver shortage, hitting close to home. This shortage became exacerbated due to the lack of work available during the pandemic while school buses stood still and other jobs were hiring. This ongoing lack of bus drivers leaves the District short-handed, making it difficult to ensure realiable transportation for every student, every day.
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Changes to School Start and End Times to Support Proposed Multi-Tiered Scheduling
A new collective bargaining agreement ratified by the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) and PPS Board supports the District's efforts to seek solutions to address the seat gap. Through the use of a three tiered bussing system (multi-tiered), the District will increase the number of routes one yellow bus driver can complete before and after school for a maximum of six routes a day, serving up to 144 students. The adjustments to start times include the following:Tier 1: 7:15 AM to 8:05 AM Start Times
High Schools, 6-12 schools and special schools such as Conroy, Pioneer and Oliver CitywideTier 2: 8:25 AM Start
Most neighborhood schools including the Student Achievement CenterTier 3: 9:25 AM Start
Schools serving students traveling from all areas of the city including Magnet schools, partial magnet/neighborhood schools and schools that serve as regional sites for special education students and English as a Second LanguagePlease find below the changes to school start and end times for the 2021-2022 school year.
New Bell Schedule Times and Tiers
(8-5-2021)SCHOOL TIER START DISMISSAL Allderdice 1 7:15AM 2:15PM Allegheny 6-8 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Allegheny K-5 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Arlington 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Arsenal 6-8 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Arsenal K-5 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Banksville 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Beechwood 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Brashear 1 7:15AM 2:15PM Brookline 2 8:25AM 3:10PM CAPA 6-8 1 8:05AM 3:30PM CAPA 9-12 1 7:35AM 3:45PM Carmalt 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Carrick 1 7:15AM 2:15PM Clayton 1 7:28AM 2:00PM Colfax 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Concord 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Conroy 1 7:40AM 2:06PM Dilworth 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Faison 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Fulton 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Grandview 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Greenfield 2 8:25AM 3:10PM King 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Langley 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Liberty 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Lincoln 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Linden 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Manchester 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Mifflin 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Miller 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Minadeo 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Montessori 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Morrow 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Obama 6-12 1 7:15AM 2:15PM Oliver Citywide 1 7:50AM 2:00PM Perry 1 7:15AM 2:15PM Pgh Classical 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Phillips 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Pioneer 1 8:00AM 2:11PM Roosevelt 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Schiller 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Sci Tech 6-12 1 7:15AM 2:15PM South Brook 2 8:25AM 3:10PM South Hills 1 7:15AM 2:15PM Spring Hill 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Sterrett 3 9:25AM 4:10PM Student Achievement 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Sunnyside 2 8:25AM 3:10PM University Prep 9-12 1 7:15AM 2:15PM University Prep 6-8 1 7:15AM 2:15PM Weil 2 8:25AM 3:10PM West Liberty 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Westinghouse 6-12 1 7:15AM 2:15PM Westwood 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Whittier 2 8:25AM 3:10PM Woolslair 3 9:25AM 4:10PM
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Solution Driven Response
The Pittsburgh Public Schools Transportation Department continues to take steps to gain efficiencies in transportation services to address the seat gap. So, what is being done?
Increasing Walk Zones
Students are eligible for transportation based on the distance between their home and their assigned school. Transportation eligibility is measured from the nearest point where a private way or private road connects the student's residence to the nearest point where a public road touches the school grounds. Students in grades K-8 are eligible for transportation if they live more than 1.5 miles from school, and students in grades 9-12 are eligible for transportation if they live more than 2 miles from school.
To eliminate the need for 22 yellow buses, the District increased walk zones to align with state and Board policy, moving currently ineligible students from transportation to walkers. The move impacts nearly 800 students. Families received notification from the Transportation Department early August if their student will be moved to walker status.
Moving Additional Students to Port Authority
An approximate 1,028 students will transition from yellow buses to Port Authority, joining the nearly 5,000 students currently utilizing Port Authority to get to and from school. The increase use of public transportation through Port Authority will eliminate the need for 38 yellow buses, impacting the following schools:
- 6-8 grade students at Pittsburgh Obama and Sci-Tech;
- 6-12 at Pittsburgh Milliones
- 6th graders at Pittsburgh CAPA. Students in grades 7th and 8th currently use Port Authority
- Students attending non-PPS schools including Bishop Canevin High School, Ellis School, Environmental Charter School, Manchester Charter School, Sacred Heart, The Neighborhood Academy, Propel Charter Schools and Winchester Thurston will move to Port Authority.
