Grand Forks Schools Reinstate Bus Fees

The district revived student transportation charges for the 2026-27 school year to help offset annual operating costs.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Financial Aid

Live Poll

Should local school districts charge families fees for student bus transportation?

Grand Forks Public Schools reinstated student bus transportation fees for the 2026-27 school year. The district implemented the charges to help cover a portion of its $2 million annual transportation budget.

Why it matters

The decision to charge for busing is intended to recoup $100,000 annually, though it resulted in a ridership decrease of more than one-third compared to the previous year.

Families now pay $525 annually or $3 per day for round-trip bus service. The current 667 student riders represent roughly 9% of the total district enrollment.

The players

Grand Forks Public Schools

This is the primary public education institution serving the city of Grand Forks and surrounding areas.

The details

Grand Forks Public Schools is the only large school district in North Dakota that currently charges for bus transportation. Officials aimed to offset a portion of the $2 million annual service cost, with ridership expected to grow by over 230 students during the winter months.

Pre-COVID-19: The district previously utilized a $1 per trip ticket system for bus services.
August 2025: 1,041 students utilized school bus services before fees were reinstated.
2026-27 school year: The district officially implemented the new transportation fee schedule.
October-March: The district projects a seasonal increase of over 230 bus riders.

Culture Shift

The district's shift marks a departure from the temporary era of free transit following the post-pandemic return to in-person learning initiatives. This move highlights how local school districts are navigating the return to pre-pandemic fiscal policies amid rising operational costs.

Families must now budget for a $525 annual fee per student if they require school bus transportation. Parents should anticipate potential changes in busing demand throughout the school year, particularly during colder months when ridership is projected to increase.

The takeaway

Parents may consider coordinating carpools to mitigate the daily $3 cost for round-trip transportation. Monitoring seasonal ridership trends can help families plan their travel arrangements during the winter months.