All miles that are driven for any purpose other than transporting students to and from school during the regular school term are ineligible for state transportation aid. Non-disabled summer school routes, routes ran only to transport students who live less than one mile from school, non-disabled early childhood routes, field trips, athletic trips, and other extra-curricular activity trips are examples of ineligible miles.

School buses are equipped with a passive restraint system called compartmentalization that means that the seating area of a school bus is built with specially padded high-back, wider, thicker seats that protect students in school buses during accidents.  No metal surfaces are exposed and seats are spaced close together to contain the students in cushioned compartments.

Maximum ride time is set by the local boards of education.  There are no restrictions on ride time within the Missouri statutes or State Board of Education regulations.

Students with disabilities who have special transportation needs must have those needs detailed in the student's IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) under Related Services.  These needs may include the requirement for an aide on the bus with the student, curb-to-curb service, transportation for a student with disabilities living less than one mile from school, and transportation for special education summer school.  If written into the student's IEP these expenses are considered eligible for state transportation aid.

There is no speed limit established just for school buses.  The posted speed limit applies to school buses unless the school board policy requires a speed less than the posted speed limit.  The speed limit is 60 m.p.h. if not posted on a roadway (304.010 2.(4), RSMo).

Non-allowable costs include salaries for non-transportation related duties, expenses for the portion of a transportation facility not used for school transportation purposes, buses that are ten years of age or older, supplies for vehicles or equipment that are not used to transport pupils, administrative support service expenditures that exceed 5% of the transportation costs, travel, lodging, and meals associated with professional development and vehicles other than school buses  (5 CSR 30-261.040 (1) (A), (C) 3, (F), (G), (H), and (I)).

School bus payments have no effect on the calculation for state transportation aid since school bus payments (Object Code 6552) are subtracted out of the allowable costs and are replaced by the districts yearly depreciation total.

The school district or school bus contractor should retain documentation for all school bus drivers' physical, criminal history background checks, 8 hours of annual training, applicable FMCSA entry level driver training, and the criminal history background check results (162.065, RSMo).

Written contracts are required for all contracted bus transportation services.  The contracts should include requirements that the driver(s) and vehicle(s) meet all applicable state statutes and State Board of Education regulations.  This department also suggests that the contract include the reimbursement amount, the insurance required by the school district, and that the contract requires the tracking of ridership and mileage.  The contract must be on file in the school district's office (5 CSR 30-261.010).

Students living more than three and one-half miles from school must be provided transportation service.  All students can be transported by local board decision (167.231, RSMo).  See Funding for students who are eligible for state transportation aid.