Tue, 9 Jun, 2026
Starting in September 2026, fees to ride the yellow bus to school will go up from $50 to $70 a month. If your child uses Edmonton Transit Service (ETS), fees will remain the same at $60 a month.
Edmonton Public Schools aims to keep transportation costs affordable, to accommodate all students who need it and to provide the same level of service each year.
The costs to operate buses and hire drivers have increased, along with growing student enrolment. These factors, combined with changes to provincial funding, mean we need to raise fees to provide the same level of service students and families currently rely on.
Since 2020, the cost to operate a yellow bus route has increased by about 43 per cent. Transportation fees paid by families cover approximately 25 per cent of the Division’s transportation costs; provincial funding covers the other 75 per cent.
The province determines who is eligible for busing based on how far a student lives from a school. As of September 2025, elementary students must live at least 1.6 kilometres from their designated school to be eligible for transportation. Previously, those students only needed to live up to one kilometre to be eligible.
There are no changes to eligibility requirements (two kilometres) for junior and senior high students.
An increase to transportation fees can be challenging for many families. If you are unable to afford bus fees, reach out to your child’s school to discuss your options.