Frequently Asked Questions
Before Applying for Transportation: FAQs
Q: Can my child ride the bus?
A:
- Visit Can I Ride a Bus?
- Enter your child's home address, grade, and program (English or French Immersion) to view your child's transportation eligibility
📌 Please note:
Black Gold does not provide transportation for students who reside outside of the Black Gold School Division boundary.
Families should contact their resident school division directly to determine whether transportation to a Black Gold School is available.
Q: How is eligibility distance calculated?
A:
- Transportation eligibility is based on the shortest driving distance from the student's home address to their school, using Black Gold School Division approved mapping software
- Visit Can My Child Ride the Bus? for detailed information about transportation eligibility and eligibility distance requirements
Q: How much does transportation cost for the school year?
A:
- Visit Transportation Fees to view transportation fees
Q: When can I apply for transportation?
A:
- Transportation applications for the upcoming school year are typically available in early May. Families will be notified by email when applications become available
- Applications remain available throughout the school year; however, applying by June 30 qualifies families for Early Bird fees and guaranteed first-day busing
Q: Can I apply for busing from two different addresses?
A:
- Supplemental transportation may be available for students who require busing from two different locations
- Email transportation@blackgold.ca to check availability. If approved, a Supplemental Bus application will be added to your PowerSchool account
- Supplemental transportation fees apply in addition to regular transportation fees
- Visit Bus Fees for fee information
Q: Will there be mid-day transportation for my Kindergarten student?
A:
- No. School buses operate only during regular morning and afternoon routes
For half-day Kindergarten students:
- AM Kindergarten: Transportation is available to school in the morning only. Parents & guardians are responsible for mid-day pick-up
- PM Kindergarten: Transportation is available from school in the afternoon only. Parents/guardians are responsible for mid-day drop-off
Q: My child would like to attend a hockey academy, specialized program, or collegiate program outside of their designated school boundary. Can I apply for transportation?
A:
- Transportation is not provided specifically for specialized programs, academies, or collegiate programs outside a student's designated school boundary
- However, students may be able to access transportation if they can meet an existing bus serving the school they attend, and space is available on the bus
- Email transportation@blackgold.ca to inquire
📌 Please note:
Hockey bags, hockey sticks, and other oversized equipment are not permitted on school buses.
Applying for Transportation: FAQs
Q: How do I apply for transportation?
A:
Black Gold Students
New Humble Community School Students
- Visit New Humble Students
STAR Catholic Students
- Visit STAR Catholic Students
Q: I am new to Black Gold School Division and do not yet have a PowerSchool account. Can I apply for transportation?
A:
- No. You must have access to your PowerSchool Parent Portal before you can apply for transportation
- Visit Transportation Applications for information about new student registrations and summer processing timelines
Q: I don't see a transportation application in my child's PowerSchool account. What should I do?
A:
- If you have access to PowerSchool but do not see a transportation application, please email transportation@blackgold.ca for assistance
Q. What if I have an emergency and need to make alternate transportation arrangements for my child?
A:
- If you have an emergency and need temporary transportation for your child, please contact Black Gold Transportation as soon as possible
- During office hours, call 780-955-6025. After hours, email transportation@blackgold.ca
📌 Please note:
- Emergency transportation is a short-term service available for a maximum of one month and requires an approved Emergency Transportation Application.
- Approval is subject to route availability and available space. Transportation cannot be guaranteed.
After Applying for Transportation: FAQs
Q: How do I know if my transportation application was submitted?
A:
- Return to Student Fees and Forms in PowerSchool after submitting payment
- Select your child's name
- Select the Transportation Application
- Look for the message "An application has been submitted" displayed in red
You can also:
- Select your child's name and then select Completed Forms to view submitted applications
- Select the Paid tab and locate the Black Gold School Division Transportation payment
📌 Please note:
You will not receive a confirmation email after submitting a transportation application.
Q: How will I know when my child's transportation has been assigned?
A:
- Transportation assignments are posted in the Bus Planner Parent Portal
- Students registered by June 30 can expect transportation information to begin appearing in Bus Planner around August 20
- Families who apply after June 30 should continue checking Bus Planner regularly, as transportation assignments for late applications may continue to be added throughout late August and September
- Visit Bus Stop Information for more information and detailed Bus Planner instructions
Q: Why doesn't my child have a bus stop at our home (or dayhome)?
A:
- School bus transportation is not a door-to-door service
- Bus stops are placed at centralized locations that serve groups of students in the surrounding area
- As a general guideline, students attending their designated school will have a bus stop within 400 metres of their residence where it is safe and practical to do so. In some cases, bus stops may be located farther away due to road conditions, traffic concerns, construction, or other safety considerations
- School of Choice students must meet the bus at an existing stop and may be required to walk farther or be driven to that location
Q: Why is my child on a transfer bus?
A:
- Transfer stations help improve transportation efficiency and reduce overall route times
- They allow buses to serve more students while helping to reduce congestion at schools and avoid excessively long bus rides
- Black Gold Staff are present to monitor students and assist them in safely transferring between buses
Q: When and how will my child receive their bus pass?
