School Bus
Notice to Parents
Parent Letter for School Bus - 7/7/26
If your student already has an EXPRESS card, do NOT add funds for the following school year. The card will be permamently deleted after the last day of each school year.
Non-DOE lost/stolen cards must be replaced IN PERSON at the Kalihi Transit Center office.
Bus Routes & Schedule
Applications
The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) recommends that you register for the school bus as early as possible.
Download and review the SY 2026-2027 HIDOE School Bus Application Form and Handbook. It contains important information that will enable you to register your child for public school bus service this school year.
For manual application, please submit the completed application form to Ewa Makai Middle School front office with payment in cash before the end of each quarterly window. (We are NOT accepting checks this school year.) Note: Applications must be submitted on a quarterly basis.
Applications are also available at online at eTrition. Please note you will need your student’s ID number to apply online.
Bus Route Eligibility
To find out if your address is along a bus route, please visit www.hawaiischoolbus.com or go directly to Infofinder i and input your address to determine your eligibility.
More Information
To find out more information, visit Riding the Bus ; contact Anela Torres at phone (808)766-4806, the School Transportation Services Branch at phone (808)784-6850 or; email stsb@k12.hi.us.
EXPRESS County Bus Pass Program
The Department continues to partner with the four counties in a collaborative effort to provide transportation options for HIDOE students. The EXPRESS program – which stands for Expanding Ridership to Educate Students in Schools — provides free county bus passes for eligible middle/intermediate and high school students. The Department has extended this transportation option as a courtesy to support families; it is not a mandated service.
Your student may only use one transportation option at a time.
If your student has an existing regular school bus pass, they will have to discontinue this service if they choose to apply for an EXPRESS pass. EXPRESS applications will be approved on an annual basis --do not add funds to EXPRESS cards. These cards will be permanently deleted after the last day of each year. Please choose the right option for your student as they cannot change their pass type for the remainder of the year.
Steps to Apply
Check the respective island transit office website for route information and identify the bus route(s), times and locations with your child.
Check your student's transportation eligibility.
Check distance from your student's listed home address (as recorded in Infinite Campus) to home school.
If the distance is 1.5 miles or more and your student is not attending school on a GE, then your student qualifies for a free EXPRESS pass.Fill out an online application (open and accepting applications until April 30, 2027). Transportation eligibility will be determined by the home and school location in Infinite Campus. You will be notified during this process if your student is approved for an EXPRESS pass.
Upon application submission, HOLO passes will be available for pick up at your school office within 15 to 25 business days.
Due to high volume requests, delays may occur due to printing errors and delivery time. Please plan accordingly.
Identify and practice safe walking routes to/from the bus stops at home and at the school.
Visit hawaiipublicschools.org for more information
