The Maui News

Families of students who ride the bus to public schools will be able to fill out applications and make payments online, the state Department of Education Student Transportation Services Branch said Monday.

Parents who have an email address in their student’s profile should have received an automated email message Monday with instructions on how to apply for school bus passes online.

The website is hi.etrition.com/busapplication.

Families with multiple students will receive separate emails for each child and should complete applications for each one. If the application is approved, parents will be prompted to submit payments online using EZSchoolPay.

Upon payment, they will receive a receipt and temporary bus pass with the child’s name, school and assigned route number that can be printed at home.

The temporary pass will enable immediate student access to bus service. Free school bus transportation recipients can print their temporary bus pass at any time. Permanent bus pass cards will be available at the school office five to seven days after payment. Paper applications and in-person payments will still be available at school offices.

“The health and safety of our haumana continues to be a top priority,” said state Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto. “The development of these online systems were planned prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and will provide not only a more convenient and efficient process but also improve safety with a contactless experience for families.

“We ask for patience and flexibility from our school communities as school bus pickup and drop-off times are adjusted to accommodate proper health and safety guidelines.”

Students will be asked to observe safe social distancing at bus stops. Per state Department of Health guidelines, face coverings will be required for students riding buses. High-touch points on school buses, such as handrails and seat back tops, will be cleaned and sanitized after each route.

Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation, the annual bus pass plan option has been temporarily halted and only quarterly plans and one-way bus coupons will be offered. The price of one-way coupons has been reduced from $12.50 to $10 for a sheet of 10.

Families are also reminded that the unused portions of last school year bus passes and unused bus coupons are eligible for refunds. Unused bus coupons must be returned to the school office from which they were purchased in order to be eligible for a refund.

For more information, parents and guardians can contact the Maui District student transportation office at 243-1171.