About Optional Bus Services

  • The Optional Bus Service (OBS) program is an option for elementary and intermediate students living within 2 miles or less of their assigned schools.  

    You may only choose one location (must be the same) for both pick up and drop off.

    ⇒ If you live in an area where you are required to pay fees. ALL fees must be paid prior to your student being added to a route.

    ⇒ Transportation fees must be paid through Infinite Campus using a Credit or Debit card.

    ⇒ Transportation Fees for the 2024-2025 SY are $250.00 per student

     

    Our Express Shuttle Service program is an option for junior high students (7th-8th gr.) living within 2 miles or less of the Junior High and high school students (9th-12th gr.) living within 3 miles or less of the High School.  The express shuttle will service between the Garfield campus location (Elementary and Intermediate buildings) in the morning to the Jr. High/High School campus and the reverse in the afternoon.  The above fees will apply for this service.

    ⇒ Payment Options

    • Payment in full prior to student(s) being added to the bus route before August 9th, 2024.
    • Payment by semester (half of the yearly fee) is due prior to student(s) being added to the bus route before August 9th, 2024 and the other half is due no later than Sunday, December 1st.

    If you choose to pay by semester, we will send out an e-mail prior to the payment being due, we will not be sending out invoices via US Mail.  Please mark your calendars to submit your payment no later than December 1st, 2025. If payment is not received, your student(s) seats will be offered to students on the waiting list and they will be unable to ride beginning, Monday, January 13th, 2025.

     

    ⇒ How or where can I make payment?

    • On-line through Infinite Campus (debit or credit cards)
    • If you wish to pay for each semester separately, first add the fee to your cart (this would be the total yearly fee).  Once the fee is added to your cart to pay, you may adjust the amount to be paid to a single semester fee (divide the yearly fee by 2). 

     

    ⇒ Free and Reduced

    • The district will follow state guidelines for free and reduced meals for students.
    • Fees for students living in an OBS area that receive free or reduced status must have a current waiver form signed and on file with the Food Service Department prior to being added to a bus route and the fee being adjusted.
    • The fee for reduced students is half the cost of the yearly fee.
    • If you feel you would qualify for free or reduced meals, please reach out to Christy Hahn in our food service department at hahnc@bfschools.org or by phone at 515.967.7819 to begin the process.

     

    ⇒ Bus Stop Locations

    • Most bus stops for the Optional Bus Service Program will be group stops.
    • Stops will be added or eliminated based on neighborhood participation.
    • Stops must be at least 300 feet apart to comply with State Laws.
    • Students must be picked up and dropped off at their assigned location only.