Bus Handbook
Welcome to ISB!
This Bus service Handbook, together with the Bus service General Terms and Conditions set out the rules and procedures that underpin the ISB bus service and its operations. These rules establish the framework for all day-to-day and operational decisions taken by the ISB Mobility Office, and are compulsory for all users of this service, notably the enrolled students and their parents (or guardians), as well as the bus monitors.
Enrolment, Payment and Cancellation
Buses, Routes and Schedules
Daily Operations and Communications
Problem Solving
Kattenberg 19, B-1170
Brussels, Belgium
+32 2 661 42 11
buses@isb.be
Special Requests
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BUS SERVICE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The Bus service General Terms and Conditions define the contractual relationship between ISB and the student passengers and their parents or guardians.
ENROLMENT, PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION
Bus eligibility
Bus enrolment
Short-term enrolment
Bus fees
Enrolment cancellation
Refund
DAILY OPERATIONS AND COMMUNICATION
Contact
Morning Communication
Afternoon Communication
Bus rules
Bus Monitors
Afternoon bus locations
ECC/ES students afternoon drop-off
BUSES, ROUTES AND SCHEDULE
BatOnRoute
Recognise your bus
Designated seat
Bus schedule
Bus routes
Bus stops
Covered areas
Bus tracking
Late buses
PROBLEM SOLVING
Missed bus
Delayed bus
Cancelled bus
Bad weather/snow
Lost and Found
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Friend invitation
Bus/stop change
Multiple buses
Move
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OUR BUS DRIVERS
ISB collaborates with two external bus companies specialized in school transport, which provide both buses and bus drivers To the extent possible, we try to keep the same bus drivers on the same routes We have established excellent working relations with our external providers, and ensure continuity while constantly improving our service
LAUNCHED IN 2023
BatOnRoute ISB Bus Service Software
ISB has always been concerned about the safety of our students on the school buses, therefore we have implemented the BatOnRoute solution. An application specialised in school transportation management, that provides additional security and very useful realtime information of the bus route, both for the School and for the Parents. Upper school students can use the app with their parents’ credentials, request a printed QR code or use a picture of the QR code from the parent app, and must register on the bus.
Credentials are sent to new bus families automatically, should you require additional credentials please contact buses@isb.be
ENROLMENT, PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION
BUS ELIGIBILITY
Children may ride the school bus alone once they enter Kindergarten
Students in Pre-Kindergarten may ride the morning and/or afternoon bus under the below conditions:
They have an older sibling travelling with them
Prior approval from the ECC Head is required.
On Wednesdays, PK children must attend Supervision until the bus departure time, unless picked up by a responsible adult at the end of the school day.
In the morning, older siblings are required to escort them from the bus to the preschool central space, where supervision will be provided
An occasional trip refers to any enrolment that is not part of the annual enrolment or a late enrolment caused by a delayed admission to the School
Please use the BatOnRoute app to register your child for a one-off bus ride. Please ensure that you process this enrolment at least 24 hours in advance.
Note:
Only existing routes and bus stops are available for one-off bus rides. Reservations are subject to the availability of seats on the bus.
A fee of 10 Euros per bus trip will be included in your next ISB consolidated invoice.
Please find here the Link to users guide
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BUS FEES
The annual bus fee can be found here, in the Bus fees section
For families who would otherwise find it difficult to pay the annual bus fee, ISB offers a payment plan to spread the cost of the bus service across each School Year For more information, please contact the Finance Office at collardv@isb.be
Fullyear (2ways)
Fullyear (1way) 2155 BusOffice
Reimbursementforearly departurefromISB
Reimbursementforearly departurefromISB One Month(2 ways)
(1way)
Amaximumof10consecutivedaysis allowed;beyondthat,theOneMonthfee applies
*Thisdoesnotapplytoregularbus users
The Bus service is offered either as a round trip or a one-way trip, mornings and/or afternoons. A tailor-made registration is also possible. The Bus service Fees for each option are different. More information is available upon request at buses@isb.be.
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ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS & REFUND POLICIES
Condition Details
RefundforEarly Withdrawal (AnnualFee)
MonthlyFee
Withdrawalafter January
WithdrawalAnnualBus Service
25%ofbusfeeswillbereimbursedifthestudentleavesthe Schoolbefore31January.
Short-termEnrolment Refund
SchoolService Interruption (ForceMajeure)
Behavioral
Anymonthstartedisdue,nopartialrefundforincomplete months.
Noreimbursementifthestudentleavesafterthelastdayof January.
Proratedfeeswillbereimbursed,anymonthstartedisdue. Withdrawalmustbenotifiedbyemailatbuses@isb.beatleast 15daysbeforethewithdrawaldate Failuretodosoresultsinno refundandliabilityfortheremainingbalance.
