Explore Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is my child's designated school?
Please visit Bus Planner and click on 'Which School do I Attend?'.
Q. Is my child eligible for busing? What is the cost?
- Unsure if you're eligible? 'Check: Can I Ride a Bus?'.
- To view the current year's school fees please visit: 'View Transportation Fees & Payment Information'.
Q. How is eligibility distance calculated?
Eligibility is based on the shortest driving distance from a student’s home to their designated school.
Black Gold uses mapping software based on city and county planner data, not tools like Google or Apple Maps, to ensure consistency and accuracy across the Division.
Since bus stop locations can change each year, using the student's home address ensures a consistent standard for all students.
Q. When does registration open for the school year?
Registration opens in early May of each year, register early!
Q. How do I register for transportation?
For Black Gold students:
Student transportation applications are available in your child’s PowerSchool account. To apply, log in, go to the left-hand menu, and select "Student Fees and Forms."
For more information regarding eligibility, and step-by-step instructions for registration, please visit:
For New Humble and STAR Catholic students:
The following pages include important information and a link to apply directly to transportation:
Q. I don't see a transportation application in my child's PowerSchool account. What should I do?
- If your child is new to the Division and you're unsure of eligibility: Please 'Start Here to Determine Your Child's Eligibility' . If you determine your child is eligible, but you do not see an application, please email [email protected] for assistance.
- If your child is Ineligible or School of Choice: Please email [email protected] for assistance.
Registering mid-year? If your child is new to the division or appears ineligible for busing, please email [email protected] for assistance.
Q: I’ve applied and paid for busing. How do I find my child’s bus stop and times?
🚨 IMPORTANT: TRANSPORTATION DOES NOT SEND NOTIFICATIONS ONCE TRANSPORTATION IS ASSIGNED
Steps to Follow:
- Visit Bus Planner – Register, sign in, and add your child.
- Monitor for Updates – Check Bus Planner regularly. Once transportation assigns busing, you’ll see your child’s bus details, including pick-up/drop-off times and locations.
- Set Up Bus Status 4 – Download the Bus Status 4 app and enable notifications. Once you see your child’s assigned bus in Bus Planner, star their bus in the app to receive updates.
- View detailed instructions here: 'Find Your Child's Bus Information'.
Q: When and how will my child receive their bus pass?
- Grades K-3: Bus passes will be mailed to your home before school starts. Please verify your mailing address is correct in PowerSchool, and contact your school to update it if necessary.
- Grades 4-12: Given at school during the first week.
Mid-Year Registrations
After registering, your child cannot ride the bus right away. A bus must first be assigned in Bus Planner.
✅ Create a Bus Planner Parent Portal account and check regularly for your child’s stop and bus information.
🚍 Students may only begin riding once their assignment appears in Bus Planner.
🎟️ Bus passes will be delivered to the school, which may take up to one week after the bus has been assigned.
Q. Why does my child need a bus pass?
Bus passes are student-specific and must be scanned when entering or exiting the bus. Scanning helps track ridership, verify student locations, and ensure safety in emergencies.
🔔Parents should remind children to scan their pass every ride.
'Get Information About Bus Passes'
Q: My child lost or damaged their bus pass. How do I replace it?
- Buy a replacement online in PowerSchool under Student Fees & Forms ($20 fee).
- Pass is sent to the school after payment.
- If the pass won’t scan but isn’t damaged, return it to the school and ask that it be forwarded to the Transportation Department. A faulty pass will be replaced for free.
Q. Do you offer mid-day transportation for my Kindergarten student?
School buses operate only during regular morning and afternoon routes. There is no mid-day bus service available.
For families with children in half-day kindergarten:
- AM Kindergarten: Bus transportation is available to school only in the morning. Parents are responsible for pick-up at mid-day.
- PM Kindergarten: Bus transportation is available home from school only in the afternoon. Parents are responsible for drop-off at mid-day.
