Service Code (If Applicable) Definition
Regular Home to School Transportation Transportation that is provided for students using central pick up and drop-off points.
School to School Transportation Transportation that is provided for students who will walk to the closest local school which is used as a pick up and drop off location.
Special Education Transportation Transportation that is provided for students with special needs and are normally accommodated with a bus stop at their local home address.
Distance Transportation Students who are eligible for transportation based on the Board’s distance criteria within the transportation policy (TCDSB – JK-8 = 1.5km; 9-12 = N/A TDSB jk – 5 = 1.6km; 6-8 = 3.2km, 9-12 = 4.8km)
Hazard Transportation students who are eligible for transportation based on the hazard criteria established by the Board.
Local Schools schools that service the educational needs of the local student population
Magnet Schools MAG/FIM/GIF Schools that provide congregated programs for students that reside outside their local school area(French Immersion, Gifted, Sports, Music, Eastern Rite)
Provincial Schools Magnet schools operated by the Ministry of Education for students with specific disabilities (i.e. EC Drury in Milton – Deaf and Hard of hearing) – Funded
High Needs Schools Schools that tend to have congregated programs for students with severe special needs. (Bloorview / Sunnyview etc.)
Section 23 S23 Magnet programs operated by the Ministry of Education for students that need specific treatment or direction not offered at school Boards (i.e. Hospital for Sick Kids program, TPAS {Toronto Partnership for Autism Services} programs etc.)
Courtesy Seats Transportation service for students who are not eligible.
Empty Seats EMP Courtesy transportation for students that will walk to an existing stop where capacity allows.
Priority Seats ESP Courtesy transportation for students that are considered a priority for service where capacity and time allow(i.e. sibling of special needs students, fresh start program etc.)
Extenuating Circumstance EXC Courtesy transportation for students who are not eligible but require a home stop to meet their needs where capacity and time allow.
Temporary Medical TMD Courtesy transportation for students who are temporarily incapacitated and can be serviced by a vehicle where capacity and time allow. (i.e. broken leg)
Non Qualifying Transportation NQ Transportation service for students in select geographical areas who do not meet the criteria in the transportation policy but have been approved for service by the Board of Trustees.
Mini Bus Transportation VAN transportation provided by a mini bus, small bus, Type A bus
Wheelchair Transportation WC transportation provided by a modified mini bus to accommodate students with accessibility issues (wheelchair primarily)May be white or yellow in colour.
Mini Van Transportation MV Transportation provided by a mini van. Non yellow and primarily to service students with specific needs and or distance issues.
Big Bus Transportation BB transportation provided by a big bus, large bus, Type C bus.
Taxi Transportation transportation provided by a taxi company. Generally mini-van or sedan
Specials transportation provided for students who have program hours not adhering to the established times at the school outside of core operating hours (between 9:00 – 11:00 and 1:00 – 3:00)
Noon Hour Transportation transportation for students whose modified program hours generally fall within the 11:00AM – 1:00PM timeframe
D-250 Standard that all school buses must adhere to based on Canadian Standards Association
E&E Review Effectiveness and efficiency reviews the Ministry of education conducted to ensure School Boards working together and as a trigger mechanism for funding changes
Optimization Term used to describe how the software system collects all the variable data and generates a new routing solution.
Delay Portal Site on the TSTG website that displays all bus routes that are currently running late as posted by the school bus operators
Transportation Portal Site on the TSTG website that will allow parents access to transportation information about their children and the ability to subscribe to the delay portal and receive notifications of bus delays.
Active Transportation Initiatives to get more students walking and cycling to school promoting healthy and active lifestyles.
Purple Equals Parent PEP Tagging program used to identify students who must be met at the end of the day at drop-off.
Global Positioning System GPS devices used to track the exact whereabouts of a vehicle with an installed GPS device.
Pink Slips Pink slips of paper used by drivers to advise school Principals of unacceptable behaviour on the school bus
Ride Alones Students who for whatever reason cannot ride with other students and must ride alone on the bus.
Harness Restraint systems used to ensure students with physical issues stay upright or secure students who do not have cognitive ability to remain in their seats.
Safety Vest Another name used for a harness
Not To Ride With NTRW identifier for planning staff so that certain individuals are separated and routed on separate vehicles.
BusPlanner Pro Current student transportation management system in use in Toronto
BusPlanner Web Tool used for schools, operators and parents to access student transportation information
TRACS Web tool used for operator billing and collecting accident and incident data from operators
Key Performance Indicators KPI Data supplied by the school bus operators and TSTG staff to monitor the system performance.
Run The collection of stops going into or out of a school
Route The combination of all the runs – The work that a vehicle completes in a day.
Coupling Putting runs together.
OASBO Ontario Association of School Business Officials
SBO School Bus Ontario – School bus operator association
Senior Business Official SBO The most senior position responsible for Transportation within the School Board
Booster Seat Mandatory by law if student is riding in a mini van or taxi (Not used in a school bus) If student is between 40 and 80 pounds, under 145 cm tall and up to 8 years of age, a booster seat is required. The parent/guardian must provide a booster seat for use and leave on the bus for duration of service.
Car Seat Not mandatory but may be used on 18 passenger school buses for daily home to school transportation. Car seats must be used for students who require them because of the medical condition or if the student is under 40lbs/18.2 kg.
Medical Eligibility If transportation is requested due to a health concern, the Medical Form to Determine Eligibility’ must be completed and prescribed by a medical practitioner and returned along with the Student Transportation Application.