Transportation
Inclement Weather
Extreme Weather Busing Infographic
Extreme Cold Weather and Busing in the Afternoon
The Board is concerned about the safe transport of students to and from school. In the event of inclement weather or hazardous road conditions, school bus transportation may be cancelled prior to school opening; early school bus dismissal from schools may occur during school hours; and/or, during severe weather advisory conditions, a school or schools may be closed prior to and/or after schools are opened.
The criteria for transportation closure or enhancement for this division are that buses on a particular route(s) in any community or in some cases across the whole jurisdiction will not run in mornings when:
- The temperature is -40°C or colder;
- In cases of temperatures warmer than -40°C if the wind chill factor is -40ºC or greater as per The Weather Network. Refer to "feels like" when determining the effect of wind chill on the temperature.
- Road conditions are such, on particular routes, that the probability is significant that a particular bus(es) cannot in reasonable safety complete the route.
The decision for cancellation of transportation services will rest with the Principal in consultation with bus drivers/contractors. During inclement weather, the final decision to send a child to the bus stop or to school rests with parents, even though buses may be operational. Parents are responsible for listening to the designated radio stations or checking the St. Paul Education website to receive the correct information with regard to school closures or bus cancellations. Local radio stations notified of bus/school closures are:
- CFCW Radio
- Real Country 95.9
- Real Country 97.7
- Country 99
- Boom 95.3
- Hot FM 101.3
- 630 CHED
- Global TV
Parents should ensure that students are dressed appropriately while traveling to and from school during inclement weather conditions whether they are riding the bus or walking. The temperatures on a school bus may drop dramatically in the event of mechanical problems.
Rural Transportation
| Riders | Fees for 2023/24 |
| Single Rural Rider (K-12) Family Rate (3 or more) |
$50 $150 |
| Alternate seat fee Single Rider (K-12) Family Rate (3 or more) |
$180 $400 |
| Year round yard service – min/max | $250-$500 |
| Winter yard service – min/max | $175-$275 |
| AM or PM only yard service – min/max | $175-$275 |
| Kindergarten yard service – min/max | $175-$275 |
- Once bus applications are processed and approved, you will receive an email notification listing the fees and further details.
- Bus applications will not be considered complete until fees are paid in full or a payment plan is set up.
- Transportation fees can be paid in full, or through a payment plan, using School Cash Online, E-transfer (Recipient is etransfer@sperd.ca and the message must contain, school, students name and the service you are paying for, eg. busing) or at Central Office.
- To access School Cash Online, families can go to their login and apply for transportation. The appropriate applicable fees can be seen once you add busing to your cart.
- If late fees are not received by January 31, the parent/guardian may be asked to withdraw their child(ren) from riding the bus.
- Please note that any outstanding transportation fees must be paid before applications for the 2023-24 school year will be processed.
- Those unable to pay fees due to financial hardship may apply for a fee waiver. Please contact your school office for additional information.
- Please note that any outstanding transportation fees must be paid before applications for the 2023-24 school year will be processed.
- Online payment assistance is available by contacting the Transportation Department at 780-645-3323.
- Rural transportation busing is available to students whose primary residence includes County of St. Paul and County of Two Hills students attending, St. Paul, Mallaig, Ashmont, Elk Point, Two Hills, and Myrnam Schools and approved Cross Area riders from out of Jurisdiction accessing a rural bus for transportation to their School of Choice
- Services to allow one alternate location to an existing stop for either pick-up or drop-off in situations where children have parents with joint custody, day home or daycare may be given consideration, depending on seat availability. Requests approved by the Transportation Department for alternate seats on a different bus route may be charged the Alternate Seat Fee.
- Approved Cross Area Riders residing out of jurisdiction accessing a St. Paul Division School Bus to their school of choice, may have additional fees on top of the flat fee; if additional mileage is incurred as per current practice. Further information is available on our Transportation homepage.
Year Round Service (along with payment)
The residence is at least 0.25 km from the registered road allowance for students in Gr. K-3 or at least 0.5 km for students in Gr. 4-12.
Winter Service (along with payment)
The residence is at least 0.25 km from the registered road allowance for all grades.
With approval from the Director of Transportation, fees may be waived (N/C) - due to safety reasons
- school bus turnaround
- bus stop is on a numbered highway for students in Gr. K-4
- bus stop does not have sufficient distance for visibility by other motorists (i.e. hill, curve, etc.), or
- other requests as approved by the Board
The Board retains the right to review and change the conditions on an ongoing basis.
Student Responsibilities
The student’s primary responsibility is to conduct himself/herself in a manner which will not cause the driver to divert his/her attention from driving the bus.
- Follow all Division applicable Administrative Procedures such as:
- Be on time (3 to 5 minutes prior to bus arrival)
- Avoid distracting the driver with loud noises
- Keep the bus clean and in good condition
- Be respectful and courteous
- Follow the rules (e.g. bus driver rules for food/drink)
- Be safe (e.g. listen to the driver, stay seated, keep body parts in the bus, etc.)
Parent Responsibilities
It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure their children are aware and adhere to the Student Transportation Guidelines and Regulations.
- Accept responsibility for the proper conduct of their children
- Instruct children to obey all traffic rules, regulations and administrative procedures
- Be responsible for any damage to a bus caused by their children
- Ensure that their children are at the bus stop on time
- Ensure that their children are properly dressed for the weather conditions
- Sign up for the Bus Status notification app and/or watch Division social and radio media for inclement weather updates
- Inform the driver of any pertinent health information regarding their child (i.e. life threatening allergies, medical conditions, etc.)
- Contact the driver
- with any bus issues or concerns
- when their children are to be absent from school or when they do not require busing for the morning/afternoon runs
NOTE: These guidelines are based on the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, the Alberta Education Act, and Division policies and guidelines.