Busing
Transportation
A SAFE RIDE TO SCHOOL
The Kennewick School District Transportation Department starts each day with one mission: To get your child to and from school safely and reliably. We transport thousands of students to and from school every day. Our bus drivers are specially trained professionals who have your student’s best interest in mind — from morning pick-up until school day’s end.
Find Your Bus Route
Please note that bus routes are continually being updated and you should check back the day before school starts to ensure you have the correct time. Buses may be running later than usual during the first couple of weeks of school while drivers adjust to their routes. Thank you for your patience with our new employees.
Questions
To reach the Bus Dispatcher or for questions regarding bus stop locations, call (509) 222-5075.
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Bus Routes for the 2025-26 school year will be posted mid-August and will be sent out to families through ParentSquare. Please check back.
Amistad
Amon Creek
Canyon View
Cascade
Cottonwood
Eastgate
Edison
Fuerza
Hawthorne
Lincoln
Ridge View
Sage Crest
Southgate
Sunset View
Vista
Washington
Westgate -
Bus Routes for the 2025-26 school year will be posted mid-August and will be sent out to families through ParentSquare. Please check back. Chinook
Desert Hills
Highlands
Horse Heaven Hills
Park -
Bus Routes for the 2025-26 school year will be posted mid-August and will be sent out to families through ParentSquare. Please check back.
Kamiakin
Kennewick
Southridge
Interested in becoming a bus driver?
Check out how to become a bus driver and get started driving today!
Student & Family Information: Bus Riding and Safety Guidelines
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To ensure the safety of our Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten students, each student will have a color-coded tag attached to their backpack, indicating their permission to walk home:
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Green Tag: For Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten students who have permission to walk home alone from their bus stop.
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Yellow Tag: For Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten students who have permission to walk home with a sibling, relative, buddy, or neighbor.
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Red Tag: For ECEAP, Keeywadin Discovery Center, or Kindergarten/Transitional Kindergarten students who must be received by an adult at the bus stop.
Important Reminders:
- Ensure that your child’s tag is securely attached and visible at all times. This helps our bus drivers and staff follow the correct procedure for each student.
- Your cooperation is essential in keeping our youngest students safe and ensuring a smooth and secure arrival and departure process.
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To ensure the safety of all students, please follow these important guidelines when waiting for the bus, during the bus ride, and after exiting the bus:
Before the Bus Arrives:
- Arrive 5 minutes early at the bus stop.
- Wait at least 10 feet from the roadway.
- Do not destroy property at the bus stop (e.g., bushes, trees).
- Do not throw rocks or snowballs.
- Always cross in front of the bus, waiting for the driver’s signal to cross the roadway.
During the Bus Ride:
- Always sit fully in your seat and face forward.
- Do not distract the driver; keep aisles clear.
- Keep all body parts inside the bus at all times.
- Follow all instructions from the driver and attendant.
After the Bus Ride:
- If dropping something outside the bus, do not pick it up. Notify the driver instead.
- Never cross behind the bus.
Additional Safety Guidelines:
- Do not talk to strangers or get into a vehicle with strangers.
- If your child is not to be released without an adult, prior arrangements must be made with the Transportation Department.
By following these guidelines, we can ensure the safety of all students during their time at the bus stop and throughout their ride.
English - Bus Stop Safety Tips Spanish - Bus Stop Safety Tips
English - Bus Stop Expectations Spanish - Bus Stop Expectations
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General Bus Conduct:
- The bus driver is in full charge. Students must follow all instructions given by the driver.
- Students must ride their assigned bus only.
- Students are not allowed to leave the bus except at their regular stop unless written permission is given by the principal or parent.
- No eating, drinking, or smoking on the bus.
- Students should remain seated at all times with their feet and belongings clear of the aisle.
- No distracting the driver; students must not stand or move around while the bus is in motion.
- No dangerous objects (e.g., sticks, breakable containers, weapons).
- No extending arms or heads outside the bus or opening windows without permission.
- Misconduct may result in the loss of bus privileges.
Safety Rules:
- Students may only cross in front of the bus, never behind it.
- Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding or exiting.
- No skateboards, scooters, large musical instruments, or dangerous items are allowed on the bus.
- Parents are responsible for damage to school buses.
English - Bus Riding Expectations for Students Spanish - Bus Riding Expecations for Students
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Bus Safety for Parents:
- Ensure your child puts everything they carry in a backpack to avoid dropping items along the way.
- Teach safe crossing practices: Look left, right, and left again before crossing any street.
- Walk in groups for older children and always walk facing traffic.
- Be sure to meet your child on the correct side of the street and wait for the bus driver’s hand signal before crossing.
Communication with the Bus Driver:
- If your child needs to ride a different bus or be dropped off at a different stop, written permission is required.
- If you do not want your child to be dropped off without an adult present, prior arrangements must be made with the Transportation Department.
Important Safety Reminders
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Motorist Responsibility: Always slow down and stay alert in school zones. Do not pass a school bus that has its stop sign extended.
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Prohibited Items on the Bus: No glass containers, skateboards, scooters, live animals (except service dogs), alcohol, drugs, tobacco, firearms, weapons, or vape pens.
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Appeal Process
All student discipline can be appealed by contacting your students school administrator or transportation coordinator. A meeting will be set up to discuss the conduct and consequence.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Information about student discount passes, route and schedule information is available for Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) at www.bft.org. For assistance, contact (509) 735-5100. BFT is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Kennewick School District
NO TRESPASSING ALLOWED ON SCHOOL DISTRICT BUSES
The Richard L. Lenhart Act passed through Washington’s legislature makes it a gross misdemeanor crime to trespass on public school buses. A gross misdemeanor punishment includes up to nearly a year in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.
Transportation Contacts
April Heiser
Director
(509) 222-6427
Email
Kathy Phenneger
Assistant Director
(509) 222-6420
Email
Robert Knight
Transportation Coordinator
Student Management Specialist
(509) 222-5299
Email
Margaret Gorsuch
Lead Dispatcher (Special Services and Route Information)
(509) 222-6469
Email
Rashele VanDinter
Dispatcher (General Education/Route Information, McKinney-Vento)
(509) 222-6911
Email
Colin Miller
Dispatcher (After School Programs)
(509) 222-5217
Amy Shrum
Dispatcher (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program ECEAP/Route Information, Keewaydin Discovery Center (KDC)/Route Information, Delta)
(509) 222-6429
Email