Transportation

Transportation of Special Needs Students in Pennsylvania

• A child who is receiving special education services must get transportation to, from, and around the school if needed for the student to benefit from her education program. 

• Children are also entitled to the transportation they need to participate in class field trips. 

• If the school district provides transportation to and from sports or other afterschool activities for children who are not disabled, it must provide appropriate transportation for children with disabilities. 

• Transportation to school and school related trips must be free. If there is a charge for transportation to an optional field trip or event, a child with a disability cannot be charged more than other children.

Who decides on the type of transportation?

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team (parents and teachers) determines a child’s transportation needs. The specific type of transportation must be listed as a “related service” in the child’s IEP:

• school bus service

• lift bus or van

• door-to-door

• seat belt or harness

What type of transportation is available?

The transportation must be appropriate for the child in view of the child’s age and disability. 

Some considerations:

• Is the child in a wheelchair? A bus or van with a lift may be required.

• Are there special medical, behavioral or mobility concerns that will impact the transportation arrangements?

• Does the child require special seating: special restraints, booster seat, locking seat belt?

• Does the child need assistance getting on and off the bus?

• Does the child require supervision while riding the the bus?

• Does the child require supervision at a bus stop?

• Where is the bus stop located? Is it a safe and convenient location?

The IEP Team must make a decision based on the needs and skills of each child, and the decision must be specifically listed on the child’s IEP. 

How long can the bus ride be? 

Since some special needs children ride special buses that go to specific schools, their bus routes may be longer than a typical bus route. A long bus ride can be a problem if the child has behavior or health issues. These are factors that the IEP Team must consider. 

Whatever arrangements are made, the school day cannot be cut short because of the transportation schedule. 

For more details on this point, see ELC’s Fact Sheet, Long Bus Rides for Students with Disabilities.

What if I do not agree with the transportation service offered by the School District?

In some cases, a parent may not agree with the transportation offered by the school district. For example, you may think your child needs different arrangements, a bus aide, a shorter trip, or even moving the bus stop. Or, the transportation arrangements set forth on the child’s IEP may be satisfactory, but the district is not carrying them out properly. Do not be shy about contacting the school district – several times if necessary.

• • You can start by contacting Carolyn Finegan, Transportation Coordinator at 872-9500 x2236 or  carolyn.finegan@pennmanor.net. She may be able to easily address the concern.

  • You can contact Theresa Kreider, Director of Special Services, (717) 872-9500 ext. 2227 or theresa.kreider@pennmanor.net

• If you are unable to resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you can ask for mediation or, if that is impractical or unsuccessful, a special education hearing. 

  • For more details on these and other options, see How to Resolve Special Education Disputes.

What if my child attends private school?

A child with a disability who is placed by the school district or a public charter school in a private school has the same rights as a child who is receiving special services in the district – including free transportation that is appropriate to her needs. If the child is placed by the district in a residential school, free transportation must be provided on breaks and school holidays.

If parents place their child in a private or parochial school at their own expense (regardless of whether the child has a disability), the child may still be entitled to free transportation from the school district. Transportation to and from private schools and on field trips must be provided to the child if all of the following are true:

• The district provides transportation to public school children of the same age, 

• The private school is within 10 miles of the school district boundaries, and 

• The private school is non-profit. 

This information was adapted from a brochure prepared by:

Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania (DRN), pursuant to the Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, P.L. 101-496, and the P&A for Mentally Ill Individuals Act, P.L. 99-319. DRN is located at 1414 N. Cameron Street, Suite C, Harrisburg, PA 17103. Telephone: 800-692-7443 or 717-236-8110. Website: www.drnpa.org.