UPDATED December 6, 2019. Spring Semester Bus passes for Routes J and Z were mailed out today. Both buses are full. If you submitted an application and do not receive a bus pass in the mail, you have been placed on the Spring Semester Wait List. 

Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) offers limited transportation to our students for a fee. All students must have a pass to ride the bus. Voluntary Transfer Program (VTP) and low-income students may be eligible for a free pass. 

Most students purchase semester bus passes, but occasional riders can purchase PM single-ride passes from Nixon, Fletcher and Gunn main office. (Bus drivers do not sell passes).

Palo Unified School District, Palo Ato PTA & the City of Palo Alto is committed to creating and sustaining a community partnership to reduce risks to students and encourage more families to walk, bike and use other alternatives to driving. More information is available on City of Palo Alto Safe Routes to School

The City of Palo Alto offers two free shuttles that stop at JLS, Jordan, and Paly. Schedules and maps are available on the Palo Alto Free Shuttle web page. 

RIDES for Bay Area Commuters has created an online School Pool Request to match PAUSD families who would like to form a carpool, walkpool, or bike pool. 

If you have questions contact Transportation Department at (650) 329-3982.

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Apply for Bus Pass

Route J & Z Bus Schedule

School Bus Pass Application


Return your completed application and payment to: 

Business Service (Bus Pass)
Palo Alto Unified School District

25 Churchill Avenue 
Palo Alto, CA 94306 

Bus passes will be mailed to your home on August 1, 2019.

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Fees
 Round TripOne Way (AM or PM)
Semester$525 per semester
$315 per additional sibling		$345 per semester
$205 per additional sibling
Year$1050 per year
$630 per additional sibling		$690 per year
$410 per additional child

One-Way (PM Only) passes are available for occasional riders and may be purchased for $5 at Nixon, Fletcher and Gunn main offices or at the PAUSD Business office. (Bus drivers do not sell passes).

Low-income students may qualify for a free pass. Families who receive a District letter confirming the approval of a free/reduced meal may attach the approval letter to their bus pass application at the time you apply for transportation.

 Please submit a copy of your Free or Reduced lunch acceptance letter with the application.  For further questions please call 650-329-3982.

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Bus Schedules

PAUSD bus routes are designated by letters (A, B, C, etc.). Your morning, afternoon and minimum day route letters may differ. Drivers are not authorized to make changes in designated routes, stops, or schedules. 

Students must be at their designated stops five minutes prior to bus departure time. Buses leave schools ten minutes after school dismissal.

Kindergarten students must to accompanied to and from all bus stops by an adult age 18 or older. Bus drivers will not release a student unless an adult is present.
 

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Riding on the bus

Responsibilities of Parents 

Parents are responsible for their students' arrival and return from a designated bus stop.
Kindergarten students must be accompanied to and from all bus stops by an adult age 18 or older. Bus driver will not release a student unless an adult is present. On days when a student wishes to get off at a different stop parents shall notify the school site in advance, additionally a permission note signed by a parent should be given to the bus driver.

Responsibilities of Passengers

  • Respect the authority of the bus driver
  • Board and exit the bus in an orderly manner
  • Students are required to wear seatbelts and be seated at all times
  • Keep hand to themselves
  • Face forward and stay in your seat, and keep their head and feet inside the bus at all times.
  • Talk quietly and with respect
  • No eating on the bus
  • Cellphone use: The driver has full discretion to limit use of all devices in any situation where use of cell phone could be potentially dangerous or disruptive, or the student exhibits disruptive behavior
  • Athletic equipment must be secured or placed in sports equipment bag

Lost & Found 

The Lost & Found is located in the Transportation Office located at 85 Churchill Avenue. Call (650) 329-3982 with inquiries. 

Disciplinary Action 

By law, the driver is responsible for safety of all passengers aboard a school bus. The driver has absolute authority over all passengers. Student safety is our most important consideration. The standards of behavior on the school bus are the same as those for any school in the District.

Students who do not follow the rules will face disciplinary action as determined by their school principal and Transportation Department.

Parents and/or students will be liable for any and all willful vandalism or destruction of any portion of a school bus. 

If you have questions call the Transportation Department at (650) 329-3982. 

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Voluntary Transfer Program (VTP)

Only VTP students can ride the VTP bus to East Palo Alto. Voluntary Transfer Program (VTP) questions please contact Wendy Velez at (650) 329-3736. 

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Special Education Department

For any changes to a bus route for special education please contact the Special Education Department at (650) 833-4255.