Bus Routes & Transportation

The Transportation Department is responsible for daily bus operations, dispatching buses, fleet maintenance, safety, and driver training. Williamson County Schools currently has the eighth largest transportation fleet in the state of Tennessee. These units drive approximately 16,500 miles each day or over 2.9 million miles yearly just taking students to and from school. These miles do not include athletic trips, mid-day special education programs, field trips, or special summer programs. Williamson County Schools recognizes that the transportation of students is an essential part of our public education system, which requires the cooperation, and devoted efforts of many individuals. It is the goal of Williamson County Schools to provide eligible students the safest and most efficient transportation service in the country.

Transportation for students requiring special services is available for eligible students. Special services is determined at the student’s IEP meeting when the student cannot use regular bus service due to physical, health or behavioral needs. Services are requested through teachers, school administration, and the Student Support Services department. Upon written approval from SSS, the transportation department will assign the student to a bus. It is the goal to have bus assignment arranged approximately five (5) school days after the receipt of approved request by the SSS. Parents/guardians will be notified by the bus driver of the approximate pickup and drop off times.

Riding the Bus

All bus routes are scheduled for no longer than approximately 60 minutes from the first student pick-up to arrival at school. Buses typically arrive 15 to 30 minutes prior to the school start time to ensure students are in the classroom ready for the instructional day to begin. Please arrive at the stop 5 minutes early. Pick-up and drop-off times are approximate and can vary due to factors outside our bus drivers’ control, such as traffic and weather. Bus stop times are subject to change.

check your student's bus stop times

Bus Hub Stop Program

Implementing hub stops is a way to reduce student ride time on school buses by reducing bus stops inside subdivisions. Buses still have several stops on the route, but the number of stops is reduced by using current stop locations, playgrounds, neighborhood pools, and walking path entrances. Only neighborhoods with safe walkability or neighborhoods with sidewalks are considered for this program. As a result of hub bus stops, buses return to the schools earlier in the afternoons to pick up students.

Hub stops are currently being used in the Nolensville area.

Three additional areas are being considered for hub stops:

Hunters Bend Elementary, Grassland Middle, and Franklin High in the Fieldstone Farms area.
Pearre Creek Elementary, Hillsboro Middle, and Independence High in the Barclay Place, Franklin Green, Spencer Hall, Tywater Crossing, Westhaven and Willow Springs neighborhoods.
Creekside Elementary, Page Middle and Page High schools who reside in the Echelon, Ladd Park, St. Marlo and Terravista neighborhoods and the Page Middle and Page High families who reside in the Waters Edge neighborhood.

Community Meeting Powerpoint (HBES, GMS, FHS)

Community Meeting Powerpoint (IHS, HEMS, PCES)

Community Meeting PowerPoint (PHS, PMS, CSES)

Bus App: Stopfinder

Williamson County Schools uses the bus app, Stopfinder. The app allows parents to have the most accurate information about your student’s bus schedule. Parents can easily view the stop location on the map, add another parent or caregiver to the account, and receive push notifications. Stopfinder will also allow communication directly with the WCS Transportation Department.

Families will receive an email invitation from Stopfinder to the email address currently on file with the district. Parents must first activate the subscription prior to downloading the free app. Refer to the Stopfinder Parent Guide to establish alert zones to know when the bus is close to your bus stop.

