Modes of Transportation
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS
Specialized transportation, as a related service, must be written on the pupil’s IEP with specificity and should be approved by the school’s administrator. It is recommended that services be described in sufficient detail to inform the parties of how, when, and from where/to where transportation will be provided.
Considering the identified needs of the student, transportation options may include, but not be limited to:
- No transportation - Student arrives/leaves school in the same manner as non-disabled students when there is no district-provided transportation. Student may walk or ride a bike to school.
- Regular school bus transportation - Student use the same regular school bus as non-disabled students when there is district-provided transportation.
- Regular school bus transportation with modifications - Student uses the same regular school bus as non-disabled students with an arranged corner stop near student’s home or at the end of the road leading to the student’s home.
- Public transportation - Student use public transportation with a reimbursement of the cost given to the parents. The IEP team may wish to consider a blend of transportation services as the student’s needs evolve and as the student’s abilities progress. When discussing transportation options for a student, one consideration could be public transportation to assist in independence. This may require additional public transportation goals and services provided to teach the student skills necessary for ongoing use.
- School-to-School - Student may walk to the neighborhood school and then be transported to the school where the student’s special education services are being provided. (This option can be used only if the school sites are on different schedules as disabled students are to have the same “school day” as their non-disabled peers unless the disability requires a shorter day.)
Special Education transportation may be provided by a regular school bus, special education transportation bus, or another district-approved transportation provider.
- Door-to-door - Student is provided special education transportation between the student’s home, and the location of his/her special education services. Special Education transportation may be provided by a regular school bus, special education transportation bus, or another district-approved transportation provider.
- Parent voluntarily transporting his/her child - If a parent chooses not to utilize bus transportation offered by the district, the parent will not be entitled to reimbursement. If the parent is transporting and being reimbursed, the parent will be paid the rate of reimbursement determined by each LEA.
TAKE NOTE: When arrangements for the reimbursement to parents are required, the amount and frequency of reimbursement should be documented in the IEP. It could be defined, for example, through a monthly calendar submitted to the appropriate person for IRS Mileage Rate. A sample contract for in lieu transportation is included in Appendix 2.
- Utilizing a Taxi or Ride-Share Service - If a school has determined to use a taxi service or a rideshare service to transport students with disabilities there are some considerations that should be discussed by the LEA/District. The LEA/District should ensure that students are transported by an individual who has a valid California driver’s license, minimum liability insurance, and has completed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the LEA/District.
- Uber and Lyft are the most recognized names in the rideshare industry, however, they are not permitted to transport students.
- There are other companies, such as HopSkipDrive, that are attempting to enter by providing rides that are specifically tailored to transporting children. The majority of drivers have a minimum of five years of childcare experience.
- LEAs/Districts may want to explore such rideshare services in their area. It is important when considering these options for transportation to ensure that the student does not miss any instructional time due to waiting on pick up or drop off by taxi or rideshare service.
- There are other companies, such as HopSkipDrive, that are attempting to enter by providing rides that are specifically tailored to transporting children. The majority of drivers have a minimum of five years of childcare experience.
CERTIFIED SERVICE ANIMALS:
A certified service animal may be transported when it is needed to facilitate the functional level of a student with disabilities. The LEA/District should develop a policy to address this issue and address all considerations, procedures, and details with the IEP team. Please see Appendix 1 for a sample policy.