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Transportation

TRANSPORTATION

Safe and Reliable Transportation for Every Student

Welcome to the Peninsula School District Transportation Department! We are committed to ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable transportation for all students. Our team works diligently to provide seamless bus services, accommodating the diverse needs of our district’s families. 

Transportation Services Overview

Regular Bus Routes:

Students and families can now find their bus routes on the My Ride K – 12 website and app. Visit the website at myridek12.tylerapp.com.

Students and families can download the My Ride K-12 App to track their bus at the links below.

Questions? View the My Ride K-12 User Guide Parent Flyer in English or the My Ride K-12 Guía para los padres usuarios in Spanish

* The routes for the 2024-2025 school year will be added to the My Ride app on Friday, August 24.

Emergency Routes and Weather Procedures:

Buses may need to adjust where they pick up and drop off students to ensure travel happens only on roads designated as safe in the snow. These are called emergency routes. Please click below for a list of Emergency Bus Routes by school.

EMERGENCY ROUTES 2023-2024

Safety and Conduct:

Our goal is to make the trip to and from school as safe and pleasant as possible for all students. To achieve this, please note the following:

Student Responsibilities:

  • Know your home and drop-off address.
  • Arrive at bus stops 7-10 minutes before the scheduled time.
  • Cross in front of the bus only after stopping, looking, and listening.
  • Remain seated while the bus is moving.
  • Safely contain all articles; no glass, flammable items, or oversized instruments.
  • Use appropriate language; harassment or bullying will not be tolerated.

Safety Measures:

  • Video and audio surveillance is used on most buses to ensure student safety.
  • If your student misses the bus, take them to the next stop; do not let them run alongside the bus.
  • All regular bus routes are posted on the My Ride K-12 App

Important Information:

  • Delays: Expect possible delays in pick-up and drop-off times.
  • Staying Updated: We will communicate delays via ParentSquare email and/or text notifications.
  • Working Together: Be mindful of buses entering and exiting school parking lots to prevent congestion. If possible, encourage your child to ride the bus to reduce traffic.

Educational Service Center
14015 62nd Avenue NW 
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253)530-3900


 

Dawnett Wright
Director of Transportation

wrightd@psd401.net

 

Dana Hinthorne
Transportation Supervisor

hinthorned@psd401.net

 

LIVE TRAFFIC MAP

Use the Waze search bar or zoom buttons to see live traffic updates near your school.

A job advertisement for school bus drivers at the Peninsula School District, featuring yellow school buses and the text 'Now Hiring School Bus Drivers.'

A red stop sign with the words 'bus stop safety concern' and a QR code below that says 'Scan the QR code below to submit your concern'.

  • As of December 7, 2023, PSD has not canceled any bus routes. We expect we may need to cancel some routes temporarily after winter break, because of driver illness, a lack of substitute bus drivers, and upcoming driver retirements/resignations. We are trying to maintain equity by not impacting the same students daily. We are committed to running as many bus routes as possible, while keeping student health and safety as the first priority. 

    PSD is one of the last districts in our area to consider route cancellations. Almost all schools in the nation are facing the same bus driver shortage. Please help spread the word about our urgent need for additional full and part-time drivers! See below for FAQs about impacts of the bus driver shortage. 

    Q: Why might some bus routes be temporarily canceled?
    A: We have a bus driver shortage because of driver illness, a lack of substitute bus drivers, and upcoming driver retirements/resignations. 

    Q: If my route is canceled, is my student excused if they are late or cannot get to school?
    A: If your student is late or misses class, this will be considered an excused tardy/absence. 

    Q: If my route is canceled, is it for morning and afternoon?
    A: If your route is canceled, no student pick-ups will be available in both the A.M. and P.M. Families impacted should plan alternate transportation for their students.

    Q: How many drivers do we have and need? 
    A: We have 62 bus drivers, we anticipate having 4-5 that are resigning or retiring at the end of 2023. We need to recruit 5 new drivers and are always looking for substitutes as we only have 8 substitutes who are available for varying shifts.

    Q: What has the district tried to do to recruit drivers? 
    A: We have attended local job fairs, online job recruitment, we have placed banners and yard signs throughout the community stating our need for drivers, and sent notifications home from schools with students.

    Q: How can I become a bus driver or substitute bus driver?
    A: We offer paid training for bus drivers and substitute bus drivers. To become a bus driver, you need to obtain a commercial drivers license, a school bus authorization through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, complete 40 hours of classroom time and be trained behind the wheel, which is approximately 30 additional hours. Drivers also undergo a background check, drug test and must have a clean driving record. It takes about 8 weeks to train and test to become a school bus driver. The training is the same for substitute drivers as it is for daily drivers. Please view the job postings for bus driver (fully certified driver) and bus driver trainee (new driver) here.

    Q: What about special needs routes?
    A: Special needs routes will not be canceled, as their routes are federally mandated.

    Q: Will cancellations more greatly affect the Key Peninsula or more rural bus routes?
    A: We are trying to maintain equity by not impacting the same students daily. Every student deserves to be in school daily and we will do our best to ensure that one area is not impacted more than another. 