Norefundforshort-termenrollment,unlessthewithdrawalis duetomedicalreasons(medicalnoterequired).
Refundswillbeassessedonacase-by-casebasisatthe discretionoftheSchool.
ISBreservestherighttosuspendorexcludeanystudentfrom thebusservicewithoutarefundifthestudentorparentsdonot followtherulesoutlinedintheBusServiceHandbook
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BatOnRouteBUSES, ROUTES AND SCHEDULES
BatOnRoute BUS TRACKING
BatOnRoute ISB Bus Service Software
ISB has always been concerned about the safety of our students on the school buses, therefore we implemented the BatOnRoute solution An application specialized in school transportation management, that provides additional security and very useful real-time information on the bus route, both for the School and for the Parents.
BatonRoute – Safe app can be downloaded from the App Store or Play Store, Credentials to log into BatonRoute Safe are sent before the start of the new school year or upon request via buses@isb.be
BatOnRoute NOTIFICATION CENTER
To receive alerts and notifications about bus delays, cancellations, or updates on your child's bus status, please review and adjust the general notification settings in the BatOnRoute app. Follow these steps to ensure you stay informed:
Open the BatOnRoute Safe app: Navigate to the settings section
Check Notification Settings: Ensure that notifications are enabled You can customize the types of notifications you wish to receive according to your preferences and priorities.
Set Platform Notifications: Choose how you would like to receive these notifications. You can opt for email notifications, and push notifications
By setting up your notifications properly, you can stay informed about any changes or updates regarding the bus schedules and your child's travel status.
BUS SCHEDULE
Buses run on school days, as of the first day of school Buses are not running on school holidays, PD days, and Learning conferences. If you wish to know the exact dates of such days in advance, please refer to our school calendar
In the morning, buses should arrive at ISB between 08.10 and 08.25. In the afternoon, departure is at 15.50 sharp.
The Bus service also includes Late Buses at 17.15 and 18.15. More information about the Late Buses can be found here.
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BUS ROUTES
The development of bus routes for over 800 students is complex. Routes for the new school year are emailed to parents and available on BatOnRoute the Friday before the first school day.
The Bus Office can establish new routes, modify bus stops, or shift stops to optimise routes and balance student numbers throughout the year. Traffic regulations and flow affect routes, preventing changes upon individual requests.
Efforts are made to keep journeys under one hour, with students living furthest being picked up first and dropped off last. For security reasons, bus routes and stops are not publicly available; parents access their child's route via the BatOnRoute app
How to read your bus stop?
Bus stops are identified by the address they are located in front of
We aim to provide bus stops near your home, but this is not always possible. Some streets prohibit bus access.
If multiple families live on the same street, we will designate a single stop to avoid multiple stops along that road which would lengthen the journey. A minimum distance of 300m must be observed between two stops on the same street, unless justifiable on the basis of the specific traffic conditions or students with special needs.
Please note stops and timings are susceptible to change from one year to the next, as well as during the school year in order to avoid as best as possible roadwork and traffic.
Parents are requested to inform the Mobility Office of any road works in order to find an alternative solution for collecting the children.
RECOGNISE YOUR BUS
Our buses are either from the company Voyages Star or Keolis. For security reasons, the ISB logo will not appear on the buses, only the bus number (i e C-19 or M-25)
DESIGNATED SEAT BUS STOPS
Younger children (Early Childhood & Elementary) are to sit towards the front of the bus. Middle and High school students may sit toward the back of the bus.
BATONROUTE SAFE TUTORIALS
To facilitate your use of the BatOnRoute safe app, we have created tutorials to help you navigate the app. You will find the tutorials for iOS here, and Android here.
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COVERED AREAS
The bus service operates within a certain geographical zone that may be limited to partial coverage of the following communes:
Rhodes-St-Genese, Bruxelles, Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Uccle, Auderghem, WatermaelBoitsfort, Etterbeek, Woluwe-St-Lambert, Woluwe-St-Pierre, Braine-l’Alleud, Braine-leChâteau, Waterloo, Hoeilaart, Overijse, Rixensart, Rosières, Wavre, Kortenberg, Kraainem, Sterrebeek, Tervuren and Wezembeek-Oppem, Leefdaal, Ohain, Genval,
As an indication, here are the morning bus stops with their pick-up times for 2023-2024 (beginning of the school year)
LATE BUSES
ISB offers 3 free shuttle routes with designated stops at 17h20 and 18h15 to assist students involved in after-school activities in their evening commute home. Late buses are available for students from Grade 5 to Grade 12.
Late buses start date: 26/08/2024.
Please carefully read the information here before making use of the late bus service
For the 2024-2025 school year, we are implementing the Late Buses on the BatOnRoute safe app which will require prior registration While parents will be able to track their child on the late bus, it is the parent’s responsibility to register their children on the late bus by using the BatOnRoute safe app for a one-off use of the late bus or register for the whole season/year via the late bus access form.
