Student Bus Routes & Transportation Information for the New School Year
Dear Johnston Public Schools Families,
As Johnston Public Schools prepares for the new school year, student bus route information will be available beginning this weekend exclusively through the Zum Parent App and updated directly in your JPS Aspen Portal.
To protect the safety and privacy of our students, individual bus routes and stop locations will no longer be publicly posted on town websites or in local newspapers. Instead, families can securely view their student’s individualized bus assignment, designated stop location, and pickup and drop-off times through two secure platforms. The first is our JPS Aspen Portal and the Second is Zum App. Both of these platforms have end to end security and encryption with Johnston Public Schools through Data Sharing Agreements.
Route Consistency & Expectations
To ensure a smooth transition to our new provider, Zum has designed this year’s routes based on previous stops created by Durham Bus Company, keeping stop locations very similar to last year.
- Tier One Transportation: Routes will remain consistent with last year’s transportation patterns. Specialized or individualized transit services (such as door-to-door vans, wheelchair-accessible buses, or out-of-district routes) provided for students with specific IEP accommodations, 504 plans, or homeless/foster youth (McKinney-Vento).
- House Stops: House stops will continue without interruption for Kindergarten students and Pre K students that qualify.
- Download the App: Search for "Zum-Student Transportation" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Download the Zum App today and follow the prompts to create an account and connect your student.
- Direct Links: Zum Bus company will also be sending every parent a direct link containing their student's assigned bus number and pickup times by this weekend.
- Real-Time Updates: Once school begins, the app will provide real-time bus location tracking, arrival notifications, and service updates.
If you need help setting up the Parent App, accessing your student's information, or have specific routing questions, please contact Zum directly for the fastest assistance:
- Phone: 1-855-RIDEZUM
- Email: Johnstondispatch@zumsf.com
- Alternative Drop-Off Location: Parents or guardians requesting an alternative afternoon drop-off location must complete the formal change request form: Form Link: Link
- Attends before- or after- school childcare in Johnston and needs to be picked up or dropped off at that location, please use the Link to provide the updated transportation information.
- Will be cared for at a family member’s home in Johnston and needs transportation to or from that address, please use the Link to submit the change.
Transportation changes must be for five consecutive school days and to the exact same address. The Zum Bus Company is using the home address on file to create bus routes. If your child needs transportation to or from an address other than your home address, please make sure to submit the appropriate information using the Link provided by Zum.
Reaching out directly to Zum ensures your transportation inquiries are handled immediately, rather than going through the Johnston Public Schools central office.
We look forward to welcoming Johnston students aboard and helping families get ready for a smooth, safe start to the school year!
Sincerely,
Scott Sutherland, Superintendent