BUS SERVICE OPERATORS/RIDERS GUIDELINES
(Based on the meeting held with Bus Operators last November 2008)
Major issues/concerns were presented ans specific guidelines were agreed on to resolve said issues which we are presenting as follows:
*ISSUE/CONCERN: LACK OF BUS SERVICE PLYING CERTAIN AREAS
GUIDELINE: Identify these areas and see the possibility of opening new routes to service and the entry of new service operators next school year (2009-2010).
*ISSUE/CONCERN: EARLY PICK UP / LATE DROP OFF
It is logical that those who lived farthest from JASMS will be the earliest to be pickup followed by those areas that are part of the bus route on its was to JASMS. On the other hand, on the way home, those nearest to JASMS will be dropped off first followed by the those part of the bus route till they reach the farthest destination.
GUIDELINE: The bus operators/drivers should assign a specific pickup time for each passenger and relay to the latter so they are aware what time their children should wake up and start preparing in order to meet the appointed pick up time. A specific drop off time in the afternoon should likewise be established so the parent know what time they expect their children to be home. The bus operator should personally talk to the parents of their riders to ensure that they agree with the specific pick up and drop off times so that no misunderstanding with parents arise in this regard.
*ISSUE/CONCERN: WAITING TIME OF RIDERS DURING THE MORNING PICK UP
Riders should be informed of their daily pick up time; thus riders should be ready at the time. The maximum allowable waiting time is 5 minutes ONLY; otherwise, the drivers will have no recourse but leave the students. Please note that our drivers are working on a time-constraint schedule since they have, at most 10 riders. If all of these riders will use the 5-minute waiting time, you can be assured that your children will be late for their classes. It would even be worst if the bus has two trips – if your children is in the second trip and the first was already 50mins late, the riders of the second trip will suffer this 50min downtime. In this case , we have asked our bus operators/drivers to strictly adhere to the 5mins waiting time and leave the rider if they are still not ready after the 5mins allowable waiting time.
GUIDELINE: Parents' strict compliance and cooperation is counted on to make sure that their children are ready at the appointed pickup time. If their child cannot be ready within the 5mins waiting time they should already consider bringing their child to school on their own. They should likewise be responsible in calling up their bus driver or bus operator to inform that their child will not ride the bus to school.
*ISSUSE/CONCERN: SOME SCHOOL BUSES ARRIVE LATE IN SCHOOL
GUIDELINE: All bus operator s should require their driver to start their pickup early enough that would ensure their arriving on time in school. Moreover, bus drivers are expected to STRICTLY IMPLEMENT THE 5-MINUTE WAITING TIME TO AVOID THE LATE ARRIVAL IN SCHOOL. To eliminate school bus tardiness, it was agreed that a Php100.00 penalty will imposed on buses for every late arrival in school. The penalty will go to kitty that will be used to pay for photocopying expenses (e.g. photocopying of bus service contract, etc.)
*ISSUE/CONCERN: CARRYING OF SCHOOL BAGS OF THE RIDERS TO AND FROM THEIR RECPECTIVE CLASSROOMS
It is always been the rule that our bus conductors are only allowed to assist our pre-school students (nursery to senior kinder) in carrying their school bags from the bus to their respective classrooms. Those in the primary level (Grades 1 to 3) and intermediate (Grades 4 to 7) levels are expected to carry their own bags. Note that this is part of the JASMS way of their teaching our kids to be independent. It was agreed that bus conductors will refrain from carrying school bags of riders who are in Grade 1 to 7.
GUIDELINE: It is the parents' responsibility to inform their children (Grades 1 to 7) to carry their respective school bags from the bus to their classrooms.
*ISSUE/CONCERN: DESIGNATED AREA FOR BUS RIDERS' FROP OFF (ARRIVAL IN JASMS) AND PICK UP (DEPARTURE FROM JASMS)
To allow a smooth and non-chaotic movement of the bus riders, the school has designated a drop off and pick up area for our bus riders. Bus riders are dropped off in front of the service bureau and pick up in the afternoon in the same area. Buses are allowed to park beside the covered walkway while they wait for their passengers in the afternoon pickup.
