Welcome Aboard
Pasco County Schools Transportation Department transports more than 37,000 students to and from school each day for a total of over 8 million miles annually. Transportation Services and maintenance are coordinated through six bus compounds located across Pasco's 868 square miles.
If you are looking for your student’s bus pass information, please click here to access the myStudent parent portal. This link also includes instructions on how to set up a parent portal account.
Call Center Number (813) 320-2562
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an unfunded rider?
Unfunded riders (sometimes called “courtesy riders”) are students who are currently transported but who live less than two miles from their school (non-transport zone). The State of Florida does not provide funding for these students based on the belief that two miles is a reasonable distance for families to plan their own transportation to school. Elementary students who meet specific criteria for hazardous walking conditions and live within two miles of their school are not considered courtesy riders.
Why is the district making these changes?
The district, like many other districts, is experiencing an all-time high driver shortage. The district is not able to cover the routes for students we are obligated to transport and can no longer take on courtesy ridership. Additionally, the district does not receive funding for courtesy riders.
What about safety?
The district takes many steps to ensure and support student safety. The State of Florida has determined that two (2) miles is a reasonable distance for families to plan their own transportation to school.
Can I take them to an existing bus stop?
Eligibility for transportation is based on the home address of the student, not a bus stop. If the home address is less than two miles from the school the student is not eligible for school bus transportation.
Relevant statutes and administrative codes
FS 1011.68 Funds for student transportation.—The annual allocation to each district for transportation to public school programs, including charter schools as provided in s. 1002.33(17)(b), of students in membership in kindergarten through grade 12 and in migrant and exceptional student programs below kindergarten shall be determined as follows:
(1) Subject to the rules of the State Board of Education, each district shall determine the membership of students who are transported:
(a) By reason of living 2 miles or more from school.
FS 1006.21 Duties of district school superintendent and district school board regarding transportation
(3) (a) Shall provide transportation for each student in prekindergarten disability programs and in kindergarten through grade 12 membership in a public school when, and only when, transportation is necessary to provide adequate educational facilities and opportunities which otherwise would not be available and to transport students whose homes are more than a reasonable walking distance, as defined by rules of the State Board of Education, from the nearest appropriate school.
FAC 6A-3.001
(3) A reasonable walking distance for any student who is not otherwise eligible for transportation pursuant to Section 1011.68, F.S., is any distance not more than two (2) miles between the home and school or one and one-half (1 1/2) miles between the home and the assigned bus stop. Such distance shall be measured from the closest pedestrian entry point of the property where the student resides to the closest pedestrian entry point of the assigned school building or to the assigned bus stop. The pedestrian entry point of the residence shall be where private property meets the public right-of-way. The district shall determine the shortest pedestrian route whether or not it is accessible to motor vehicle traffic.
FAC 6A-3.0121
(c) The district shall inform parents, guardians, and students at least annually in writing of their responsibilities and related district policies as follows: 1. To ensure the safe travel of their students during the portions of each trip to and from school and home when the students are not under the custody and control of the school district, including during each trip to and from home and the assigned bus stop when the school district provides bus transportation.
