Create a list of all the students on the bus route. Arrange the list in order based on the nearest location to the place of departure. For example, the student living closest to the place of departure will be first and the student who lives farthest from the location will be listed last.
Write out directions from each address to the next. Online programs like "Mapquest" or "Google Maps" can help with this step. Alternately, a regular road map can be used.
Put safety first. Pay attention to factors like turning around the bus and the safety of each pick up and drop off location. Avoid turning the bus around even if this means taking a longer route to get to a specific location. Backing up a school bus can be dangerous due the lack of visibility and should always be done with a spotter. Pick up and drop off locations should not be near stop signs or major intersections as these locations pose the risk that other drivers may not pay attention to traffic signs and lights or fail to notice children crossing the street. Never designate a pick up or drop off location on a steep hill or sharp turn. Ensure that each pick up and drop off location can be safely accessed in all weather conditions.
Drive the bus or your personal vehicle for a dry run of the route. Follow the directions you have written down to each location on the route. Use a stop watch to time how long it takes to get from one location to another. Safely pull the bus or vehicle over at each stop and write down the specific times on a piece of paper. This will help plan how much time to allot for the run. Ensure that routes going to and from the school are accounted for and practiced.
Create a final copy of the bus route. Send a copy of the route to the head office of the school bus company. This step ensures that a back up copy is available in the event someone else must fill in for you. Consider including a copy with the other important documents found on your bus.