Again, we leave it to the parents to inform and remind their children that they should be in their respective buses after they are dismissed from their classes. The five-minute waiting time likewise applies in the afternoon pick up.
GUIDELINE: Bus riders will be dropped off in the designated dropped off area – in front of the service bureau – and will be pick up in the school buses designated parking area. In the afternoon, it should be noted that riders are expected to go directly to their school bus right after they are dismissed from their classes. Parents should inform and remind their children of the 5-minute waiting time in the afternoon as buses will leave the school ground after the 5-minute waiting time lapses. Nonetheless, the bus drivers may have their passengers paged and if said passengers still do not answer the page,they will be left behind. At t his point, the bus driver or conductor should make an effort to inform the riders' parents of guardian that their child has not shown up after the 5-minute waiting time nor after he/she was already paged.
*ISSUE/CONCERN: BUS SERVICE PAYMENT
As noted in the bus service contract , PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH. Bus operators complained that this contract stipulation is not being followed by most of their riders which in turn takes a toll on their fuel and maintenance expenses.
GUIDELINE; The NO PAYMENT/NO SERVICE regulation will be STRICTLY IMPLEMENTED. Thus, we urge all parents of bus riding students to COMPLY with this payment schedule as clearly stipulated in the bus service contract to ensure smooth service from our respective bus operators. However, is the bus service continues to experience maintenance problem with their buses, PLEASE LET THE SCHOOL SERVICE COMMITTEE (thru email address jepaboard@gmail.com or you may drop your letters, addressed to JEPA, at the principals' office) KNOW ABOUT IT AS SOON AS THE PROBLEM ARISES so we can correct the problem right away.
*ISSUE/CONCERN: NON-ISSUANE OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR OFFICIAL RECEPTS OF BUS SERVICE PAYMENTS
It was noted that not all operators provide acknowledgment or official receipts as proof that the riders paid the bus service fee.
GUIDELINE: Effective immediately, bus operators ARE REQUIRED to issue acknowledgment or official receipts for all payment received. This is vital especially since we will strictly implement the NO PAYMENT/NO SERVICE regulation.
*ISSUE/CONCERN: DRESS CODE OF BUS DRIVERS / CONDUCTORS
GUIDELINE: As agreed, our bus driver and conductors will have a dress code – white polo shirt and pants.
*ISSUE/CONCERN: CONDUCT OF RIDERS, BUS DRIVERS AND BUS CONDUCTORS WHILE INSIDE THE BUS
GUIDELINE:
As agreed during the meeting, parents of the bus riders should inform and remind their respective children of the proper decorum while inside the bus. For instance, riders should refrain from standing or getting rowdy while inside the bus to avoid accidents. They should not stick out any part of their body outside the bus window or door. On the other hand, the bus drivers and bus conductors should REFRAIN FROM USING THEIR MOBILE PHONES, either to text or take a call, WHILE DRIVING to avoid road accidents. They should task their conductors instead to take calls or check on messages from parents of the bus riders. They are not allowed to smoke while inside the bus and in the company of our riders.
Riders' misconduct while inside the school bus should be reported by the bus driver to the schools' guidance office or the principals' office, especially is such accidents involved students getting hurt or quarreled inside the bus.
Bus drivers'/conductors' misconduct, on the other hand, should be reported to the School Bus Service Committee either thru email or letter, address to JEPA, dropped at the principals' office.
*ISSUE/CONCERN: ABSENCE OF BUS CONDUCTORS OF SOME BUS SERVICE
GUIDELINE: It was agreed during the meeting that all bus service operators should have conductor on board their buses to ensure the safety of their riders while the bus is in motion.
*ISSUE/CONCERN: USE OF THE SCHOOL BUS FOR TRIPS OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL OPERATION AS A SCHOOL BUS
GUIDELINE: Effective immediately, all school buses shall not be used for trips other than their normal allowed travel operations. All students or faculty who will negotiate with the bus operator or bus driver for the use of their school bus for any school activity must first secure a permit from the principals' office.
Prepared by: JEPA/pbs
