Student Transportation

2025-26 School Year Student Transportation Information

Students of the Environmental Charter School (ECS) are provided transportation by the school district in which they live. Transportation eligibility is based on the legal residence as confirmed in Alma, our student information system. ECS collaborates with each district to ensure students have access to safe transportation as appropriate.

If your school district buses, students must also:

Live within a 10-mile radius of the school; and
Live outside of the walking boundary.

If you reside in a district that is not a busing school district, or live within the walking boundary of your building, the family is responsible for providing transportation.

According to the Pennsylvania Public School Code:

Middle and high school students who live within a 1.5 to 2 mile radius of their school building do not receive transportation and are considered walkers; and
Students in grades K through 5 who live within a 1 mile radius of their school building do not receive transportation and are considered walkers.

More information on each district's student transportation polices is contained below. The information was pulled from the respective district's website or material provided to ECS by the district. Any questions, clarifications, or additional information requests should be directed to the districts.

Student Transportation Information by School District

Brentwood Area School Department

East Allegheny School District

Fox Chapel Area School District

Gateway School District

McKeesport Area School District

New Kensington-Arnold School District

Northgate School District

Penn Hills School District

Pittsburgh Public School District

Pittsburgh Public School District
https://www.pghschools.org/
412-529-4357

The district’s Transportation Website contains additional information. Please CLICK HERE to access the request form.

Your PPS Student ID will be required to complete the form request. The student ID that PPS refers to can be found in your Alma account (My Profile, My Students, District ID). If you have difficulty accessing Alma, please contact helpdesk@ecspgh.org.

If you don’t have access to Alma to locate your Student ID you can contact PPS to retrieve your Student’s ID number by reaching out to the PPS Parent Hotline, 412‐529‐HELP [4357], The Parent Hotline operates Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM – 4 PM, or by email at parenthotline@pghschools.org.

Bus route assignments for K-5 students will be emailed out within a week before the start of school.

PRT Bus passes for 6-12 students will be available for pick-up before the first day of school and you will be notified of that date once it is determined. To plan your student's trip to school, go to the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website. See PRT's Plan Your Trip for what to expect on your ride to your destination.

Please note that 6-12 students who do not submit a request for transportation WILL NOT receive a bus pass. This is a strict rule set in place by PPS.

If your child has a medical condition that requires specialized transportation you and your child’s physician will need to complete a Medical Form and submit it to Health Services at PPS. They will then inform ECS of your child's eligibility for medical transportation. Should your child qualify, you will be notified by email of the new arrangements. The completed form should be returned to Health Services, Rm 430 – 341 S Bellefield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. It can also be faxed to 412-622-3927. Questions should be directed to 412-529-3942.

Riverview School District

Seneca Valley School District

Shaler Area School District

Steel Valley School District

Sto-Rox School District

Wilkinsburg School District

Woodland Hills School District

Woodland Hills School District
https://www.whsd.net/
412-731-1300

The district’s Transportation Website contains additional information. Please CLICK HERE for the Transportation Request Form. Once registered, bus information may be obtained by registering for Travesa'a My Ride K12. Data will be released mid-August.

If your child is assigned a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus pass, it will be sent in the beginning of August to ECS for the start of the school year. To plan your student's trip to school, go to the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website. See PRT's Plan Your Trip for what to expect on your ride to your destination.

Please contact the Woodland Hills Transportation Department with any questions or concerns. The school district administration Transportation Department is open from 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. The department can be reached by phone at 412-731-1300, x 5, or via email at bus@whsd.us.

Transportation Resources & Additional information

Eligibility Criteria for Student Transportation

Students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 are eligible for transportation if they live more than 1.5 miles from school.

Students in Grades 9-12 are eligible for transportation if they live more than 2 miles from school.

Distances will be measured from the nearest point where a private way or private road connects the residence of the students to the nearest point where a public road touches the school grounds.

Students are not eligible for transportation if the school they are attending is more than 10 miles outside of the school district in which they live.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) Resources

Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) Resources

State Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

I registered my student for transportation last year. Do I have to register again?

My school district is not listed. How can I get information about student transportation?

PRT just announced potential route cuts. How might this impact ECS?

ECS is aware of PRT’s potential service reduction and understands that changes to service would go into effect in February 2026. ECS will continue to monitor this situation. To learn more, visit this PRT website.

PRT's most recent statement reads:

"With the state budget still pending, the PRT Board recently approved FY 2026 operating and capital budgets reflecting the nearly 40% service cuts proposed earlier this year. By law, PRT is required to adopt a balanced budget by July 1. The Board’s June 27 vote ensures that PRT remains in compliance while it continues to advocate for the funding necessary to maintain service levels. Even though the PRT budget has been approved, it isn’t final and can still be revised through September. PRT is watching closely to see what happens in the state Senate with the Governor’s proposal for additional transit funding. If passed, it would provide the agency with approximately $40 million in additional support."

Can my middle schooler ride the traditional yellow bus with their younger sibling?

My child has a 504 or IEP. Do they qualify for specialized transportation?

How can I learn about alternative transportation methods such as carpools and bus buddies?

ECS’ Parent Community Organization (PCO) is creating a Discord channel. Discord is an instant messaging and VoIP social platform which allows communication through voice calls, video calls, text messaging, and media. Communication can be private or take place in virtual communities called "servers."

The platform allows families to find each other and can be particularly helpful in navigating middle school transportation on PRT for students that live in the PPS district. Discord servers may include ones for families looking to carpool, or parents seeking bus buddies for their students, and more. Watch for a future announcement.

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