    Q: What other options have been considered?
    A: We have consolidated routes to avoid cancellations in the past and we also contract with outside transportation vendors for some of our transportation needs.

    Q: Can office staff help with driver shortages? 
    A: All transportation office staff are fully trained school bus drivers and are on the road almost daily at this point, leaving their daily duties uncovered.

    Q: Why did you send an email on Dec. 5 if this will not impact families until after winter break?
    A: Our hope is to continue to be able to cover routes on a daily basis, however, we felt the need to be proactive and communicate with families so that they were aware of the real potential of the cancellations and what to expect regarding future communication should the cancellations occur. Much like inclement weather, our families deserve prior communication so that they can create alternate transportation plans if necessary. 

  • Please review the following bus safety topics with your student:

    Our goal in Transportation is to make the trip to and from school as safe and pleasant as possible for all District students. In an effort to make this happen, please be aware of the following:

    • It is important for students to know their home address and drop off address.
    • Students need to arrive at bus stops 7-10 minutes prior to bus time.
    • Stop, look, listen and cross only in front of the bus.
    • Remain seated while the bus is in motion.
    • All articles must be contained safely; no glass or flammable items, musical instruments must fit on student’s lap.
    • Inappropriate language, harassment, or bullying on the school bus will not be tolerated.
    • For your student’s safety, video and audio surveillance is being utilized on most buses. Notices are posted inside the buses that include audio surveillance. As of 2014, Policy and Procedures, 8180 / 8180P and Student Handbooks were updated to include details of our audio surveillance policy.
    • If your student misses the bus, take him or her to the next bus stop. Do not let students run alongside the bus.
    • All regular school bus routes are posted on the district website.

    Some important information and reminders regarding school transportation

    • Delays: School bus route pick-up and drop-off times may be delayed.
       
    • Staying Updated: We are committed to keeping you updated regarding ETA changes in bus transportation. Whenever there is anticipated delay, we will work to communicate that information promptly via email and/or text notification. 
       
    • Working Together: During pick-up and drop-off times at schools, please be mindful of school buses entering and leaving school parking lots.

      Schools throughout our district have various pick-up/drop-off logistical layouts, which can create congestion points.

      When driving or parking at your school, please ensure buses are able to enter and leave school facilities to allow for routes to remain on time.

      If you are able, we encourage you to have your child ride the bus. This allows for less traffic in and out of our school parking lots.

      We appreciate your patience with our drivers. 
       
    • Staffing Shortage: The national school bus driver staffing shortage is impacting our district as well. Our bus drivers and staff are doing their very best while we work with fewer bus driving staff and substitutes than past school years.

      If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a bus driver, paid training is provided and no experience is necessary. Visit psd401.net/jobs for more information.


    The safety of our students is our top priority and we appreciate your understanding as we work to make our transportation more efficient.

  • If you would like to request transportation for your student(s) and their transportation needs fall into a category below, please fill out this form.

    • You live outside of the Peninsula School District boundary area
    • You live within walking distance to school
    • You live out of the attendance boundary
    • You would like to use an existing bus stop other than the stop the student is assigned to

    Once signed, the transportation department will contact you at the number provided to inform you how we can help with your student’s transportation needs. 

    Transportation Release Form

  • Swift Water is unique in that it is the district’s first major walking school. Because so many Swift Water students live close by, many students living in specific neighborhoods will be designated as walkers. No school bus transportation will be provided to these neighborhoods. 

    Families living in the following neighborhoods are designated as those who need to walk, bike, or choose parent pick-up/drop-off to and from school:

    • Harbor Crossing
    • Harbor Hill North
    • Harbor Hill West
    • Harbor Hill South
    • The Ridge

    Click on the image of the map for designated walking neighborhoods and the recommended walking routes for your child to use to and from school each day. The walking route plan has been developed based on traffic patterns and traffic controls such as crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights, and safety patrol posts. 

    The route limits the number of street crossings children will make and seeks to group children together to increase their visibility and safety. Therefore, the route may not be the shortest way to school, but it is important that children follow the route, even if they have to walk a little farther to get to school.

    For more information, please contact Swift Water Elementary at 253-530-4900.

    Swift Water Neighborhood Map 

  • *Activity Runs Under Construction – Updates coming soon!
    Click on the following routes to view Activity Runs for Middle School:

    Goodman Middle School - North Side

    Goodman Middle School - South Side

    Harbor Ridge Middle School - East

    Harbor Ridge Middle School - West

    Key Peninsula Middle School - North Side

    Key Peninsula Middle School - South Side

    Kopachuck Middle School - North Side

    Kopachuck Middle School - South Side

     

     

    Click on the following routes to view the Activity Runs for High School:

    Gig Harbor High - Southeast Side

    Gig Harbor High - Southwest Side

    Peninsula High - Purdy Spit Side

    Peninsula High - Peacock Hill Side

  • Families will need to transport their student to and from school, or to an established bus stop that services their school, if they: 

    1. Live outside of PSD boundaries, but have a student enrolled in a PSD school on an approved Out of District Transfer
    2. Have a student attending a PSD school outside of their home school catchment area on an approved Within District Transfer