CISD -Student Transportation Services

The Comal Independent School District provides bus transportation to and from school as a courtesy service for eligible students residing in the district. The State of Texas prescribes the conditions governing school bus operations and funds the service by allotting the district a given amount for eligible students transported.
Comal School District will provide transportation for any student who lives more than 2 miles away from his/her school, or for which there is a certified hazardous situation noted in compliance with Texas Education Code (TEC) Section 42.155(d). CISD has a bus fleet of 167 buses, which are powered by gasoline or diesel. Approximately 5,500 students are transported by bus each day.

Our Departmental Personnel

When fully staffed the Transportation Department consists of approximately 170 employees.

Which can be 150 drivers and assistants, 12 Mechanics and Shop personnel, 8 Administration Staff.

The Student Population We Serve

We transport approximately 5,500 elementary, middle and high school students daily. Our "two-tier transportation system" consists of staggered starting and dismissal times at each elementary, middle and high school campus. This staggered campus scheduling enables each school bus to serve the maximum number of students possible at each campus level. In this two-tier system we gain the optimal vehicle usage from our bus fleet.

Our Fleet Structure and Fuel Use

Our current fleet consists of 167 buses. During the 2003-2004 school year we consumed over 400,000 gallons of fuel for district transportation needs.

Bus Route Mileage Per School Year

Based on most current data available, the bus route miles traveled during the 2003-04 school year exceeded 2,100,000 miles. This bus route mileage includes providing more than 2,500 field trips. Bus route mileage totals also include our Transportation Department's support for CISD athletic functions.

The District has established certain criteria (click on, General Route Guidelines, link below) to determine the bus stop locations for regular routes within District boundaries. Criteria including student: grade levels; geographical factors; walking distance; and other related factors are used to designate operational bus stops for a regular route. These bus stops are designed to ensure optimum route efficiency and resource utilization based on district-wide driver and bus availability.

Parents must assume the responsibility for their students traveling back and forth from home to the regular route bus stop. Students should be at the designated bus stop for the AM pick up at least five (5) minutes before their designated pick up time. For the safety of our younger riders we request a parent or guardian be able to receive their child at the PM drop off location. The bus driver reserves the right not to drop off your child if there is a safety concern. If this occurs you will be contacted and a second drop off attempt will be made by the driver. If you are unable to be contacted and a drop off is unable to be made, your child will be returned to their school where you can pick up your child safely.

Comal School District covers a vast area of approximately 600 square miles. We provide transportation for our students most efficiently by utilizing a multiple bus station concept. This reduces "dead head mileage" which is the distance from each bus facility to the first student pick up location and from the last student drop off back to the bus facility. We receive no state funding for deadhead mileage. By dispatching buses from four different bus station locations (listed below) we significantly reduce District-wide per mile operational costs. Bus Stations are located at strategic locations within CISD boundaries and can be located on a district map by clicking on the link below. For more information, please contact our offices New Braunfels (830) 221-2999, GVTC (830) 885-1202, San Antonio (830) 609-6700 .

The Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee has determined, with you as the parent, that your child requires special needs bus service. This service is provided as a related service under Title 34 CFR 300.16. Your child's eligibility for special needs bus service was outlined for you in the ARD committee. The campus special education coordinator can further explain your child's transportation service privileges and responsibilities. Please contact your respective campus coordinator if there are any further questions about special needs bus service.

CISD Special Education Offices (830) 221-2088 or 221-2000 - Special Transportation Dept. New Braunfels (830) 221-2999, GVTC (830) 885-1202, San Antonio (830) 609-6700

The Comal Independent School District, as permitted by the State Board of Education, provides transportation for the normal school day to eligible students. Students who ride buses to and from school will be expected to conduct themselves in a courteous manner. Any student who cannot abide by the rules and the policies listed in Bus Rider Safety Handbook* will be subject to disciplinary action that may result in loss of bus privileges. For your child's safety, and your understanding, please review the Bus Rider Safety Handbook.

The following rules are provided to ensure a safe trip for all riders on the bus:

1. Be respectful and follow all directions of the driver at all times.

2. Stay seated facing the front with your feet on the floor.

3. Keep your hands, feet and objects to your self and inside the bus.

4. Do not use foul language at any time.

5. Follow all classroom rules do not disrupt the bus ride

6. No eating or drinking allowed on the bus except water in a bottle.

Make sure you and your child read and discuss the Bus Rider Safety Handbook* and understand that safety is number one while riding on a Comal ISD school bus.

Comal Independent School District installs video cameras on buses to enhance student safety. The videos assist drivers, station supervisors, and school administrators in monitoring student bus activity. Awareness of this program provides students with an incentive to exhibit positive behavior on the bus which also results in a much safer bus environment.

Can a school district show a parent video tape taken on a bus surveillance camera that involves the parent's child?
Pursuant to Texas Education Code § 26.009(b), schools can videotape students without parent permission for purposes of maintaining order and discipline. However, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the parent may only view the video if that child is the only student in the video. If the video reveals other students then that video cannot be viewed by any parent. The Texas Attorney General has addressed this issue and determined that videotapes made on school buses, on which the driver addresses some students by name and which "show the faces, bodies, and behavior of students of the district" are education records under FERPA and are exempted from disclosure. Texas Attorney General OR 95-821 (1975)

Student Transportation Mission Statement

The Student Transportation Services Department is committed to provide transportation services in a safe and efficient manner.