Who Can Ride The School Bus Within HCPSS To Change, Thousands Affected

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Students who ride the bus to school could be affected by changes being implemented by the Howard County Public School System's transportation department.

According to WBAL, thousands of students will be impacted. Prompted by a shortage of school bus drivers and possible modifications to school start times, HCPSS officials are restructuring who can ride the bus:

• Pre-K students: Bus service will be provided to students who live more than one mile away from their school.
• Kindergarten through fifth grade: Bus service will be provided to students who live more than one mile from their school (this is unchanged).
• Middle school students: Bus service will be provided to students who live more than 1.5 miles from their school.
• High school students: Bus service will be provided to students who live 2 miles away from their school.

"Our priority is student safety, that is at the forefront for transportation. Whether the student is a bus rider or a walker, we want them to be safe getting to school. So, even if they are within a certain distance to school, and if it's an unsafe route to school, they will be transported or some alternative scenario will be offered to them," Antonia Watts, chairwoman of the Howard County Board of Education, told WBAL.

To view the guidelines, visit:

• Who can ride the bus: Policy 5200 -- Student Transportation presentation
• Schedule changes in greater detail: HCPSS School Start Times Evaluation