Download the Stopfinder Parent Guide App

Quick Links

Transportation FAQs

What if my child does not have a bus stop; how do I get one and how long will it take?
Current bus stop information can be found via the link on the Bus Routes & School Zones page. Should a bus stop not be available within .25 miles of the student's home address and you reside in a subdivision, parents are encouraged to submit the request through the Contact Us button on Infofinder. Students living on main or rural roads have stops at the driveway and should request a new stop through the same process. The number of changes and work to be processed will affect the turnaround time for a child to receive a new bus stop or change to an existing stop. The goal is to have all bus stops assigned within two to three working days from the date of notice. School administrators should issue a “bus pass” for the student to give to the bus driver the first time they ride the bus.
If I need a different bus stop for my child, i.e. daycare, grandma, or friend’s home, what do I do?
Students are assigned bus service to and from their home address within their zoned school. If a student intends to ride a bus different from their assigned bus or get off at a different bus stop other than their assigned stop, they must have a note signed by the principal for the bus driver. School Administration will issue a Bus Permit with the appropriate bus number and street address. If the stop is to be permanent, parent/ guardian should indicate such in their written request to school so it can be indicated on the bus permit. The school or bus driver will send the request to the Planning & Zoning Department to make the addition in the bus routing software.
We have moved and I need to change my child’s address for bus stop and information, how do I do this?
The parent/guardian needs to contact the school with the new address and provide proof of residency. A new bus assignment and stop will be scheduled accordingly. If the address is not correct or is not updated, the student is listed on the wrong bus for the phone notification system.
My child’s bus has not shown up and/or is consistently late; whom can I call?
The parent should contact WCS Transportation to discuss their concern and receive resolution. Please be patient at the beginning of the school year due to the number of changes in schedules and the number of calls being handled in the transportation office. The goal is to serve all customers in a timely fashion and with accuracy.
Are parents and/or authorized persons required to accompany a student to a bus stop?
All students, aged K-12, may wait for the bus and be discharged from the bus without the presence of an adult and/or authorized responsible party. WCS strongly recommends a parent/guardian be at the bus stop for their elementary students.
The bus did not show up on time for my child. How long should he or she wait at the stop?
Your child should arrive at the stop at least five (5) minutes before the regular arrival time of the bus. If there is a substitute driver, the times may not be consistent with the regular 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, please call the transportation office.
My child left a belonging (coat, glasses, cell phone, retainer, books) on the bus. How does the student get it back?
Drivers check their buses after every run. Items left by students are held by the driver for several days and may be claimed on the bus by the child. You can help by labeling all of your child’s school belongings with the child’s name and school.
Do state regulations for school buses supersede federal requirements?
No. State laws do not supersede federal requirements. State regulations for school buses can and usually do add requirements for safety. These requirements are additional to the federal requirements.
Why are buses late sometimes?
School bus drivers can have the same reasons as motorists for being late. Traffic delays, weather conditions, accidents or driver’s illness are just a few reasons. School buses also have mechanical breakdowns or “no starts” that cause delays in picking students up on time. In cases where the regularly assigned bus or driver is unable to pick up students, a separate bus and driver are dispatched to pick up the students as quickly as possible. A call-out and email is sent if buses are expected to be more than 10 minutes late.
Why are spare replacement buses needed?
Buses operate throughout the day with shuttles, and field trips, in addition to the normal to-and-from school transportation requirements. To have the required number of operational buses each day, a group of backup or spare buses must be retained. When a bus is in for service, a spare bus is required to continue its runs without interruption. Furthermore, when a bus has mechanical problems or damage from accident or vandalism that require it to be out of service, a spare bus is needed to perform the duties of the out-of-service bus. Often, this can be for an extended period, especially in the case of accident repairs. Our Dispatch Office makes the change in the bus app so parents can continue to track their child's bus.

Bus Rider Rules

Students shall obey the driver. The driver must be totally in charge. Students shall respond promptly to instructions given.
Each student will be seated in the seats which they are assigned, take their seats promptly upon entering the bus and stay in their seat while the bus is in motion. No windows or doors will be opened or closed except by permission of the bus driver.
Students will not be allowed to tease, scuffle, trip, hold, hit or use their hand, feet or body in any objectionable manner.
The use of electronic devices or other items in a manner that might interfere with the school bus communication equipment or the driver’s operation of the school bus is prohibited. This may include, but is not limited to, cell phones, audible radios, tape or compact disc players, mirrors, lasers, flash cameras or other reflective devices.
The use of alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, eating, chewing gum or soda drinks on the bus is prohibited.
Students must observe classroom conduct. Ordinary conversation is permitted. Loud, boisterous, profane language and obscene gestures or indecent conduct will not be tolerated.
Students must keep the aisles clear of items such as musical instruments, books, backpacks, etc. If student must carry such items, they will NOT occupy another student seat nor extend above the seat back. Animals (alive or dead), oversized objects as well as glass containers are not permitted.
At no time will a student put hands, head or other body parts out the window.
Students must treat bus equipment as they would the furniture in their homes. Any damage to bus seats, windows, equipment, etc., will be charged to responsible student.
Students must have a bus permit to ride any bus other than their assigned bus. Parents must send written notice in advance to school principal with appropriate information for child to ride a different bus. Principal or their designee will approve and issue a Bus Permit. Student will give bus permit to bus driver when they board the bus.
Students will not ask the driver to let them off at such places as a store, job, etc. All extra stops must be approved in writing by the school principal or designee or Transportation Department in advance.
Students are asked to use the handrail when getting on and off the school bus.
If students must cross the street or road to board the bus, they must wait for the driver’s signal. They must cross well in front of the bus.
Students are expected to do the following:
- Be at the stop 5 minutes before scheduled pickup time
- Never run to catch the bus
- While waiting for the bus, stay clear of the roadway and wait in an orderly line
- Never exit using the rear door unless in an emergency and directed by the bus driver.

Failure to follow the rules and regulations may result in the following disciplinary actions:

First Offense – Driver completes Bus Behavior Referral Form and submits to principal
Second Offense – Principal notifies parent 2 Revised: July 15, 2020
Third Offense – Suspension from school bus • Extreme or zero-tolerance offenses may bypass the above steps for immediate bus suspension.

Parents must assume responsibility for the behavior of their children while their children are riding the bus. If permission to ride the bus is revoked, the parent must provide transportation to and from school for the student until such time as reinstatement is made.