Students receiving specialized transportation per their IEP will continue to receive those services. Transportation mailers to impacted students arrived in early August and included bus tickets to allow students and families opportunities to do “dry runs” in order to familiarize themselves with the use of public transportation.
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How can families help?
Release Your Seat
Families who are able to transport their student to and from school are asked to notify the District at www.pghschools.org/releaseyourseat or Let’s Talk to release their seat. In addition, Port Authority ConnecTIX tickets will be available to families who need them. Families are encouraged to contact Let’s Talk at www.pghschools.org/Letstalk or at 412-529-HELP if they are able to use ConnecTIX for school transportation.
Become a School Bus Driver
Transportation companies across our region are looking for bus drivers to safely transport Pittsburgh Public Schools students to and from school. All you need is a valid driver’s license, excellent driving skills, and an outstanding driving record. Applicants must pass clearance checks, drug test, and a criminal background check with no DUIs or felonies. Paid CDL Training is provided at most bus companies and some include signing bonuses. We need YOU! So, start your new career today! Contact Pupil Transportation at 412-529-5947 or visit our website at www.pghschools.org/transportation for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Transportation
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-Who is eligible for transportation from Pittsburgh Public Schools?
Pittsburgh Public Schools students and students who attend private, parochial, and charter schools are eligible for transportation based on the distance between their home and their assigned school. Transportation eligibility is measured from the nearest point where a private way or private road connects the student's residence to the nearest point where a public road touches the school grounds. Students in grades K-8 are eligible for transportation if they live more than 1.5 miles from school, and students s in grades 9-12 are eligible for transportation if they live more than 2 miles from school.
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- Will the District continue to provide transportation to students that live in the City of Pittsburgh but attend private, parochial or charter schools?
Yes. Yellow bus and Port Authority transportation will be provided to eligible students who attend private, parochial, or charter schools. All students riding yellow busses will be required to wear masks.
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- What is the District doing to address the school bus shortage?
The District’s Transportation Department continues to work to gain efficiencies in transportation services to address the seat gap. Strategies to reduce the seat gap include:
- Increasing walk zones to align with state and Board policy;
- Expanding the use of Port Authority;
- Implementing a three tiered bussing system;
- Working with local carriers to promote job opportunities; and
- Implementing a new transportation system to optimize efficiencies and reduce bus stops, bus ride times, and overcrowding.
Additional strategies include:
- Supporting newly added transportation carriers as they complete onboarding of new drivers;
- Transitioning additional middle school students to Port Authority where feasible;
- Finalizing new partnerships with community stakeholders for other transportation channels;
- Launching a release your seat campaign that will reimburse families who can transport their students to school. Families who are able to transport their child to and from school are asked to sign up at pghschools.org/releaseyourseat.
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- Will transportation be available for all students?
Pittsburgh Public Schools provides transportation to all PPS, Private, Parochial, and Charter school-aged children that live within the City of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh students are transported to 190 buildings (54 PPS and 136 non-PPS). There are 17,596 students eligible for transportation for the 2021-2022 school year.
Like school districts across the country, Pittsburgh Public Schools must transform its approach to transporting students to limit the impact of the national school bus driver shortage, which was exacerbated due to the lack of work during the pandemic. The District is currently short of the approximately 300 bus drivers needed to address a current seat gap of 10,996 seats.
The District's Transportation Department continues to work to gain efficiencies in transportation services to address the seat gap. Strategies to reduce the seat gap include:
- Increasing walk zones to align with state and Board policy;
- Expanding the use of Port Authority;
- Changing school start and end times (multi-tiered scheduling), increasing the number of routes one driver can run before and after school;
- Working with local carriers to promote job opportunities; and
- Implementing a new transportation system to optimize efficiencies and reduce bus stops, overcrowding, and bus ride times.
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- Will students attending school on a PS-6 transfer receive transportation?
A PS-6 transfer precludes transportation. However, if there is an existing route with space on the bus, your child's principal may request to have your child added.
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- Why did the District wait so long to announce the change to the calendar, knowing that there was a transportation issue?
The District has explored every avenue possible to solve the transportation problem that would minimize the impact on the students, teachers and community.
Changes to school start times are linked to the tentative agreement with the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers. As it became clear that the process for approval of the tentative agreement would not be completed until at least August 25, the District immediately notified stakeholders of the need to change the first day of school.
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- When will the Board vote on the new school start times?
