Updated May 14, 2013
In the 2011-12 school year, Salem-Keizer Public Schools began a new bus rider registration process in West Salem. The process is planned to be implemented districtwide in phases. The benefits of a rider registration process include:
- Enhanced student safety
- Students board the correct bus
- Eliminates overcrowded buses
- Helps improve student conduct
- Restricts unauthorized riders
- More accurate communication with parents
- Cost savings from routing efficiencies
Who Needs to Register
Any student attending a West Salem school, Battle Creek Elementary School or Chávez Elementary School who wants to ride the school bus to and/or from school needs to be registered; however, not all students are eligible for bus transportation. Based on a student’s primary residence address, students are either “eligible for bus service” or may apply for service as a “space available rider.” If you are not sure of your eligibility status, you may get that information from your school, the transportation department, or the Bus Routes page.
“Eligible for bus service” means that the student lives at a residence within their neighborhood school attendance boundary, and the residence is outside the State of Oregon defined walk zone for that school. This is 1.0 mile for elementary students and 1.5 miles for secondary students.
Students must register for bus service every school year. Register your student if they will attend:
- Battle Creek Elementary School
- Brush College Elementary School
- Chávez Elementary School
- Chapman Hill Elementary School
- Harritt Elementary School
- Kalapuya Elementary School
- Myers Elementary School
- Straub Middle School
- Walker Middle School
- West Salem High School
The registration deadline for guaranteed bus service on the first day of school (2013-14) is June 14, 2013. However, registration forms are accepted and processed all year. Please complete a form as soon as possible for fall service.
Service for students who request Space Available seats will be determined after processing Eligible registrations (usually by October). There is no guarantee that a seat will be available for Space Available riders. Please see the FAQs below for more information.
Transportation for Public School Choice students attending a West Salem school will be coordinated through the Choice office. Please see the School Choice Guide For Parents.
Registration Forms
The registration form is a multi-purpose form. Students who are eligible for bus service should check the Eligible Rider box at the top of the form. Students who are not eligible, but who would like to be considered for transportation on a school bus, should check the Space Available Rider box. If you aren't sure of your status (eligible or not eligible), check the Not Sure box.
The form is available in English and Spanish.
- Rider Registration form in English (2012-13)
- Rider Registration form in English (2013-14)
- Rider Registration form in Spanish (2012-13)
- Rider Registration form in Spanish (2013-14)
Registration forms can also be picked up at your neighborhood school, or can be picked up at Transportation Services, 998 Hawthorne Ave. NE, Salem 97301. Completed forms can be dropped off at your school office, or sent directly to Transportation Services - by mail or dropped off between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays.
Rider Registration FAQs
Does everyone qualify for bus transportation?
No, not every student is automatically eligible.
How do I know if my student is eligible?
State law establishes who qualifies for bus service by defining the distance a student can walk to get to school. If the walking distance between the primary residence and the school is more than 1 mile for elementary students or more than 1.5 miles for middle and high school students, the student is eligible for bus transportation.
- If a student lives within the state‐defined walking distance to school and the only walk path available has been deemed hazardous by the district, then the student is Eligible for bus transportation.
- If the student is attending the school on an in‐district transfer (IDT), the student is not eligible for bus transportation.
- If you are not sure about your status, please contact your school or Transportation Services.
When do I need to register?
Registration is an ongoing process. Throughout a student’s time in school, they may move in and out of attendance areas, change day care providers, or need to start, stop or change service levels. Anytime your child’s residence or service needs change, a new registration form will need to be filed.
What if my student won’t ride the bus every day?
If your student will ride the bus to or from school occasionally, they must still register to ride. Please be aware that if a bus stop is not used by any eligible and authorized rider for an extended time the department may consider the stop for removal. Special circumstances (extended absence) can be accommodated by contacting Transportation Services before the stop is removed. Prior to removing a stop, Transportation Services will check to see which riders are assigned to the stop and attempt to contact the parents and advise them that the stop is being considered for removal. If your student needs to resume riding the bus after their stop has been removed, you will need to submit a new registration form to reactivate the stop.
What if my student just wants to ride home with a friend?
There are one-time bus passes available at the school, but there is no guarantee that a seat will be available on any given day. A note from a parent or guardian authorizing the student to go home with a specific student or to a specific address must be presented to the school office staff. Please be aware that if the bus is running at capacity for transporting eligible and authorized students, a one-time pass may not be issued or may be revoked and the student will be sent back to the office to contact their parents for transportation.
What if my student only needs bus service seasonally, like in between sports seasons?
Your student can still receive service. Please turn in a registration form as soon as possible (fill in the start date on the registration form) or at least 10 days prior to the day you need service to start.
What if my child only rides the school bus for field trips?
You don’t need to fill out a Rider Registration form for bus transportation to sporting events or field trips. Your school may have a trip permission slip.
How will I hear about bus stop information?
Eligible riders will be notified by the school. For secondary students, the student will be called to the office to have a security sticker attached to their ID/ASB card. For elementary students, the office will notify the parent with bus and stop information.
If my student is eligible, how long will it take to get authorized to ride the bus?
Except for the start of the school year, students who are eligible should be assigned to a stop within five working days after the registration form is received (at the start of each school year, bus stops and routes information is released in mid-August.)
Who can help me if I have more questions?
Contact your school or Transportation Services at 503-399-3100.
