Welcome to the Transportation Webpage
Welcome to our transportation webpage, which provides you with information regarding our transportation provided to the Mendon-Upton Regional School District. Our bus transportation is available for all students who reside within Mendon and Upton who attend our school district. We pride ourselves on providing safe, pleasant, and efficient transportation for our communities.
Maintaining a high quality transportation system is a result of a team effort among district and school administration, bus coordinators and drivers, school teachers and staff, students, and parents/guardians. We view the bus stops and buses as an extension of our schools and therefore all district policies also apply to our transportation. Please know that our bus routes and stops are created to not only provide safe pick-up/drop-off points for students, but also they were developed through analysis of traffic patterns and distances between sites.
Bus Routes
2024-2025 Bus Routes will be posted a week before school starts. You can view last year's bus routes for an idea of how routes run.
Please note that the Spanish Immersion Bus Routes from Mendon to Upton (Memorial Elementary School) are located at the end of the document.
After the first weeks of school, routes generally settle into a predictable routine and you will be able to count on your bus to arrive within a reasonable window.
Questions regarding transportation
If you have any questions regarding bus routes, stops, and timing, please contact the MURSD Bus Coordinator, Mrs. Mo Coburn, via email or by calling 508-381-3946 and she will respond as soon as possible.
Please view the frequently asked questions below to answer some of your transportation questions.
General Bus Expectations
General Expectations for Students Riding School Buses
School buses are an extension of the school that they serve. As such, students are expected to conduct themselves properly at all times. This includes bus stops in neighborhoods.
When the conduct of a student interferes directly or indirectly with the safe and efficient operation of the school bus, or causes damage, the student will be brought to the attention of school personnel for disciplinary action. Once the bus driver becomes aware of a problem on their bus, they will attempt to deal directly with the student through such means as assigned seating. If in the driver’s judgment, the child has failed to improve their behavior sufficiently, then they will be reported to the Principal/Assistant Principal for determination and implementation of further disciplinary action. Disciplinary action will range from parental notification to removal of the child from the bus for various lengths of time and/or suspension from school.
If the bus is damaged, the student and/or their parents/guardian will be responsible for all reasonable costs for the repair of the bus.
Waiting For the School Bus
A student is expected to wait at the bus stop in an orderly manner, without being bothersome or fearful for his/her own personal safety. The student shall:
Arrive at their bus stop on time. Bus will not wait for student(s) who is not visible at the bus stop on time.
When crossing the street, wait for the driver’s signal and cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
Wait at the designated stop and demonstrate courteous, responsible behavior.
Respect the property of person(s) whose home or property is at or near the bus stop.
Respect the personal or school property of fellow students.
Remain well off the roadway, out of the path of motor vehicle traffic.
Behave in such a way that the student does not harm others or cause them to be harmed or threatened.
Riding the School Bus
A student shall, at all times, observe the following rules of safety while riding the school bus:
Follow the instructions of the bus driver. Treat the bus driver and other passengers with respect.
Take their seat promptly.
Remain seated at all times when the bus is in motion. Do not climb over seats.
Speak in normal tone of voice, without disturbing the driver, using appropriate language.
Behave in such a way that they do not harm others or cause them to be harmed or threatened.
Carry book bags or some type of carrying case in order to carry supplies back and forth to school in an organized manner.
Do not bring balls on the bus without a proper container, i.e. book bag, bag, etc.
Open windows only after receiving permission from the driver.
Do not stick anything out an open window or yell to someone outside the bus.
Keep the aisles completely clear of objects.
Refrain from eating food, chewing gum, or drinking beverages.
Smoking is prohibited at all times.
Ride only their regularly assigned bus unless they have written permission from the school (signified only by a signed bus pass from the main office).
Be familiar with the emergency exits and use them for emergencies only.
Never bring objects on the bus, such as knives or letter openers, which could hurt someone or damage the bus.
Visual and audio surveillance equipment operated by the bus company may be used on school buses.
NO animals of any kind, including birds and reptiles will be allowed on the school bus.
Getting Off the School Bus
The students will use care and caution when getting off the school bus. The student shall:
Exit the bus in an orderly manner once it has come to a complete stop.
Wait for the driver’s signal and allow at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the road.
Remain away from the side of the bus when it pulls away.
Behave in such a way that they do not harm others or cause them to be harmed or threatened.
Bus Switching/Changes
Bus switching is not allowed on a day-to-day basis or for social functions but may be approved, at the principal’s discretion, for child care, emergencies, or other situations. Any student who would like to change buses must bring a note to the office at the beginning of the school day and pick up the bus pass at their lunch time. Bus passes will only be granted if there is sufficient room on the requested bus route.
Any bus changes must occur through the school not through parents or students communicating with bus drivers.
Violation of School Bus Rules
The decision of the disciplinary action shall be based upon the frequency of the disruptive behavior and the type of rule broken and shall be at the administrator’s discretion. Disciplinary action will follow the school’s General Disciplinary Guidelines. Repeated violations of school bus rules will result in suspension from the bus.
Note: Please keep in mind that according to state statute, parents are responsible for transporting students to and from school if they are removed from a bus for disciplinary reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are students asked to arrive at the bus stop or to be outside the house at about 10-15 minutes before the bus pickup time?
We ask students to be ready at their bus stop location about 10-15 minutes prior to pick up time so they are ready and waiting for the bus to arrive. This assists with keeping all our bus routes on time as it helps with a quick loading of the bus. Every additional 30 seconds adds up over the course of the stops, which can push routes to not get the students there on time. It also ensures that students are ready in case the clock time is different for the bus driver and the student.
A child is bothering my child while they are on the bus. What should I do?
Please report any problems to your child's school principal or assistant principal so that appropriate steps may be taken. Students who engage in bullying or harassing behaviors are subject to disciplinary action.
Are there consequences if a student misbehaves on the bus?
Yes. Bus drivers will report problems to the student's school. School administrators will then follow up regarding what incidents are reported according to our student code of conduct.
My child's bus arrives later or earlier than I want. Can the time be changed?
All of our buses follow a complex and comprehensive schedule, completing three consecutive routes in the morning and the afternoon. Because we service all of our students in the district and to ensure effective scheduling, the overall bus schedules cannot be changed to accommodate individual requests. Please know that the routes are adjusted as needed to maximize the least amount of time on the bus as possible for the bus run.
My child missed the bus at school this afternoon. Can the bus come back?
At most of our schools, the drivers receive a signal from the school staff when they are able to depart after a sufficient time has been allowed for students to exit to board the buses. If an occasion happens where students are unable to make the bus and miss it, once the buses depart, in most cases the buses are not able to return to pick up students who miss the buses. The dismissal staff on duty will work with the student to call home and emergency contacts to arrange for a ride home.
Can a family member or other adult board a school bus at the bus stop or at school?
The safety of our students is paramount. It is illegal for any unauthorized individual to stop or board a school bus. Please do not attempt to board a school bus along the route or at school.
The bus didn't show up on time for my child. How long should we wait at the stop?
Your child should arrive or be ready at the stop about 10-15 minutes before the typical arrival time of the bus. If there is a substitute driver, the times sometimes may be inconsistent as they learn the routes. If it looks like the bus is not coming (15-20 minutes after typical bus time) then you can call the school or the bus company to inquire if there is an issue with the bus and they will be able to let you know.
Are School Choice students provided bus transportation?
The Mendon-Upton Regional School District is only required to bus students who live in Mendon or Upton.