The Department continues to partner with the four counties in a collaborative effort to provide transportation options for HIDOE students. The EXPRESS program – which stands for Ampliación del número de pasajeros para educar a los estudiantes en las escuelas — provides free county bus passes for eligible middle/intermediate and high school students. The Department has extended this transportation option as a courtesy to support families; it is not a mandated service.
elegibilidad
Important eligibility updates for free county pass applicants:
- Ser estudiante de una escuela pública de Hawaiʻi que asista a una escuela media y/o intermedia o secundaria con un número de identificación HIDOE activo; y
- Asistir a su escuela de origen (sin exenciones geográficas); y
- Reside 1.5 miles or more from their home school in their public school attendance area. Walkzone is calculated from the recorded home address in Infinite Campus to the nearest public access for the school campus (not from the main office).
The application period will open on July 13, 2026, and close on April 30, 2027.
Si su hijo tiene un Plan Educativo Individualizado (IEP) o un Plan Modificado (MP) que incluye el transporte como servicio relacionado, póngase en contacto con el especialista educativo de su distrito (DES) para obtener más información.
For students eligible under the McKinney-Vento Act (MVA), do not apply for an EXPRESS pass. All bus pass requests must be submitted using the School Bus Application form (ST-70), along with a completed, approved MV-1 form. For assistance with this process, please contact your complex area MVA liaison.
For students attending a Kaiapuni program, please email [email protected] with the following information:
- Student name;
- HIDOE Student ID number (10-digits); and
- school.
These requests must be reviewed on a manual basis due to distance from attending school.
Proceso de solicitud
El alumno sólo podrá utilizar un opción de transporte a la vez.
If your student has an existing regular school bus pass, they will have to discontinue this service if they choose to apply for an EXPRESS pass. EXPRESS applications will be approved on an annual basis. Please choose the right option for your student as they cannot change their pass type for the remainder of the year.
For families that do not meet the transportation eligibility criteria, please see your county’s bus agencies for more information on purchasing a youth pass.
Pasos para aplicar
- Check the respective island transit office website for route information and identify the bus route(s), times and locations with your child.
- Compruebe si su hijo tiene derecho al transporte:
- Compruebe la distancia entre el domicilio del alumno (registrado en Infinite Campus) y la escuela.
- If the distance is 1.5 miles or more and your student is not attending school on a GE, then your student qualifies for a free EXPRESS pass.
- Fill out an online application (available until April 30, 2027). Transportation eligibility will be determined by the home and school location in Infinite Campus. You will be notified during this process if your student is approved for an EXPRESS pass.
- Upon application submission, passes will be available for pick up at your school office within 15 to 25 business days.
- Due to high volume requests, delays may occur due to printing errors and delivery time. Please plan accordingly.
- Identify and practice safe walking routes to/from the bus stops at home and at the school.
Aprobación de la solicitud por isla
- Kaua`i: Upon application approval and submission, school staff will notify students when Kauaʻi Bus monthly passes are available for pick up at the office.
- O'ahu: Una vez aprobada y enviada la solicitud, se enviarán tarjetas HOLO a la oficina de la escuela para su distribución.
- Maui: The Maui Bus Fixed Route service currently allows students with a valid ID ages 24 years and younger to ride for free. Students shall present their valid ID to the driver upon entering the fixed route bus.
- Isla de Hawái: Hele-On county bus transportation is currently fare-free until Dec. 2028. No passes are available for distribution.
Fecha límite de solicitud
El EXPRESS County Bus Pass Program is open and accepting applications until April 30, 2027.
Preguntas frecuentes
Si las preguntas frecuentes no responden a su pregunta, por favor Envíenos un correo electrónico. Tenga en cuenta que las respuestas pueden tardar en función del volumen de preguntas recibidas.
How long are the passes good for?
Passes will be valid from August 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027.
Can I apply for a county bus pass and a regular school bus pass?
HIDOE students may only use one (1) transportation option at a time.
