PCSD Transportation Update

Hello PCSD Community,

The start of the 2025-2026 school year is almost here with school buses set to begin their routes on Friday, August 1st. We would like our families to assist us in a successful start to the year with the following considerations:

Download the Here Comes the Bus app for your phone from the Apple or Google app store. This app allows you to track your child’s school bus in real time. During the first few weeks of school our Transportation Department receives an extremely high volume of phone calls, especially during morning and afternoon routes. Using the Here Comes the Bus app can help answer many questions about the status of bus routes and help reduce the volume of phone calls.

Not sure where your bus stop is? The School Bus Stop Locator is a great tool on the Transportation website that helps families know where their child will be picked up and dropped off. For parents of students 8-years-old and younger, please be aware that these students must be received by an adult when they are dropped off.

We ask for your patience during the first few weeks of school as we adjust to new ridership patterns and county traffic flow. Our Transportation Department is working hard to develop the best balance of riders, buses, and routes to serve all of our schools safely and efficiently.

Driving a school bus is a tremendous responsibility – and one that our drivers and staff take very seriously. Our team is committed to the professional, safe transport of every student. However, the start of a new school year can be challenging, even for experienced drivers, and especially for those who are new or adjusting to unfamiliar routes and ridership patterns. That is why we’re asking for your patience and support during this transition period. Please encourage your child to be respectful, follow their driver’s instructions, and help maintain a safe, positive environment on the bus – especially while it’s in motion.

Your kindness, cooperation, and support make a real difference!

At the start of the school year, it is normal for some buses to be crowded as our Transportation staff works to find the optimal balance of riders, buses, and routes among all our schools and the more than 19,000 students who ride our buses to school and then home each day. This process can take up to two or three weeks to normalize as enrollment and ridership patterns shift. As the 11th largest and 6th fastest-growing school district in Georgia, our enrollment is expected to be almost 32,000 students this year, which will mean an increase in bus ridership.

During these first few weeks, some buses may run at or near capacity. However, our priority is always student safety, so it is important to note that while some buses may be crowded, they should never be over capacity and every student should have a seat. Please remind your student to always sit in a seat on the bus, and to never sit on the floor or stand. Also, please remind your student to follow the bus driver’s directions and to be polite and respectful.

Regarding late buses, as you are likely aware, there are multiple major road construction projects taking place throughout Paulding County. These projects can have a significant impact on traffic, including school buses transporting students. The school district does not manage road construction, and our school buses are just as susceptible to traffic delays as any other commuter. It is possible that on some routes these delays may result in late pickups or drop-offs during both the morning and afternoon runs.

Our buses travel more than 16,000 miles daily, and when traffic issues are identified, our Transportation Department will take steps to adjust routes to mitigate these issues to the extent that is possible. In some cases, these adjustments may take time to implement, and in other cases there simply may not be a viable alternative route to avoid traffic.

The Paulding County School District wants to be sure all citizens are aware that attempting to board a school bus, blocking a school bus with a vehicle, or any other actions which may distract a bus driver or disrupt the safe transport of students is illegal and carries serious consequences. The video linked below provides an overview of how you can "Respect the Stop." Please follow the law and work with us to ensure our students are transported safely to and from school each day!

As we head into the new school year, we appreciate your support as we work to provide a safe and efficient transportation experience for our more than 19,000 daily bus riders. We are working hard to provide the best educational experience possible for our students and families, and your support makes a tremendous difference.

Email: communications@paulding.k12.ga.us
Website: www.paulding.k12.ga.us
Location: 3236 Atlanta Highway, Dallas, GA 30132, USA
Phone: 770-443-8000
Facebook: facebook.com/pauldingboe
X: @pauldingboe

Instagram: pauldingcountyschooldistrict