What You Need to Know About Taking a Yellow School Bus

It's official: back-to-school season is upon us. But before your child walks through those doors to learn, they have to get there. 

The Department of Education's Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) notes that children qualify for certain services based on grade level and distance from school.  

Students in kindergarten through second grade that live less than half a mile from school are not eligible for school bus service, but those that live half a mile or more from school are.

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Students in third through sixth grade are only eligibile to ride the school bus if they live more than a mile away from school. Those students can also opt to receive a full-fare MetroCard instead. Students that live more than half but less than a full mile away are eligible to receive a half-fare MetroCard, which can be used on buses only. 

Students in seventh through 12th grade do not receive yellow busing service, but are granted a full-fare MetroCard if they live more than a mile and a half away from school. Those that live more than half but less than a mile and half away are eligible to receive a half-fare MetroCard.

To determine whether or not your child's school has yellow bus service, contact the school. You can also contact OPT directly by dialing 311. When contacting OPT to determine if a school has yellow bus service, please have the name and address of the school ready. 

If your child's school does not have yellow bus service only your child's school, not parents or guardians, may request that service be instituted.