Families should prepare several important transportation updates for the 2026-2027 school year as Sarasota County Schools transitions to a new student transportation platform powered by Tyler Technologies. The updated system is designed to improve route accuracy, communication, and overall efficiency for students and families.
As part of the transition, Sarasota County Schools will introduce a new parent transportation app called My Ride K-12, which will replace the current Where’s The Bus platform. Families will also be required to complete transportation registration for students to receive a bus assignment for the upcoming school year.
Important Transportation Dates
Families should be aware of the following key dates:
June 2026: Listen to the SCS InTune Podcast episode about transportation changes and complete transportation registration.
June 30, 2026: Bus routes released and visible in My Ride K-12
July 27, 2026: Deadline to register for guaranteed first-day transportation service
August 10, 2026: First day of school
Transportation Registration Required
Transportation service for the 2026-2027 school year will require registration. Bus routes and assignments will be created based on registered riders, and students who are not registered will not receive a bus assignment.
Families can request transportation during the student registration or annual re-registration process. Parents who select transportation during registration will not need to take any other steps as the system will automatically notify the Transportation Department of their request.
Families who do not request transportation during registration may later submit a transportation request through the Transportation page on the district website. Requests submitted outside of registration require a minimum 48-hour processing period before students can access an assigned bus.
Introducing My Ride K-12
Beginning this summer, Sarasota County Schools will officially begin using My Ride K-12 as the district’s transportation app. The app will allow families to:
View bus assignments
Access stop locations and pickup/drop-off times
Track buses in real time
Receive updates regarding delays or substitute buses
Initial route information will become available in the app at the end of June. Driver and bus number details will be added later in the summer after routing and staffing processes are finalized.
The app will display route changes in real time and serve as the primary source for transportation information throughout the school year.
New Student Ridership Tracking System
New for the 2026-2027 school year, Sarasota County Schools will also implement a student ridership tracking system on all school buses. Students will be required to scan their student ID when entering and exiting the bus to help improve student safety, transportation accuracy, and communication with families.
Students will receive their new student IDs at school on the first day of school. Registered students will still be permitted to ride the bus on the first day of school before receiving their new badge.
The ridership tracking system will allow the district to better monitor student transportation activity and provide more accurate information to families throughout the school year. Additional information regarding student IDs and bus scanning procedures will be shared with families prior to the start of the school year.
July 27 Deadline for Guaranteed First-Day Service
Families who need transportation on the first day of school must complete transportation registration by July 27, 2026. Students who do not have an active bus assignment by the first day of school on August 10, 2026, will require parent pick up until a bus assignment is established.
SCS encourages families to complete registration as early as possible to help ensure efficient routing and smoother transportation operations at the start of the school year.
New Transportation Service Request System
Sarasota County Schools is also implementing a new transportation request and communication system to improve customer service and response tracking. Families who submit transportation requests through the district website will receive email notifications and ticket numbers to help track requests from start to finish.
Transportation requests will be prioritized based on complexity:
Minor requests: completed within 1-2 business days
Medium-level requests: completed within 5 business days
High-level safety concerns: started within 1 business day and completed within 10 business days
The district Transportation Department will continue communicating with families by phone or email if additional information is needed.
Additional Transportation Information
Families should expect possible route adjustments during the first several weeks of school as Transportation staff balance ridership, route efficiency, and on-time performance.
All guardians are encouraged to regularly visit the Transportation page on the Sarasota County Schools website throughout the summer for updated instructions, FAQs, app information, and registration support.
For transportation questions, families may contact the Transportation Department at (941) 486-2141 during business hours.