Frequently Asked Questions

Before Registration

Q. What is my child's designated school?
A.

• Visit "Which School Do I Attend"
• Enter your child's home address, grade, and program (English or French Immersion) to view your child's designated school.

Q. Is my child eligible for busing? What is the cost?
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.
• Visit "Bus Fees & Payment" to view our current transportation fees.

Q. How is eligibility distance calculated?
A.

• Eligibility is based on the shortest driving distance from the student's home address in PowerSchool to their designated school.
• Black Gold uses approved mapping software and municipal planning data to calculate all eligibility distances.
• Google Maps, Apple Maps, and other third-party mapping tools are not used to determine eligibility.
• The distance calculated by Black Gold's mapping system is the distance used to determine transportation eligibility.
• If your home address changes, please update your information with your school, as eligibility is determined using the student's home address on file in PowerSchool.
• Visit "Who Can Ride the Bus" to view detailed eligibility information.

Registration

Q. When does registration open for the school year?
A.

• Transportation registration for the upcoming school year typically opens in early May.
• Families will be notified by email when registration becomes available.

Q. How do I register for transportation?
A.

Black Gold Students

• Transportation applications are available in your child's PowerSchool account.
• Log in to PowerSchool and select "Student Fees and Forms" from the left-hand menu.
• Visit "Black Gold – Bus Registration" for step-by-step registration instructions.

New Humble Community School Students

• Visit "New Humble Students" for eligibility, registration link, and payment information.
• Applications are submitted directly to Black Gold Transportation.

STAR Catholic Students

• Visit "STAR Catholic Students" for eligibility, registration link, and payment information.
• Applications are submitted directly to Black Gold Transportation.

Q. I am new to Black Gold School Division and do not yet have a PowerSchool account. Can I register for transportation?

A.

• You must have access to your Black Gold PowerSchool Parent Portal before you can register for transportation.
• Transportation applications are completed through the PowerSchool Parent Portal and are not available until your child has been registered with their school and you have received your PowerSchool Parent Portal login information.
• If you do not yet have access to PowerSchool, please wait until you receive your login information from the school before attempting to register for transportation.
• Please note: Families registering during the summer break will not receive PowerSchool access until schools reopen and school staff have reviewed, approved, and completed the student registration process. Once you have received access to PowerSchool, you will be able to register for transportation.

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.

Alternate Transportation Arrangements

Q: Can I access 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 are in addition to regular transportation fees. A family rate may be available for families with three or more children.
• Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring their child follows their assigned transportation schedule, as bus drivers cannot monitor individual alternate arrangements.
• Visit "Bus Fees & Payment" to view supplemental bus fees.

Q. Do you offer mid-day transportation for my Kindergarten student?
A.

• No. School buses operate only during regular morning and afternoon routes.
• Mid-day transportation is not available.

Half-Day Kindergarten Students

• AM Kindergarten: Bus transportation is available to school in the morning only. Parents/guardians are responsible for mid-day pick-up.
• PM Kindergarten: Bus 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. Is transportation available?

A.

• Transportation is not provided specifically for hockey academies, specialized programs, collegiate programs, outside a student's designated school boundary.
• Students may access transportation only if they can meet the bus at an existing bus stop that serves the school they will attend and space is available on the bus.
• Transportation fees and eligibility are based on the student's designated school and may be subject to School of Choice or Ineligible Student fees.
• Please note: Hockey bags, hockey sticks, and other oversized equipment are not permitted on school buses.

After Registration

Q: How will I know when my child's transportation has been assigned?
A.

• Go to bgrs.mybusplanner.ca, sign in, and add your child using their student ID number found in PowerSchool.
• ⚠️ Please note: Transportation assignment for the upcoming school year will not appear in Bus Planner until early August.
• Families who registered after the early-bird deadline may not have transportation arranged for the first day of school. Please continue checking Bus Planner regularly, as registrations and route assignments are processed throughout August and into September.
• If you are unsure whether you submitted a transportation application, log in to PowerSchool and select "Completed Forms." If your transportation application appears there, we have received it. You can also select "Paid" and scroll to Black Gold School Division Transportation to confirm that your transportation payment has been successfully processed.
• Visit "Bus Stop Information" for detailed Bus Planner instructions.

Q. Why doesn't my child have a bus stop at our home (or dayhome)?
A.

• Urban school bus transportation is not a door-to-door service.
• Bus stops are located 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 than 400 metres due to construction, dead ends, unsafe road conditions, traffic concerns, or other barriers that prevent buses from safely accessing an area.
• Bus stops are designed to serve multiple students and are not placed at individual homes or dayhomes, regardless of the number, age, or grade of the children at that location.
• School of Choice students must meet the bus at an existing stop on the route 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.

