Wicomico County Pupil Transportation Department’s mission is to support the learning process by providing safe, adequate, efficient and economical transportation services for all students in compliance with federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Approximately 15,000 students will attend Wicomico County Public Schools this year and nearly 14,500 will be eligible to ride the familiar yellow school bus.

To address the transportation needs of our school system, 157 school buses owned and operated by the school system and 46 independent contractors provide our students with transportation to and from school as well as provide transportation services for athletic, band and field trips. This year 120 school bus routes serve eligible students living along the 720 miles of Wicomico County state and local roadways. Each year school buses travel approximately 2,000,000 miles to transport WCBOE students to and from school. Each school bus certified to transport our students has received a comprehensive inspection during the summer to ensure safe and reliable service. In addition, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, School Bus Division and the Wicomico County Board of Education Transportation Office work cooperatively to conduct three additional safety inspections each year.

Currently, there are 192 individuals certified by the Maryland State Department of Education and the Wicomico County Board of Education to operate a school bus transporting our students. Each school year, bus drivers must participate in required training programs to improve driving and student management skills, complete an annual physical, and be subject to random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug/alcohol testing. Prior to driving a school bus, drivers must possess a commercial driver’s license, have a satisfactory driving record, pass a medical exam, receive a drug/breath alcohol screen and complete a criminal background check. Once approved by the Director or of Transportation, new driver applicants must complete required classroom and on-the-road training by Maryland State Department of Education certified Driver Instructors. Once certified, school bus drivers must complete annual training requirements, maintain a satisfactory driving record and pass an annual medical exam. All certified school bus drivers are subject to random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug/breath alcohol testing. Also, school drivers must receive a formal observation at least once every two years.