Transportation

Birnie Bus Service, Inc. provides a wide array of transportation services for the Herkimer Central school district. From operating the daily student transportation needs for the entire school district to fulfilling specialized needs, at the core of their business is safe and reliable student transportation. Safety is a top priority. Driver training, student safety drills, and safety awareness programs are all emphasized to promote school bus safety.

School bus rules and regulations

• The bus driver has complete authority over all pupils and power to enforce all rules and regulations.
• Students shall be ready when the bus arrives and shall enter promptly.
• There shall be no unusual loudness such as talking, laughing or unnecessary confusion which will interfere with the effectiveness of the driver.
• Shoving, pushing, profane and obscene language are prohibited.
• Students shall keep their head, arms and hands inside the bus at all times.
• There shall be no smoking, drinking or eating on the bus.
• Students shall keep the bus clean and sanitary.
• Students shall keep the seat assigned by the driver, unless they have permission to move.
• Students shall pass through the aisle to and from assigned seats without disturbing or crowding others.
• Students shall remain seated and facing forward while bus is in motion.
• Students must always cross approximately 15 feet in front of the bus.
• Students cannot bring live animals or insects on the bus even if in a container or a box.
• Students cannot bring an item on the bus that cannot be held on the lap comfortably. This is a state regulation.

Things You Should Know About Riding the Bus

Dress for the Weather

Winter weather can be harsh here in upstate NY. Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing for all types of weather. When it snows the buses may experience slight delays. Students need to be warm while waiting for the bus.

Weather

Items left on the bus are normally returned to the bus garage and/or main office. Clothing items of all kinds are kept for awhile and then donated to a local charitable organization. Electronic devices and glasses are kept until the end of the school year then given to a charitable organization.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices shall not be used in any way that threatens, humiliates, harasses, or intimidates any school-related individuals. A student may be asked to shut off and/or put away out of sight any electronic devices that are found to be disruptive to the normal operation of the bus. This decision will be left to the discretion of the bus driver.

Danger Zones

There are many blind spots inherent to a school bus because of its size. The area around the perimeter of the school bus is a danger zone. The most dangerous spots are in the front and back right corner. Parents/Guardians, please talk to your child about these danger zones and make your student aware of these areas.

Proper Crossing Procedures

• Wait for a signal to cross. A student getting on or off the bus should use the sidewalk and walk in front of the bus and make eye contact with the driver.
• When it is clear to cross the driver will give the student the universal signal to cross. As a precaution the student should always look both ways before crossing.
• The bus horn warns of danger. If a driver blows the horn the student should immediately return to the side of the road which they started crossing from.
• When parents are meeting the bus they should wait on the side of the road where the student will be getting off then follow the above procedures for crossing. Parents need to discourage their student from running across the road to greet them.