Agreement Reached With Local Transportation Contractors For HCPSS Busing

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Public School System has reached an agreement with local transportation contractors to continue providing bus service to HCPSS students.

"This agreement is an amicable resolution of the respective concerns about the contract issues raised in the contractors’ withdrawn lawsuit and allows all parties to move forward in support of our joint mission of meeting the transportation needs of Howard County’s students," the school district said in a statement. "The local contractors who have served Howard County for many years are an important part of the school system’s goal of ensuring operations are responsive and efficient. This agreement comes amid changes in school start times and will help ensure all necessary transportation routes are covered."

School start times for HCPSS students can be found here. The bus stop locator for 2023-2024 also is available online.

The Howard County Public School System shared new student walk zones earlier this year. Known as "non-transportation areas," these zones increased for most all students. High schoolers' walk zones are now two miles; middle schoolers' are 1.5 miles. Elementary school students' walk zones remain at 1 mile but prekindergarten walk zones are now 1 mile, also. Exemptions will be made for students without "suitable walk routes," noted The Baltimore Sun. A national driver shortage has contributed to the need to expand walk zones.