- Olathe Public Schools
- Bus Transportation
Transportation Information and Support
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- Read the PDF instructions for general education registration in English or read the instructions in Spanish.
- Route information will be shared by DS Bus Lines or Assisted Transportation in early August via email to the primary guardian.
- Subscriptions to the Stopfinder app for DS Bus Lines will be sent via email to the primary guardian of all bus riders in early August and must be activated before initial app login.
Home to School Transportation Services
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General Education Services and Registration
Annual bus registration is required for all students who plan to ride the bus. Check your mileage and eligibility with the School Locator. Open registration for the 2024-25 school year will be available May 1 through InTouch.
Routes are built around those who have registered during the open registration period, May 1-July 1. Late registration may result in a delayed start date, increased walking distance to the bus stop, or placement on a wait list. If there is an existing route, bus service is offered on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis.
Please note, transportation fees from the previous school year must be paid in full for a new registration to be accepted.
Students Residing More Than 2.5 Miles from School
Olathe Public Schools offers free transportation to students residing 2.5 miles or more from their school of residence.
21st Century Academy, Olathe Advanced Technical Center (OATC) or SOAR students residing more than 2.5 miles from their primary school of enrollment are eligible for free transportation.
Students Residing Less Than 2.5 Miles from School
If an existing bus route is available, access to payride bus service is offered on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis for:
- secondary students residing between 1.5-2.49 miles from their school of residence
- elementary students residing between 1.0-2.49 miles from their school of residence
- students who reside within a transportation variance area (see General Education Transportation Variances section below)
21st Century Academy students residing between 1.5-2.49 miles from their primary school of enrollment may access an existing route on a payride basis.
Transportation is available for students attending OATC (morning session only) or SOAR program locations. Transportation fees will be applied for students residing less than 2.5 miles from their primary school of enrollment. Students enrolled at Olathe North High School and attending OATC class at the main campus are subject to mileage eligibility.
If eligible for bus service, students who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price meal program receive bus service at no cost where an existing route is available. Parents must check the waiver box on the Federal Lunch Application stating information may be shared with transportation. Learn about and apply for the federal free and reduced-price meal program.
2024-25 Fee Per Student
- Early discount, May 1-June 15 is $217.50.
- Standard rate, beginning June 16 is $290.
- Second semester only opens Dec. 1 and is $145.
Other Details
- Transportation fees must be paid in full whether registering for the full year or second semester. Fees will be assessed after the student is routed. Payments may be made by installments through InTouch accounts.
- No additional discounts are available for students who only ride the bus once per day.
- Refunds may be available upon request if you move out of the district or into a non-service area within the district.
- A minimum number of bus riders will be required to establish a route.
- Riders will be assigned one bus stop associated with their primary address.
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General Education Transportation Variances
Check your mileage and eligibility with the School Locator. Open registration for the 2024-25 school year will be available May 1 through InTouch.
2024-25 Elementary School Variances
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.
Arbor Creek Elementary School
- East of 15600 block of 159th Street
Briarwood Elementary School
- East of Black Bob Road
Canyon Creek Elementary School
- North of Prairie Star Parkway
Cedar Creek Elementary School
- North of College Boulevard (Prairie Brook)
- 11300 to 11800 blocks of Clare Road
- 24000 to 24680 blocks of 119th Street
Central Elementary School
- North of Dennis Avenue and south of Southgate Street, between Harrison and Kansas
- Boys & Girls Club (Must reside within the Central Elementary attendance boundary and be enrolled in Boys & Girls Club.)
Clearwater Creek Elementary School
- South of Dennis Avenue
- Residences on or west of south Diane Drive
Countryside Elementary School
- West of Mur-Len Road
Green Springs Elementary School
- West of Black Bob Road
Indian Creek Elementary School
- West of Mur-Len Road
Manchester Park Elementary School
- North of Prairie Star Parkway
Meadow Lane Elementary School
- South of College Boulevard
- East of Lone Elm Road
Millbrooke Elementary School
- East of Lone Elm Road
Northview Elementary School
- Salvation Army Shelter residents
Ravenwood Elementary School
- South of Harold Street
Regency Place Elementary School
- South of 135th Street
Ridgeview Elementary School
- South of Dennis Avenue
- East of Ridgeview Road and south of Sheridan
Walnut Grove Elementary School
- East of Pflumm from 113th Street to the north
Washington Elementary School
- South of Harold Street
Westview Elementary School
- South of Dennis Avenue
Middle School 2024-25 Transportation Variances
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.