Summer Registrations (for the start of the school year)

• Your child's transportation must be assigned in Bus Planner before they can ride.
• During the first week of school only, students may ride without a bus pass if their transportation assignment is visible in Bus Planner.
• After the first week of school, a physical bus pass is required to ride.

How Bus Passes Are Distributed

• Grades K–3: Bus passes are mailed to the home address listed in PowerSchool before school starts.
• Grades 4–12: Bus passes are distributed at school during the first week of classes.
• If a K–3 student has not received their bus pass before the first day of school, please contact transportation@blackgold.ca.

Mid-Year Registrations

• Students registered after the school year has started must wait until transportation has been assigned in Bus Planner and they have received their bus pass before riding the bus.
• Bus passes are delivered to the school and may take up to two weeks to arrive.
• If transportation is required sooner, please emailtransportation@blackgold.ca to discuss office pick-up options.

Q. Why does my child need a bus pass?
A.

• Bus passes are assigned to individual students and must be scanned each time they board and exit the bus.
• Scanning helps 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 on every ride.
• Parents/guardians should remind their child to scan their pass every time they get on and off the bus.
• Visit "Bus Pass Information" for more information.

During the School Year

Q. How will I know if my child's bus is delayed or cancelled?
A.

• Parents/guardians are responsible for checking their child's bus status before sending them to the bus stop.
• The Bus Status 4 app is the fastest way to receive delay and cancellation information. Enable notifications and star your child's bus to receive updates directly.
• Bus status information is available on blackgold.ca and your child's school website. Click the bus icon at the top right of the page to view current bus statuses.
• Families will receive a SchoolMessenger text message whenever a bus is cancelled or delayed by 15 minutes or more. This is an added layer of communication. Please continue to check the Bus Status 4 app and website for the most up-to-date information.
• Visit "Bus Delays & Cancellations" for information about the Bus Status 4 app, including download links and setup instructions.

Q: At what temperature are buses cancelled?
A.

• Buses may be cancelled when temperatures reach -40°C or colder (with or without wind chill), based on data from The Weather Network.
• Temperature conditions are monitored for each hamlet, town, and city individually. A cancellation may apply to one area but not another.
• Bus cancellations are made to reduce the risk of students being stranded due to a bus breakdown or waiting outside for extended periods in dangerously cold weather.
• Please note: Temperature-related bus cancellations apply for the entire school day. If a route is cancelled in the morning, afternoon service will also be cancelled.

How will I be notified?

• Bus Status 4 notifications are sent as close to 6:30 AM as possible.
• Cancellation information is also posted on blackgold.ca and your child's school website
• SchoolMessenger notifications will be sent for bus cancellations; however, parents/guardians should continue to monitor blackgold.ca and Bus Status 4 for their child's bus status information.
• Visit "Cold Weather Bus Policy" for more information.

Q: Is there a maximum time my child will be on the bus?
A.

• There is no set maximum ride time, as routes are based on factors such as student locations, road networks, safety considerations, and the number of stops required.
• Your child's estimated ride time can be viewed in the Bus Planner Parent Portal.
• Transportation routes are reviewed and adjusted throughout the school year as registrations, ridership, and route conditions change.
• As a result, your child's bus stop location, pick-up/drop-off times, and ride time may change during the school year.
• On some rural routes, students may be picked up first and dropped off last (or vice versa) to support safe and efficient route operation.

Q: Is there assigned seating on the bus?
A.

• Most buses operate with assigned seating.
• Assigned seating helps drivers learn students' names, support positive behaviour, reduce distractions, and maintain a safe and orderly ride.
• Seating arrangements are determined by the driver and may change throughout the school year based on ridership, student behaviour, safety considerations, or operational needs.
• On some routes, particularly those operating at or near capacity, students may be directed to sit in any available seat to ensure all riders can be accommodated safely.

Q: My child lost or damaged their bus pass. How do I replace it?
A.

• Replacement bus passes can be purchased through PowerSchool under "Student Fees & Forms." A $20 replacement fee applies.
• Once payment is received, the replacement pass will be printed and sent to your child's school.
• If a pass will not scan but is not damaged, return it to the school and ask that it be forwarded to the Transportation Department. Faulty passes will be replaced at no charge.
• Please note: If transportation contacts you regarding a lost bus pass and does not receive a response within two weeks, a replacement pass fee may be added to your child's account, and a new pass will be issued and sent to the school.

Q: We have moved. How do I update my child's transportation?

A.

• Please complete a "Transportation Change Request Form."
• Transportation from your new address is not guaranteed. Eligibility, designated schools, and transportation availability may change based on your new residence. Not all requests may be approved.

Q: If my child isn’t riding the bus, do I need to inform anyone?
A.

