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arial view of the loading dock at Rupp Arena which is the location for STLP State Bus Drop Off/Pick Up

Working Together

Buses At Central Bank Center

Working together, we can all contribute to the Bus Zone running quickly, smoothly, and safely. Lexington PD Traffic Familiarize yourself with the updated bus options for 2026 before coming to State. Lex PD will direct traffic with top priority of keeping pedestrians safe while also limiting the disrruption to rush hour Lexington traffic. Click here to plug in your location to get directions to Central Bank Center.

🚨 ALERT! - NEW BUS OPTIONS

Click image to expand morning traffic map.

Park & Stay

Enter Gate 1 via W. High Street

Buses that are staying for the day must enter from West High Street and use Gate 1 only.

Upon entering West High Street, buses should move immediately into the left lane and turn left into Gate 1. After entering, buses will be directed to the appropriate area of the High Street Parking Lot.

Buses staying for the day should park first and then unload students, adults, and materials in the High Street Parking Lot area as directed by staff. Students and groups will then walk from the High Street Parking Lot into Central Bank Center with support from onsite staff and pedestrian traffic control.

Do not use the loading dock for this option. The loading dock is only for buses that are dropping off and leaving immediately.

Unload & Leave

Enter Loading Dock via Manchester St.

Buses that are dropping off students, adults, or materials and then leaving should not use West High Street.

To help reduce congestion, these buses should enter via Oliver Lewis Way and turn onto Manchester Street. Manchester Street will take buses to the loading dock area behind Central Bank Center, where staff will direct unloading.

After unloading, buses should exit by returning to Oliver Lewis Way via Manchester Street, reversing the route they used to enter. Once unloading is complete, buses should leave the area and return to their district.

This loading dock route is only for buses that are unloading and leaving immediately. Buses staying for the day should not use the loading dock before moving to parking.

two girls smiling from their shared school bus seat

Thank You to Lexington PD

Drop off as early as 8:00 am Eastern

Lexington PD will deploy their mobile command unit and manage the flow of traffic during the morning arrival window. Please follow all instructions from LexPD officers. LexPD are the experts at traffic management during huge events in downtown Lexington and STLP is thankful for the opportunity to have their support.

students smile while sitting in school bus seats

Bus Parking is Free

For buses remaining at Central Bank Center, parking is provided in the W. High Street Parking Lot. Due to the ongoing construction projects around Central Bank Center, the Kentucky Department of Education is pleased to provide free parking for buses that remain on site this year.

NOTE: These bus spaces are first come, first serve.

Car and Van Parking: Currently, only bus parking is free. Cars and van parking fees are due upon exit and require debit/credit card (parking lot does not accept cash). As always, the W. High Street Parking Lot is not the only option in downtown Lexington. Feel free to utilize to locate alternative lots that may accomodate a school bus.

Evening Bus Pick Up

State ends after Award Show (6pm)

Buses should queue ahead of the parking loop area (loading dock) and await their turn to enter the Bus Zone. Students will exit Central Bank Center via the same loading dock ramps used for drop off.

Buses that are parked in High Street Lot will be accessible to load from inside the lot.

Thank You!

Student transportation makes STLP State possible!

With as many as 400 buses set to transport students from all over Kentucky, we know that navigating the Bus Zone processes can be stressful. Thank you to all the bus drivers who help safely transport our STLP students to and from our event. We'll continue to do our best to make the process easy to follow and running as smoothly as we can.

Drive safely!

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