• If you live close to your school, please check EWSD walking zones before registering. Students who live in walking zones will not be eligible for yellow school bus transportation, but may still access public transit.
• Green Mountain Transit Public transit is available to all students. Students utilizing GMT do not need to register for transportation. GMT does not require masks at this time, and is fare-free through 6/30/2023.
• Transportation is only provided to EES, FMS, and EMS within “Town” boundaries. 
• Transportation to Summit, Hiawatha, Thomas Fleming, and Albert D Lawton is only provided within “City” boundaries.
• Transportation to Westford Elementary School is only provided within Westford town boundaries.
• Families may request transportation to an EWSD school outside of their geographic area from the Superintendent. Approval of requests will be at the sole discretion of the Superintendent, and may be based on factors such as proximity to an existing route serving the school, and available seating. If transportation to an EWSD School outside of their geographic area is granted, it will be only for one year. Families must annually request this exception.

• All of Essex Village is a walking zone for EHS/CTE students.
• Essex Town EHS/CTE students who are within ¾ walking distance of a GMT bus stop will not have yellow school bus service. 
• Essex High School students in Essex Town further than ¾ mile from public transportation may register for transportation on district-provided bus routes. 
• EHS students on VT 128 / Browns River Rd and Old Stage Rd are served by EHS Westford Routes
• EHS Westford route stops and times will change depending on number and location of students registered. Details will be in confirmation emails. 
• Essex High School students in Georgia and the Islands may register for transportation.

Kindergarten and First Grade students must have a parent or other person (authorized in writing) at the bus stop for both pickup and dropoff. If no one is at the stop for afternoon drop-off, students will be returned to school with a staff member, and parents will be called to pick them up. Families may authorize additional people via transportation@ewsd.org email. Families may choose to authorize older family members riding the same bus.

• Students should be ready at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled time, and be prepared to wait up to 15 minutes past the scheduled stop time. Dress for the weather.
• EWSD will send an automated phone call to parents of registered riders if we anticipate the route will operate more than 15 minutes late. Please note we can only send this call to the primary route designated for the student, we do not have the capability to send this call to an alternate stop which is on a different bus route from the primary route.
• Times change due to traffic, weather, students riding or not riding, etc.
• Wait off the traveled portion of the road, in a spot where the bus can see you. The bus will not stop or wait if they can’t see you.
• Having an illuminated cell phone, blinker, reflective clothing, or flashlight helps the driver see you in low-light conditions. Don’t shine the light right at the bus/driver.
• The first 2 weeks of school, bus stop times will vary more than usual as students and drivers settle into a routine.
• Links for EWSD bus behavior guidelines, student parent handbook, and more bus stop safety tips.