Last Updated April 10, 2025

Transportation at ECS

ECS students receive transportation through their home school district. ECS collaborates with each home district to ensure students have access to safe transportation.  Students who live within a 1.5–2 mile radius of their building do not receive transportation and are deemed walkers in accordance with the Pennsylvania Public School Code. 


Transportation At Middle School

ECS aims to adopt PPS’s provided transportation method of PRT buses for middle school students living in their jurisdiction, effective for the 2025–2026 school year. This decision is reflected in the 25–26 school year budget which will be proposed at the April Board Meeting and voted on in June. 

Transportation is provided by each student’s home district. Starting in the 2021–2022 school year, Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) transitioned ECMS students who live within their jurisdiction to Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) passes for school transportation. Since this transition, ECS has provided and paid for traditional yellow bus transportation for Middle School PPS students. ECS is proposing a budget that will transition Middle School PPS students to PRT bus transportation for the 2025–2026 school year in an effort to prioritize people and ultimately maintain high-quality education. This will ensure budget flexibility in light of ESSERs funding ending and in preparation for any possible financial uncertainty regarding federal funding, and taking these steps now will help alleviate budgetary concerns in the future.


Sustainability

ECS is committed to growing the next generation of empathetic, global citizens who care and advocate for their communities and are thoughtful about their effects on the planet. Use of PRT

  • Increases students’ agency which is a key focus at the Middle School level

  • Supports the local economy and reduces carbon emissions by utilizing already established routes.

  • Minimizes the need for additional buses on the road, contributing to a reduction in traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

Utilizing PRT supports the ECS mission and connects to several UN Sustainable Development Goals such as Goal 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production.

Transportation Resources & Additional information

Important Dates

*The dates below are subject to change. Please check this page frequently for the most updated information.

April 30, 2025: ECS Board of Trustees Meeting at 6 p.m. at the Middle School: Presentation of proposed 25–26 school year budget without traditional yellow buses for Middle Schoolers who Reside in PPS–Attend and/or sign up to speak

May 9, 2025: PRT booth at K–5 GreenRoots Sustainability Fair–RSVP for the event HERE

May 16, 2025: PRT information booth at 6–12 GreenRoots Sustainability Fair–RSVP for the event HERE

May 21, 2025: ECS Board of Trustees Meeting at 6 p.m. at the Middle School–Attend and/or sign up to speak

Tent. May 30, 2025: Parent PRT Information Night 

Tent. June 6, 2025: Student PRT ride for current 6th and 7th graders

June 18, 2025: ECS Board of Trustees Meeting at 6 p.m. at Middle School. The Board will vote on the proposed 25–26 school year budget–Attend and/or sign up to speak

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Provide Feedback

ECS is committed to partnering with students and families through this potential transportation change, and your feedback is a vital step to ensuring ECS can provide the needed support. At ECS, we acknowledge that everyone provides feedback differently. Please use the resources below to share your thoughts, insights, and concerns. ECS appreciates all feedback throughout this process.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When PPS transitioned to PRT for the 2021–2022 school year, the decision was made quickly with limited time for planning and adjustment. In contrast, ECS has taken a strategic and thoughtful approach, allowing ample time to plan for a smooth transition. With the conclusion of ESSERs funding and the possibility of future changes to federal funding, this is an ideal moment for ECS to implement this shift—enhancing budget flexibility and supporting long-term sustainability.

  • ECS is aware of PRT’s potential 35% service reduction and 9% fare increase that would go into effect in February 2026. In partnership with PRT, ECS is closely monitoring this situation and recognizes that this is a possibility that is dependent on state funding. ECS is a strong proponent of public transit, especially given its alignment with the district’s sustainability values. We encourage families to advocate for increased state funding in support of PRT and for the benefit of the Pittsburgh region as a whole. Learn more at PRT’s website.

  • Possibly. As ECS receives feedback, comments, and identifies individual student routes, the district will have a better idea of procedure changes. These changes could include but aren’t limited to:

    • Arrival Times

    • Dismissal Times

    • Student Pick Up/Drop Off locations at the Middle School

    ECS is also exploring new opportunities for attendance to provide families with peace of mind that their child arrived at school as well as considering increasing after-school program options.

    If changes are made, the district will communicate with impacted families and students as soon as possible.

  • ECS hired a district Safety and Security Coordinator who continues to work closely with district leadership and middle school admin to identify safe walking corridors to school. This involves increasing pedestal safety not only for our middle school students, but residents in the area. This might look like an increase in crossing walk and pedestrian signage and signaling.

    This work is on-going.

  • ECS students receive transportation through their home school district. At this time, ECS cannot provide specific information on what yellow bussing routes will look like for the 25–26 school year. However, if middle schoolers who reside in PPS transition to PRT, ECS expects the average travel time on traditional yellow buses will decrease.

  • No, only middle schoolers who reside in PPS will receive PRT passes for the 25–26 school year. Siblings in grades K–5 will receive traditional yellow bus transportation to and from school. As a reminder, ECS students receive transportation through their home school district, and that district determines the mode of transportation to and from ECS.

  • No, if your middle schooler is given a PRT pass to get to and from school, they cannot ride the traditional yellow bus with their sibling as students can only ride their assigned mode of transportation that is determined by the student’s home district. Yellow buses will no longer stop at the middle school.

  • ECS provides specialized transportation to students with 504s and IEPs who qualify. To learn more, please contact Ali Rendulic, ECS Special Education Director.

  • The team has consulted with some parents to receive initial feedback and talk about potential transportation alternatives. ECS plans to continue the conversation with the PCO board to learn more about support options such as carpooling, bus buddies, bus trains, and more.

  • Your partnership and support in ensuring safe modes of transportation to school are vital, and your help making this potential transition to PRT for Middle Schoolers residing in PPS for the 25–26 school year is appreciated.

    There are a number of ways that you can help! If you have ideas or want to chat about ways to get involved in this process, please complete the feedback surveys listed above, call or text the transportation hotline number, or email media@ecspgh.org.

    Thank you for your support and partnership.