Annual bus registration is required for all students who plan to ride the bus. Open registration for the 2025-26 school year is available beginning May-July 1. Read the PDF instructions in English or Spanish. (Documents coming soon) If you need further assistance, please email DS Bus Lines or call 913-361-7400.

Routes are built around those who have registered during the open registration period, May 1-July 1. Registration received after July 1 may result in a delayed start date, increased walking distance to the bus stop, or placement on a wait list.

General Education Bus Service Eligibility

Check your mileage and eligibility with the School Locator. Mileage is calculated in accordance with Kansas law from the front door of the residence to the front door of the school using the most direct route. 

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

For students residing less than 2.5 miles from their assigned school, payride transportation is offered on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis for:

• 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

 Parent-initiated transfer students and non-resident students are not eligible for district-provided transportation, as stated in Board of Education policies JBC and JBCC.

Payride Bus Information: 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.

Establishing a Bus Route: A minimum number of riders is required to start a payride bus route. If a route already exists, service is available on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis.

Unpaid Fees: Registration may not be accepted if there are any unpaid transportation fees from previous school years.

Optional Service: General education busing is optional. Full fees are due regardless of how often the service is used.

Fee Waivers: 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 to share this information with the transportation department.

Payment Process: If you need to pay for the bus service, you'll receive an email with payment instructions after your student is assigned to a bus route. Payments can be made in installments through the InTouch online payment portal.

Refunds: Full or partial refunds may be available upon request for students who move out of the district or into a non-service area within the district.

Cancellation: Cancellation requests must be submitted via email to the appropriate transportation provider.

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.

Students receiving special education services and early childhood students may be eligible for transportation services to their assigned school based on recommendations from the school team. Early childhood transportation is available at select locations throughout the district.

• 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.
• Transportation is available to/from a student’s home or daycare provider within the boundary area for the assigned school.
• Bus stops will be curbside whenever possible, and students may receive adult assistance when needed for daycare stops.
• All students receiving special services or early childhood transportation must be released to a guardian or an individual designated by the guardian. 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

Complete the K-21 Special Services Request Form

Complete the Early Childhood Request Form

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.

Current Elementary School Variance Areas

Arbor Creek Elementary School

1. East of 15600 block of 159th Street

Briarwood Elementary School

1. East of Black Bob Road

Canyon Creek Elementary School

1. North of Prairie Star Parkway

Cedar Creek Elementary School

1. North of College Boulevard (Prairie Brook)
2. 11300 to 11800 blocks of Clare Road
3. 24000 to 24680 blocks of 119th Street

Central Elementary School

1. North of Dennis Avenue and south of Southgate Street, between Harrison and Kansas
2. Boys & Girls Club (Must reside within the Central Elementary attendance boundary and be enrolled in Boys & Girls Club.)

Clearwater Creek Elementary School

1. South of Dennis Avenue
2. Residences on or west of south Diane Drive

Countryside Elementary School

1. West of Mur-Len Road

Green Springs Elementary School

1. West of Black Bob Road

Indian Creek Elementary School

1. West of Mur-Len Road

Manchester Park Elementary School

1. North of Prairie Star Parkway

Meadow Lane Elementary School

1. South of College Boulevard
2. East of Lone Elm Road

Millbrooke Elementary School

1. East of Lone Elm Road

Northview Elementary School

1. Salvation Army Shelter residents

Ravenwood Elementary School

1. South of Harold Street

Regency Place Elementary School

1. South of 135th Street

Ridgeview Elementary School

1. South of Dennis Avenue
2. East of Ridgeview Road and south of Sheridan

Walnut Grove Elementary School

1. East of Pflumm from 113th Street to the north

Washington Elementary School

1. South of Harold Street

Westview Elementary School

1. South of Dennis Avenue

Current Middle School Variance Areas

California Trail Middle School

1. North of 127th Street
2. South of 135th Street

Chisholm Trail Middle School

1. East of the 15600 block of 159th Street

Frontier Trail Middle School

1. East of Black Bob Road
2. South of 151st Street

Indian Trail Middle School

1. South of 151st Street

Mission Trail Middle School

1. On or west of Lakeshore Drive
2. Shady Bend Road

Oregon Trail Middle School

1. Residences on or west of south Diane Drive
2. South of west Dennis Avenue and west of west Dennis Avenue (cul-de-sac)
3. East of Parker Street
4. South of Old 56 Highway

Pioneer Trail Middle School

1. West of Mur-Len Road
2. East of Black Bob Road
3. South of 127th Street

Prairie Trail Middle School

1. South of College Boulevard

Santa Fe Trail Middle School

1. West of Ridgeview Road
2. North of 119th Street

Summit Trail Middle School

1. West of Lone Elm Road from 122nd Terrace to the south
2. East of Lone Elm Road

Route Information

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.

