Transportation

The mission of the Gulf Shores City Schools Board of Education Transportation Department is to ensure that the most precious cargo, OUR CHILDREN, are transported to and from school and school activities in the safest, most efficient manner each day. Our drivers are required to attend safety meetings each year, as well as they are required to pass a DOT physical examination and are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. The school bus is the safest vehicle on the road-your child is up to 70 times safer taking a bus to and from school than traveling by car according to NHTSA bus safety facts.

For more information contact:
Randall Carlisle
rcarlisle@gsboe.org
Student Engagement, Safety, and Transportation Coordinator
251.968.9873

In order for our students to have the safest ride possible, the drivers diligently work making sure that the students arrive at their destination safely. The students are expected to behave in an appropriate manner on the bus without distracting the driver. The parents and/or guardians should have the students at the bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled time for the bus to arrive. We strive to provide the best communication with our parents and community regarding specific bus information such as location of stops, bus numbers and pick up/delivery times. Our community must help by being patient at bus stops and obeying all flashing lights and working with their children on adhering to bus rules and behavior polices.

Large school buses provide protection because of their size, weight, light systems, cross-view mirrors, crossing arm, protective seating and high crush standards. They must meet minimum Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) mandating compartmentalized seating, improved emergency exits, stronger roof structures and fuel systems, and better bus body joint strength. School buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road. They are designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries. NHTSA believes school buses should be as safe as possible. That is why our safety standards for school buses are above and beyond those of regular buses.

At Gulf Shores City Schools, your child will have the opportunity for transportation to/from school on the district buses. In order to ensure we have accurate information on your child/children that will be riding the Gulf Shores City Schools Buses we are asking that you complete the form below. You will need to complete a separate form on each child that will be riding the bus.

Please click on the following link to complete the bus transportation form:
**Complete if you are NEW to Gulf Shores City Schools or if you have a Change of Address
Returning students with same prior address do not have to complete

***Online GSCS Transportation Request is now Open - ALL students riding a school bus to Gulf Shores City Schools for the 2024-2025 school year will need to complete the student bus transportation form.***

GSCS Transportation Request (Students Morning/Afternoon)

Please remind your child/children to look for our Gulf Shores City Buses.

Bus Information

Bus Lists

The bus pick times are dependent on traffic flow and red lights. Parents please have students at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time. Thank you so much!

Bus #15-01 Renee Feinstein (Crab)
Bus #15-02 Brandi Owens (Mermaid)
Bus #16-01 Brandon Stephens (Jellyfish)
Bus #17-01 Mike Bowman (Surfboard)
Bus #18-01 Valerie Caldwell (Starfish)
Bus #19-01 Clint Wigley (Sandcastle)
Bus #20--01 Don Smith (Shark)
Bus #20-02 Brian Parrish (Sand Dollar)
Bus #21-01 Karla Rakocy (Dolphin)
Bus #22-01 Steve Henry (Sea Turtle)
Bus #22-02 Paul Platt (Sailboat)
Bus #22-03 Paula McGrady (Seahorse)
Bus #23-01 Richard Turner (Pelican)
Bus #24-01 Kaia Williams-Helms (Whale)
Bus #24-02 Sara Shaw (Stingray)
Bus #24-03 Teresa Brewer (Clown Fish)
Bus #24-04 Austin Boyd (Seashell)

Bus Discipline Form For Students

Bus Drivers

Bus Manifest Form

Bus Rules and Regulations

Bus Student Safety Rules

GULF SHORES CITY SCHOOLS BUS RULES
Student safety and discipline on a school bus is everybody’s business. Bus drivers must maintain good discipline and set reasonable expectations for proper conduct. Before the first day of school and each day as necessary, all parents/guardians should explain the following guidelines to their students.

Students are expected to act appropriately while at the appointed bus stop.

Go immediately to the assigned seat and remain in the seat for the entire bus trip.

Remain seated and facing forward while the bus is in motion.

Talk in a quiet, reasonable tone of voice. Loud, boisterous, profane language or indecent conduct will not be tolerated.

Students may not tease, scuffle, trip, hold, hit, or use their hands, feet, or bodies objectionably.

Do not litter or throw items on the bus; this will not be tolerated.

Food, drink, candy, and gum are prohibited on the bus.

Students may be permitted to utilize electronic devices while on the school bus at the driver's discretion. Students and parents are responsible for maintaining and caring for all personal electronic devices, including correctly securing them to prevent damage and theft at school and on the school bus.

Keep the bus aisle clear of all items, such as feet, legs, book bags, instruments, etc.

Students shall be respectful of the bus driver and follow all directions given by the driver.

Students should refrain from tampering with the emergency equipment on the school bus.

Students shall treat each other with respect and follow school handbook rules.

Treat all school property with respect.

Observe the same conduct rules as expected in the classroom.

Encourage your students to alert you about problems on the bus, parents not at home, strange people/vehicles in the area, or anything unusual.

Students must be quiet when the bus stops at all railroad crossings.

Students will be released at their designated bus stop unless the school has given them prior written permission to exit the bus at another location. Once a student boards a bus, they can only exit the bus if it is at their designated bus stop.

Musical instruments are allowed on the school bus but must be held by the student during the trip. Instruments may not be stored in the back of the bus (blocking the emergency exit).

Sporting equipment must be carried in a sporting bag or protective covering and held by the student during the trip.

Students shall not leave any personal items on the bus.

Skateboards, scooters, etc., are prohibited on buses.

Students should be at their designated bus stop 5 minutes before their scheduled pick-up time. Students need to be at their stop before the bus arrives so that they will not cause the other students to be late for school. If a student misses a bus because they were late getting to their stop, the bus will not return to pick up the student. Do not chase the school bus down to put your student on the bus. If your student misses the bus, you must take the student to school.

The transportation department designates the bus stops and pick-up times for students.

Students are not allowed to transport prescription or non-prescription medications on the bus and must comply with all GSCS BOE policies regarding medicine.

Smoking, lighters, matches, drug possession, fighting, weapons, or damage to the school property are not tolerated and prohibited.

Mirrors, lasers, flash cameras, or any other light or reflective devices are prohibited in a manner that might interfere with the bus driver’s operation.

Earbuds or headphones must be removed upon entering and exiting the bus.

All students who ride the bus to and from school or any school activity are subject to these rules. Behavior that distracts the driver is a hazard to the safe operation of the bus and jeopardizes the safety of all.

 All students who ride the bus to and from school or any school activity are subject to these rules until they get off at their home, school, or other destination. Behavior that distracts the driver is a hazard to the safe operation of the bus and jeopardizes the safety of all. The bus driver and an administrator will take disciplinary action if rules are disobeyed.

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