Expanded School Transportation Eligibility Coming for 2025/26

Thanks to recent updates to Alberta's School Transportation Regulation, more students will qualify for free bus transportation starting in the 2025/26 school year.

To help us plan for next year, families who believe they may now qualify—and those with new students—are asked to register through Westwind's School Bus Registration Form 2025/2026 or visit edufocus.westwind.ab.ca.

In response to feedback from school authorities across the province, the Government of Alberta has amended the regulation to improve accessibility for families. As a result, the minimum distance eligibility for provincially funded transportation is being reduced:

• Grades K–6: now eligible if they live 1.6 kilometres or more from their designated school.

• Grades 7–12: now eligible if they live 2.0 kilometres or more from their designated school.

These changes mean many families not previously eligible for transportation services may now qualify under the new guidelines. If your child already receives bus service, no changes are required.

Please note that while more students will now qualify, this does not mean door-to-door pickup. Students will be assigned to the nearest safe bus stop, and families can expect designated pickup and drop-off locations.

For More Information 

Westwind School Division Transportation Services