Bus Transportation

(Updated: August 26, 2025)

• Burns Lake 
• Fort St. James
• Fraser Lake
• Granisle
• South of Burns Lake
• Vanderhoof

Transportation Manager: Brenda Rivett - brivett@sd91.bc.ca 
Ph: 250 567 9618   Fax: 250 567 4572
Cell:250-570-7066

School District 91 operates and maintains a large fleet of buses for student transportation. Each day our buses travel approximately 4000km on main highways and sideroads across one of the largest geographical districts in the province.

Over the past decade, several districts in BC have charged families hundreds of dollars to ride their buses. School bus transportation in SD91 is available at no extra cost to eligible riders. 

The district provides for and defrays the cost of this service for students residing a considerable distance from the school. Riding the school bus is considered a privilege. School Districts in BC are not required to provide transportation for students.

We are required to adhere to restrictions governing passenger compartment luggage as laid out in the Motor Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle Acts. As a result, there are certain items, which are not allowed on the bus. Some of these are skis, hockey sticks, baseball bats, skateboards, etc. Your driver determines what is safe to be onboard.

In cold winter conditions, every effort will be made to provide transportation to and from school. Buses will endeavor to continue on schedule as long as it is safe to do so, considering the temperature, road conditions, etc. Should any run be canceled or delayed, notification will be given via Facebook, the School District Website, School Messenger messaging service as soon as possible. In cold weather months,  please ensure that riders are dressed accordingly.

Courtesy or guest riders are not permitted bus routes. This practice was discontinued in the fall of the 2018 school year. 

These rules apply to all students traveling to and from school by school bus:

1. The driver is in charge of ensuring the safety of everyone.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given.
3. Keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself.
4. Talk quietly, using appropriate language.
5. Smoking, drugs, and alcohol are prohibited.
6. Unregistered students are not allowed on buses. 

Safety rules to observe when your child boards or gets off the bus:

Always – wait for the driver’s signal to proceed before crossing any roadway.
Always – cross in front of the bus, never go behind it.
Always – look both ways before crossing the road.
Always – think about safety.

We would like to ask you, as a parent, to support your child and emphasize the importance of good behavior and safety at all times.

• ICBC School Bus Safety  
• Bus Safety and Design Information
• Canadian Safety Council Information 

Please STOP for school buses displaying flashing red lights and/or extended stop arm.

We have established criteria that will meet Board Policies and be applied fairly and consistently throughout the District

The criteria we apply can be summarized as follows:
All bus routes must be suitable for year-round travel. We travel on 3 types of roads. we adjust bus stops as follows:

• Main highways (heavy traffic/high speed) 1km between stops
• Primary roads (lighter traffic/reduced speed) 0.5km between stops
• Secondary roads, usually gravel (minimal traffic/slow speed) Students within 2.5k of the primary road will be required to meet the bus at the primary road.
• Students within 2.5 km of their catchment school will only be picked up if it can be done at no additional cost, space is available and pick-up times are not affected.

Student beyond 2.5km of their catchment area school will only be picked up if:

• The road is suitable for a bus, and there is an approved turnaround location within 0.5 KM of the stop and,
• The cost does not exceed the cost of “Transportation Assistance” provisions in policy and regulations.

Note: Students may only register from one primary residence.

District busing for students and families is safe, reliable, and at no cost (unlike other districts). However, there are times when disruptions or cancellations may occur.  Weather, breakdowns, road closures and employee shortages are a few reasons we might not be able to provide regular service.

Our Transportation Coordinators and Manager endeavor to provide communication with families wherever possible in the event of a disruption. We utilize an automated call-out system and online notices to help parents/guardians stay informed.  

If the delay to a route is more than a few minutes, communication home will be initiated. If another bus can pick up students quickly, generally we do not contact families.  

If a route is canceled, families will be contacted by our automated system, and notices placed on our website and Facebook page.

If parents/guardians have any questions, please contact your local Transportation Coordinator.

The Board of Education expects that students will attend the district school in their catchment area, but also recognizes that parents may choose another school in the district based on District Policy and Regulations. 

Transportation for students not attending their catchment area school is not guaranteed and generally will be the responsibility of parents. Out of catchment students may ride on regular school bus routes where space is available and no additional costs are incurred by the District.  

Courtesy riders are not permitted in SD91.  This practice was discontinued in 2018.

Bus routes are determined by District Policy and Regulations and can be adjusted depending on student ridership. For more information, please contact the Transportation Manager.

Click for Current Conditions:
                       Burns Lake 
                       Grassy Plains
                       Granisle
                       Fraser Lake
                       Fort St. James
                       Vanderhoof

• 702.4 - Busing Policy for Severe Weather-Unsafe Road Conditions - Policy and Regulations
• Website-Severe-Weather-UnSafe-Road-Condition-Annual-Letter
• TA-Allowance-Form

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