The Queensborough bus program is a dedicated bus service to and from New Westminster Secondary school for students whose home addresses are in the Queensborough area. The program launched in January 2024 and will run until June 2026.
Register for the program
Information on how to register for the program will be sent to eligible students and families through SchoolMessenger before the end of every valid school year.
If your family is based in Queensborough, but did not receive information on how to register, please email us for assistance.
Questions and answers
Fees
How do I pay the $30 monthly fee?
Once we confirm your family’s eligibility, you can pay the fees through School Cash Online.
Is the fee reduced during winter break, spring break, non-instructional days, etc.?
The $30 monthly fee is charged evenly over the 10-month school year that includes breaks.
My child only needs to ride the bus one way. Will my family receive a discount?
The monthly fee is $30, regardless of whether your child(ren) decide to ride one-way.
Is the fee waivable for families who can’t afford it?
Please contact your school’s principal for more information if your family cannot pay the monthly fee because of financial hardship.
Registration
My family recently moved to Queensborough and my child attends New Westminster Secondary School. Can I still register past the deadline?
Please email us and we will do our best to accommodate your family.
Do I need to register for the bus service each year?
Yes.
You must re-register your child(ren) prior to the start of each school year. We will also issue new bus passes each year. We will send out bus registration notices in late spring.
My family is moving from Queensborough and will no longer qualify for the service. What should I do?
Please email us to let us know as soon as possible.
If you do not cancel your registration, you may still get charged each month.
My family paid the one-time annual fee when registering but we no longer qualify for the program. Can I get a refund for “unused” time?
We will issue refunds for full months of unused time if your family paid in advance for future months.
My child no longer needs the bus service. How do I cancel my registration?
Please email us to let us know before the first day of the month.
If you do not cancel your registration, you may still get charged each month.
Bus assignments, schedules, and routes
Will my child ride the same bus as their sibling?
Yes, siblings will be assigned to the same bus.
Can I request my child ride the same bus as their friend?
Unfortunately, we cannot grant special rider requests outside of sibling arrangements.
Can students choose which bus they ride on or are bus assignments permanent?
Students must ride on their assigned bus.
This is because school districts are required by law to maintain accurate, up-to-date passenger lists on any given school bus for safety reasons. We assign students to specific buses for this purpose.
Will there be early/late bus service for students who have before or after school activities?
Unfortunately, our pick-up and drop-off times are set. If your child has an early morning or late afternoon activity, you should arrange alternate transportation.
Will you adjust bus schedules on early dismissal or late start days?
We will send families advance notice of any changes to the regular bus schedules.
Will I receive notification if the bus is late or cancelled?
We will send a notice to the parent/guardian through SchoolMessenger if the bus is running more than 20 minutes late or if the bus is cancelled due to mechanical or weather-related causes.
Riding the bus
My child missed the bus. What should they do?
Students who miss the bus are responsible for finding their own way to school or back home. Buses leave promptly at their scheduled times.
Do riders need to show their bus passes every day?
Yes.
All riders must show a valid bus pass before boarding their assigned bus.
My child lost/forgot their bus pass. What should they do?
Please report lost bus passes to the school office immediately. A replacement pass is $10 per card.
Students who forget their pass will be allowed on the bus ride to school if they tell the bus driver their name. Students must then obtain a temporary pass from the school office that same day to show the driver on the ride home.
Can my child’s friend accompany them home on the bus?
No.
We cannot accommodate courtesy rides for non-eligible passengers due to co-ordination and logistical reasons. We must also know which students are riding on a bus at any given time for safety purposes.
Can my child bring large items – such as a musical instrument or large sports bag – on the bus with them?
We can only allow items (including musical instruments) that are small enough to sit comfortably on a student’s lap. This is to ensure student safety as large items cannot be properly secured.