Transportation

Students receiving special education services or enrolled in early childhood programs may qualify for transportation based on school team recommendations. Transportation is available to and from home or daycare within the school boundary, with curbside stops when possible. A transportation request must be submitted for new riders or changes, with at least three school days for processing. Temporary changes cannot be accommodated. Early childhood and special services students must be released to a guardian or approved designee. Kindergarten through age 21 students may be released without a guardian present if written permission is emailed to the Olathe Public Schools Transportation Department or submitted via the transportation request form.

Request Forms

 K-21 Request Form Early Childhood Request Form

Registrations submitted during the Open Registration period can expect to receive route information during the first week of August. Registrations submitted and approved after July 1 may result in a delayed notification from our transportation provider.

For registrations submitted after the school year has started, please allow at least three school days to receive a notification from our transportation provider about your registration. Additional time may be needed at the start of the school year due to potential route adjustments or high registration volume.

Access to payride bus service is offered to students residing within a transportation variance area on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Variance areas are reviewed annually.

Safety Expectations for All Students

The Olathe Public Schools Code of Student Conduct is always in effect while using district-provided transportation. Failure to do so may result in suspension or loss of transportation privileges. 

Safety Video Safety Video - Spanish

Yellow Bus Stop Guidelines

• Arrive at assigned bus stop five minutes before the scheduled time
• Each rider is assigned one bus stop based on their primary address
• Students must exit only at their regular stop.
• Bus stops will be centrally located within neighborhoods, up to 0.25 miles from elementary students’ homes and 0.5 miles from middle/high school students’ homes.

Boarding the Bus

• Stay at least 10 feet away until the bus comes to a complete stop and the doors open before approaching.

Exiting the Bus and Crossing the Road

• When crossing the road, walk 10 feet away from the bus and 10 feet in front of it.
• Wait for the bus driver’s signal before crossing.

Free bus eligibility:

All students residing 2.5 or more miles from their assigned school are eligible for free transportation.

If your student qualifies for the federal free and reduced-price meal program during the 2025-26 school year, you won't be charged fees. Parents/Guardians must check the transportation box on the Consent for Disclosure form to share this information with the transportation department.

Eligible for bus services, but must pay:

Students residing LESS than 2.5 miles from their assigned school may access payride transportation on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis including:

• Secondary students residing between 1.5-2.49 miles from their assigned school
• Elementary students residing between 1.0-2.49 miles from their assigned school
• Students residing within a transportation variance area

If the bus has just left school, then Olathe Public Schools transportation department can be contacted and will ask the driver to return to school. If the bus has traveled too far away to return to school, then the school will call a parent/guardian to pick up the student.

Guest ridership is not available on district-provided transportation.

Your transportation provider will notify you of any route or schedule changes by email. If your student rides with DS Bus Lines, you can also use the Stopfinder app to view updates.

To cancel transportation for the day, contact your provider at least two hours before the scheduled pick-up time:

• DS Bus Lines: Email or call 913-361-7400

• Assisted Transportation: Email or call 913-262-3100