Q: Can I access busing from two different locations?
🚌🚌 Need busing from two locations? Email [email protected] to check availability. If approved, a Supplemental Bus application will be added to your PowerSchool account. A family rate is available for 3+ children.
⚠️ Important to Note
- Parents are fully responsible for ensuring their child follows the alternate schedule, as bus drivers cannot track individual routines.
- Supplemental bus fees are in addition to regular transportation fees.
More details here: 'View Transportation Fees & Payment Information'
Q. Why doesn't my child have a bus stop at our home (or dayhome)?
Urban school bus transportation is not a door-to-door service. Bus stops are determined based on centralized locations that serve groups of students in the surrounding area.
Our general guideline is to place a bus stop within 400 metres of a student’s residence for students attending their designated school, provided it is safe to do so and there are no obstructions such as construction.
Please note:
- Bus stops are designed to serve multiple students in an area. They are not placed at individual homes — including dayhomes — regardless of how many children are present or the ages or grades of those children.
- School of Choice students often need to walk farther, as they must meet the bus at an existing stop on the route.
Q. How will I know if my child's bus is delayed, early, or canceled?
Transportation sends notifications via the Bus Status 4 app, more information can be found here: 'Download Bus Status 4 for Updates'.
📱 For iPhone → Download Here
📱 For Android → Download Here
Bus status notifications are also posted on Blackgold.ca, as well as individual school websites–click on the bus icon located at the top right of the main page navigation links to be directed to our Bus Status page.
Q: At what temperature are buses canceled?
Buses are canceled when temperatures reach -40°C or colder (with or without wind chill), based on data from The Weather Channel. We monitor conditions in each hamlet, town, and city individually, and cancellations apply only to the areas affected by extreme cold. This decision is made to keep students safe from the risk of bus breakdowns or having to wait outside too long in dangerously cold weather.
How you’ll be notified:
- An alert will be sent through the Bus Status 4 app by 6:30 AM
- Updates will also be posted on blackgold.ca
- More info here: 'Bus Safety & Inclement Weather Policies'.
Q: If my child isn’t riding the bus, do I need to inform anyone?
If you have a rural stop, please notify the driver as a courtesy at least one day in advance if possible.
To cancel transportation, email [email protected].
Q. What if I have an emergency and need to make alternate transportation arrangements for my child?
Please contact [email protected] as soon as possible. We will make every effort to accommodate your request, but please note that emergent transportation may not be available. Please note that there is a fee, and emergent transportation is available up to one month only.
Q: Why can't my child's friend, cousin, neighbor, etc. ride the bus home with them?
For safety reasons, only registered students may ride the bus they are assigned to — this applies to all situations.
If your child has a friend visiting, please arrange alternate transportation, as guest riders are not permitted on school buses.
Q: Is there a maximum time my child will be on the bus?
There’s no set maximum ride time, as routes depend on factors like distance, stops, and safety. Ride times vary and can be viewed in your Bus Planner Parent Portal.
Q. Why is my child on a transfer bus?
In Leduc, students transfer at a supervised station at École Leduc Junior High School to improve efficiency and reduce route times. This helps avoid overcrowding at schools and long travel times.
Q. How do I contact my bus driver?
Your bus driver should reach out to you before the start of the school year and provide their contact information. If you need to contact your driver in an emergency, please call (780) 955-6025, and we will attempt to reach them directly.
Q: Am I eligible for a refund or fee reduction?
No refunds or adjustments after the first day of school, except:
- Leaving the Division – Fee prorated by months used.
- Changing to an Eligible Rider – Fee adjusted.
- New students to Black Gold School Division – Fees prorated.
Other cases are at the Transportation Manager’s discretion, email [email protected] to inquire.
Q: I have a concern or question. Who do I contact?
For any questions not answered here, or if you have a concern about transportation, please email [email protected] so we can track and respond to them efficiently.
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 the best way to reach the Transportation team.