Changes to Houston ISD Transportation
Houston ISD has announced several changes to the way students get to and from school. These changes were announced in a YouTube video posted by the district and are aimed at improving the transportation experience for students.
Bus Eligibility
To qualify for bus transportation, students must attend their zoned school and live more than two miles away from the school. Students who attend a magnet school, which allows them to attend any school across HISD, also qualify for transportation. Additionally, students who have hazardous routes to school can qualify for transportation. According to HISD’s Chief of Operational Effectiveness, Kari Feinberg, "Students qualify for bus transportation if they attend their zoned school and they live further than two miles away from that school."
Reducing Ride Times
One of the big changes the district has committed to for the 2025-2026 school year is reducing ride times for students on buses. The goal is that any student who is transported on a bus to their zoned or neighborhood school will not have a ride time of longer than 50 minutes. For students attending magnet schools, the goal is that they will not be on the bus for more than 80 minutes. Feinberg stated, "We’ve set the goal that any student who is transported on a bus to their zoned or neighborhood school will not have a ride time of longer than 50 minutes."
Requesting Transportation
For the next school year, parents will be able to make transportation requests directly to the district’s transportation department, rather than making the request at a school campus. This change is aimed at streamlining the process and making it more efficient for families.
Partnership with METRO
The district will also be partnering with METRO to provide high school students with the option to use public transportation to get to and from school. This means that high school students who qualify for transportation will have the choice between using a METRO pass or a district bus. Feinberg noted, "What this means is any high school student who qualifies for transportation, so you have to be transportation eligible, will have the choice between either a METRO pass that will allow them to go to and from school using METRO, or a HISD routed bus."
What’s Next
HISD families will receive more information about the changes over the next few weeks. During the week of May 5, families will receive a survey where they can make initial transportation requests for the 2025-2026 school year. This will give families the opportunity to plan ahead and make informed decisions about their transportation options.
Conclusion
The changes to Houston ISD’s transportation system are aimed at improving the experience for students and families. By reducing ride times, streamlining the request process, and partnering with METRO, the district is working to provide more efficient and convenient transportation options. As the district moves forward with these changes, families can expect to receive more information and updates on how to take advantage of these new options.