California Trail Middle School
- North of 127th Street
- South of 135th Street
Chisholm Trail Middle School
- East of the 15600 block of 159th Street
Frontier Trail Middle School
- East of Black Bob Road
- South of 151st Street
Indian Trail Middle School
- South of 151st Street
Mission Trail Middle School
- On or west of Lakeshore Drive
- Shady Bend Road
Oregon Trail Middle School
- Residences on or west of south Diane Drive
- South of west Dennis Avenue and west of west Dennis Avenue (cul-de-sac)
- East of Parker Street
- South of Old 56 Highway
Pioneer Trail Middle School
- West of Mur-Len Road
- East of Black Bob Road
- South of 127th Street
Prairie Trail Middle School
- South of College Boulevard
Santa Fe Trail Middle School
- West of Ridgeview Road
- North of 119th Street
Summit Trail Middle School
- West of Lone Elm Road from 122nd Terrace to the south
- East of Lone Elm Road
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Special Services and Early Childhood Students
Special services and early childhood students may be eligible for transportation services to their assigned school based on school team recommendations. Early childhood transportation is available at select locations throughout the district.
All special services and early childhood students must be released to a guardian, or an individual designated by the guardian. Special services students may be released without a guardian present if written permission is emailed to Olathe Public Schools Transportation Department or via a request form.
Please complete a transportation request for new bus riders or changes to existing bus riders. A minimum of three school days is required to prepare bus routes. We are not able to accommodate temporary changes.
Request Forms
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Bus Safety
All students should arrive at their assigned bus stop five minutes before their scheduled stop time. Bus stops are subject to change. Students will board and exit the bus at the assigned bus stop associated with their primary address.
General Education bus stops will be located centrally within neighborhoods 1 mile away or more from elementary schools and 1.5 miles or more away from secondary schools. Bus stops for elementary students may be up to .25 miles from a student's residence. Bus stops for middle and high school students may be up to .5 miles from a student's residence.
Special Services and Early Childhood students are routed from their home or daycare provider to and from school. Bus stops will be curbside whenever possible and students may receive adult assistance when needed for daycare stops.
Students are expected to comply with established safety expectations and the Olathe Public Schools Code of Student Conduct. Failure to do so may result in suspension or loss of transportation privileges. Please review additional state and district regulations (below).
We Are Safe
- Walk and use a handrail if available.
- Stay seated and stay buckled when a seatbelt is available.
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
- Save food, candy, and drinks for later.
We Are Kind
- Be patient and helpful.
- Use nice words and actions.
- Use a quiet voice and keep devices at a low volume.
We Are Responsible
- Be on time.
- Follow directions.
- Keep your area clean and maintained.
- Keep your belongings in a safe area.
For more information, email the Olathe Public Schools Transportation Department or call 913-780-8082.
Laws and Regulations Governing School Pupil Transportation in Kansas
- The driver is in charge of all passengers loading onto, riding in, or unloading from the vehicle. Teachers or other sponsors may be asked to assist with discipline issues. It is the driver’s ultimate responsibility to ensure safe transportation for all passengers.
- Passengers awaiting transportation should stand at least 12 feet back from the traveled portion of the roadway.
- There should be no animals, except service animals, transported in district-provided transportation.
- All passengers should remain seated while the vehicles are moving.
- No weapons of any type may be transported in these vehicles, except those in use by a law enforcement officer in performance of official duties.
The Olathe Public Schools student code of conduct always applies while utilizing district-provided transportation. In addition, the following rules and regulations ensure student safety:
- The driver has authority to establish an assigned seating arrangement or to assign seats individually.
- The driver cannot require a passenger to leave the vehicle prior to arrival at the destination point.
- Students shall not use profane language, obscene gestures, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, possession of a vape device or any other controlled substance on district transportation.
- No skateboards.
- Musical instruments and athletic equipment that will fit in a student’s lap or between their legs may be transported on the bus. Space may not be available for larger instruments.
Questions?
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- Student conduct, disciplinary action, and student guidelines — your school principal.
- Driver conduct, bus safety, student injury, bus routes and rider eligibility — email DS Bus Lines or call 913-361-7400.
- For Assisted Transportation driver conduct, vehicle safety, student injury, or routes — email Assisted Transportation or call 913-262-3100.
- All other questions — email Olathe Public Schools Transportation Department or call 913-780-8082.