Navigating Public Transportation in Seattle: A Guide for Students and Parents

Seattle boasts a comprehensive public transportation system, and for students and parents in Seattle Public Schools, understanding how to utilize it is essential. While the Seattle Public Schools Transportation Department primarily manages school bus services, it’s important to see this within the broader context of public transportation options available in the city. This guide offers a detailed overview of school transportation alongside relevant public transit information to help families navigate Seattle effectively.

Understanding Seattle Public Schools Transportation

The Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Transportation Department plays a crucial role in ensuring students can access education. They organize transportation for a wide range of students, including those in Seattle Public Schools and Head Start programs. At the beginning of each school year, the department handles a high volume of inquiries and requests, so patience is appreciated when contacting them.

School Bus Service Standards and Eligibility

Seattle Public Schools provides specific guidelines to determine which students are eligible for school bus services. These Transportation Service Standards are key to understanding if your child qualifies. Eligibility is primarily based on grade level and the distance between a student’s home and their school.

Elementary and K-8 Schools: A 1-mile walk zone is in place. Students residing beyond this zone are generally eligible for yellow school bus service.
Middle Schools: A 2-mile walk zone applies. Students living outside this zone within their attendance area are typically eligible for district-provided transportation, usually via yellow school bus. Those within the walk zone are not eligible.
High Schools: A 2-mile walk zone is also set for high schools. However, high school students are generally expected to utilize public transportation options like city buses and light rail for their transportation needs.

For specialized programs or option schools, transportation eligibility may vary and is often linked to the Middle School attendance area where the school is located. Students in programs not available at their attendance area school may receive transportation based on Linked Schools Charts. It’s important to note that students attending schools via choice assignments are generally not eligible for transportation services.

For detailed information, the Transportation Service Standards document, available on the main transportation webpage, provides comprehensive guidelines. For any eligibility inquiries, contacting the Seattle Public Schools transportation office directly is recommended.

Bus Arrival and Departure Times

To help plan your student’s day, Seattle Public Schools provides information on targeted bus arrival and departure times. The Arrival/Departure times document offers insights into when buses are scheduled to reach various locations. Keep in mind these are targeted times, and actual times may vary due to factors like traffic and weather.

Addressing Bus Delays

While bus routes are meticulously planned, delays can occur due to unforeseen circumstances such as traffic congestion, adverse weather conditions, or road construction. If your student’s bus is late, it’s advised to have them remain at the designated bus stop. A bus, or a replacement, will continue the route as quickly as possible, and leaving the stop might result in missing the bus. Families should proactively create a plan with their students for situations where the bus is delayed.

For real-time updates on bus route delays, Seattle Public Schools offers a delayed bus information page. You can also contact the transportation department directly at 206-252-0900 for updates on your student’s route.

Managing Bus Stop and Route Changes

Seattle Public Schools allows for some flexibility in bus stops. Students are permitted one morning and one afternoon bus stop. If you need to request a change for daycare or an alternate address, you must contact the transportation office and provide specific information:

Full daycare or alternate address
Name and phone number of the responsible person at that address
Student’s name, student ID, and your contact information

Processing stop change requests can take up to two weeks, and potentially longer at the start of the school year due to higher request volumes. For requests involving a different bus route or stop location, you’ll need to contact the transportation office, explain the reason for the request, and specify your preferred bus or stop. All requests are evaluated against safety guidelines and Transportation Service Standards. Decisions are typically communicated via mail, either with a new assignment or a denial letter explaining the reasons.

Addressing Complaints Regarding Bus Service

If you have a complaint about a bus driver or the bus service in general, you should contact the transportation office via email at [email protected] or by phone at 206-252-0900. When reporting a complaint, be ready to provide the following details:

Bus route number
Date and time of the incident
A clear explanation of the incident

If you require a response to the investigation, ensure you leave your name and contact information when filing the complaint.

Bus Stop Supervision and Drop-Off Procedures

For general education students in grades K-12, parents are not required to be present at the bus stop for their child to be dropped off. However, Seattle Public Schools encourages parents and guardians to have a plan in place to ensure their student’s safe arrival home.

Special education students in Pre-K and kindergarten must be met at their bus stop in the afternoon. For special education students in grades 1-12, they must also be met unless a release of responsibility form is submitted, granting permission for the student to be dropped off without supervision. This form is available from bus drivers and on the transportation website.

