Transportation
Transportation Information
School bus service is arranged at the Seattle School District level.
- For any questions or concerns about your students transportation assignment please contact SPS Transportation Department directly at: transdept@seattleschools.org
- You may appeal your student’s transportation assignment by following the SPS Transportation Appeals Process.
Free Metro Bus Service for Students
Metro service is now free of charge to all students under 18 and route coverage has increased citywide.
SPS students ride Puget Sound transit for free thanks to Move Ahead Washington, a statewide transportation funding package. Visit Free Youth Transit Pass for more information.
Bike and Roll to School
A covered bike cage is available for students biking to school. For more information about safe routes to school contact Jessica Levine jclevine@seattleschools.org and michelesolis100@comcast.net.
Walk Zone and/or Metro
Students that live up to 2 miles from school are not provided transportation. As stated above, Metro bus service is provided for free to children under 18 years of age.
Yellow Bus
Students that live over 2 miles from school and are in the Eckstein Middle School reference area are provided yellow bus service by Seattle Public Schools.
Search for Attendance Area School
If a student wishes to visit or be visited by another student and rides the school bus, a temporary bus card must be requested at the school for this purpose. Authorization for riding the school bus is based on space availability.
In order to receive a temporary bus pass we must have written permission from the visiting student’s parent/guardian prior to the end of school day . You can email this information to Katy Ryan at karyan@seattleschools.org
We need to know:
- The visiting student’s name
- The bus rider’s name
- The visiting student’s parent/guardian’s name and phone number.
Dropping Off/Picking Up Student
Student safety is our number one priority. Help us keep students safe by following the directions below when dropping of a student before school.
If dropping off or picking up students on the north side of 75th Street, please direct your student to the crosswalk light on 31st Avenue. It is not safe for them to cross 75th Street at 30th Avenue or 32nd Avenue.
South side of NE 75th Street.
Do not drop-off or pick-up students in the Bus Zone. There is limited space on 75th Street just east of the crosswalk on 30th Avenue, before the bus loading zone. Students must be ready to exit the car when you stop. If not ready, drive around the block. No parking or waiting in the drop-off/pick-up zones 8:30 – 9:15 am & 3:30 – 4:15 pm.
30th Avenue
You can drop-off or pick-up your student on 30th Avenue by the southern most parking lot.
Dropping off and picking up students in the back of the school is ONLY for students that have difficulty walking this includes students in wheelchairs or on crutches
Our bus zone is small for the number of buses that use it, and the buses need to drop students off quickly and safely without the interference of other vehicles. It is illegal for a private vehicle to use a bus zone during the designated times.
SPS Transportation
Seattle Public Schools provides free transportation for students who live within their school attendance area but outside the school’s walk zone.
If a student is placed in a program, such as deaf and hard of hearing services, that is not available in your neighborhood (attendance) area school, transportation is usually provided.
Transportation Eligibility Guidelines
- Elementary and K-8 schools have a 1-mile walk boundary. Eligible students are provided service primarily on yellow school buses.
- Middle schools have a 2-mile walk boundary. Service is either by yellow school bus or ORCA card for the Metro.
- High schools have a 2-mile walk boundary. Service is provided with an ORCA card.
Safe Routes to School
Biking and walking are great ways to get to school. Use the City of Seattle interactive map to find safe walking and biking routes to your school.
Walk, Bike, and Roll to School
Walking, biking, and rolling to school supports exercise, reduces pollution, and connects neighbors. Studies even show students arrive at school more attentive and ready to learn. Visit this page for resources to support you in walking, biking, and rolling to school.
Delayed Bus
Bus routes are sometimes delayed due to traffic, weather, construction, or other situations.
If your bus is late, we recommend your student stay at the bus stop. Please create a plan and discuss with your student what to do if their bus is late.
View today’s bus routes that are reported as running at least 15 minutes late.