Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 68, students in grades K-6 who reside more than 2.0 miles walking distance to their neighborhood school are entitled to free transportation. In addition, Newton’s policy allows free transportation for students in grades K-5. Special education transportation services are separate from regular bus transportation and are not affected.

An application must be filed if your child is in Grades K-12 and plans to receive bus transportation. All students riding the bus must purchase/acquire a bus pass including students in grades K-5 and grade 6 residing greater than 2 miles from school.

Under Newton Public Schools/School Committee Policy, all students in Grade 6 who live less than 2.0 miles from their school must pay a user fee for transportation. Grades 7-12 must pay the fee regardless of distance or apply for financial assistance.

It is measured by using the shortest walking route from the public way in front of a student’s home to the nearest entrance way of the school. The City of Newton’s Geographic Information System has calculated these distances.

If you have a child in Grade 6, their address, school, and distance from school are indicated on the address label on the outside of this packet. Students in Grades 7-12 pay the bus fee regardless of distance. You can also query the Newton Public Schools’ website at www.newton.k12.ma.us/transportation for the walking distance from your home to school.

The distance will be re-measured allowing a .05 mile (264 ft.) leeway. Your fee will be returned if the walking distance is more

than 2.0 miles for grades K-6.

The bus routes will be set with reasonable revisions based on the number of applications and space availability. Please see a list of bus stops on the reverse side of the enclosed application. The bus routes may also be viewed on the Newton Public Schools’ website at www.newton.k12.ma.us/transportation

Requests will be considered on a space available basis.

Yes. This should be noted on the application with the names and addresses of more than one parent or guardian.

The policy allows periodic use of buses for guests as long as space is available and with the school’s permission.

The bus fee for the 2020-21 school year is $350 per student with a family maximum of $700. After February 1st, the bus fee is one-half the regular price. Students in grades K-5 do not pay a fee and students in grade 6 who live greater than 2.0 miles from their neighborhood school do not pay a fee.

It is the intention of Newton Public Schools that no student should be excluded due to the inability to pay. Families may apply for a CONFIDENTIAL fee waiver based on financial hardship so that no student is denied bus transportation. All applicants seeking a waiver must submit an application for financial assistance which is available from the Transportation Office or on-line in Aspen. For additional information, visit the Financial Assistance and Waiver page.

 

Yes, elementary students who travel by bus only to an afterschool program located in the vicinity of an existing bus stop may

acquire a one way pass at no cost.

All students in grades K-12 must apply for a school bus pass. Yes, you can apply online.

Passes will be checked regularly at all schools so that the bus driver can concentrate on safe driving practices and timely

adherence to the bus routes. In addition to checking passes, school officials monitor student eligibility by reviewing regular

updates of the student bus pass database. Abuse of the bus pass system or violation of the school system’s rules of behavior

will result in disciplinary action including suspension of transportation privileges and forfeiture of fees. Parents will be

notified by the school.

Kindergarten and 1st graders students will be dropped off at their assigned bus stops. If a parent or guardian is not at the bus

stop to meet the kindergartner, the driver will radio the dispatcher and keep the child on the bus. After the last stop on the

route, the driver will return to the student’s bus stop and then to school if the parent or guardian is still not there. Repeated

occurrences will result in the forfeiture of transportation privileges.

Yes. According to Massachusetts General Laws, students who attend private schools in Newton are eligible for bus

transportation according to the same policy as public school students. All private school students in grades K-12 must file an

application.

Payments are made through the registration portal. 

You may choose to pay the bus fee in one full payment or in installments. Payments are made through the registration portal.

Bus passes will be posted in the Aspen Parent Portal. You should download the pass from the documents section in your student's Aspen profile.

Yes. All students should have their passes with them every school day. Please note that each school has an up-to-date list of

students who have been issued bus passes. This list will confirm a student’s eligibility to ride. Abuse of the bus pass system or

violation of the school system’s rules of behavior will result in disciplinary action including suspension of transportation

privileges and forfeiture of fees.

Although the bus company is not responsible for items left on the bus, they do have a lost and found and try to return as much

as possible to the rightful owner. The number for lost and found is 617-942-7305.