Safety Pass is a student ridership system designed to improve safety and visibility in school bus transportation. Students use their Safety Pass ID card to scan on and off the bus, allowing schools and parents to better monitor ridership and ensure students arrive where they are supposed to be. This system helps create a safer, more reliable transportation experience for students, families, and transportation teams.

How does my student get a Safety Pass card?

Your student will receive their Safety Pass card from their teacher or a school administrator by the end of April. All students will begin using the bus cards by the middle of May.

Is my child’s information secure?

Yes. Peninsula School District has removed personal identification details from Safety Pass cards. The card has no identifying information other than the student's name. It does not show the bus stop, ID number, photo or school. 

If a card is lost, the only visible information is the student’s name. Cards can be remotely deactivated so they no longer function, so please notify your child's school office as soon as possible if your student’s card is lost. For more information, please review the BusRight privacy policy at BusRight Privacy Policy. 

Can my student have more than one card?

At this time, each student is limited to one Safety Pass card as the system can only recognize one active card per student at a time.

What happens if my student loses their card?

Elementary student cards will be attached to their backpacks in an effort to reduce losses. If a student does lose their card, please contact the school office. They will be able to issue a replacement card and deactivate the lost one so it can no longer be used.

Is there a cost to replace a Safety Pass card?

No. There is no cost for replacing a lost Safety Pass card. However, we ask your student to be careful with their card as a fee may be assessed for an excessive number of replacements.

What if my student forgets their card?

We encourage students to bring their Safety Pass card each day. If a student forgets their card, the bus driver can manually check the student into the system for afternoon runs only. Please note that manual check-ins are recorded differently than card scans.

What else do Safety Pass cards do? 

Safety Pass cards will only be used to track student attendance.

What if I have a Special Education student who cannot scan their own card?

Special education students who are able to scan their cards will scan themselves, whereas the driver will scan cards for students who are unable to scan.

Does my student need to keep their card over the summer?

At the end of the school year, bus drivers will collect cards. If you forget to return a card, we will issue new cards in the fall.

When will BusRight be available? General education bus routes are available now, with special education and activity routes available on August 22, 2025.

How do I download BusRight? Look for QR codes provided by the district, or search "BusRight" in your device's app store and look for the yellow icon.

What information do I need to set up my account?

• Student ID number
• Student's birth date
• Student's name
• Name of the school your student attends

What features does BusRight offer?

• Real-time GPS bus tracking
• Automatic delay notifications due to traffic
• Updated arrival times
• Student boarding and departure alerts

Will BusRight replace ParentSquare for transportation communication? No. ParentSquare remains our primary communication method. BusRight provides additional real-time tracking and serves as a backup information source.

What about ridership cards? Ridership cards are expected to roll out later in the 2025-2026 school year, starting with elementary schools. More information will be provided as this feature becomes available.

Who do I contact for help?

• BusRight app technical issues: support@busright.com
• Bus route and stop questions: Call the Transportation Department at (253)530-3900

Are there multiple language options? Yes, BusRight offers multiple language options within the app.

What if my bus appears offline in the app? This may occur if:

• The bus route has completed and returned to the lot
• There are technical issues with the GPS system
• Your student may not be assigned to the stop in the system (contact the Transportation Department)

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 

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

Goodman Middle School - North Side

Goodman Middle School - South Side

Harbor Ridge MS - East Side

Harbor Ridge MS - West Side

Key Peninsula MS - North Side

Key Peninsula MS - South Side

Kopachuck MS - North Side

Kopachuck MS - South Side

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

Gig Harbor HS - Southeast Side

Gig Harbor HS - Southwest Side

Peninsula High School - Gig Harbor Side

Peninsula High School - North 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