• Please notify the driver or contractor if your child will not be riding whenever possible.
• This helps prevent unnecessary travel to stops and turnaround locations when no students require service and allows drivers to be aware when a student is absent, particularly younger students.
• If your child no longer requires transportation and you wish to cancel service, please complete the "Transportation Cancellation Request form."

Q. How do I reach out to my child's bus driver or contractor directly?
A.

• For transportation-related questions, concerns, complaints, route inquiries, stop requests, or student-related issues, please email Black Gold Transportation at transportation@blackgold.ca.
• Black Gold Transportation will coordinate any follow-up with the contractor or driver as needed.
• In some situations, such as reporting a student absence or locating an item left on the bus, it may be appropriate to contact the contractor directly.
• In many cases, drivers provide their contact information to families at the start of the school year for day-to-day communication regarding student absences and other route-related matters. If you do not have your driver's contact information, please review the contractor contact information below. If you are unsure which contractor services your route, please email transportation@blackgold.ca for assistance.
• Visit "Bus Drivers & Contractors" for bus contractor contact information.

Bus Safety Rules

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. This includes siblings who are assigned to a different bus route or are not registered for transportation.
• This applies to playdates, after-school activities, visits with friends or relatives, and all other temporary transportation arrangements.

Why?

• All riders must be registered and assigned in our transportation system.
• Student lists are used for attendance, emergency response, and student accountability.
• Unregistered riders create safety, supervision, and capacity concerns.
• Bus seating and evacuation procedures are based on assigned riders.
• If your child would like to visit a friend after school, parents/guardians are responsible for arranging alternate transportation.
• 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 prevents spills that can create safety hazards on the bus. A choking child may make little or no noise, and the driver may not be aware there is an emergency.
• Students are encouraged to eat and drink before or after their bus ride.
• 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.

• For safety reasons, students may only bring items that fit within 13"x13"x23" (33cm x 33cm x 59cm), and do not block aisles, exits, or enter other students' personal space.
• Large items such as hockey bags and sticks, sports equipment, skateboards, sleds, large musical instruments, and oversized school projects are not permitted on school buses.
• These items can become hazards during sudden stops, emergencies, or evacuations and may prevent students from safely entering, exiting, or moving within the bus.
• Items that do not meet these requirements must be transported separately by a parent/guardian.
• Please note: This FAQ section covers only our most commonly asked questions regarding bus rules. All families are required to review the Bus Rules & Safety page with their child before riding, as it contains additional bus rules, student expectations, and important safety procedures.
• Visit "Bus Rules & Safety" for complete rules and safety information.

Special Circumstances

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.
• Emergency transportation is intended as a short-term solution and is available for a maximum of one month, subject to route availability and approval.
• Common examples include situations where a parent or guardian is temporarily unavailable due to a medical issue, family emergency, or other unforeseen circumstance, and a child needs to travel to or from an alternate address.
• An Emergency Transportation Request Form must be completed and approved before transportation can be provided.
• A fee applies for emergency transportation. Fees range from $20 to $75 per student, depending on the duration of service.
• Please note that emergency transportation can only be approved if there is available space on the bus and the route can accommodate the request safely.
• While we will make every effort to accommodate emergency requests, transportation cannot be guaranteed.

Q: Am I eligible for a refund or fee reduction?
A.

• There are no refunds or fee adjustments after the first day of school, except in the following situations:
• Leaving Black Gold School Division – Fees will be prorated based on the months transportation was used.
• New students to Black Gold School Division – Fees will be prorated.
• Other requests may be considered at the discretion of the Transportation Manager. Please email transportation@blackgold.ca to inquire.

Stopping for School Buses: Alberta Law

Q: I see a stopped school bus with lights flashing, what do I do?
A.

• Red lights = STOP. You must stop when the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
• Amber lights = Slow down and use extreme caution. The bus is preparing to stop, and children may be nearby.
• Passing a stopped school bus in Alberta can result in a $567 fine and 6 demerit points.
• All Black Gold school buses are equipped with cameras. Video footage of school bus fly-bys will be reviewed and provided to local law enforcement for investigation and enforcement action.
• If you witness a violation, record the licence plate number and vehicle description (if safe to do so) and report it to local law enforcement and email details to transportation@blackgold.ca.

Contacting Transportation

Q: I have a concern or question not answered here. Who do I contact?
A.

• For any other transportation-related questions, concerns, complaints, route inquiries, stop requests, or student transportation issues, please email transportation@blackgold.ca.
• Please note: Email is the preferred method of communication and helps us track inquiries, review information, coordinate with schools and contractors when necessary, and provide timely responses.

Contact Us!

🕒 Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri
🕒 Summer Hours from July 7 to August 15: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM; 12:45 PM – 4:30 PM, closed on Fridays.

Need further assistance or have an urgent concern? Visit our Contact Us! page for additional ways to reach us.