A crowd gathers outside the high school building made up of teachers from every grade level, playground supervisors, office staff, maintenance workers and the leadership team. What brings all these adults together?
It’s the last day of school and as each of the thirty one buses slowly navigates the driveway there are cheers, applause, tears and laughter. Whether its your last day at ASIJ or just the start of your summer break, it’s an emotional event for everyone and one that highlights the important place our buses play in our students’ lives.
Each bus is its own mobile community, each of the 276 bus stops the starting place of friendships—for students and adults alike. Every day almost 1,300 riders board a bus to come to school, cared for by their well-trained bus monitors who make sure they are safe. Each rider taps on and off the bus with their ID so their parents can track them through the BusMinder app on their phone. Safety is paramount but should anything go wrong along the way, our 170 bus monitors are prepared and each certified in CPR and basic First Aid. All buses are also equipped with GPS tracking systems, two-way radios, iPhones, and first aid and emergency supplies.
At the end of the day, our younger students can take a bus home when school ends. Those in after-school activities can stay and take one of the later afternoon buses that align with our co-curricular programs.
Our videos below offer additional insights into how our buses work for our community.
ASIJ transportation is convenient, reliable, and safe. Over 1000 students in kindergarten through grade 12 enjoy their bus ride to and from school each day.
ASIJ’s fleet includes 33 well-appointed buses. Students ride in climate-controlled comfort in upholstered seats, complete with seat belts. All buses are equipped with GPS tracking systems, two-way radios, iPhones, and first aid and emergency supplies.
For the convenience of ASIJ families, buses serve neighborhoods throughout downtown Tokyo. Most bus stops are located within a few minutes’ walk from families’ homes.
Parents of bus riders are welcome to ride the bus to and from ASIJ for school events, activities, and volunteering, etc. There is no charge for this service.
Sometimes the best school for your child isn’t always next door. Our journey often begins on the bus, but our destination is impactful learning and everything that Japan’s largest international school campus offers. Simply put—we’re worth the ride.