For DS Bus Lines riders, subscriptions to the StopFinder app will be sent via email to the primary guardian and must be activated before initial app login. For more information on StopFinder, click here for English or click here for Spanish.

For Assisted Transportation riders, please review the information provided in your route detail notification. If your vehicle does not arrive within the scheduled time window, contact Assisted Transportation at 913-262-3100.

Yellow Bus Stop Guidelines

• Students should arrive at their 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 and 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.

Watch the Kansas State Department of Education video "Stop for the School Bus"

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. Please review all district and state regulations.

Please take a moment to watch the safety expectations video with your student. Watch our video with captions or watch the video without captions.

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.

In addition, the following Olathe Public Schools expectations 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 on or under the bus seat may be transported on the bus. The service door, emergency exits and aisles must be kept clear to allow for a safe ride.

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 10 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.

How does a parent or guardian register his or her student(s) for General Education bus service?

Register here through the InTouch online payment portal for General Education bus service. Read the PDF instructions in English or Spanish. (Documents coming soon)

Who is eligible for free bus service?

• All students residing 2.5 or more miles from their assigned school are eligible for free transportation.
• Students eligible for payride bus service and who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price meal program during the 2025-26 school year.

Who is required to pay for bus transportation?

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 (see the General Education Transportation Variances tab above)

Why should I have to pay if I live within 2.5 miles from my assigned school?

The State of Kansas only provides transportation funding for students who live beyond 2.5 miles from their assigned school and students with special services transportation eligibility on their IEP.

How is the 2.5-mile distance from home to school calculated?

Mileage is calculated in accordance with Kansas law from the front door of the residence to the front door of the school using the most direct route. Check your mileage and eligibility with the Johnson County AIMS School Locator.

Is there a deadline to register for bus service?

Routes are built around those who register during the Open Registration period, May–July 1. Registration received after July 1 may result in a delayed start date, increased walking distance to the bus stop, or placement on a wait list.

What financial assistance is available?

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.

What is the refund policy?

Full or partial refunds may be available upon request for students who move out of the district or into a non-service area within the district. Cancellation requests must be submitted via email to the appropriate transportation provider. Refunds may also be issued if the refund is requested before the first day of transportation service.
 
What if my student is eligible for special services or early childhood transportation?

Please submit a request for transportation using the appropriate link:

• Complete the K-21 Special Services Request Form
• Complete the Early Childhood Request Form

Is a student transfer to a school outside of their home attendance area eligible for transportation?

No. Parent-initiated transfer students and non-resident students are not eligible for district-provided transportation, as stated in Board of Education policies JBC and JBCC.

How is the transportation provider determined?

Olathe Public Schools utilizes DS Bus Lines and Assisted Transportation as a cohesive support for all student transportation needs. General Education and Special Education transportation for each school building are reviewed and the determination for assignment is made by the OPS director of transportation.

When will I receive bus route information?

Approved registrations submitted during open registration (May-July 1) will receive route details from DS Bus Lines in the first week of August. Registrations after July 1 may lead to a delayed start date.

How do I find out about stop locations, pick-up/drop-off times or other general questions?

Please contact DS Bus Lines at 913-361-7400 or Assisted Transportation at 913-262-3100.

Do I need to communicate with somebody if my child is not going to be on the bus?

If you need to cancel transportation on a given day for your student, please contact your provider:

• DS Bus Lines at 361-7400 or olathebus@dsbuslines.com
• Assisted Transportation at 262-3100 or olatheschedule@assistedtransportation.com. Cancellation must be received 2 hours prior to pick-up time.

How will I receive communication if there is a change of schedule or event pertaining to my student?

Your transportation provider will communicate any changes in route information via email. DS Bus Lines riders may also utilize Stopfinder to review schedule changes.

How will student behavior concerns be handled?

Drivers submit behavior reports to their supervisors, who forward all concerns to the Olathe Public Schools transportation department. The department communicates directly with school building administrators, who may contact parents as needed. Possible outcomes include seating assignments, suspension from the bus or loss of bus riding privileges.
 
Does the busing company have a lost and found?

Drivers routinely check their buses for items left on the bus. DS Bus Lines can be contacted at 913-361-7400 regarding lost and found items. Parent will need to provide student's name, school and bus number.

What do I do if I have an issue with the bus driver or monitor/aide?

• Driver/Monitor conduct, bus safety, student injury, bus routes and rider eligibility — email DS Bus Lines or call 913-361-7400.
• For Assisted Transportation driver/aide conduct, vehicle safety, student injury, or routes — email Assisted Transportation or call 913-262-3100.

Who determines whether a crossing guard is needed at a school?

The local city makes the decision based on traffic studies and available resources.

Are there rules related to eating and drinking on the bus?

Yes. Only water is allowed on district-provided vehicles.

What is the procedure if a student missed the bus to go home?

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.

What is the procedure if a student wants a friend to ride home with them on the bus?

Guest ridership is not available on district-provided transportation.