The Hawai‘i State Department of Education is rolling out its 2025–26 student transportation plans early to help families plan ahead amid ongoing driver shortages that have affected school bus routes statewide.
Key changes include the continued prioritization of bus service for elementary and special education students, the expansion of the EXPRESS public bus pass program to include middle and intermediate students and a new carpool pilot program in select school complexes.
Superintendent Keith Hayashi said the Department is working closely with school bus contractors, county mayors and Gov. Josh Green to avoid last-minute disruptions seen in previous years. “We’re doing everything we can now to prevent the kind of last-minute disruptions we experienced last year,” Hayashi said.
What to expect for the next school year:
- School bus service will again prioritize elementary and special education students. Applications for service open July 14 at hawaiipublicschools.org.
- EXPRESS bus passes will be offered to middle and intermediate students for the first time. High school students remain eligible. The free pass applies to those who live at least one mile (elementary) or 1.5 miles (secondary) from their home school. Applications open July 14 at bit.ly/HIDOE-EXPRESS.
- Carpool pilot program will launch in Mililani (O‘ahu) and Kekaulike (Upcountry Maui), offering tools to help families coordinate shared transportation. Details will be sent to families in July.
Since the start of this school year, 125 of 138 suspended bus routes have been restored, returning service to nearly 3,500 impacted students. Efforts to hire more drivers—such as bonuses and wage increases—are ongoing, said Student Transportation Services Administrator Megan Omura.
A temporary emergency proclamation issued by Gov. Green has also eased licensing requirements, allowing more qualified drivers to operate school buses. The proclamation runs through May 20, and pending legislation (House Bill 862) may extend some provisions.
HIDOE encourages families to stay updated via their school or the Department’s website throughout the summer.
