Worried about your student riding a school bus to an activity during the winter months to mountain areas? To help ease your mind:

• LPS transportation is highly regarded statewide for its superior equipment, preventative maintenance, and driver training programs;
• Buses used on mountain trips are equipped with back-up brake systems and two-way radios;
• Buses are checked and rechecked before beginning a trip; and 
• If the weather forecast warrants, chains are stored on the bus.

To drive an OverThe Road (OTR) mountain trip drivers must:

• Have two years experience driving a school bus for LPS;
• Complete thirty-two hours of advanced driver training;
• Complete an additional thirty-two hours of OTR training;
• Drive a minimum of two OTR trips per school year; and 
• Pass recertification testing annually with a trainer/driver.

Weather that may affect a mountain trip is monitored closely by the dispatcher and director of transportation. Drivers are in radio contact with transportation and, as a back-up, also carry a cellular phone. If adverse weather conditions deteriorate during the trip the decision of whether to continue or not is carefully considered by transportation administration and the driver. As always, the safety of your child is our highest priority.