Transportation
Welcome to the Portage Township Schools Transportation Department!
The Portage Township Schools Transportation Department is dedicated to providing students and staff the safest and most efficient means of transportation possible.
The Portage Township Schools Transportation Department is dedicated to providing students and staff the safest and most efficient means of transportation possible.
Traversa My Ride K-12
How to set up your PTS account using the WEBSITE
1. Using your web browser, go to https://myridek12.tylerapp.com/login/core/login?signin=960f9a415ab1a9d56a9b2d497597425f.
2. Register your account by clicking "Register".
3. To register, enter your child's ID number as the username & password (your child's date of birth, MM DD YYYY). You will get an email from PowerSchool to verify your email.
1. Using your web browser, go to https://myridek12.tylerapp.com/login/core/login?signin=960f9a415ab1a9d56a9b2d497597425f.
2. Register your account by clicking "Register".
3. To register, enter your child's ID number as the username & password (your child's date of birth, MM DD YYYY). You will get an email from PowerSchool to verify your email.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the registration process and add your student(s) to your account.
5. If you need assistance, please contact the PTS Transportation Department at [email protected].
You can now download the My Ride K-12 app from the Google Play or Apple App Store.
PowerSchool – Child Care Fillable Form Instructions
How to Enter Your Student’s Day Care Transportation Information:
1. Log in to your Parent PowerSchool account.
2. In the left-hand menu under Navigation, click on Forms.
(See image below)
3. Click on the form titled "Child Care Transportation Form."
(See image below)
(See image below)
4. Complete the form and be sure to click "Submit" to ensure it is sent to both your student’s home school and the Transportation Department.
If you need to cancel child care transportation and return to using the bus to your home stop, you may:
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Use the cancellation option in the same form, or
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Email your home school secretary and the Transportation Department directly.
Report a Stop Arm Violation
We encourage all members of the community to report Stop Arm violations, as doing so helps us keep students safe as they travel to and from school. Report a Stop Arm violation.
Contact Us
PTS Transportation Department
3280 Airport Road, Portage, IN 46368
Office: (219) 763-8080 x0 (when the public hits 0 it will ring at all desks verses just one desk)
Fax: (219) 763-3302
3280 Airport Road, Portage, IN 46368
Office: (219) 763-8080 x0 (when the public hits 0 it will ring at all desks verses just one desk)
Fax: (219) 763-3302
Bus Rules & Consequences
RULES
- Obey the driver at all times.
- Follow all directions given by the driver when boarding and departing the bus. Do not cross the street until directed by the driver.
- The school bus is an extension of your school; therefore, all rules and code of conduct apply while riding the bus.
- Be seated immediately and properly (bottom on bottom, back on back and feet on floor in front of you) upon entering the bus in the seat assigned by the driver. Once on the bus, remain on board sitting properly until your stop, unless instructed by the driver.
- No standing or moving place to place during the trip (stay seated).
- Loud, boisterous or profane language or indecent conduct will not be tolerated.
- No windows or doors will be opened or closed except by permission of the driver.
- Students are required to be at their stops 10 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time.
- Only regularly assigned students are allowed to ride the buses. Special permission to ride the bus may be granted by the Principal and/or the Director of Transportation.
- Drivers are required to pick-up and drop-off students at their assigned stops only! Requests for exceptions to this rule must put in writing and approved by the principal in advance. There will be no exceptions!
- No eating, drinking or chewing gum on the bus.
- No animals, insects or other matter, which, in the opinion of the driver could be a deterrent to control or discipline, shall be allowed on board.
- No skateboards, basketballs or any other objects that would be considered flying projectiles by state law and transportation are allowed on the bus.
CONSEQUENCES
- Driver warning
- Driver warning and seat change
- Referred to building principal
- 1 to 3-day removal
- 5 to 10 day removal
- Removal for remainder of semester
- Removal for rest of school year
* Some offenses will result immediate removal from the bus. Including but not limited to the following:
- Fighting
- Threatening violence
- Throwing objects
- Damaging bus
- Disrespecting the bus driver
Bus Safety
School bus conduct and safety rules for pupils are as follows:
- Only the driver, students, and authorized personnel are allowed to ride a bus.
- The bus driver has the same relationship to the child as does the school teacher. It is his/her duty to maintain order on the bus at all times.
- Avoid standing or playing on the road while waiting for the bus.
- Not destroy or damage surrounding property in any way while waiting for the bus. (Such damage results in discontinuance of bus "stops").
