Transportation
Durham School Services, a national leader in student transportation, operates bus services for Ames Community School District. The District provides transportation either directly or by reimbursement according to state law and Board Policy 711.1, for all resident students, preschool through 12th grade, who qualify.
Transportation Related Issues or Questions
- General questions about your bus pickup/drop off times or your bus number, please contact Tania Nuno at the District Office.
- Questions regarding changing a route or new routes, contact Durham at 515-233-5424.
- Questions about bus being late/early, or other information for current riders, please contact Durham at 515-233-5424.
Notification of Bus Issues and Route Delays
Parents and guardians whose children ride the bus can sign up for alerts about route delays and other issues specifically affecting their children.
Translations:
Transportation Eligibility
- Elementary and middle school students must live more than two miles from the school designated for attendance for free busing.
- High school students (grades 9-12) must live more than three miles from the school for free busing.
- Other factors may determine a student’s eligibility for transportation. The District determines eligibility for transportation as students register for transportation services and only makes changes in eligibility at the start of the school year or second semester.
- Families MUST apply for busing during registration and re-enrollment each year, even if they applied for busing in the past.
- Please note that applications received later than one week before the start of school are considered late. Students whose applications are late will NOT be allowed to ride the bus until after Labor Day.
- Discretionary transportation service may be available at a fee approved annually by the Board.
Bus Fees
Round Trip
- Single Child – $185/semester
- Second Child – $140/semester
- Third Child – $110/semester
- Year annual cost (single child) – $370
One Way
- Single Child – $110/semester
- Second Child – $85/semester
- Third Child – $70/semester
- Year annual cost (single child) – $220
Those students who qualify for Free and Reduced Meals and fill out the waiver can have the results applied to busing.
Bus Rules and Procedures
The safety of each child who rides the school bus depends on the cooperation and skills of students, parents and school bus operators. We encourage families to review this information and discuss it with their children, emphasizing that good conduct is important for safety.
School bus drivers have the same authority as classroom teachers. They may give instructions, assign seats, and initiate disciplinary measures.
Students are not allowed to use bus transportation to ride to a friend’s home that is not on their assigned route.
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