Transportation
SMSD Transportation Provider - DS Bus Lines
(913) 384-1190
5519 Merriam Dr.
Merriam, KS 66203
School Bus Transportation
Annual bus registration is required for ALL general education students who plan to ride the bus. Visit the DS Bus Lines website to register for the 2024-25 school year.
The Shawnee Mission School District provides free bus transportation to students living 2.5 miles or more from the school in their attendance area. Students who qualify for district-provided transportation in the Shawnee Mission School District must register with DS Bus Lines. After completing registration, student bus information is available via the student's Skyward Family Access account. The school of attendance will also have a list of bus stops and pick-up times the week prior to the start of each school year.
Students riding school buses must follow all district safety expectations (Expectations in Spanish). Violations of bus regulations may result in the student receiving appropriate and prescribed disciplinary actions, which may include being removed from the bus and/or suspension from school. To help ensure compliance with necessary safety expectations, video cameras may be used on school buses.
Bus Parent Pay Rider Program
Students who live less than 2.5 miles from the school in their attendance area may pay to ride the bus in areas with established routes. Routes will be established annually based on interest and registration of at least 50 pay riders. Schools with no attendance boundaries beyond the 2.5 mile statutory requirement must meet the 50 pay contracts to offer busing unless a variance zone has been identified.
Students who qualify for Direct Certification or Child Nutrition Meal Benefits may register to ride an existing route at no cost. (Visit School Cafe' to complete an application for free or reduced meals after July 1 - https://www.schoolcafe.com/SHAWNEEMISSION). A copy of the Direct Certification letter or School Meal Benefits letter must be shared with DS Bus Lines @ payments@dsbuslines.com, or a parent must complete a Consent for Disclosure form in order for Food Service to share meal benefit status with transportation.
Routes will be built around those who have registered by July 22 for the 2024-25 school year. Registrations received after July 22 are not guaranteed to be routed to a bus by the first day of school. Fee information is provided below.
**Transportation changes put in effect during the 2022-23 school year for high schools will remain in effect for the 2024-25 school year. This includes limiting high school routes to students residing over 2.0 miles from their school.
2024-2025 Fees
DS Bus Lines will start receiving payments for the 2024-2025 school year after June 10, 2024.
Early payment discount before July 22, 2024
$160.00 per student, per semester or $320.00 per year for school year. Must be received or postmarked by July 19, 2024.
Payments received after July 22, 2024
$185.00 per student, per semester or $370.00 per student for the school year.
Transportation Enrollment Forms
To register students for transportation visit DS Bus Lines website. For those needing an alternative to online registration, print out the bus contract below or obtain from the school office and submit the completed form to DS Bus Lines, 5519 Merriam Drive, Merriam, KS 66203.
Those that have registered for busing by the early pay deadline can access bus information via the student's Skyward Family Access account prior to the start of school. The school of attendance will also have a list of bus stops and pick-up times the week prior to the start of each school year. If a student’s bus information isn’t showing up in Skyward then the child isn’t yet routed to the bus. Call DS Bus Lines with any questions or concerns.
Once student bus information is available in Skyward Family Access, please sign up for the late bus notification system Textcaster. Both parents and students can sign up to receive bus notifications via this text system.
Terms and Conditions
Bus service is available at schools where 50 or more students are contracted to ride the bus, or where pay ridership has been mandated.
Service will not be started until a signed contract with payment is submitted to DS Bus Lines. Secondary students will be required to show student I.D. to the driver. They will not be allowed to ride the bus without showing student I.D.
Kindergarteners and first-graders must have an adult receive the student at the bus stop.
Bus fare is payable by credit card, money order, or check. CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Bus fare is payable by mail or in person to:
DS Bus Lines
5519 Merriam Dr.
Merriam, KS 66203.
DS Bus Lines reserves the right to hold parents or guardians responsible for any vandalism their child may do on the bus.