Edmonton school bus fees jump to $70 monthly as operating costs soar
Edmonton Public Schools raised yellow bus fares for the second consecutive year. Parents say the jump from $50 catches families off guard.
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Edmonton Public Schools has raised monthly yellow school bus fees to $70, up from $50, marking the second consecutive year of increases that have caught some families off guard.
The school division says operating costs for a yellow school bus route have jumped since 2020. Families cover a portion of this cost, while the province funds the remaining portion. Edmonton transit passes through the school cost $60 monthly as an alternative.
To qualify for yellow bus service, kindergarten to Grade 6 students must live at least 1.6 kilometres from their school. Grades 7 to 12 students can take the yellow bus if Edmonton Transit Service isn't available in their area and they live at least 1.6 kilometres away.
Enrollment is also growing. The school division projects about 124,000 students for the 2026-27 school year. Registration is still being processed, so that figure could increase by the start of the school year.
Bus registration in Edmonton remains essentially unchanged at around 17,000 students, though signup numbers continue to fluctuate as applications and cancellations arrive throughout the year. The contrast with Calgary is stark: Calgary's school board reported a jump in transportation fees earlier this year, and bus registrations there fell by roughly 1,000 students despite enrollment climbing by more than 1,000.
Why did operating costs rise 43 per cent in six years when Edmonton's student population grew only 1.9 per cent?
What will the school division do if rising fees push more families to Edmonton Transit or drop out of busing altogether?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How much are Edmonton Public Schools' monthly yellow bus fees now?
$70 per month. Edmonton Public Schools raised the fee from $50, marking the second consecutive year of increases.
What distance must students live from school to qualify for yellow bus service?
Kindergarten to Grade 6 students must live at least 1.6 kilometres from their school. Grades 7 to 12 students can take the yellow bus if Edmonton Transit Service isn't available in their area and they live at least 1.6 kilometres away.
How many students does Edmonton Public Schools project for the 2026-27 school year?
Edmonton Public Schools projects about 124,000 students for the 2026-27 school year, though registration is still being processed and that figure could increase.
What is the monthly cost of an Edmonton transit pass through the school?
An Edmonton transit pass through the school costs $60 monthly as an alternative to yellow bus service.
