School buses provide safe and reliable transportation for millions of students every school day. In fact, they are one of the safest methods of transportation available, a reflection of the people and systems working behind the scenes to protect students.
As we recognize National School Bus Safety Week (October 20-24, 2025), districts have an opportunity to celebrate their transportation teams and renew their commitment to safe, respectful, and reliable student transportation.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to prevent and respond to bullying on school buses,
- How to provide safe transportation for students with disabilities and special needs,
- How to prepare for seasonal transportation challenges and hazards,
- And how to support transportation staff with proper training and resources.
Why School Bus Safety Still Matters
Each day, approximately 480,000 buses transport more than 25 million students nationwide, making school transportation the largest mass transit system in the United States. These journeys bookend a student’s day and the experience can shape how a child feels when they walk into a classroom and when they leave it.
Bus drivers and monitors carry enormous responsibility. They inspect vehicles, navigate unpredictable conditions, and manage student behavior, all while protecting the wellbeing of the students in their care.
Building a Safe and Respectful Bus Climate
A positive, respectful bus climate isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential to student safety and wellbeing. According to research by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International and the National Association for Pupil Transportation, 25% of public school transportation officials report bullying as a recurring issue.
Districts can take the following steps to reduce bullying on school buses and promote a “Riding with Respect” culture:
- Include drivers in anti-bullying initiatives. Make sure any Positive Behavorial Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programs include protocol and instruction for transportation staff, so that they can recognize and reward positive behavior on buses the same way in-school staff do in classrooms, hallways, and extracurriculars.
- Establish clear behavioral expectations for students. Teach and rehearse simple rules for entering, exiting, and riding safely.
- Provide easy reporting options. Give bus drivers and monitors mobile-friendly ways to record and report incidents as they happen.
- Follow up and communicate. Keep transportation staff informed about outcomes after they report concerns. This helps reinforce their essential role in student safety.
When administrators and transportation staff partner to create supportive climates, students feel safer on every ride.
Meeting Every Student’s Needs
School buses make school accessible for many school age students, however for students with special needs, bus transportation can create unique challenges and barriers.
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans often include transportation requirements such as seating arrangements, medical protocols, or the presence of a monitor or medical aide. Collaboration between transportation staff, educators, and families ensures these supports are followed consistently and confidentially.
Key safety steps include:
- Communication. Each student’s needs must be clearly communicated to authorized staff only. This may include direct communication between transportation staff and the student’s parent/guardian. Staff should be trained to politely decline any requests beyond their training or district protocols, such as administering medication or other medical care, and refer unresolved questions to a supervisor.
- Training. Transportation staff require proper training on student behavior management, securement systems for wheelchairs and adaptive devices, and how to safely load and unload students with disabilities or special medical needs.
- Evacuation Procedures. Buses that transport these students must have established evacuation procedures that account for mobility or medical challenges. The evacuation plan should include detailed information and be both written clearly and easily accessed so that anyone, not just the bus driver, can use it to direct a safe and timely evacuation.
When transportation teams understand a student’s needs and have the training to meet them, every child’s ride becomes safer and more dignified.
Keeping Students Safe in All Conditions
From icy winter roads to rainy-day congestion in school parking lots, transportation challenges change with the seasons, but the principles of safety remain constant. For drivers, readiness means both vigilance and preparation.
Best practices include:
- Conducting thorough pre-trip inspections. This includes checking defrosters, heaters, and wipers before every route.
- Following the Six S’s of Safe Driving:
- Space: Maintain extra following distance.
- Speed: Adjust for road conditions.
- Starts and Stops: Apply gradual pressure to prevent skids.
- Steering: Steer into skids, not away.
- Sight: Clear all mirrors and lights for visibility.
- Maintaining clear communication in the event of weather delays. A real-time system like Raptor DismissalSafe can help transportation staff keep families informed of new pick-up/drop-off times or locations and ensure all students are accounted for.
Even small precautions, like keeping emergency blankets and flashlights on board, can make a significant difference during winter months.
Supporting the Staff Who Keep Students Safe
Transportation professionals do far more than drive the school bus. They are safety advocates, mentors, and often the first adults to notice when something is wrong.
Districts that invest in training and communication see stronger, calmer transportation operations. Ongoing development helps staff:
- Identify and respond to signs of bullying or distress.
- Follow clear emergency communication protocols.
- Maintain clear and positive bus climates.
- Coordinate with administrators and families when concerns arise.
Safety is never static. Laws evolve, vehicles change, and community expectations grow. Districts that prioritize continuous training are better prepared for everyday operations and emergencies. Access to comprehensive training courses, like Raptor’s Staff Compliance Course Catalog, powered by PublicSchoolWORKS, helps keep staff up to date with the latest state and district mandates. The courses are automatically updated with new legislative changes and best practices.
Providing your transportation staff with the support and resources they need requires both the right training and the right tech. Tools like Raptor StudentSafe, for example, make it easier for bus drivers and monitors to document incidents that occur on a bus, report concerns, and create early intervention opportunities for students who need extra support.
When technology and training work together, transportation leaders can focus less on paperwork and more on what matters most—keeping students safe.
Turning Awareness into Action: Your School Bus Safety Week Checklist
Make the most of this year’s awareness week with small, impactful actions:
✅ Recognize your transportation team. Highlight their work on social media or during morning announcements.
✅ Review training compliance. Ensure all staff certifications are current and documented.
✅ Reinforce expectations. Share bus rules with students and families.
✅ Conduct a brief emergency drill. Even a 10-minute practice can improve readiness.
✅ Engage families. Send reminders about safe behavior around bus stops and drop-off zones.
Safety awareness grows when students, families, and staff all play an active role. See how Raptor helps districts simplify transportation safety and compliance.
Related Resources
Riding with Respect: Preventing Bullying on School Buses
Bus drivers are often the first and last adults students see during the school day. Their impact on student well-being, and public trust, is significant.
