The Hallsville ISD Transportation Department is committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for all students across the district. Every day, our team of trained drivers and support staff work diligently to ensure students arrive at school and return home safely, on time, and ready to learn. With a focus on safety and professionalism, we are proud to serve as a vital part of the educational journey.

Serving students from all campuses, our fleet of buses is maintained to the highest standards, and our drivers complete rigorous training to meet state and district safety requirements. The Transportation Department also supports field trips, athletic events, and extracurricular activities, playing a key role in student engagement and opportunity beyond the classroom.

We believe that student success starts with a safe ride to school. At Hallsville ISD, we value the trust parents place in us each day and work to maintain open communication and responsive service. The Transportation Department remains dedicated to excellence, always seeking ways to improve and enhance the experience for students, families, and the entire Bobcat community.

General Rules

• Obey the instructions of the bus driver.
• At no time will a student act toward, or address comments to a bus driver in a disrespectful manner, or refuse to cooperate with the driver.
• Board and leave the bus at your designated bus stop only.
• Students are not allowed to ride to or from school with friends.
• Only students who are ride that particular bus are eligible to ride.
• Everyone must ride their assigned bus to and from their assigned bus stop.
• It is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to school if a child misses the bus. Make prior arrangements for such an occurrence.
• Buses are equipped with audio/visual observation systems. The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits a school district from allowing parents to view children on videotape, and this law is further incorporated into our state's Open Records/Public Information Act.

Waiting For The Bus

• Be at your bus stop at least 8 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. The driver will not stop, honk, or wait. Riders must be clearly visible to the approaching bus driver.
• Stand on the sidewalk, or back from the roadway about 10 feet while waiting for the bus. Be sure you are visible to the driver before the bus reaches your stop. If you are in a darkened area, you may wish to use reflector markings or a flashlight.
• When the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately.
• Stand clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to board.
• If you miss the bus, go home immediately. Parents should have a backup plan for you to get to school.
• The above also applies when going home from school. Students will be returned to schools if they are unable to be dropped off at their stops for any reason.
• Parents must instruct their children on what to do if they miss their bus.

Getting On The Bus

• Do not push or shove.
• Use the handrail and steps properly.
• Go quickly to your assigned seat. The bus will not move until all are seated.
• Usually, students from the first stop will be assigned to the back of the bus, until the last students picked up are seated in the front. However, at their discretion, drivers may assign other seats if this does not work.

Conduct On The Bus

• Immediately sit and remain properly seated in your assigned seat while the bus is moving.
• Do not stand, move or change seats while on route.
• A student should not refuse to sit in an assigned seat or deny anyone a place to sit.
• Students are expected to remain seated for the duration of the trip and remain seated until the bus door opens at their stop.
• Normal conversation is permitted; any loud noises may distract the driver and create an unsafe condition.
• Scuffling, fighting, horse playing, and the use of objectionable, obscene, vulgar, or profane language or gestures are forbidden.
• Do not throw or display objects inside or outside the bus.
• Do not mark, cut, or scratch any part of the bus. The person who is deemed responsible for the damage will pay vandalism costs and may lose their bus privileges for the year.
• Emergency doors, windows, exits, hatches, or other bus controls should be used only during supervised drills, or actual emergencies.
• Students should never attempt to operate the passenger door or other driver controls except in case of an emergency.
• Students shall face forward for the duration of the trip and shall keep their feet on the floor in front of them and out of the bus aisle.
• Students shall remain properly dressed according to HISD Dress Code standards while on the bus.

Getting Off The Bus

• Stay seated until the bus is completely stopped, stand and walk only on the bus floor.
• Gather all your belongings before you reach the bus stop.
• Use the handrail(s) and take one step at a time when boarding/leaving the bus.
• Wait your turn to get on or off the bus. Pushing and crowding will only slow others down and may cause an accident or injury.
• Keep loose clothing, drawstrings, and other items away from handrail(s). Everything should be in your pockets or backpack, if possible.
• Stay clear of the bus. Do not chase, hit, or hang onto the bus at any time.
• If any article drops or rolls near or under the bus, DO NOT go after it. Go to the bus door and ask the driver for help or wait for the bus to leave the stop area.

Crossing The Street or Highway

• We will not normally ask students to cross busy highways. However, in some cases, students living on the left of the roadway may exit the bus and move to a point 15 feet in front of the right bumper and wait for the driver to signal you that it is safe to cross.
• Check in both directions and walk directly across the road. NEVER cross the road BEHIND the bus.
• CAUTION: Be alert for vehicles that do not stop when the bus is loading or unloading students.
• Cross all streets at intersections or marked crosswalks whenever possible. Obey all traffic signals and signs on your way home.

Riding on the bus is a student privilege provided by the District. Students riding in district-operated buses are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the safety rules and regulations of the HISD Student Code of Conduct and those posted on the bus. Student safety violations or misconduct on the bus may result in suspension from riding the bus in addition to any other appropriate discipline.

Bus Rider Code of Conduct

Major Safety Violations and Misconduct

• Possession of tobacco in any form.
• Acting or speaking disrespectfully toward the driver or profanity directed at any employee.
• Insubordination.
• Throwing, pitching, or shooting articles, which either remain within the bus but cause an injury or which goes out any window.
• Damaging any part of the school bus (students will be suspended from the bus until damages have been paid).
• Infractions as determined by campus administrators.

Minor Safety or Conduct Violations

• Refusing to sit properly or safely in an assigned seat.
• Moving from the seat while the bus is in motion.
• Blocking the aisle in any way.
• Eating or drinking on the bus.
• Deliberately littering the bus.
• Acting in a manner that distracts the driver while the bus is in motion.
• Writing on any part of the school bus.
• Entering or exiting the bus in an unsafe manner.
• Throwing, pitching, or shooting articles inside the bus (without injury).
• Extending any part of the body, clothing, or other articles out of the window.
• Using profanity, vulgar language, or obscene gestures toward other students.
• Harassing, threatening, or physically scuffling with another student.
• Infractions as determined by campus administrators.
• Cell phones are in use and visible.