Scheduling Field Trips

Exploring Beyond the Classroom

Scheduling an Academic/Athletic/Cultural Field Trip

All schools can request transportation for additional bus trips. The Department of Transportation Services serves a wide and diverse School District, and accommodates various activities and events for all students. Availability of District vehicles for field trips is determined on a first-come, first-serve basis for a limited number of vehicles. If you are interested in reserving a vehicle for a field trip, you will be required to fill out the appropriate request depending on the nature of your field trip. Please view the Approved Vendors page for Coach Bus Vendors that are approved by the School District of Philadelphia for long distance educational and recreational trips.

For Academic Trip Requests
A Community-Based Instruction Off-Peak Bus Request Form must to be completed and emailed to The Office of Specialized Services.

Athletic Trip Requests An Athletic Trip Bus Service Request form must be completed and emailed to transoperations@philasd.org.

Cultural Trip Requests A Request for School District Operated – Off Peak Bus Service (S-175) form must completed and sent to transoperations@philasd.org.

 

COVID-19 Information

The health and safety of our students, drivers, and attendants remains of the utmost importance. In order to provide a safe riding environment for students attending academic/athletic/cultural field trip programs, the School District of Philadelphia Department of Transportation Services has developed guidelines for students being transported on a school vehicle. These guidelines were developed based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). These protocols will adhere to the CDC’s health, safety and social distancing guidelines for riding the bus.

Seating Guidelines

To ensure social distancing and in accordance with CDC guidelines, students will receive a seating assignment. There will only be one student per seat.  Students from the same household will be allowed to sit together. The seat behind the driver is to remain vacant at all times.

Mask Guidelines

Your child is required to wear a mask when entering, while riding, and when exiting the school vehicle. Acceptable face covers, consistent with the District’s face covering protocol include:

  • Disposable surgical masks
  • Cloth masks
  • Neck gaiters
  • Face shields

Please ensure that your child has a second mask secured in a clear, ziploc bag labeled with their name to ensure they have a replacement in case one becomes unusable.

Refusal to not wear a mask not due to a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability and to follow all rules will result in the re-evaluation of the type and method of transporting your child during field trips.

For more information on these guidelines, please view our full Ridership Responsibilities Document or visit our COVID-19 Information Page. Please contact the Transportation Department main office should you have any questions.