Note, late buses will leave at scheduled times and will not wait for late or no-show students.
Late buses depart from the chateau parking at 17h20 and 18h15
Bus 50 & 60 -> Watermael-Boitsfort, Bruxelles, Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Uccle.
Bus 51 & 61 -> Watermael-Boitsfort, Auderghem, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Kraainem, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
Bus 52 & 62 -> Hoeilaart, Overijse, Tervuren
Map and stops
The list of the stops and arrival times can be found here
The map of the late bus stops is here
Additional information
Available from Monday to Thursday when school is in session. No late buses on Fridays.
Serves major routes to key transport hubs. Does not provide home stops.
There are no bus monitors on late buses. Notification only via BatOnRoute
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DAILY OPERATIONS AND COMMUNICATION CONTACT
The ISB Mobility Office is composed of:
Morning routes: Martina Margaria
Bus Coordinator
Phone: +32 2 661 42 32
Email: buses@isb.be
Afternoon routes: Kaoutar Ouaggouti
Bus Coordinator
Phone: +32 2 661 42 32
Email: buses@isb.be
Emergencies:
Véronique Dallemagne
Security & Mobility Manager
Phone: +32 2 661 42 65
Email: dallemagnev@isb.be
MORNING COMMUNICATION
If your child does not take the morning bus, please mark the absence on the BatOnRoute-Safe app the night prior or the day before 06:30 Am In case you are unable to do it via the application, call the bus office or email them at buses@isb.be please mention the full name of your child, bus number
AFTERNOON COMMUNICATION
ECC or ES children:
Absences from the bus need to be communicated as follows:
Going home early or parent pickup
Mark absence in BatOnRoute or email buses@isb be
Email your child‘s General Office (eccgo@isb.be or esgeneralOffice@isb.be)
Your child has an ISB+, Athletics, Supervision or Field trips
No action needed, our internal databases are connected.
Your child will not attend their usual ISB+, Athletics, Supervision or Field trips and require the regular bus service
Remove the automatic bus absence from BatOnRoute or email buses@isb.be
Email your child’s General Office (eccgo@isb.be or esgeneralOffice@isb.be)
Email ISB+ (isbplus@isb.be)
Attending private lessons, athletics banquets, rehearsals
Mark absence in BatOnRoute or email buses@isb.be
Email your child’s General Office (eccgo@isb.be or esgeneralOffice@isb.be)
MS or HS students:
Should your child be absent from their regular bus, please register their absence in the BatOnRoute-Safe app by 15:00 pm latest, unless it is an ILS student email buses@isb be as well
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BUS RULES
Children are required to demonstrate good citizenship and respect the below bus rules.
Should behavioural issues be noticed during bus rides, school heads may contact families in order to assist in returning to a safe and enjoyable bus ride for all students. In case of recurrent incidents, the student may be asked to take a break from the bus service.
I am KIND:
I speak quietly and politelyI use an appropriate language
I keep my hands and feet to myself
I keep my bags and belongings below my seat or on my laps, to allow other students to sit
I respect the rights of others on the bus
I am SAFE:
I don’t stand or walk around while the bus is in motion
I sit down facing forward at all times, bottom on the seat
I put on the seat belt and remain seated until the doors open
I keep the aisle free
I don’t throw anything
I don’t distract the driver
I don’t bring dangerous object
I don’t cross the road in front of the bus
I don’t run in the parking area or attempt to get on a bus that is moving
I am RESPECTFUL:
I keep the noise level down (no music without using headphones)
I follow the instructions the first time they are given by the bus monitors or the bus driver
I treat the bus with respect
I keep the bus clean and use the trash can
I arrive at least 5 minutes before the departure time of my bus
I don’t eat or drink on the bus, except water
I don’t smoke or vape
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BUS MONITORS
The bus drivers are responsible for driving the students to and from school safely, as well as for respecting the timetable and itinerary, as provided by the Mobility Office.
The Mobility Office strives to have a bus monitor in each bus. Bus Monitors are students in grade 9 to 12 who are under the guidance of our Mobility Office
Bus number preceded by le the letter C, will be located at the Château parking
Bus number preceded by le the letter M, will be located at the Métairie parking
Late buses will always be located at the Château parking
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ECC AND ES STUDENTS AFTERNOON DROP-OFF
Children attending Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, grade one, two or three: In the afternoon, an adult must be at the bus stop to pick up the children attending PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, grade one, two or three. Please refer to the BatOnRouteSafe app showing live tracking of your child’s bus to view expected arrival times.
It is the parent's or responsible person's obligation to be present at least five minutes before the official arrival time and to remain at the indicated stop until arrival Parents are not allowed to get on the buses
Late arrival or no show of parent: Please refer to the BatOnRoute-Safe app showing live tracking of your child’s bus to view expected arrival times. The buses cannot wait for parents to arrive, in order not to delay the rest of the route.
