SPS spends more on transportation than the state provides for student transportation.

Since SPS is facing a significant projected budget deficit, SPS Transportation service needs to be more efficient to balance our budget and keep the district solvent. Changing bell times for some schools increases efficiency by requiring fewer buses and fewer drivers, which saves more than $4.5 million for the district. This will also help ensure continuity of service through driver shortages. 

Last year, SPS proposed transitioning to a three-tier schedule but didn’t move forward with that change after hearing from families that the first and third tiers were too early and too late for families. This plan increases efficiency without changing our existing schedule tiers and impacting fewer schools. 

Transportation service will be most efficient when routes are balanced between tier 1 (7:55 a.m. start) and tier 2 (8:55 a.m. start) within a region. Buses can drive two routes, a tier 1 route and a tier 2 route, as long as the two routes are in the same geographic area.

Right now, some parts of Seattle have too many bus routes in tier 1 while other areas have too many bus routes in tier 2. To balance the tiers, some schools will have to switch to tier 1 while other schools will have to switch to tier 2, depending on what is needed in that part of the city.

SPS is facing an unprecedented budget shortfall and transportation is a significant expense. Since buses follow the school’s schedule, the only way to balance the buses in Tier 1 and Tier 2 is to change school schedules. These changes allow us to reduce expenses and save over $4.5 million annually without reducing service.

No, this plan aims to help balance the budget long-term. Balanced tiers means a transportation system that’s more efficient and less costly every single year, not just next year.

We already know that families would like safe, reliable, and on-time transportation service without school schedule changes. Unfortunately, because of the budget deficit, SPS must make changes to increase efficiency. This plan will save the district millions in transportation expenditures while maintaining high quality service. 

We have also heard from families that start times earlier and later than the existing start times (7:55 a.m. and 8:55 a.m.) are tough for families. These changes increase efficiency without creating new schedules that are earlier or later than the existing schedule tiers.

We are asking community members to help us identify challenges we might not have considered yet so SPS can support a smooth transition.

We will have to identify other ways to reduce the transportation budget, potentially by reducing service.

Schools with a Later Start Time

The following schools will move to a later start time. They will move from Tier 1 to Tier 2.

The new start and end times: these schools will begin at 8:55 a.m. and be released at 3:25 p.m. Early release Wednesday will be 2:10 p.m. As a reminder, the first day of school is not an early release day.

• South Shore PreK-8
• Green Lake Elementary
• View Ridge Elementary
• West Woodland Elementary
• John Hay Elementary
• Dearborn Park International Elementary
• Bailey Gatzert Elementary

Schools with an Earlier Start Time

The following schools will move to an earlier start time. They will move from Tier 2 to Tier 1.

The new start and end times: these schools will begin at 7:55 a.m. and be released at 2:25 p.m. Early release Wednesday will be 1:10 p.m. As a reminder, the first day of school is not an early release day.

• Concord International Elementary 
• TOPS K-8 
• Thurgood Marshall Elementary  
• Licton Springs K-8 
• Adams Elementary 

Pickup and drop off times are determined based on route and distance. These details have not yet been finalized. Families will receive transportation schedules with final information before school starts in September.  

You can estimate your child’s bus times based on the tier change — schools transitioning to tier 1 will have pick-up and drop-off times approximately an hour earlier than the existing schedule. Schools transitioning to tier 2 will have pick-up and drop-off times approximately an hour later than the existing schedule.

Students who have transportation provided as part of their IEP will continue to receive that service.

It is more cost effective to hire out transportation services.

It’s not too late to submit a school choice form! Families can still submit school choice applications until May 31.

More information is available on the school choice webpage.

Applications received after February 28 will be assigned if there is space available or added to the waitlist in the order they are received, you can view current waitlists in the waitlist summary report on the student assignment page.

We understand that changing school schedules may create childcare challenges for some families and we are working closely with our partners providing before and after care in impacted communities.

SPS is also working with schools and providers at sites moving to Tier 2 (8:55 a.m. start time) to explore options for before school care.

Nationally, childcare providers are experiencing staff shortages. Many providers are working to expand access as they can hire staff.

Families should reach out to their provider or the provider at their site with questions about childcare.

More childcare resources for families are on the BrightSpark website.

Supplemental high school shuttles were created to provide additional service for a few neighborhoods.

Since SPS is facing a significant projected budget deficit, SPS Transportation service needs to reduce costs and can no longer provide supplemental service like high school shuttles. 

Visit the Seattle Public Schools Walk, Bike, and Roll webpage for resources on getting to school.

There are also resources, including sample transit routes and tips, on the Orca Cards and Public Transportation webpage. Youth 18 and younger ride for free on all regional transit.

King County Metro also has resources for traveling safely, including contact info for Transit Police, available on their safety page.

King County Metro has also provided this information on safe commuting for students:

Metro prioritizes safety for everyone in the transit environment. Metro works around the clock to position security and operational employees throughout the transit system to respond to customer needs and deter undesirable customer behaviors. The transit environment is ever-changing, and so are customers’ needs. Our customers are sometimes challenged with human issues that they are navigating while riding transit. Even with the resources, rider support, and security programming we provide, more is needed. Metro customers should stay vigilant and prioritize their own safety while riding Metro. Some things riders are encouraged to consider while riding Metro are:

• Engage with the Bus Operator about your destination to ensure you are on the correct route. 
• Seat or stand near the Bus Operator (at the front of the bus) as the Bus Operator is empowered to address safety concerns or request security personnel. 
• If a customer feels unsafe on a bus, immediately deboard at the nearest stop and board a different bus on the same route. 
• If a customer has access to a cell phone, ensure that it is fully charged before leaving home and boarding transit.
• For life-threatening situations, call 911 immediately and provide dispatch with the bus route, coach number, and location. 

Currently, Metro SaFE Ambassadors provide a presence at Washington Middle School at the dismissal time. Ambassadors can offer information on wayfinding and can help to provide a welcoming, supportive experience for youth accessing transit in the vicinity. Note there is no before-school presence at this time.