Otsego Public Schools Transportation
(269) 692-6245
Hours:  6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Transportation Supervisor
Carrie Barnhart
cbarnhart@otsegops.org

Transportation Handbook

Bus Passes
All transportation change requests for elementary students must go through the elementary offices. For student irregularities such as drop off location changes or to have a friend ride home with your child, the secretary must issue a pass. Notes from parents will no longer be accepted by the bus drivers. Bus drivers will only accept passes from elementary offices. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Eligibility:
All students who live within the Otsego Public School district lines are eligible to ride the bus and we encourage students to take advantage of this resource.

Bus Stop Locations:
Our Transportation Department establishes group stops for students who live within Otsego city limits. Bus stops for students outside city limits students will be established as close as possible to a child's home, but visibility and safety factors are taken into consideration when establishing those stops. Your child's bus stop might be a little further away from your driveway if it is deemed safer. 

Stops at daycare locations can also be arranged if they are along already established routes. Call the Transportation Department to inquire.

Schools of Choice students may also ride the bus by finding the nearest, or a convenient bus stop in district. We will work with families to find the nearest established bus stop for those students to use. 

Loading and Unloading:
The Otsego Transportation Department uses signs to communicate with students that it is safe to cross the street to get on the bus. While it is the law that all traffic in both directions stops while buses are loading and unloading, our drivers check the area first, then signal to students when it is clear.

If the driver holds up a paddle showing a red octagon, that tells children it is not yet safe to cross; they must wait at the side of the road until the paddle is switched to a yellow smiley face. The smiley face signals that it is safe to cross.

For children in grade K-2, the driver must see a parent or guardian at the home before the child is let off the bus to ensure they can enter their home safely. Other arrangements can be made by calling the Transportation Department.

Bus Identity:
Otsego buses are numbered, but are also identified with an animal. This is easier for children to remember. All Kindergarten riders receive a tag with their bus number, animal identifier and their bus stop location. This should be pinned to their backpack.