In the absence of an adult waiting at the bus stop, and no reachable family member, the child will be returned to school by bus.
Children attending grade four and above:
It is considered that children attending grade four and above are allowed to get off the bus alone at their regular bus stop, unless the parent has requested otherwise in writing to buses@isb.be
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PROBLEM SOLVING
MISSED BUS
Please refer to the BatOnRoute-Safe app showing live tracking of your child’s bus to view expected arrival times.
The bus should always wait for the children until the official time that is set for each bus stop. However, drivers are asked not to wait for late arrivals.
We advise you to arrive five minutes earlier to the bus stop, as the traffic conditions cannot always be predicted
If a student misses the bus in the morning or in the afternoon, it is the family’s responsibility to find an alternative means of transport to school or back home
DELAYED BUS
Please refer to the BatOnRoute-Safe app showing live tracking of your child’s bus to view expected arrival times
If a bus route cannot run and the Bus Office has knowledge of this, the Bus Office will inform parents as soon as possible, via push notification in BatOnRoute
If the bus is late and you haven’t received a notification in BatOnRoute, you can call the Bus Office We will contact the bus driver and revert back to you as soon as possible
Make sure you have communicated your local mobile phone number You can do that using this form
Parents will not be informed of Late Bus delays, as they are not yet integrate integrated in BatOnRoute
CANCELLED BUS
If a bus cannot circulate for any reason, (i.e. bad weather, traffic jams, strikes, demonstrations) or in the event that a bus cannot move further and is unable to reach all bus stops, parents are notified without delay via push notification in BatOnRoute.
In the extraordinary event that the bus service cannot run (e.g. breakdown or accident of the bus) or has major delay, parents will be notified accordingly via push notification in BatOnRoute in order to make their own arrangements for the transportation of the children. When the “Taxi plan” is to be activated, we will indicate it in our notification to the parents If they choose to take a taxi/Uber, the cost will be fully reimbursed upon presentation of the receipt to the Mobility Office
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BAD WEATHER AND SNOW
In the event of snow and/or ice, or disruptions to our normal Bus service for other reasons, we will inform you via push notification in BatOnRoute, e-mail, and/or information published on the school website which service state applies for that day:
Snow plan active: all routes operate but replacement stops are activated The list of replacement stops where their bus stop will be moved to under such weather conditions are available in the app as soon as activated. Limited service: some routes are not in operation.
No Bus service: the school is closed.
Evaluating traffic conditions in real time may require us to cancel lines. It is therefore possible that buses that have run in the morning are not able to provide service in the afternoon The information will be communicated as soon as possible via push notification in BatOnRoute
LOST AND FOUND
We expect the students to check they have their belongings each time they leave the bus However, if they do leave something behind, the bus driver will keep it for the next school ride, if no one claims it, the bus driver will bring it to the bus office
Please note that if a student forgets a bag or a case, we will open the bag in order to identify the owner. Please ensure that all belongings are marked with the student’s full name.
ISB accepts no liability for lost objects which are not found or which have been damaged
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SPECIAL REQUESTS
FRIEND INVITATION
Also referred to as playdates for younger students, or inviting a school friend on your child’s bus is possible if seating is available
The request can be directly made by the “guest’s” parents in the BatOnRoute-Safe app, by requesting an occasional trip Request has to be placed latest by 14:00 pm on the same day You can request the occasional trip via email, buses@isb.be, by specifying full names of guest and host as well as bus number and bus stop
A bus fee of 10 Euro will be invoiced if the guest is not registered for the Bus service These are not refundable, with the exception where the withdrawal is made necessary for medical reasons, a medical note will be required
BUS STOP CHANGE REQUEST
Each stop location change request needs to be dealt with individually. It is fairly complex considering the following factors: safety, bus size, requests from other parents, travelling durations and bus routes
All changes, even minor, need to be decided by the Mobility Office and registered in the official bus route Bus drivers have no authority to make changes themselves Besides the organisational aspects, be aware that if a replacing driver operates your line, they will follow the official route and designated bus stops that our Mobility Office will provide
MULTIPLE BUSES ROUTES
Children can be enrolled on more than one bus route without any additional cost, for example two homes, extra-curricular activities, etc. If you would like to make such arrangements or cancel old ones, please send an email with the details to buses@isb.be.
It is the parents’ responsibility to communicate the “main bus route” to the Mobility Office along with the second home. We will create both routes and stops for the student(s).Parents will be responsible for managing the bus calendar by using the occasional trip option available in BatOnRoute-Safe.
HOUSE MOVE
If you are considering moving, please contact the Bus Office (buses@isb.be) in order to foresee the feasibility of a bus stop close to your new home
Your new address also needs to be communicated to dbasecorrections@isb.be
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