How do I sign up?
From the “Current Families” section described above, scroll down to the Private Bus Service and click on “Rider Registration Form”. This will provide a registration form for you to fill out and submit online. You will receive an email confirmation of your registration.
SIGNUP WILL CLOSE ON JUNE 30 TO LOCK IN PRICING!!!
How much does it cost and how many riders can ride?
The 2026-27 contract is still in negotiations with the bus company. Per rider pricing for the 26-27 year are currently at $2290 per rider, but a contract has not yet been executed and signups are not complete..
The number of buses we run is dependent on student sign ups. Seats are reserved on a first come, first served basis.
We are looking to provide 3ea 50 person buses for a total of 150 riders.
Depending on demand the number of buses and routes will be adjusted accordingly.
In the event we cannot provide transportation, your fees will be refunded.
What is the service area?
The service boundaries are as follows: the Orleans Parish line at Palmetto to Washington Ave. to Martin Luther King Blvd to Melpomene to the river and back up-river to the parish line. Depending on interest, and residence of riders this may change.
There are now two pick up and drop off locations in Algiers. See the bus stop schedule below. We will endeavor to keep these stops for the 2026-2027 year.
The West Bank stops will be served in the AM and the PM, but will not be included in the late bus route.
How do I pay?
The cost for the 2026-2027 is likely to be ~$2290 per rider but the 2026-2027 contract price has not been set.
The payment window is not yet open for the 2026-2027 year.
To hold your seat you will have to pay ⅓, with the full balance due by August 1st.
This year we are again partnering with Cheddar-Up for online payments. There is a 59 cent transaction fee per payment. In addition, there is a service fee of approximately 3.5% for payments with credit cards, but no service fee for e-checks from bank accounts. You do not need a Cheddar-Up account to use their service; instead select to “pay as a guest” on their website.
The link to the Cheddar-Up payment site is not available for the 26-27 season yet
Payment plans are not accepted. The entire cost must be paid by August 1st..
Where are the bus stops? Is there a really great map?
You can see the current 2025-26 stops and coverage areas on our map by clicking here.
The 2026-2027 routes and stops will be adjusted based on locations of signed up riders.
The stops will depend on the addresses of the riders who are riding the bus. Typically we run a route where each bus has about 13-16 stops. Generally, riders have to walk approximately 3-4 blocks from their residence. The route is adjusted each year once the riders have paid and we have a full bus.
Where does the bus drop off and pick up at BF?
The bus drop off and pick up location:
Is there a late bus that leaves school after the extra curricular activities?
Yes, a late bus will leave school 4 days per week (M-Th), at 5:45pm. The late bus does NOT run the regular route, but rather gets kids back uptown at limited stops. Be sure to check with your coach or sponsor about the compatibility of your activity with the late bus.
The ‘Late Bus’ is not actually a school bus. It is a white passenger van. It will pick up students in the same location as the PM school buses.
The late bus does not drop off on the West Bank. It has 7 stops Uptown:
1. St Charles Ave and Felicity
2. St. Charles Ave and Louisiana
3. St. Charles Ave and Napoleon
4. St. Charles Ave and Jefferson
5. St Charles Ave and Broadway
6. Carrollton and Jeannette
7. Carrollton and Earhart
What happens on early dismissal days?
On days where school is let out early the PM bus schedule will be adjusted accordingly. Updated departure times will be communicated via the Remind app.
There may or may not be a ‘Late Bus’ depending on the reason for early dismissal or if there are no after school activities.
Can you get on/off different stops on your assigned bus?
Yes. Riders will be allowed to use different stops at their convenience, both in the mornings and in the afternoons (i.e., they miss their stop in the morning, and go to a later stop on the schedule).
Can I just pay for taking the bus to school, and not taking it home?
No. All riders pay the same amount for the entire year regardless of how much they ride. The contract arrangements with the bus company are for a set amount for the year and all monies are collected prior to buses beginning to run for the school year.
Can a rider take any bus?
If a rider has two separate homes that are on different bus routes, the rider will be placed on both bus routes.
Riders are encouraged to ride their predetermined buses as capacity is not unlimited.
My child will only need bus service for the first ½ of the year. Can we pay ½ the price?
No. In order to fill the buses for the entire year, each rider must commit to the full price for the full year, even if they only ride for ½ the year, or only mornings, or only afternoons. Bus fees are non-refundable. The board locks in a price with the bus company for bus services for the entire year which is based on the number of confirmed riders when the service starts.
What time are the stops?
The first stop of the day is dependent upon the number of riders, number of stops, and the route schedule. The full ride home due to traffic can sometimes be an hour or more from the time the bus leaves the school at approximately 3:40 pm. See the bus schedule below.
Riders are expected to be at their stop 10 minutes before their scheduled pickup time in the morning to account for fluctuations in pickup times that may occur due to traffic patterns.
We are happy to have two stops on the West Bank. Those morning times will be earlier, and the afternoon drop-times will be later.
THERE IS NO WEST BANK LATE BUS!
How do I get involved?
We need Board members! Please email to volunteer.
uptownfranklinbus@gmail.com or John Vollman at 504-676-8337