The District's three-tiered bussing system, supported through collective bargaining agreement with the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT), was ratified by the PFT on August 23 and approved by the Board at its August 25, Legislative Session.
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- How will transportation to school be different?
Yellow bus and Port Authority transportation will be provided to students. All students riding yellow busses and Port Authoirty will be required to wear masks (IEP and 504 plan exceptions).
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- Will there be transportation to the Gifted Center?
Currently, the District is providing transportation to the Gifted Center the same as it has in previous years.
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- Will students riding yellow busses or vans be required to wear masks and social distance?
Yes, all students will be required to wear a mask. Accommodations for students with IEPs or 504 plans will occur.
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Release Your Seat:
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- If a family releases a seat, how long is the commitment?
At this time both Pittsburgh Public Schools and non-PPS families are asked to commit to releasing their child's seat on a yellow bus for a school year. Parents who release their seat for the school year, will be notified from the District should a seat become available. Families can release seat online.
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-If my child attends a private, charter or parochial school, can I give up their seat?
Yes! At this time both Pittsburgh Public Schools and non-PPS families, who plan to not utilize transportation or can transport their student to and from school, are asked to commit to releasing their child's seat for a school year. Parents who release their seat for the school year, will be notified from the District should a seat become available. To release your child's seat please fill out the form online.
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-Will families be reimbursed if they release their seat?**
The Board of Directors approved mileage reimbursement to families eligible to drive their child to and from school for the 21-22 school year. Eligible families will receive communications if the District cannot provide transportation, asking them to release their seats. An eligible student is a student that generally would receive yellow bus services, and the District is unable to provide the service at this time. The mileage reimbursement rate will be $10 per day roundtrip for less than 12 miles or $20 per day roundtrip for less than 24 miles. Parents/guardians are required to provide a valid driver's license, car registration, and insurance documentation with each monthly reimbursement request.
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- What if I do not want to use Yellow Bus or Port Authority transportation?
Families are welcomed to transport their child to and from school. To assist with planning, please notify your child’s school if you will be transporting your child or complete a Let's Talk ticket
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Port Authority:
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- Which students are moving from a yellow bus to Port Authority?
Approximately 1,028 students will transition from yellow buses to Port Authority:
- 6-8 grade students at Pittsburgh Obama and Sci-Tech;
- 6-12 students at Pittsburgh Milliones
- 6th graders at Pittsburgh CAPA. Students in grades 7th and 8th currently use Port Authority;
- 6-8 grade students at Environmental Charter School;
- Some students at Bishop Canevin High School, Ellis, Manchester Charter School, Sacred Heart, Winchester Thurston and particular Propel locations for students in grades 6-8; and
- 6th graders at Neighborhood Academy
The move does not impact students who receive specialized transportation, per their IEP.
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- Will the move of some middle school students to Port Authority remain in place beyond the 2021-22 SY?
As we expect the driver shortage to remain a challege, it is hard to predict transportation and driver needs beyond the 2021-2022 school year.
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- Will my child be required to wear a mask when riding Port Authority transportation?
Yes. Federal and State health orders require all employees and riders to wear a protective face covering at stops, stations and on any Port Authority vehicle to help protect against the spread of germs. Only those citing economic or health reasons may ride without a face covering. Children ages two or under do not require a face covering. To read more about the Port Authorities face covering policy visit https://www.portauthority.org/covid-19/face-coverings/.
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- When will my child receive their student ID/Connect Card?
Schools will provide students with their ID/Connect Card on the first day of school. Students can ride the bus for free on the morning of their first day.
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- Are there tools to help plan my child’s transportation on Port Authority?
Yes, the Port Authority has several tools to help families and students plan. Visit www.portauthority.org to review route information including times, locations, etc. In addition, it is suggested that students download one or more of the avaialble apps to a Smartphone for route information in real time. These apps are all free and provide students with the time and location of their desired bus route.
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- Are there older students at my child’s school that can help my child navigate getting to and from school on Port Authority transportation?
School Leaders at Pittsburgh CAPA, Obama, Milliones and SciTech are working with student leaders to serve as ambassadors for the first few weeks of school and beyond.
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- What COVID-19 health and safety precautions are in place with the Port Authority?
The Port Authority follows guidance from federal, state and local authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. To learn more, visit
www.portauthority.org/covid-19/coronavirus-covid19-updates/.
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- Would children be able to catch a school bus rather than take Port Authority bus?
Additional students cannot be added to yellow school buses.