A:
- Bus pass distribution depends on your child's grade and when they were assigned transportation
- Visit Bus Pass Information for information about bus pass distribution, riding without a bus pass, and mid-year registrations
Q: Why does my child need a bus pass?
A:
- Bus passes help Transportation verify ridership, locate students when needed, and respond quickly in the event of an emergency
- Students are required to carry their bus pass and scan it each time they board and exit the bus
- Visit Bus Pass Information for more information
During the School Year: FAQs
Q: How will I know if my child's bus is delayed or cancelled?
A:
- The Bus Status 4 app is the fastest way to receive delay and cancellation notifications. Families may also receive a SchoolMessenger text message when a bus is cancelled or delayed by more than 15 minutes
- Parents and guardians are responsible for checking their child's bus status before heading to the bus stop
- Visit Bus Delays & Cancellations for information about transportation alerts, notification methods, and Bus Status 4 setup instructions
Q: At what temperature are buses cancelled?
A:
- Bus service may be cancelled when temperatures reach -40°C or colder, with or without wind chill
- Extreme cold cancellations are determined for each community or area and may affect one location while buses continue to operate in another
- Visit Bus Delays & Cancellations for information about extreme cold cancellations, notification timelines, and how families are informed
Q: Is there a maximum time my child will be on the bus?
A:
- No. Ride times vary based on student locations, road networks, safety considerations, and route design
- Transportation routes are reviewed throughout the school year and may change as registrations, ridership, and route conditions change. As a result, bus stop locations, pick-up/drop-off times, and ride times may be adjusted
Q: Is there assigned seating on the bus?
A:
- Most buses operate with assigned seating
- Seating arrangements are determined by the driver and may change throughout the school year based on safety and operational needs
- On some routes, students may be directed to sit in any available seat
Q: My child has lost or damaged their bus pass. How do I replace it?
A:
- Visit Bus Pass Information for information about replacement bus passes, fees, and faulty pass replacements
Q: We have moved. How do I update my child's transportation?
A:
- Please submit a Transportation Change Request
📌 Please note:
Eligibility, designated schools, and transportation availability may change based on your new address.
Q: If my child isn’t riding the bus, do I need to inform anyone?
A:
- Yes. Please notify Black Gold Transportation, the bus driver or the bus contractor whenever possible if your child will not be riding the bus
- If your child no longer requires transportation and you wish to cancel service, please submit a Transportation Cancellation Request
Q: How do I reach out to my child's bus driver or contractor directly?
A:
- For transportation questions, concerns, route inquiries, stop requests, or student-related issues, please contact Black Gold Transportation at transportation@blackgold.ca
- For day-to-day matters such as reporting an absence or locating a lost item, please contact the bus contractor. If you have your child's bus driver's contact information, you may also contact them directly.
- Visit Bus Contractors for bus contractor contact information
Bus Safety Rules: FAQs
Q: Why can't my child's friend, cousin, neighbour, etc. ride the bus home with them?
A:
- Guest riders are not permitted on Black Gold school buses
- Only students assigned to a specific bus and bus stop may ride that bus
- Visit Bus Rules & Safety for more information
Q: Why can't my child eat or drink on the bus, even water?
A:
- Food and drinks, including water, are not permitted on school buses. This rule helps reduce the risk of choking and injury, and prevents spills that can create safety hazards on the bus
- Visit Bus Rules & Safety for more information
Q: Why can't my child bring their hockey bag, hockey stick, science project, skateboard, or other large item on the bus?
A:
- Large items are not permitted on school buses because they can create safety hazards and may block aisles, exits, or evacuation routes
- Students may only bring items that fit within 13" × 13" × 23" (33 cm × 33 cm × 59 cm)
- Visit Bus Rules & Safety to learn more
Q: Are there other bus rules I should know about?
A:
- Visit Bus Rules & Safety for the complete list of bus rules, student expectations, and safety procedures
Q: Am I eligible for a refund or fee reduction?
A:
- Visit Transportation Fees for information about transportation fees, refunds, and fee adjustments
Stopping for School Buses: FAQs
Q: I see a stopped school bus with lights flashing. What should I do?
A:
- Visit When School Bus Lights Flash to learn about what to do when you see a school bus with yellow or red lights flashing
Q: What can happen if I pass a school bus with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended?
A:
- Passing a stopped school bus in Alberta can result in a $567 fine and 6 demerit points
- Black Gold school buses are equipped with cameras, and video footage of stop-arm violations may be provided to law enforcement for investigation and enforcement
Q: What should I do if I witness someone pass a school bus with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended?
A:
- If you witness a stop-arm violation, record the licence plate number and vehicle description (if safe to do so) and email the information to transportation@blackgold.ca
Still Have Questions?
If the information you were looking for was not found here, please email transportation@blackgold.ca.
Have an urgent concern?
Visit our Contact Us page for additional ways to reach Transportation.
Black Gold School Division
1101 5 Street, 3rd Floor
Nisku, AB
🕒 Regular Hours: 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM, Monday to Friday
🕒 Summer Hours (July 6–August 14): 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 12:45 PM–4:30 PM. Please note: The Division Office is closed on Fridays from July 6 to August 14.