If a student has an existing regular school bus pass, they will have to discontinue this service if they choose to apply for an EXPRESS pass. EXPRESS applications will be approved on an annual basis (one time per school year).
If a student chooses to cancel their EXPRESS pass at any time, they cannot re-apply for the remainder of the school year due to purchasing restrictions.
How do I find out what route and bus stop to use?
Please contact the island specific county transportation office customer service using the contact information provided below.
En Oʻahu, ¿qué pasa si mi(s) hijo(s) ya tienen una tarjeta HOLO?
The student passes that the Department is distributing are separate from the Youth Holo Cards, but will function the same as the Holo Card on TheBus and Skyline.
Will the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education reimburse families for city and county bus passes already purchased?
No.
How many rides does the county bus pass include?
The monthly passes include unlimited rides per month.
How will the bus passes be distributed?
Distribution of passes will vary by island:
Kaua‘i: Bus passes will be distributed as they become available by the county public transit office and will be distributed to the school(s) prior to the first of the following month.
Oahu: Upon application review and approval, HOLO cards will be distributed to the schools and will be available for pick up within 15-25 business days. Delivery times may vary due to high volume. Please plan accordingly.
Maui: The Maui Bus Fixed Route service currently allows students with a valid ID ages 24 years and younger to ride for free. Students shall present their valid ID to the driver upon entering the fixed route bus.
Hawai‘i Island: Hele-On county bus transportation is currently fare free until December 2028. No passes are available for distribution.
What if my county bus pass is lost, stolen or damaged?
Para Kauai
Due to the nature of the monthly pass, only one pass is issued to a student. If it is lost/stolen, they will have to wait until the following month to receive the new one.
Para tarjetas HOLO perdidas o robadas (solo O'ahu)
Opción 1: GAMA Express Replacement Card Form. Replacements are free and will be mailed in 5-7 business days.
Opción 2: Go to the Transit Pass Office (at Kalihi Transit Center, corner of Middle Street and Kamehameha Hwy) between 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. M-F (except City Holidays).
Replacement cards are $2 each at the Transit Pass Office. It is suggested you arrive no later than 3 p.m. in case there is a line.
Can the county bus pass be utilized for ADA and/or Paratransit services?
County bus passes for ADA and Paratransit services are not included in this program.
Please visit the Department’s Página web de educación especial Para obtener más información sobre las opciones de transporte.
Are regular school bus passes also free?
The eligibility requirements for a free school bus pass have not changed. Please refer to the school bus application handbook Para más información.
Can I go to the county transportation office to pick up my student’s pass?
No, the initial bus passes will be distributed to the school office.
Please refer to the “Lost/Stolen/Damaged” card procedure above regarding replacement cards.
What if we applied for a county bus pass and then changed our minds?
EXPRESS applications will be approved on an annual basis. Please choose the right option for your student as they cannot change their pass type for the remainder of the year. If you choose to cancel your existing EXPRESS pass for a school bus pass, you will not be able to reinstate it for the remainder of the school year.
COUNTY BUS INFORMATION
Kauai
Kauaʻi Transportation Agency
- Bus Schedules
- Rider Rules/Safety Information
- Kauai Bus Tracker App
- Phone Number: (808) 246-8110, Correo electrónico
O'ahu
El EXPRESS County Bus Pass Program card works with both TheBus and Skyline.
Honolulu Department of Transportation Services Skyline
- Rider Rules/Regulations/Tips
- Phone Number: (808) 768-4656 (HOLO Call Center)
- Transitapp.com
- Rider Rules/Safety Information
- Phone Number: (808) 848-5555, ext 4
- Transitapp.com
Maui
- Maui Bus Public Transit System
- Rider Rules/Safety Information
- Phone Number: (808) 871-7651, Correo electrónico
- Maui Bus App
Isla de Hawái
- County of Hawaiʻi Hele-On Bus
- Bus routes by school (pdf)
- Rules of the road (pdf)
- Phone Number: (808) 961-8744, option 1, Correo electrónico