The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough

Bus Routes for the 2025-2026 School Year

Bus routes are posted on the district website one week before the start of school and updated throughout the school year. Every effort will be made to provide safe transportation service while maintaining an appropriate level of efficiency. All students in grades K-8 will be automatically routed.

Each year, the transportation contractor in partnership with the districts, develops routes based on the location of the residencies and historical ridership data.

In addition, the following will be considered when creating the routes:

• Avoid students crossing the road to embark and/or depart from the bus, when possible;
• Maximize sightlines at bus stops for upcoming and oncoming vehicles, preferably 200 feet of visibility in each direction;
• Site bus stops based on a worst-case scenario in regard to weather (snow banks, full foliage, etc.);
• Avoid private lanes, dead-end roads, and cul de sacs (reduce the need for buses to turn around);
• Consider the route conditions (narrow roads, location of sidewalks, safe gathering spots, site lines, etc).

For elementary routes, (Kindergarten through Grade 5), the districts will endeavor to have walking distances to stops no greater than 0.2 of a mile. For secondary-age students (Grade 6 through Grade 12), the districts will endeavor to have walking distances to stops no greater than 0.5 of a mile.

Bus stops will be established by the school district at locations, which will be determined on the basis of safety before convenience. Bus stops will be consolidated when feasible and safe.

All students taking a bus to school should be at their designated bus stop 5-10 minutes before the pick-up time. If your designated stop is located at the end of your driveway, or a consolidated bus stop, the student needs to be at the stop, rather than on the porch, in the garage, sitting in a vehicle, or standing in the doorway. The timing of the bus routes is such that, if a driver has to stop and wait for a student to walk down the driveway or get out of a car, it negatively impacts the schedules of all other students.

All students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 must be met at the bus stop by their parent/guardian or caregiver.  If a parent/guardian or caregiver is not present at the bus stop to receive your Kindergartener through Grade 3 student off the bus, your student will be returned to their elementary school for parent/guardian pick-up at the end of the route. The purpose of these procedures is to provide uniform practices for transporting students to and from school, and to and from school-sanctioned events. Permission can be granted by the principal on a case-by-case basis if a student in grade 2 or grade 3 exhibits the ability to be dropped off without direct supervision.

Social activities, such as birthday parties and visiting friends, are the responsibility of the parents.  Parents must provide the necessary transportation to such events and not utilize school district transportation.

• Option 1 - Reports can be made through the Transportation Request Form
• Option 2 - Concerns can be reported directly to the building principal, who, if unable to resolve the issue, shall refer the matter to the Office of the Superintendent.

All accidents involving school buses shall be reported to the building principal and Superintendent of Schools by telephone, immediately. Reports will be created about each incident.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) of all riders of said vehicle will be notified by the principal’s office. In the event of any injury during transportation to and from schools, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified immediately by the Administration.

All inquiries regarding an accident will be directed to the Superintendent or designee.