All students riding HIDOE school buses shall abide by the following rules for their own safety and the safety of others.
Bus Rules
At the designated school bus stop and while boarding, students shall:
While on the bus, students shall:
- Not bring children who will not be passengers on the bus or animals to the bus stop.
- Be on time at the designated school bus stop to help keep the bus on schedule.
- Stay off the road while waiting for the bus and conduct themselves in a safe manner while waiting.
- Not talk loudly at bus stops which may disturb nearby residents.
- Not litter or deface public or private property at bus stops.
- Not trespass on private property while waiting at bus stops.
- Line up in an orderly, single file and wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to board the bus.
- Walk on the side of the road facing traffic to get to the bus stop if there are no sidewalks.
- Not bring items on the bus that may cause injury to passengers or carry on items which cannot be stored safely under the seat.
- Use the handrail and watch their step when boarding the bus.
- Keep hands and heads inside the bus at all times.
- Not scream, talk or laugh loudly, engage in horseplay, or otherwise behave in a manner that may divert the driver’s attention and result in an accident.
- Treat bus equipment as valuable furniture. The offender or the offender’s parent shall pay for damage to seats, windows and other equipment.
- Not eat or drink any beverages on a regular trip to and from school unless necessary for medical reasons.
- Not tamper with the bus or any of its equipment.
- Keep books, packages, coats and all other objects out of the aisle.
- Remain in the bus in case of a road emergency, unless directed to do otherwise by the bus driver.
- Not throw anything out of the bus window.
- Remain in their seats while the bus is in motion.
- Not smoke, drink, gamble, fight or engage in any other behavior that may endanger health or morals.
- Follow all directions given by the driver.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
School Transportation Services Branch
Phone: 808-784-6850
Email
When leaving the bus and crossing streets, students shall observe the following procedures:
- Leave the bus only at regular bus stops, unless proper authorization has been given in advance by the school principal.
- Use the handrail and watch their step when getting off the bus.
- When crossing the street at a bus stop, students shall walk 12 feet in front of the bus and look to see if the alternating red lamps on the top portion of the school bus are flashing. If the lamps are flashing, they shall look at the driver and wait for the driver to give the signal to cross. If the red lamps are not flashing, students shall not cross the street and shall notify the driver that the red warning lamps are not working and ask the driver for assistance in crossing the street.
Students shall ride designated buses at specified times and locations as assigned.
Bus Safety
We strongly recommend that a responsible adult be present at the bus stop in the morning and in the afternoon for children 10 and under. Bus drivers are not responsible to match each child with a specific adult at the bus stops. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure a responsible adult is at the bus stop or make alternative arrangements for their child if they are unable to walk alone to and from the bus stop.
Riding the Bus
- Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
- When the bus approaches, stand at least six feet away from the curb.
- If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, be sure to use a pedestrian crosswalk.
- When exiting the bus, be careful that loose clothing or clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.
- Never walk behind the bus.
- After you get off the bus, walk at least 10 feet away from the side of the bus.
- If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.
- Students on the bus should be courteous to the driver and other riders on board. Talk quietly and follow the driver’s instructions. Always use headphones when listening to music or watching videos on the bus.
- Know your home address, a parent/guardian phone number, another phone number of a trusted adult, and how to use 911 for emergencies.
Walking to a Bus Stop
- Plan a walking route to the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossings and use intersections with designated crosswalks. Test the route. Stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields and other places where there aren’t many people around.
- Always look left, then right, then left again before crossing a street and allow enough time to cross the street safely.
- Do not talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers.
Discipline
Students who misbehave on the bus may be denied rides and shall be subject to disciplinary action as defined in Chapter 19 of Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules. When the school receives a School Bus Incident Report, the principal will conduct an investigation of the incident and notify the parents or caretakers of the outcome. If the child is precluded from riding the school bus as a result of the principal’s disciplinary action, a refund will not be issued for the unused portion of the bus pass. Video monitoring and GPS are active on all school bus vehicles to assist with incident report tracking and documentation.