- Not enter or leave the bus until it has come to a full stop and the door has been opened by the driver.
- Take his/her turn and avoid pushing when entering or leaving the bus.
- Treat bus equipment as valuable furniture in the home. Help keep the bus clean, sanitary and orderly. Deposit garbage in container at the front of the bus. No food or drink shall be consumed on the bus. Those who damage the bus will be expected to pay the damages.
- Do not smoke on the bus.
NEVER, NEVER CROSS IN BACK OF THE BUS!
Parents and students are requested to know the importance of the "DANGER ZONE" illustrated in the diagram below. This is the area around the school bus where it is extremely difficult for a driver to see a child.
Walking Boundaries
Portage Township Schools will transport all students who reside in the district and who live outside the established walking boundaries.
Students will be expected to walk a reasonable distance to the school in which they are enrolled. The maximum walking distance shall not exceed one (1) mile for students in grades K-8 and one and one-half (1 1/2) miles for students in grades 9-12. The walking distance shall be considered as the shortest, most reasonable and safest route to walk to school.
Students who are transported may be required to walk a reasonable distance to established bus stops. For each bus route, the established bus stop(s) shall be determined by the Superintendent of Schools or a designee. The distance a student may be required to walk to a bus stop shall not exceed one (1) mile for students in grades K-8 and one and one-half (1-1/2) miles for students in grades 9-12.
Using the above guidelines, Kindergarten students assigned to morning classes will walk or be transported to school by the Portage Township Schools. Morning kindergarten students will either walk or be provided transportation home at dismissal. Kindergarten students assigned to afternoon classes will either walk or be provided transportation to school. At dismissal, afternoon kindergarten students will walk or be transported home according to the above guidelines.
Kindergarten students must be met at the bus stop by a parent or guardian. Any kindergarten student not met at their stop will be returned to school. Parents may authorize an older sibling to be responsible to meet the kindergarten student by providing written permission to the bus driver.
Students will be expected to walk a reasonable distance to the school in which they are enrolled. The maximum walking distance shall not exceed one (1) mile for students in grades K-8 and one and one-half (1 1/2) miles for students in grades 9-12. The walking distance shall be considered as the shortest, most reasonable and safest route to walk to school.
Students who are transported may be required to walk a reasonable distance to established bus stops. For each bus route, the established bus stop(s) shall be determined by the Superintendent of Schools or a designee. The distance a student may be required to walk to a bus stop shall not exceed one (1) mile for students in grades K-8 and one and one-half (1-1/2) miles for students in grades 9-12.
Using the above guidelines, Kindergarten students assigned to morning classes will walk or be transported to school by the Portage Township Schools. Morning kindergarten students will either walk or be provided transportation home at dismissal. Kindergarten students assigned to afternoon classes will either walk or be provided transportation to school. At dismissal, afternoon kindergarten students will walk or be transported home according to the above guidelines.
Kindergarten students must be met at the bus stop by a parent or guardian. Any kindergarten student not met at their stop will be returned to school. Parents may authorize an older sibling to be responsible to meet the kindergarten student by providing written permission to the bus driver.
Bus Driver Information & Responsibilities
School bus drivers are in charge of the responsibility to transport students to and from school each day safely. They must maintain order and discipline and see that no student is mistreated. They use every precaution for the safety of the children under their care. They must maintain a schedule and advise the school of any way to improve the student transportation operation. These drivers are highly trained in classroom and road experience, carrying a Commercial Driver License (CDL) and State Certification.
To become a bus driver for PTS:
This position is a part-time job. Training is provided at no charge. This is a fantastic job for a parent, retiree, or anyone who likes competitive wages! You are home when your children are home and have summers and holidays off. If you are interested in becoming a school bus driver please fill out an online application HERE.
This position is a part-time job. Training is provided at no charge. This is a fantastic job for a parent, retiree, or anyone who likes competitive wages! You are home when your children are home and have summers and holidays off. If you are interested in becoming a school bus driver please fill out an online application HERE.
Training includes the following items:
- Pre-trip inspection training
- Behind the wheel training
- Observation time on bus with a licensed CDL driver
- Student discipline
- Maintaining Bus State Requirements:
- Permits for knowledge, school bus, passenger, and air brake
- 3 day class conducted by the state
- CDL physical and physical fitness certificate
Portage Township Schools participate in a random drug and alcohol testing pool and pre-employment testing. This is done by an outside state approved agency. We also do a criminal background check and driver's license check.