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Bus Program

Welcome from North Shore Transit! 

North Shore Transit, contracted by West Northfield School District 31, is a part of the largest family owned and operated school bus company in the country and ranks within the top ten overall in the entire country. With over 2,200 school buses operated every day in the Chicago land area, they offer the resources and knowledge to provide superior school transportation to the District. 

Fee Information
Cost of the transportation is based on the number of students utilizing the service and is partially subsidized by the District. Fee information is provided at the time of registration. Payment by the designated deadline offers a discounted rate. Learn more about bus fees in the student/parent handbook.

Bus Schedule and Routes
Following online registration, the District office will email bus routes and schedules to participants one week before the start of school. Students must ride on their assigned bus routes.

Sign up Deadline
Families must sign up for bus service by July 1 in order to allow time to set routes and bus stops, as well as to provide North Shore Transit with ample time to distribute information to families in a timely manner.

Registration for bus service is completed during the online registration process. Students signing up for bus service after July 1, are not be guaranteed immediate bus service. Students registering late for bus service will be put on an established route as soon as possible.

Bus Passes
Bus passes will be distributed as follows:

  • Winkelman bus riders will receive their bus pass from their teacher during the first week of school.  
  • Field bus riders will receive their bus pass during Field Orientation Night.

Bus Safety
Cameras with video and audio coverage are installed on each bus to assist the District in providing a safe and comfortable environment for all bus riders*. For more information on electronic recordings on school buses, please review Board Policy 7:015, Bus Conduct.

*Only District 31 administration have access to recordings unless recordings are required to be disclosed by law. 

Sign up for Bus Service by contacting Wendy Steinberg at 847-313-4416.