Can My Child Ride the Bus?
Transportation Eligibility
Visit ➜ Can I Ride a Bus? to determine your child’s transportation eligibility.
- Transportation eligibility is determined using the shortest driving distance from the student’s home address to their school
- Distances are calculated using city and county planning maps and Black Gold School Division approved mapping software
- Google Maps, Apple Maps, and other public mapping tools are not used to determine transportation eligibility
⚠️ Important:
Please ensure your student's home address is up to date in PowerSchool before registering for transportation.
- During the school year – contact your child’s school directly
- During summer – call 780-955-6025 and ask for the Data Team
Eligibility Distances in Effect
As of September 1, 2025, Alberta Education established the following funded transportation eligibility distances:
- Kindergarten to Grade 6: 1.6 km or more from home to school
- Grades 7 to 12: 2.0 km or more from home to school
Alberta Education provided one-year transition funding for the 2025/26 school year to support divisions that had previously used a 1.0 km eligibility distance for Kindergarten to Grade 6 students.
As a result, some Kindergarten to Grade 6 students who were eligible for transportation in 2025/26 may no longer qualify as eligible riders in 2026/27 if they live less than 1.6 km from their school.
Beginning in the 2026/27 school year, the provincial eligibility distances are fully in effect.
Transportation Designations
Based on distance eligibility criteria and school enrollment, students are assigned one of the following transportation designations:
Eligible Students
Your child is considered Eligible for transportation funding if they attend their designated school and live:
- 1.6 km or more from their designated school (Kindergarten to Grade 6)
- 2.0 km or more from their designated school (Grades 7 to 12)
Transportation
Transportation is guaranteed.
Register by June 30
- First-day busing guaranteed
- Early Bird Eligible fee applies
Register after June 30
- Transportation is still guaranteed
- Bus assignments may not be available for the first day of school
- Regular Eligible fee applies
Ineligible Students
Your child is considered Ineligible for transportation funding if they attend their designated school and live:
- Less than 1.6 km from their designated school (Kindergarten to Grade 6)
- Less than 2.0 km from their designated school (Grades 7 to 12)
Transportation
Ineligible transportation requests are subject to approval.
Register by June 30
- Approved transportation requests will be assigned for the start of the school year
- Early Bird Ineligible fee applies
Register after June 30
- Transportation is subject to availability
- Bus assignments may not be available for the first day of school
- Regular Ineligible fee applies
📌 Please note:
Bus stops are not placed within 1 km of schools.
If you do not see an application in PowerSchool, please email transportation@blackgold.ca to determine whether transportation is available.
School of Choice Students
Your child is considered School of Choice if they attend a school outside of their designated school boundary and live:
- 1.6 km or more from their attending school (Kindergarten to Grade 6)
- 2.0 km or more from their attending school (Grades 7 to 12)
Transportation
School of Choice transportation requests are subject to approval.
Register by June 30
- First-day busing guaranteed
- Early Bird School of Choice fee applies
Register after June 30
- Transportation is subject to availability
- Bus assignments may not be available for the first day of school
- Regular School of Choice fee applies
⚠️ Important:
If your child attends a school outside of their designated attendance boundary and lives:
- Less than 1.6 km from their attending school (Kindergarten to Grade 6), or
- Less than 2.0 km from their attending school (Grades 7 to 12)
They are considered Ineligible Students for transportation funding, and the Ineligible transportation fee will apply.
📌 Please note:
If you do not see an application in PowerSchool, please email transportation@blackgold.ca to determine whether transportation is available.
School of Choice students can only be accommodated by meeting an existing bus on route in the attendance area of that school.
No distance, stops, or time will be added to existing routes to accommodate School of Choice students.
Have questions? Start with our FAQs — it's the quickest way to find answers.
🕒 Regular Hours: 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM, Monday to Friday
🕒 Summer Hours (July 6–August 14): 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 12:45 PM–4:30 PM. Please note: The Division Office is closed on Fridays from July 6 to August 14.
Need further assistance or have an urgent concern? Visit our Contact Us page for additional ways to reach Transportation.