Transportation
Transportation Office:
2640 Wilmington Pike
Kettering, 45419
Kettering, 45419
Bus Stop Information
The KCS Transportation Department is now using the Stopfinder app for families to access student transportation schedules, bus stop information and notifications related to transportation services. The Stopfinder app is available for download in the App Store, as well as in Google Play.
Accessing Student Bus Schedules
Access to student schedules is granted only to the student’s primary contact by the Transportation Department. The primary contact, at their own discretion, may share their student’s schedule with caregivers (sub-subscribers). An invitation to activate your Stopfinder account is sent to the primary contact via email.
Late Buses
The Kettering City Schools Transportation office will still make every effort to communicate delays of more than 15 minutes. Communication methods may include Stopfinder notifications, primary contact email, or announcements on the school district's official website and social media pages. It is recommended that parents regularly check for updates on their child's transportation status during such situations.
In cases where delays are anticipated, the Transportation office will strive to provide as much advance notice as possible. Parents are encouraged to stay informed about any potential disruptions to the bus schedule and to make alternative arrangements if necessary.
However, there may be times when the transportation office staff are covering routes. Should this occur, notifications may not be communicated.
It's important for parents to ensure that their contact information, especially email addresses and phone numbers, is kept up to date with the school district to receive timely notifications about bus delays or other transportation-related updates. Additionally, being familiar with the communication channels established by the Transportation office will help parents stay informed and address any concerns related to their child's transportation.
Eligibility
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade who live within Kettering, attend a public or private school accredited by the State of Ohio, and reside approximately one mile from their school may be eligible for transportation services. Most eligibility zones extend to around one mile from the school.
If you have questions regarding your child's transportation eligibility, please contact the Transportation Department at (937) 499-1770.
Bus Safety
Bus safety is a priority of every employee of the Kettering Transportation Department. Working closely with staff members in the City of Kettering’s Safety Department, Kettering Transportation employees conduct bus safety classes for all children, pre-kindergarten through the third grade.
The department also depends on the parents and guardians of students in the district to reinforce bus safety guidelines and review pedestrian safety procedures with their children and to emphasize the importance of paying attention to the rules that each bus driver provides to all riders at the beginning of the school year.
Bus drivers complete an intensive training program and must pass the driving and written tests required by both federal and state law to secure a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger and School Bus endorsements. They undergo a pre-employment drug screen and physical examination. They have an annual physical to assure they continue to meet all the state physical requirements and are subject to random drug testing. Additionally, bus drivers must meet mandatory annual in-service training requirements with complete recertification required every 6 years. Bus drivers merit the respect due all school personnel.
The Kettering Transportation Department is proud of the fact that it has received perfect “Excellent” ratings for bus safety for 25 years in a row. Each year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol does a rigorous inspection of school buses to determine that they adhere to established safety regulations and award an “Excellent” rating only to those districts that pass every aspect of these inspections. The OSHP also conducts random safety checks throughout the year.
The department also depends on the parents and guardians of students in the district to reinforce bus safety guidelines and review pedestrian safety procedures with their children and to emphasize the importance of paying attention to the rules that each bus driver provides to all riders at the beginning of the school year.
Bus drivers complete an intensive training program and must pass the driving and written tests required by both federal and state law to secure a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger and School Bus endorsements. They undergo a pre-employment drug screen and physical examination. They have an annual physical to assure they continue to meet all the state physical requirements and are subject to random drug testing. Additionally, bus drivers must meet mandatory annual in-service training requirements with complete recertification required every 6 years. Bus drivers merit the respect due all school personnel.
The Kettering Transportation Department is proud of the fact that it has received perfect “Excellent” ratings for bus safety for 25 years in a row. Each year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol does a rigorous inspection of school buses to determine that they adhere to established safety regulations and award an “Excellent” rating only to those districts that pass every aspect of these inspections. The OSHP also conducts random safety checks throughout the year.
Student Rules
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure that everyone has a safe ride. The rules are founded on the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code to provide maximum safety. Please review the bus rules with your child.
Please be aware that students are not allowed to bring friends with them on the bus. Only those students assigned to that bus are permitted to ride. If your child wants to have a friend come home with him/her or stay overnight, you must make other arrangements for other transportation.
Please be aware that students are not allowed to bring friends with them on the bus. Only those students assigned to that bus are permitted to ride. If your child wants to have a friend come home with him/her or stay overnight, you must make other arrangements for other transportation.
Suggestions for Parents
- Review the bus safety rules with your child and stress the importance of observing them.
- Remind your child that student behavior on school buses is considered an extension of classroom behavior. The bus driver merits the courtesy and respect due all school personnel.
- Make sure your child is at the stop 5 minutes early. This is for your child’s safety and the early arrival is required by law. Haste increases the chance of accident.
- Periodically remind your child of the importance of mannerly and orderly behavior at the bus stop. Occasionally check on students at the bus stop.
- Accompany very young children to the bus stop and meet them on their return from school.
- Make sure your child uses only the assigned bus and bus stop.
- Only authorized personnel are allowed on board a school bus. “Authorized personnel” is defined by state law as eligible pupils, transportation department employees and approved school personnel. Parents and other family members may not be on the bus unless authorized as chaperones.
Change of Address
When you have a change of address, please contact the Kettering City Schools Central Registration office at 499-1700. Once your address has been updated through their office, please allow up to 48 hours for a bus route to be established.
Stop Change Requests
Bus stop locations are selected for safety and operational efficiency. There are over 1,400 bus stops located throughout Kettering offering most students a location much closer to their homes than the half mile mandated by the state of Ohio. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has compiled a list of frequently asked questions that you may access by clicking on this link.
A Stop Change Request Form may be downloaded and returned to the Transportation Department for their consideration. The Transportation Department is located at 2640 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, 45419 or you can email your request to kettering.transportation@ketteringschools.org. Requests received at the beginning of the school year may take 3 to 4 weeks to be processed. You will be notified by phone of the decision.
A Stop Change Request Form may be downloaded and returned to the Transportation Department for their consideration. The Transportation Department is located at 2640 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, 45419 or you can email your request to kettering.transportation@ketteringschools.org. Requests received at the beginning of the school year may take 3 to 4 weeks to be processed. You will be notified by phone of the decision.
Important Info
- General Information
- Transportation Forms
RFT Information
- For Private, Parochial, Non-public and Community Schools ONLY
- RFT's must be completed each school year as outlined in the document
Our Team
Jennifer Landess
Administrative Assistant
(937) 499-1770
Regina Smith
Dispatcher
(937) 499-1770
Luis Garfias
Dispatcher
(937) 499-1770