Frequently Asked Questions

Question: May I request a bus stop closer to my house or to my child's after school program?

Answer: The current bus routes are limited to main streets and intersections in Boston and bus stops may not be within walking distance from your home. Parents must provide transportation to and from their assigned bus stop. Although the Dover Sherborn METCO bus may pass close to your home, they will only pick up students at designated bus stops on the bus route. bus routes are devised by the METCO coordinator and the Director of Transportation at METCO, Inc.

Question: How early should I arrive at the bus stop?

Answer: In the morning and afternoon it is recommended that you arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. During inclement weather we suggest you arrive 30 minutes early, unless you are otherwise notified by the METCO Office, the bus monitor, or the METCO Coordinator regarding arrival time. Busses are not permitted to wait at stops past their designated time. If you think you may be running late, check the schedule and try to meet the bus at later stop on its route.

Question: Can my student walk home from the bus stop alone? What happens if I am not there to meet my student at the bus stop?

Answer: Elementary students must be met by an adult at the bus stop in the afternoon. Students will not be left at bus stops without a parent or guardian present. Students whose parents are not at the bus stop will be brought to the METCO, Inc. offices in Roxbury. Please use the Transportation Authorization Plan form under the "Transportation Documents" tab to request alternative drop-off.

Question: What happens if my child misses the bus or is suspended from the bus?

Answer: If your child misses the bus or is suspended from the bus, you are responsible for arranging transportation for your child to and from school. Missing the bus does not excuse your child from school.

Question: What happens if there is a Snow Day or if the busses are running late?

Answer: In the event of a Weather Emergency the superintendent of Dover-Sherborn will post school closings on Channels 4, 5 & 7. If Boston is closed due to weather, METCO transportation will not be provided and students will be excused from school. In the event of traffic or a bus accident, the bus monitor and the METCO coordinator will contact families to keep them updated.

Massachusetts State law prohibits school bus and van drivers from using cell phones while transporting students. Parents should not attempt to contact a school bus or van driver during the course of his/her route. If there is an urgent need for communication while a driver is in route, please contact METCO Transportation Department at 617 427-1545.

Contact Numbers:

1. Lance Carter, Director of Transportation Services: (617) 427-1545 ext 15.

2. Bus Company: Eastern Bus Company