Bus FAQs​

​​​​What are the bell times this year?

Tier A Elementary Campuses 
First Bell: 7:43 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 7:50 a.m.; Dismissal: 3:00 p.m.

Mid-Tier Elementary Campuses 
First Bell: 8:03 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 8:10 a.m.; Dismissal: 3:20 p.m.

Tier B Elementary Campuses 
First Bell: 8:23 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 8:30 a.m.; Dismissal: 3:40 p.m.

Junior High Schools:
First Bell: 8:48 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 8:55 a.m.; Dismissal: 4:05 p.m.

High Schools:
First Bell: 7:08 a.m.; Tardy Bell: 7:15 a.m.; Dismissal: 2:35 p.m.

The bus did not arrive on time for my child. How long should he/she wait at the stop?
Your child should arrive at the stop at least 5 minutes before the posted route time of the bus. 

If there is a substitute driver, the times may not be consistent with the posted route times. If the bus is late, ask your child to remain at the stop. Buses break down, roads are blocked, drivers become ill or have emergencies, but there will always be a bus at every stop. If the wait becomes extreme (approximately 15 minutes), please contact ​a transportation office​. ​Transportation centers are listed on the navigation bar under contact ​u​s.

My child's bus is overcrowded. Can some chi​ldren be placed on another bus?
School bus sizes are stated in terms of passenger capacity for elementary school students. It is assumed that elementary school students will ride three per seat. Junior high and high school students are assumed to ride two-three per seat. If the bus has three elementary school students or two-three junior high or high school students per seat, it will seem crowded, but it will not be over capacity. It is our goal to fully utilize all the space on all the buses in our fleet.

​I cannot see my child's bus stop from my house. How can I get the bus stop moved closer?
Bus stops are placed at centralized locations that can be safely accessed by all eligible students and to minimize the time, length and mileage of the run.  Bus stops can be located at various locations.  If you have concerns about your child's safety, you are encouraged to accompany your child to the bus stop or arrange a neighborhood buddy team to walk with your child. Elementary school students may be required to walk up to approximately .2 miles to a bus stop. Junior high school and high school students may be required to walk up to approximately .30 miles to a bus stop.

*In some rare cases, students may need to walk more than the approximate distances shown above.

Last year we had a stop closer to our house. Can we get it put back? 
Our district is constantly growing and neighborhoods may change. Some students move from elementary to junior high, new students may move in and others may move out. This dynamic forces buses to stop changing. Our routes are planned for efficiency, and stops are placed in locations to be accessed by all eligible students within approximate guidelines. 

Why do you use a straight line radius measurement for eligibility when my child can’t walk a straight line through fences and houses to get to school?
The Katy ISD transportation eligibility plan was adopted by the Katy ISD Board of Trustees on May 21, 2012. At that time, the board voted (6-0) to extend the eligibility for transportation from 3/10 of a mile to ½ mile for elementary students and 1 mile for junior high and high school students.

We use the ½ mile (elementary) and one mile (secondary) radius measurements from the school property line as the area where we do not provide transportation. It is not necessarily the intended walking route to school. If your child’s walk to school is over two miles using the shortest walking path available, they are eligible for transportation. 

My child is not eligible for bus service, but the bus that comes into my neighborhood for eligible children has room on it. Can my child ride?
If your address is ineligible for transportation, your child cannot ride the bus. Ridership for eligible students will fluctuate depending on before and after school activities and students’ personal schedules. This may give the appearance of room on the bus. However, we plan the bus routes to fully utilize all of the space on the bus.

Who should parents/guardians contact regarding concerns about student discipline at the bus stop or on the bus? 
Concerns related to student discipline at the bus stop or on the bus should be directed to the campus administration at your child’s school.