Navigating student transportation in East Brunswick, NJ, is made seamless and safe thanks to the dedicated Transportation Center of the East Brunswick Public Schools. This department plays a crucial role in the daily lives of thousands of students, ensuring they arrive at school and return home safely and efficiently. Understanding the operations and guidelines of this center is essential for parents and guardians within the East Brunswick school district.
Your Transportation Team at 18 Edgeboro Rd.
The Transportation Department is located at the Support Operations Building at 18 Edgeboro Rd. and is staffed by a team of dedicated professionals ready to assist with your transportation needs. You can reach them by phone at (732) 613-6740 or via fax at (732) 734-8480. Key contacts within the department include:
- Joyce Forsberg – Transportation Manager
- Lori Howell – Transportation Coordinator
- Matthew Anthony – Dispatcher
- Eileen Garlatti – Secretary
- Doreen Scardaville – Secretary
This team works diligently to manage all aspects of student transportation, ensuring a smooth and secure experience for every student.
Committed to Safe and Reliable Student Transport
The Transportation Center in East Brunswick, NJ is responsible for managing all student transportation needs within the school district. Every day, they undertake the significant task of transporting over 7,200 students to and from school. Their mission is clear and unwavering: to provide the safest possible transportation for students whenever they are moved for educational purposes. This includes daily commutes, class trips, interscholastic and athletic events, and extracurricular activities. They also support a valuable “late bus” program for students at East Brunswick High School (EBHS), Churchill Junior High School (CJHS), and Hammarskjold Middle School (HMS), providing options for students involved in after-school activities.
Bus Passes and Stop Information
For convenient access to bus pass information, the Transportation Department utilizes the Genesis PARENT PORTAL. Click here to access Bus passes via the Genesis PARENT PORTAL. This online portal allows parents to easily find and manage their child’s bus pass details.
Students are provided with bus passes that specify their assigned bus stop and pick-up times. It is crucial for students to be at their designated bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Changing bus stops or going to unassigned stops is not permitted, as this can disrupt routes and student accountability. While traveling to and from the bus stop, students are expected to follow all safety and traffic rules and to be respectful of neighbors in the vicinity of the bus stop.
For the safety of younger students, the Transportation Department has specific protocols for Pre-kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First-grade students. These students will only be released from the bus if a parent, guardian, or authorized individual is present to meet them. If no one is there to receive them, the student will be returned to their school. In such cases, it becomes the parents’ responsibility to arrange for their child’s pick-up from school, as the Transportation Department will not provide a second transport home.
Maintaining Order and Safety on the School Bus
Student behavior on the school bus is taken seriously to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers. Students are expected to behave appropriately at all times. Adhering to safety rules while riding the school bus is paramount. Bus drivers are responsible for maintaining order on their buses. If a student’s behavior is disruptive or potentially harmful, the driver will issue verbal warnings, followed by written bus conduct reports if necessary. It’s important to remember that riding the school bus is a privilege, and inappropriate behavior can lead to the denial of this privilege. Accumulation of three conduct reports may result in suspension of bus privileges. For added safety, all district buses are equipped with seatbelts, and their use is mandatory for all students.
To ensure a safe and orderly bus ride, students should be aware of and adhere to the following safety rules:
- Arrive at the designated bus stop ten minutes before the scheduled bus arrival time.
- Always wait for the bus on the sidewalk or safe area, never standing in the roadway.
- Maintain safe and courteous behavior while waiting at the bus stop.
- Do not approach the bus until it has come to a complete stop.
- Be respectful of private property while waiting for the bus.
- Upon boarding, proceed to your assigned seat and remain seated until you reach your stop.
- Keep arms, heads, and other body parts inside the bus at all times.
- In case of an emergency, stay seated and wait for instructions from the bus driver.
- When crossing the road after exiting the bus, move at least ten feet in front of the bus and wait for a signal from the driver before crossing.
- Eating and drinking are not permitted on the bus to prevent messes and potential choking hazards.
- Seatbelt use is mandatory for all students at all times while the bus is in motion.
Bus passes, provided before the start of each school year, will inform parents of their child’s bus assignment, pick-up time, and location. Students are only permitted to ride the bus they have been specifically assigned to.
Alternate Transportation Program Options
The East Brunswick Board of Education understands that some families have unique transportation needs. Therefore, they offer a limited Alternate Transportation Program for eligible students. This program is designed to accommodate situations where students require transportation to or from a location other than their home address, such as childcare or a dual residence situation.
Requests for alternate transportation to or from school are considered under specific conditions:
- For students in grades K-5, extenuating circumstances must exist, or a court order must stipulate joint custody or dual residence arrangements.
- The student must be eligible for transportation based on their residential address.
- The alternate location must be within the attendance boundaries of the student’s school, and space must be available on the bus route serving that location.
- To maintain student safety and security, alternate transportation requests must apply to every school day throughout the entire school year. (Dual Residence applicants must provide a calendar outlining the court-ordered arrangement).
To apply for the Alternate Transportation Program, parents/guardians must submit the appropriate form by the specified deadlines:
- Regular School Year: Alternate Transportation Request Form must be filed by July 1st.
- Summer Programs: Alternate Transportation Request Form for Summer Programs must be filed before June 15th.
- Dual Residence Students: Alternate Transportation Request for Dual Residence Students must be filed by July 15th. Refer to the Court Ordered Dual Residence Letter dated July 1, 2016, for further details.
Once approved, alternate transportation arrangements will commence five (5) school days after notification. It is important to note that alternate transportation approvals are valid for one school year only, and a new application must be submitted each year.
Contacting the Transportation Department
For any questions, concerns, or issues related to bus drivers, bus routes, bus stops, or any other transportation matter, please do not hesitate to contact the Transportation Center in East Brunswick, NJ. Their dedicated team is ready to assist you and ensure a positive transportation experience for your child. You can reach them at (732) 613-6740.
The East Brunswick Public Schools Transportation Department is committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient transportation services for all students, contributing to a positive and productive learning environment.