In situations where a special education student isn’t met at the stop, or a general education student is uncomfortable disembarking without someone present, procedures are in place to ensure student safety. The bus driver will contact dispatch, and transportation staff will attempt to reach parents or emergency contacts. If contact cannot be made, the student will either be returned to school or taken to the nearest police precinct until a parent or guardian can be reached.

Alternative Addresses and Daycare Transportation

Transportation to or from alternative addresses, such as daycare, is possible but must adhere to the same eligibility guidelines outlined in the Transportation Service Standards. Each student’s transportation is initially set up based on the home or alternate address on record. To request a change to a service address, email the transportation office at [email protected] with the following information:

Complete daycare or alternate address
Name and phone number of the responsible person at that address
Student’s name, student ID number, and your contact information

Similar to stop change requests, responses are typically sent via mail, detailing either a new assignment or a denial and explanation.

ORCA Cards and Public Transit for Students

Seattle students also benefit from city-wide initiatives promoting public transportation. Previously, Seattle Public Schools provided ORCA cards, but a new statewide program now allows youth under 19 to ride public transit for free. Therefore, ORCA cards are no longer distributed through SPS.

For new ORCA cards, applications should be made through the myORCA webpage. The Seattle Public Schools ORCA card page provides updated information on this program. This initiative encourages students to utilize Seattle’s public transportation network, including buses, light rail, and ferries, making it easier and more affordable to get around the city.

Changes in Bus Service Year-to-Year

It’s not uncommon for bus service eligibility to change from year to year. Several factors can cause these changes. School assignment boundaries and building relocations due to school renovations are ongoing and can directly affect transportation provisions. Additionally, a student’s need for specialized transportation services, as outlined in an IEP, may evolve, potentially altering the level of service required compared to previous years. If you find your bus service has changed, it’s important to review the eligibility criteria and contact the transportation department if needed.

Temporary Bus Stop Changes for Single Days

For occasional needs, Seattle Public Schools allows for temporary bus stop changes. Students can ride home with a friend who is assigned to a different bus route. To facilitate this, a temporary transportation pass (yellow card) is required and can be obtained from the student’s school. Most schools require a signed note from a parent or guardian granting permission for the temporary change, along with the bus number and stop location for the friend’s stop.

School Bus Arrival Time at School

Seattle Public Schools schedules bus routes to ensure students arrive at school approximately 15 minutes before the start of classes. The aim is for buses to arrive with at least 10 minutes before school begins to allow students time for breakfast if needed. This timing is designed to promote punctuality and a smooth start to the school day.

Inclement Weather Transportation Plans

Seattle’s weather can be unpredictable, and the Transportation Department has established snow routes to address transportation during ice and snow events. They work closely with the City of Seattle Department of Transportation to ensure a coordinated response during inclement weather. Details of the inclement weather transportation plan are typically updated in November each year and are available on the department’s website. Knowing these plans is vital for families during winter months.

Zūm Partnership for School Transportation

Seattle Public Schools partners with Zūm to enhance its transportation services. Zūm provides school buses and alternative transportation options for students. Having worked with SPS since 2019, Zūm has a proven track record of safe student transportation. Zūm drivers undergo thorough vetting, including background checks and vaccine verification. For added convenience and safety, Zūm offers a parent app that allows parents to view their child’s assigned driver and vehicle, cancel rides if needed, track rides in real-time, and receive notifications for pick-up and drop-off times.

Notifying Transportation of Student Absences

The notification procedure for student absences from the bus differs slightly between general education and special education students.

For general education students on regular school bus routes, it is not necessary to notify the Transportation Department if a student will be temporarily absent due to illness, vacation, or other short-term reasons.

However, for special education students, the Transportation Department must be notified of any absences, even temporary ones. This includes absences due to illness or vacation. If a special education student does not ride the bus for three consecutive days without prior notification, transportation service may be temporarily put on hold. To resume service after it’s been placed on hold, parents need to contact the transportation department. This notification requirement ensures efficient routing and service for students with special needs.

By understanding these aspects of Seattle Public Schools transportation and the wider public transportation network in Seattle, parents and students can confidently navigate their daily commutes and access educational opportunities throughout the city.

Group of students walking to North Beach Elementary

Cute Puppy Artist Angie Tang