School Bus and Kiss & Ride Information

The mission of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Office of Transportation Services, is to provide safe, efficient, and timely transportation for all eligible students.

FCPS provides transportation to students who live in the designated attendance area of a particular school, usually beyond the approved walking distance of one mile for elementary and 1.5 miles for secondary students. Transportation is required for certain students with special needs, as defined by federal law.

There are exceptions made for safety reasons and as defined in the School Board regulation for an exception to ride. Permission for walkers to ride buses can be given with the approval of a submitted form, and as long as the following conditions exist:

• An existing bus stop is available and used.
• There is a walking route to the bus stop that is free of any unusual hazards.
• Space is available on the bus.

Bus Delay Notification System

This system provides parents with timely notification of late bus route information. Parents may access the system to receive the delayed bus report. Morning route information will be available until noon, afternoon route information will be available from 1-7 p.m.

Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs help students get physically active while taking cars off the road. 

SRTS was established to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bike to school. SRTS helps kids be healthy by increasing physical activity and helps our community by reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.

Bus and Visitor Parking

Become familiar with the "Do's" and "Don'ts" of school bus parking, student parking at schools, and visitor parking.

Bus Routes 

FCPS selects bus routes that run on roads that are properly maintained and considered to be safe for school bus travel. Stops are not designed to drop students off in front of their homes and parents are responsible for making sure that they choose a safe walking route for their children to get to and from the bus stop. Exceptions are made for students with special needs. Bus stop information is not published on any public website for safety reasons. Schools will provide the list to students before the beginning of the school year.

Bell Schedules

The Office of Transportation Services works in concert with school principals and program managers to develop the start and end times for each school. Bell schedules must subsequently be approved by the superintendent and timing is second only to safety.