Pittsburgh Public Schools students and students who attend private, parochial, and charter schools are eligible for transportation based on the distance between their home and their assigned school. Transportation eligibility is measured from the nearest point where a private way or private road connects the student's residence to the nearest point where a public road touches the school grounds. Students in grades K-8 are eligible for transportation if they live more than 1.5 miles from school, and students s in grades 9-12 are eligible for transportation if they live more than 2 miles from school.

Yes. Yellow bus and Port Authority transportation will be provided for eligible students who attend private, parochial, or charter schools. All students riding yellow buses will be required to wear masks.

The District’s Transportation Department continues to work to gain efficiencies in transportation services to address the seat gap.   Strategies to reduce the seat gap include: 

1. Increasing walk zones to align with state and Board policy;
2. Expanding the use of Port Authority;
3. Implementing a three tiered bussing system;
4. Working with local carriers to promote job opportunities; and 
5. Implementing a new transportation system to optimize efficiencies and  reduce bus stops, bus ride times, and overcrowding. 
6. Supporting newly added transportation carriers as they complete onboarding of new drivers;
7. Transitioning additional middle school students to Port Authority where feasible; 

Pittsburgh Public Schools provides transportation to all PPS, Private, Parochial, and Charter school-aged children that live within the City of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh students are transported to 190 buildings (54 PPS and 136 non-PPS).  

Like school districts across the country, Pittsburgh Public Schools must transform its approach to transporting students to limit the impact of the national school bus driver shortage, which was exacerbated due to the lack of work during the pandemic. 

The District's Transportation Department continues to work to gain efficiencies in transportation services to address the seat gap. Strategies to reduce the seat gap include: 

1. Increasing walk zones to align with state and Board policy;
2. Expanding the use of Port Authority;
3. Changing school start and end times (multi-tiered scheduling), increasing the number of routes one driver can run before and after school;
4. Working with local carriers to promote job opportunities; and
5. Implementing a new transportation system to optimize efficiencies and reduce bus stops, overcrowding, and bus ride times.  

A PS-6 transfer precludes transportation.  However, if there is an existing route with space on the bus, your child's principal may request to have your child added. 

The Board is expected to vote on proposed modifications to the District's three-tiered bussing system at its July 27, Legislative Session.  

Per the District's masking protocol, during low COVID-19 Community Levels,mask use is optional.  Masks remain required during Medium and High COVID-19 Community Levels. Accommodations for students with IEPs or 504 plans will occur. 

Families are welcome to transport their children to and from school.  To assist with planning, please notify your child’s school if you will be transporting your child or complete a Let's Talk ticket.

Students will be required to follow the Port Authority's face-covering policy.  To read more about the Port Authorities face covering policy visit https://www.portauthority.org/covid-19/face-coverings/.

Schools will provide students with their ID/Connect Card on the first day of school. Students can ride the bus for free on the morning of their first day.  

Yes, the Port Authority has several tools to help families and students plan. Visit www.portauthority.org to review route information including times, locations, etc.​ In addition, it is suggested that students download one or more of the avaialble  apps to a Smartphone for route information in real time. These apps are all free and provide students with the time and location of their desired bus route. ​

The Port Authority follows guidance from federal, state and local authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. To learn more, visit

www.portauthority.org/covid-19/coronavirus-covid19-updates/.

Additional students cannot be added to yellow school buses.