Student Transportation
Transportation Updates for the 2022-23 School Year
New - Student Transit Pass Pilot Program
We have some exciting news! The Student Transit Pass Pilot Program has been extended and expanded!
For more information, click here.
BusPlanner Text Messaging is here!
We are excited to introduce text messaging through BusPlanner. To ensure compliance with Canadian Anti-Spam laws, you must opt-in to receive information by text message.
Click here for more information.
Transportation information now available on BusPlanner
As of July 18, 2022, student transportation information for the 2022-23 school year will be available to view online through the BusPlanner Parent Portal!
- Families eligible for transportation will receive an email to access the Parent Portal to view their child’s bus information once it is available.
- Once you receive the email, you must follow the instructions to activate your Parent Portal account and create a password.
- If you can't find the email, please contact 902-431-4723 or transportation@hrce.ca for assistance.
Over the summer, our Transportation Team will also reach out to new HRCE families and those families who may require special needs transportation for their children with more information about busing.
Unassigned Seating
Starting on July 18, 2022, families can submit a request for an unassigned bus seat for the 2022-23 school year. Click here to apply.
Am I eligible for transportation?
Students must reside within their designated catchment of the school they are attending and meet the minimum distance criteria to be eligible for transportation.
- Click School Catchment to determine what school your child(ren) would attend based on your primary residence.
- Visit hrcetransportation.mybusplanner.ca to check eligibility for transportation for the 2022-23 school year.
Busing is provided to:
What do you need to know about school registration and busing?
Bus eligibility and routing are based on a student’s transportation address information in PowerSchool.
Once your child is registered in PowerSchool, BusPlanner Parent Portal is the best way to access and review transportation information at hrcetransportation.mybusplanner.ca when routing is finalized.
How/when can I view my child's busing information for the 2022-23 school year?
- Families eligible for busing will receive an email to access their Parent Portal account to review busing information. If you haven't received your email by the end of July, please contact us for assistance.
Do you want to change your address or caregiver information?
Families must contact their child’s school to make changes to their information on file.
If you have an update to your alternate address (e.g. daycare or after-school program), you may contact the Student Transportation Team directly year-round by calling 902-431-4723 or emailing transportation@hrce.ca .
Please note that changes to address information on file may affect bus routing and eligibility.
Not eligible for student transportation?
If a student attends school as an out-of-catchment area student, they are not eligible for transportation and parents/guardians must make arrangements to transport their children to school. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us.
Transportation Review Committee for Policy Review
As part of the new provincial School Transportation Policy, families are now able to request a review of any non-behaviour related transportation decision. Click here to learn more.
New Purple Tag Program
To help our youngest riders arrive to/from school safely, we will introduce the Purple Tag Program to schools with children in Pre-Primary to Grade 2 during the 2022-23 school year. To learn more, click here.
Safety and Our COVID-19 Response
- Click here for information and resources from the Government of Nova Scotia.
Letters to Families
- Pre-Primary - Transportation Update for September 2022
- Grade Primary - Transportation Update for September 2022
- New Families to HRCE - Transportation Update for September 2022
- Special Needs Transportation - Update for September 2022
- Welcome Back! Transportation Information
- School Transportation Policy
- Transportation Service Providers
Other References
- Pre-Primary and Grade Primary Busing (FAQ)
- Submissions for Unassigned Seats
- Riding the Bus Safely
- Back to School - Transportation Update
- Provincial School Transportation Policy
- Transportation Review Committee for Policy Review
- Transportation of Items on School Buses (What is allowed? What isn't allowed?)
- Transportation of Students - Co-curricular/Extra-curricular Trips
- School Bus Collision/Incident Protocol
- Inclement Weather
- Guidelines for School and/or Bus Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
Contact Us
We are here to support you with your questions or concerns about school bus routes, stops and schedules throughout the year.