Harford County Public Schools has released bus schedules and routes for the 2016-17 school year, available online via the web-based portal infofinder i that can be found on www.hcps.org.Through the infofinder i portal, parents/guardians are able to find which school their student will attend, find their student's bus number and designated stop, access approximate pick-up and drop-off times and visualize the route their student's bus will take to and from school.When users visit the HCPS website, they can click on the icon School & Bus Locator 2016-2017 on the left side of the home page to obtain the student's transportation information, according to an HCPS news release. Clicking on the icon will direct the user to the infofinder i portal, where instructions can be found in the "bulletin" tab.Parents/guardians are urged to access infofinder i to review and verify bus information for their student(s) as many stops, routes and bus numbers may have changed from the previous school year, HCPS said.If transportation information does not display for a student, or for any other concerns or questions about routes, schedules and stops, parents/guardians should call the HCPS Transportation Department. If a student resides in a non-service area, infofinder i will indicate that information.Since routes are based on estimated fall enrollments, school officials remind parents/guardians and students to expect minor adjustments in bus loads and schedules during the first weeks of school in order to alleviate any overcrowded buses.A depot bus stop system for school bus transportation is in place for all students attending HCPS magnet programs. Students attending the Science and Mathematics Academy at Aberdeen High School, the Global Studies Program/International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Edgewood High School and the Natural Resources and Agricultural Science Magnet Program at North Harford High School will be contacted by postcard with their bus information.Students attending the Alternative Education Program and Harford Technical High School will use the consolidated bus stop system and will also be notified of their approximate pick-up time and location by postcard.John Archer School and elementary pre-K (for mid-day service) students will be contacted directly via phone regarding their school transportation information, as will all other students riding a special needs bus, both in-county and out-of-county, HCPS said.Students should plan to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.Students attending the Alternative Education Program and those attending magnet programs should plan to be at their bus depot stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. The student's designated depot stop is their home high school in their attendance area or an alternate authorized high school depot stop.Students who plan to use bus transportation are encouraged to ride the bus beginning the first day of school to facilitate the establishment of the time schedule and the busload.The afternoon return time to home for each bus may be later at the beginning of the school year to accommodate students adjusting to new school settings. Once the schedule has been established, there will be a normal drop-off time for each student.Parents/guardians may review and/or reference transportation rules and policies in the 2016-17 Parent-Student Handbook Calendar that is distributed to each household during the first week of school.