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First Student Transportation (General Education)

Infographic detailing the transportation request process and timeline for the 2025-2026 school year.

Registering for First Student Transportation

Bethel School District aims to transport as many students as possible to and from school each year. This application is utilized to ensure that qualifying families needing transportation receive this service. All eligible requests made prior to August 18th will be assigned busing for the start of school. Families will receive bus assignment information approximately one week before the start of school.

All students must register for transportation each school year. 
Please note that submitting a request is not a guarantee of services.
Questions? Contact the Transportation Department

Kindergarten Transportation Request Form 
Grades 1-12 Transportation Request Form

 

2025-2026 School Year: Transportation Request Process & Timeline

June 1 – August 18 – Transportation Request Form Opens
Transportation Services now accepting bus requests for the 2025–26 school year. Families can submit transportation requests throughout the summer. Students must be approved and assigned to a route before they can ride the bus. All eligible requests submitted before August 19 will be assigned bus routes in time for the first day. Families will receive route information approximately one week before school begins.

August 19 – September 1 – Transportation request form closes to route requests
The request system will be paused to prepare for the new school year.

September 2 – Portal reopens
The system reopens for any new or late transportation requests.
Note: Requests submitted during the first two weeks of school may take up to five days to process.

Things to note: 

  • Requests submitted after August 18 may not be fulfilled by the first day of school. Families will be notified of route assignments as placements are made.
  • Students who do not ride their assigned bus for two consecutive weeks may be removed from the route to free up space.
  • Families should contact Transportation Services if extracurricular activities or sports affect ridership.

Busing Policies & Bethel’s Walk Area

Busing is not currently offered for students on district transfers, out of district transfer exchanges (otherwise known as Superintendent Exchange) or those who attend a charter school. Alternate bus requests will not be accepted for students in the walk area.

Bethel’s walk area is determined by board policy EEA: For elementary students to receive bus transportation, they must reside one mile or more from school. For middle and high school students, transportation will be provided for those students who reside one and one-half miles or more from the school.

Bus FAQs

  • No. Students who have been accepted to another school via transfer do not qualify for busing.

  • ​​​​​​​Yes, all families will need to request transportation every year.

  • ​​​​​​​The request process enables the Transportation Department to assess the current demand for services and provide busing based upon those needs.

  • The busing request portal will be open year round, but will shut down for a small amount of time to get ready for the school year. Please review the timeline listed at the top of this page for specific dates.

  • ​​​​​​​Yes, As long as both stops follow the school boundary lines.

  • Please review the timeline listed at the top of this page for specific dates.

  • At the beginning of the year, you will be notified by either First Student, the buildings Office Coordinator or alternatively you can download our My Ride K-12 app to see your student route.  My Ride K-12 app instructions are located here.

  • ​​​​​​Yes, but only if you call the school and speak to someone in the office with details.  The Office will give a special note to the student that they will then give the bus driver, giving them permission to be on a different bus.

  • Yes, as long as the non-rider’s guardian calls the office with details so that the office can give the student a special note allowing them to get on the bus.

  • ​​​​​​Yes, as long as the guardian calls the office and gives them the details so that the office can give the student a special note to give to the bus driver giving them permission to be let off at a different stop for the day.

  • Yes, you can. Depending on the size of the instrument, the Bus Driver will decide where it can be safely stored for the ride.

  • No.

  • ​​​​​​​No.

  • No.