Transportation

The Transportation Department provides safe, reliable, and appropriate transportation to all qualifying students. Transportation is provided for students in pre-Kindergarten through grade 5 who reside 1 mile or more from their school and to students grade 6-8 who reside 1.5 miles or more away. The department also provides specialized transportation for eligible students with disabilities. Additionally, in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act, transportation is provided to homeless students of all grades living in transitional housing outside of Cambridge who continue to attend school in our district.

Cambridge Public Schools is pleased to provide:

• Free school bus transportation to all eligible students through grade 8.
• Door-to-door specialized transportation for eligible students through the Office of Student Services.
• Discounted MBTA fare cards for high school students.
• Buses from schools to after school programs if the program is located on an existing route.
• Late buses from schools that offer afterschool programs to home.

Bus Rules
 
Where's My Bus Stop? 
Students are automatically assigned to the closest bus stop from their home address. Use the CPS Bus Finder to find your student’s stop. Click the “?” for more information or follow these Step by Step Instructions for using the Bus Finder.

Change Your Bus Stop
If your child needs to take the bus to or from another address in Cambridge, send the Transportation Change Form to your school’s clerk. 

Not Using the Bus? Notify Us
All eligible PK age 4 - grade 8 students are assigned to a bus stop. If a bus stop is unused for a week or more, it may be removed from the bus route.


Where is my bus?
CPS works in partnership with two vendors to provide Transportation service.

• Bus transportation for general education students is provided by Eastern Bus Company.
• Small bus and van transportation for students eligible for Door-to-Door services is provided by NRT Transportation, a Beacon Mobility company.

App-based GPS tracking service is available from both companies to allow families to receive information about bus arrival and departures. 

Visit Where's my Bus Right Now? to download the bus tracking apps.


Is there a CPS Lost & Found?
Drivers hold onto lost items for 1-2 days.

If your student loses an item on the bus, ask the driver if they have found it, or contact the bus companies directly for help: Eastern Bus Company (big yellow bus), 617.628.6868 or NRT (van or small bus), 781.224.0003 x1.


What’s the Safest Route to the Bus Stop?
CPS and the City of Cambridge’s Safe Routes to School program developed safe walking maps. See the interactive map!