Guidelines for Henry County Bus Stops

Henry County Schools Transportation Services adheres to the following guidelines to assign bus stops. Safety, location, and accessibility for multiple students are considered for each stop.

• First and foremost, all students MUST be at their assigned bus stop five (5) minutes prior to their bus arrival time.
• Students 8 years old and younger may be brought back to their school in the afternoon if a parent, guardian or parent/guardian designee is not present at the bus stop to receive them or if they otherwise appear to have no appropriate supervision. This is in accordance with the Department of Family and Children Services Guidelines.
• Streets must be at least .3 of a mile long and have a safe turn around for the bus before we will enter.
• For new developments, construction must be at least 80% complete before Henry County Schools Transportation Services will allow a bus to enter the development. Until then, the stop will be at the entrance of the development. Transportation Services will survey the development to determine if a bus can enter and exit safely.
• If the street is .3 of a mile or longer, stops will be added every .3 of a mile or at the closest intersection if a turnaround is available.
• Turnarounds must be clear of all obstructions (Basketball goals, vehicles, trash cans, Etc.) If at any time the bus cannot safely or adequately turn around the stop will be moved to the next closest turnaround.
• For any student residing on a main road, defined by the posted speed limit being 40 mph or greater, consideration will be given regarding implementing a driveway stop as a right-hand pick-up and drop-off.
• At no time should a student cross more than two lanes of traffic. Deceleration lanes are considered lanes (entrance to a neighborhood or business).
• All bus stops should provide at least 12 feet of safe waiting space for students.
• If a registered sex offender lives near an assigned bus stop that necessitates the students crossing the properties’ path, stops will be added in order to prevent students from coming into contact with the registered sex offender’s residence.
• There should be at least 200 feet of sight distance for approaching vehicles at a bus stop. If not, then the stop will be moved to the next safest location.
• No stop should be placed on a curve or over a hill where there is no sight clearance.
• Drivers should bring any stop in question to their Route Supervisor.