Transportation
Bus passes will only be given according to Providence School Board policy. The following is the mileage requirements for student transportation:
- Elementary School: 1 mile and above
- Middle School: 1 ½ miles and above
- High School: 1 mile and above
Exceptions to this policy will only be for students with special needs. For medical issues, a student’s physician must submit a written document stating the reason why the student must be provided transportation. Please note that the document must be sent directly to the attention of: Kendra St. Hilaire, Director of Nursing Services, 182 Thurbers Avenue, Providence, RI 02905. For all students who have a special education case manager, the request for transportation must come from that manager or a Special Education supervisor. For additional information, contact Special Education at (401) 456-9330.
Important reminders:
- Bus passes for students who eligible for transportation will be mailed to address on file the in August (Elementary & Middle schools).
- Bus passes will also be posted and shared through ParentSquare via the secured document feature.
- For HS students ONLY passes will be available for pick-up the week at the school at the end of August they have been assigned to. Students who qualify for a bus pass will be able ride RIPTA the first week of school without a pass. This is to ensure every student can get to school.
If a bus is late or did not arrive, please call the bus yard at (401) 943-7536. For information about bus passes or routes, please submit your request here
-or-
Contact our Transportation Department directly
phone: (401) 456-9269
text message: (401) 420-7960
email: transportation@ppsd.org
CONSOLIDATED STOPS
PPSD strategically consolidated stops: improve on-time arrivals and enable vehicles to transport more riders thus overall vehicle needs. The typical student’s home-to-stop distance is 2/10 of a mile (approx two-blocks).
BUS TRACKING APP
The district uses Parent View, a real-time tracking app that allows families to see where the bus is at any given time. The district code is the same for all parents - A7E8V.
Learn more here >
NEW STOP-ARM SAFETY PROGRAM
PPSD, BusPatrol, and First Student are partnering to increase safety precautions at bus stops by implementing new surveillance security measures in EVERY PPSD bus. Violations will be captured from every angle outside bus. This feature also includes new technology of interior cameras to provide faster, reliable footage of incidents occurring on the bus.
RIPTA
High school students that live 1 mile or further from their high school are eligible for a RIPTA bus pass.
RIPTA runs regular fixed-route service to Providence Schools high schools. Ride your local RIPTA route Inbound to Kennedy Plaza and then transfer to the route that goes to your school. Use the Trip Planner on RIPTA.com to plan your trip from home to Kennedy Plaza or call RIPTA Customer Service at 401-784-9500 x2012 for assistance.
RIPTA created flyers and instructional videos to help students navigate their bus service. Click here more information.
Download Transit app to track your trip in real-time!