Transport Policy
Harvest International School prioritizes the safety, well-being, and convenience of the students in every aspect of their educational journey. This transport policy is designed to ensure that students commuting to and from school experience a secure and efficient transportation service and are well informed of the guidelines for its efficient operation.
Safety First
Harvest School has implemented rigorous safety measures to guarantee a safe and secure transportation environment. All our vehicles adhere to the highest safety standards, with regular maintenance checks and are equipped with necessary emergency facilities. Trained drivers and supervisors are vigilant in ensuring the well-being of every student throughout the journey.
Efficiency and Convenience
The bus routes and stops are meticulously planned to minimize travel time and inconvenience for students and parents alike. With designated stops at safe and convenient locations, we aim to provide a seamless commuting experience.
Regulatory Compliance
Harvest International School is committed to complying with all local transportation regulations. All our drivers possess valid licenses and undergo thorough background checks. We ensure that our transport service operates within the framework of the law, prioritizing the safety and security of our students at all times.
Open Communication
Harvest believes in transparent and open communication with parents, students, and staff. A dedicated communication channel is established to address any inquiries, concerns, or feedback regarding the transport service. Parents are provided with contact information for the transport coordinator, ensuring prompt and effective resolution of any issues.
Continuous Improvement
Harvest International School is committed to harnessing technological advancements to continuously pursue its commitment to implement improvements aimed at enhancing safety and seamlessness. All the school buses are GPS enabled, all students have an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification is a technology that uses radio waves to passively identify a tagged object/person) chip embedded in their ID card to track their journey and all buses are fitted with cameras, apart from a trained bus assistant to assist the students during the journey.
The Harvest International School Transport Policy is a dynamic document that undergoes regular review and updates. We actively seek feedback from all stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and ensure that our transport service evolves in line with the changing needs of our school community.
Guidelines
RFID Enabled ID Cards
It is mandatory that every student wears their School ID card as it is embedded with the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and will be tracked from the time the student boards the bus till the time student alights at the school and vice versa. Parents will receive notifications on their registered mobile number at the start and end of the journey.
Timely Arrival
Parents are requested to ensure that their children are present at the school bus or designated pick-up point at least five minutes before the scheduled departure. In case of any delay in reaching the pick-up point, parents will bear the responsibility of transporting their children to school.
Bus Stop Allotment
The Transport Department retains the authority to allocate bus stops based on various factors, including the number of students, manoeuvrability at busy intersections, traffic conditions, and the overall convenience of the students.
Reporting Offenses
Should any discrepancies or issues arise concerning the conduct of the bus attendant or driver, parents are requested to promptly report such instances to the school management or transport department.
Return Journey Protocol
If no one is available to collect a student at the drop-off point, bus attendants are instructed to return the student to school. It becomes the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure the safe pick-up of their child from the school security office.
Bus Wait Time
The bus will wait at the pick-up point if the bus reaches ahead of schedule, ensuring that students have sufficient time to board. The school bus will not wait for any student beyond the scheduled pick-up time. Therefore parents are requested to adhere to the timings shared. No complaints regarding this policy will be entertained.
Late Arrival Caution
Parents are strongly advised against overtaking the school bus if their child arrives late at the pick-up point. If a child misses the bus, it is the parent’s responsibility to transport the child to school.
Bus Attendant‘s Guidelines
Bus attendants are strictly prohibited from accepting money for bus fees or engaging in tasks such as feeding students. Parents are requested to refrain from making such requests.
Student Conduct
It is incumbent upon parents to instill in their wards the importance of adhering to bus attendant instructions, maintaining decorum, and refraining from any unruly behaviour.
Disciplinary Action
Unruly behaviour, including but not limited to fighting, use of foul language, or damage to bus property, will result in disciplinary action including the withdrawal of the bus facility or any other disciplinary action that the Management may decide.
Boarding Permissions
Students are not permitted to board a bus other than the one allotted to them without explicit and written permission from the transport in-charges.
Informing Changes
Any requests for changes in bus arrangements must be communicated to the school authorities in writing.
Drop-off Points
Students will be dropped off only at the specified drop points and not at their doorstep.
Transport Slab
To determine the transport slab for wards, Harvest computes the distance between school and pickup/drop point as per the route taken by the school bus and not per online maps.
Stay Back/After School Activities
The transport department would identify and designate authorized drop points for after-school activities and stay-backs. Parents or authorized guardians are responsible for picking up their wards from the designated drop
Fee Defaulters
Those with outstanding fees will be restricted from utilizing the bus facility. Following due intimation, transport services will be withdrawn for non-payment.
Discontinuation Notice
Any decision to discontinue the school bus service should be communicated to the transport in-charge a month in advance and will only be allowed at the end of a term.
Change of Location/Route
Requests for a change in location or route will be considered, contingent upon availability of bus service and seating space.
Complaints
All complaints regarding transport services should be channeled through the helpdesk for proper resolution.
Cooperation
Parents are earnestly requested to cooperate with drivers and attendants during unforeseen incidents leading to timing delays.
Communication
Written email requests from parents are mandatory for any alterations to pick-up or drop-off points.
Responsibility for Students
Transport authorities are responsible for students only up to the drop-off and pick-up points. Parents must appoint a trustworthy guardian to accompany students to and from these points.
Contact Information
Any changes in phone numbers or email addresses must be immediately communicated to the school and transport in charge to avoid miscommunication.
Cleanliness
Students are expected to maintain cleanliness within the bus, refraining from littering or damaging the bus property.
Dispute Resolution
In case of problems, parents must not address other students or parents directly. Parents are encouraged to submit written complaints to the Transport Desk or email the School Transport – in – charge rather than engaging in disputes with bus assistants/ drivers.
Cooperation with Transport Manager
Parents are requested to cooperate with the Transport Manager, who works towards the collective interest of the entire student community.
Student Behavior
Learners must adhere to safety rules, remain seated while the bus is in motion, follow instructions, avoid unruly behaviour, and maintain cleanliness.
Annual Transport Fee Increase
The annual increase in transport fee will not exceed 10%, and the increase is to account for higher maintenance, staff wages and procurement of additional vehicles which in several cases operate at around 50% capacity to minimize travel time for the students.
Escalation Matrix
In cases of violations of the transport regulations by the students, a three-step escalation matrix is implemented, involving warnings, suspension, and eventual withdrawal of bus facility.
