The flat rates for student bus passes are:
Quarterly Round Trip: $72
Quarterly One Way: $36
Riding the Bus
The Department provides bus service in neighborhoods around the islands to ensure access to school for Hawaii’s students.
Learn more about price, eligibility, free bus pass information, and download application forms at:
Bus Handbook & Application.
Applications are also available at your school or you can apply online at eTrition. (Please note you will need your student’s ID number to apply online.)
Eligibility
Students in Grades K-5 must reside a mile or more, and students in Grades 6-12 must reside 1.5 miles or more, from the school within their attendance area to qualify for regular school bus service. Students who do not qualify for regular bus service may receive “space available” bus service provided that there are unused seats on the bus and that the accommodation will not result in additional cost to the state.
Parents can apply for space available bus service by completing the “Space Available Basis” form (also found at school offices) along with the completed bus pass application form located in the School Bus Handbook. Please submit both forms to the school office. The approval process may take four or more weeks. Students will not be permitted to ride the bus until the application is approved, so parents should plan accordingly.
Routes
The Hawaii State Department of Education’s Student Transportation Services Branch utilizes a bus stop locator/bus schedule information system called "Infofinder i."
The system enables parents and guardians to search for the nearest school bus stop to a home address. The website also provides morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off times for all school grade levels statewide. Note: Bus stop assignments will only populate for your child's school if you are living in an eligible neighborhood (over 1 mile from school for elementary, over 1.5 miles for middle/high school students), and there is a safe bus stop in your area. If you do not receive a bus stop assignment for your child's school and believe that your address is located within an eligible service area, then please contact your school for assistance.
Payment
Payment will only be accepted after the school approves the application. Once approved, remit payment either in person or by mail at the school office (please do not mail in cash payments). All payments are due prior to the first day of using the bus service. Accepted payment includes cash, cashier’s check and money order (made payable to The Department of Education). Schools may also include personal checks; but please call your school to confirm.
If you have applied online and your application was approved, you will receive an email that will prompt you to pay via the EZSchoolPay website.
Free Bus Pass
Students who meet one or more of the following criteria may receive a free bus pass. Please complete Part 3 of the application form if you believe your child is eligible for a free bus pass, and check all applicable criteria categories:
Student qualifies for the free lunch program based on household income information (Note: Students who qualify for reduced lunch prices are not eligible for a free bus pass)
Student is a foster child
Student is homeless (McKinney-Vento eligible)
Student’s Special Education plan includes regular transportation as a related service
Student is directed by the District to attend a school outside of the designated attendance area
Student has three older siblings who are fare-paying bus ride
For general inquiries and further
bus route assistance, please contact
the KIS office at 808-307-1400.
