Hele-On to offer free bus passes to high school students this upcoming school year

With ongoing staffing shortages for school bus drivers, the state will partner with counties for the second year in a row to provide transportation for students attending Hawai‘i public schools.

The Expanding Ridership to Educate Students in Schools program was piloted in the 2022-23 school year. The program provides free passes for high schoolers, grades through 9-12, on Hawai‘i County’s Hele-On buses.

Last school year, over 10,000 students statewide applied for the program, with the majority of applicants on Oʻahu.

Students with an active Hawai‘i Department of Education student ID number may sign up for a free county bus pass online. The application period will end April 1, 2024. County bus passes will be valid for use from Aug. 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024.

Passes will be distributed to the schools as soon as possible. They can be picked up in the main office where the student attends school.

Click here to apply. For more information about the program, see below:

• Website: http://www.heleonbus.org
• Bus Schedules: http://www.heleonbus.hawaiicounty.gov/getting-around/bus-schedules-and-maps
• Rider Rules/Safety Information: https://www.heleonbus.hawaiicounty.gov/getting-around/riding-on-hele-on-buses
• Phone Number: 808-961-8744, option 1
• Email: heleonbus@hawaiicounty.gov

Read these Frequently Asked Questions before reaching out for assistance. For more information, email stsb@k12.hi.us.