The city of Burlington and the Burlington Community School District are partnering to provide free city busing for Burlington students.
Per a pilot program approved Oct. 9 by the Burlington School Board that went into effect Oct. 30, BCSD students now are able to access the Burlington Urban Services (BUS) free of charge during BUS’s regular days and hours of operation so long as they present their current school ID.
All Burlington students will receive a new ID this fall. Students may use last year’s ID until they receive their new one.
This program will supplement, not replace, the district’s existing transportation department to further meet the needs of and remove barriers for our students.
Last year alone, Burlington students took more than 3,200 rides on city buses.
“We’re so excited the city was willing to partner with us on this,” said BCSD Superintendent Rob Scott. “We’re always looking for ways to provide opportunities for our students while meeting them where they’re at.”
This program comes on the heels of the district’s enrollment in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service’s Community Eligibility Program (CEP), through which BCSD provides free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled K-12 students regardless of household income.
All students are eligible to participate in the BUS program, which currently is set to expire June 30, 2024, but may be renewed on an annual basis.
