SPAB Bus Transportation in California
SPAB bus transportation for California schools: field trips, athletics and activities. Certified drivers, our own buses. TCP 0037963. 415-909-4012.
SPAB stands for School Pupil Activity Bus. It is California's standard for charter buses that carry K-12 students to school activities. Umbrella Global Bus is a direct operator based in the Bay Area. We run SPAB field trips, team travel and school activity trips with our own drivers and our own buses.
What is a SPAB bus?
California Vehicle Code 546 defines a school pupil activity bus as a vehicle other than a schoolbus, operated by a carrier such as a passenger charter-party carrier, under a contract with a school, carrying pupils at or below the 12th grade to or from a public or private school activity.
A SPAB is what a school uses when it hires a charter bus instead of using a yellow school bus. It applies to public and private schools.
What to ask a SPAB carrier
The driver needs a license endorsed for passenger transportation and a certificate issued by the DMV (Vehicle Code 12517).
Ask any carrier for:
- SPAB-certified drivers
- SPAB-certified buses
- A valid certificate of insurance
- The current CHP inspection approval certificate (CHP 292)
Umbrella Global Bus provides these with your booking. Every bus we run has lap-and-shoulder seat belts.
SPAB buses we run
We run 56-passenger motorcoaches and 23-38 passenger minibuses. Some destinations limit bus length, such as Muir Woods, so we choose the bus from the route as well as the headcount. Every bus has lap-and-shoulder seat belts.
SPAB team and athletics trips
Send us your roster size, game time and location, and what gear you are bringing, and we will match the bus and plan the report and return times. We can quote one game or a full season.
How to book
Send your date, school address, destination, group size and return time. We confirm availability and send a written quote.
SPAB bus by city
San Francisco & Peninsula
- SPAB bus San Francisco
- SPAB bus South San Francisco
- SPAB bus San Mateo
- SPAB bus Redwood City
- SPAB bus Palo Alto
South Bay
East Bay
- SPAB bus Fremont
- SPAB bus Hayward
- SPAB bus San Leandro
- SPAB bus Oakland
- SPAB bus Alameda
- SPAB bus Berkeley
- SPAB bus Walnut Creek
- SPAB bus Concord
Tri-Valley
North Bay
How SPAB certification works | School field trip charter bus
SPAB bus questions
What does SPAB stand for?
School Pupil Activity Bus.
Is a SPAB the same as a yellow school bus?
No. A SPAB is a vehicle other than a schoolbus, used under a contract between a school and a carrier for school activities.
Does SPAB apply to private schools?
Yes. Vehicle Code 546 covers trips to or from a public or private school activity, for pupils at or below the 12th grade.
Who issues a SPAB driver's certificate?
The California DMV, under Vehicle Code 12517.
What paperwork should a school ask for?
SPAB-certified drivers and buses, a valid certificate of insurance, and the current CHP 292 inspection approval certificate.
Do your buses have seat belts?
Yes. Every bus we run has lap-and-shoulder seat belts.
CPUC TCP 0037963 · USDOT 3126263
Call 415-909-4012 for a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SPAB stand for?
School Pupil Activity Bus.
Is a SPAB the same as a yellow school bus?
No. A SPAB is a vehicle other than a schoolbus, used under a contract between a school and a carrier for school activities.
Does SPAB apply to private schools?
Yes. Vehicle Code 546 covers trips to or from a public or private school activity, for pupils at or below the 12th grade.
Who issues a SPAB driver's certificate?
The California DMV, under Vehicle Code 12517.
What paperwork should a school ask for?
SPAB-certified drivers and buses, a valid certificate of insurance, and the current CHP 292 inspection approval certificate.
Do your buses have seat belts?
Yes. Every bus we run has lap-and-shoulder seat belts.