Transportation Frequently Asked Questions

Updated: 5/14/09

Click on a question or browse all frequently asked questions below. If your question is not addressed here, please call the Superintendent's Office at 978-649-7488.

• Why is Tyngsborough requesting that transportation fees be paid by June 1st?
• How much are the transportation fees?
• Who is the check made out to?
• How to I obtain a receipt for my payment?
• Do I need to submit a Transportation Registration form if my child(ren) will not be riding the bus?
• Is the school system required, by law, to transport students to and from school?
• What about students who live within the 2 mile radius?
• Do I have to pay a transportation fee if my child has a special education plan specifying transportation via a special education van?
• Can I pay the transportation fee in installments?
• How do I receive a waiver?
• Does my 6th grader have to pay a transportation fee this year?
• My child attends Notre Dame Academy. Do I have to pay a transportation fee?
• My child plans on attending Innovations Academy and riding the bus. What are the transportation fees?
• My child is on a waiting list for Innovations Academy, do I still pay a transportation fee?
• My child plans on riding the bus in the afternoons only. Can I pay a partial transportation fee?
• My high school student plans on driving to school mid-year. Can he/she pay a partial transportation fee and then purchase a parking pass?
• If I have not paid a transportation fee, can my child (7th-12th grader) ride the bus during early release days and/or inclement weather?
• Must my child carry the bus pass every day?
• Who will be checking passes?
• What if my child's bus pass is lost?
• What if I have not purchased a pass?
• Why is it that this year some students rode the bus without a pass?

Why is Tyngsborough requesting that transportation fees be paid by June 1st?
We need an accurate head count to determine how many buses will be required next year. With the severe budget cuts, buses will be eliminated and routes will be combined based on transportation applications and payments. Timely payment will guarantee your child(ren) a seat on the bus.

How much are the transportation fees?
Fees remain at $200 for students in grades 7-12 with a $500 family cap.

Who is the check made out to?
Please make checks payable to Tyngsborough Public Schools.
How to I obtain a receipt for my payment?

Your canceled check is considered your receipt. Also, your child(ren) will receive a bus pass that serves as proof of payment.

Do I need to submit a Transportation Registration form if my child(ren) will not be riding the bus?
Yes, this form serves many purposes in addition to determining routes. There is a section on this form where you can indicate your child's mode of transportation.

Is the school system required, by law, to transport students to and from school?
No. Right now the law states that only students in grades K-6 whose residence is greater than 2 miles from school will have transportation funded via the school district's budget.

What about students in grades K-6 who live within the 2 mile radius?
Tyngsborough does not currently charge a transportation fee for students in grades K-6 who live within this radius. It is legal to charge these students as other area towns are already doing so.

Do I have to pay a transportation fee if my child has a special education plan specifying transportation via a special education van?
No, the law does not permit school systems to charge a fee for transporting special education students, via a van, when it is prescribed in a child's educational plan.

Can I pay the transportation fee in installments?
No, transportation fees must be paid in full at the time of application.

How do I receive a waiver?
Students who received a free or reduced lunch in the 2008-2009 school year may apply for a waiver. Applications for free and reduced lunch must be submitted and approved every year.

Does my 6th grader have to pay a transportation fee this year?
No, 6th graders do not pay a transportation fee this year. However, they are required to have a bus pass. Passes for 6th graders will be passed out at the beginning of school.

My child attends Notre Dame Academy. Do I have to pay a transportation fee?
Yes, for grades 7-12 the fees are the same as for Tyngsborough Public School students.

My child plans on attending Innovations Academy and riding the bus. What are the transportation fees?
The fees are the same as for Tyngsborough Public School students.

My child is on a waiting list for Innovations Academy, do I still pay a transportation fee?
Yes, all students in grades 7-12 riding the bus pay the $200 transportation fee. If your child is accepted to the Academy and will not be riding the bus, please request a refund by submitting a letter to the Superintendent's office as soon as possible.

My child plans on riding the bus in the afternoons only. Can I pay a partial transportation fee?
No, the fee is $200 regardless of frequency of transportation.

My high school student plans on driving to school mid-year. Can he/she pay a partial transportation fee and then purchase a parking pass?
No. A bus pass is to be purchased for $200 and the parking permit purchased at that month's rate.

If I have not paid a transportation fee, can my child (7th-12th grader) ride the bus during early release days and/or inclement weather?
No, 7th -12th grade students are required to have a bus pass regardless of transportation requirements.

Must my child carry the bus pass every day?
Yes, every student in grades 6 through 12 must carry his/her bus pass every day. We recommend that this pass be attached to a backpack or article of clothing so it is quickly available and observable by the school bus driver.

Who will be checking passes?
Teachers and administrators will periodically check passes as the students board the school bus. To avoid slowing down boarding the bus, passes must be readily available. Students without passes will be held at the school for pickup by a parent.

What if my child's bus pass is lost?
A replacement bus pass will be issued for a lost pass. There is a $5 fee for this service.

What if I have not purchased a pass? All students in grades 7 through 12 are required to purchase a pass. Students can not board a bus without a pass.

Why is it that this year some students rode the bus without a pass?
This past year, we tried our best to ensure that all students boarding a bus had a pass. This year it will be more difficult to board the bus without a pass due to the consolidation of bus routes. Purchasing a pass guarantees your 7th-12th grader a seat on the bus. Students without a pass will be held at their school for the parent to pick up.