While I would give the same advice, let's not forget that ultimately the child's safety comes down to one or two people: the parents. They will be the ones who will suffer the most if something bad happens to their child. So, the OP doesn't trust his school system to get his daughter on the right bus and wants to take extra precautions. I don't blame him for that.
Some of us would react differently, but to each his own. I would probably change school districts. If that isn't an option move to a new town or city. If that isn't an option, go to every school board meeting until everyone is aware how serious you are about your child's safety, and the other children in the district.
Bad things could have happened if the daughter had been dropped off in a completely foreign location and tried to find her own home, or panicked, etc. So maybe this parent isn't so over-the-top in his decision on how to protect his child.