Ms. Mary Jo O'Halloran
Started at STA - 2011
Title - Director of VISTA Transportation
E-mail: mohalloran@cadets.com or mohallor@vischool.org
Telephone: 651-683-1770
District 197 busing contact: 651.403.8320
Student Transportation (Bus)
2011-12 Information
VISTA Transportation is a cooperative venture between Saint Thomas Academy and the Convent of the Visitation School. VISTA Transportation provides bus transportation for some parts of the metro area. While transportation to school is primarily the responsibility of the family and student, the schools have subsidized some of the cost of operating the VISTA routes.
However, in order to maintain this program, more riders are necessary. Based on survey responses from our parents, along with many discussions by administrators at both schools, a number of changes are being implemented for the 2011-12 academic year.
The following changes are NEW for 2011-12:
• Reduced bus fees (on average, the fee has been reduced by 10%)
• Instituted a family discount (second and consecutive siblings are half price)
• After-school time adjustment (3:20 p.m. pick-up time to allow for tutoring)
• After-school service added to the Northeast/Woodbury route
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VISTA Transportation Fees
Please note that the computer program that the bus company utilizes to plot time-efficient routes has many details to consider, including the variety of student addresses, street/road construction and dropping off at both schools early enough for the start time of 8:00 a.m. Some routes have door-to-door service while others have hub pick-up and drop-off areas. Bus service begins on August 29, 2011. VISTA buses run every school day and the time schedule does not change for late start, early dismissal or final exams.
Please contact the Transportation Office for specific route information.
The fee is per student and cannot be adjusted for part-time usage. Routes are determined by the families who deposit $400 per rider, along with a signed contract for each rider, by April 30, 2011.
| Bus Route |
Rider Fee
|
Each Additional
Family Rider Fee |
Minneapolis
|
$1,400
|
$700 |
Saint Paul
|
$1,400
|
$700 |
Northeast/Woodbury
|
$1,400
|
$700 |
Edina
|
$1,200
|
$600 |
Please issue a separate check to:
VISTA Transportation
2455 Visitation Drive
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
If you have any questions, please call Mary Jo O'Halloran at 651.683.1770 or e-mail mohalloran@cadets.com.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM DISTRICT 197
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District 197 Busing Information
For students who live in District 197 (Mendota Heights and parts of Eagan and Inver Grove Heights), your bus service is provided by the district; please direct your calls to 651.403.8320.
Please note that on late start or early dismissal days for STA and Visitation, all buses (VISTA and District 197) run on the normal school time schedule, regardless of the change.
District 197 Buses will not run on the following days that the district is not in session (parents/students will be responsible for their own transportation on these days):
August 29-31, 2011
September 1-2, 2011
October 7, 2011
November 11, 2011 (only Visitation has classes)
November 23, 2011 (only STA has classes)
January 27, 2012
February 21, 2012
March 30, 2012
April 2-4, 2012
May 4, 2012
