*The deadline for completing the preschool form for bus rides is August 10th. (8/10/2026)
All parents/guardians of preschool riders must fill out the below form completely. Phone calls or walk ins to the office will not be accepted to schedule preschool rides.
Please read the entire document and all of the important information.
Registering your child does not guarantee a seat on the bus. We have a limited number of seats on each bus and will do our best to accommodate all families. You will be notified as soon as possible if your child will be riding The Otter Express this school year.
The cost is $2.00 per ride. The cost is for each ride to and/or from preschool. There are no refunds on payments.
All payments are accepted in the form of cash, check, credit, or debit card only. No discount passes, tickets, punch cards, etc will be accepted for preschool payments.
*Payments are due twice a year 1st one being on September 8,2026 and the second one on January 8,2027. The Otter Express can keep your debit/credit card on file to process your child’s bus fare.
The child must be at least 4 years old and be able to secure their own seatbelt without any assistance.
An adult must be in clear vision of the driver at drop off time (at the preschool, home, daycare, or any other location), no exceptions. If an adult is not seen, the child will not be dropped off and will be brought back to the preschool. The parent/guardian must communicate this guideline to the drop off location. The office will attempt to contact a parent and or a guardian to make arrangements for the child.
If this happens more than once your child will be removed from riding the bus for the remainder of the year
The Otter Express bus will only drop off and pick up at the preschool designated door drop off/pick up and only at the times that are allowed by the preschool.
The parent/guardian must call the office if the child is not riding the bus for any reason at least 1 hour in advance.
The Otter Express does not follow your child’s preschool calendar/schedule. If there is no school, school is closed, school is late or closing early, etc., the parent/guardian must call the office to make the notification.
The Otter Express will only take information on cancellations, changes, or any other information from the parent/guardian that is notated on the preschool form. The Otter Express will take information on your child from a preschool staff or daycare staff.
Please notify the office as soon as possible if there is a change in the pick up or drop off location.
If there is any behavior issues with the child on the bus the office will contact the parent/guardian. If there are consistent issues the child may be removed for the remainder of the school year.
We offer public transportation and any and all riders can be on the bus with your child (this can include riders other than preschool aged riders).
Please call the office with any questions at 218-998-3002 or email the below:
Jason Ebert-Operations, Training and Safety Manager Jason@otterexpress.com
Hannah Mattson, Dispatch Lead hannah@otterexpress.com
