Transportation

Beginning in Fall 2025, United Schools will provide independent, in-house transportation and will no longer utilize the Columbus City Schools or the South-Western City Schools systems for busing. Our new transportation program will offer more control over routes, reliability, and family communication.

We’re building a transportation system that reflects the quality and care we strive for in every part of our school - mission-aligned, student-centered, and designed to maximize learning time.

 
 
 
 

United Schools is working with 4MATIV, a national transportation consulting firm, to manage day-to-day transportation operations and help guide us through this transition. Their expertise will be key as we work to support families, staff, and schools through launch and the challenges that will inevitably accompany such a significant shift.

This is an unprecedented step for our network and positions us to better serve students across our four campuses. We're confident that this move will put us on a path to a more reliable, responsive, and mission-aligned transportation experience, and we are prepared to address any challenges that arise along the way.

 
 

How it works:

  • Step 1: Enroll at a United Schools campus

  • Step 2: Receive a text message within 1-2 weeks of enrollment

  • Step 3: Reply to confirm interest and your address

  • Step 4: United’s transportation department will confirm eligibility

  • Step 5: Eligible families will receive their bus stop

 
 

Transportation Hotline (call or text): 614-881-5166

 
 
 
 

FAQs

 
 

  • Your student may be eligible for transportation if you are enrolled at United Schools and live more than two miles from your campus. Students will be deemed impractical on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Ohio law. These decisions will be made at least thirty days before the school year and communicated directly to the impacted families. Students who live within two miles of the school will not receive a specific bus stop, but may have access to community stops within two miles of the school building.

  • Families who enroll before August 1st will receive their bus route information in mid-August. Families who enroll on or after August 1st will be added to existing stops and receive their bus route information within 14 days. Adjustments will be made on an as needed basis over the course of the first month of the school year. Families who enroll at United campus after school starts will receive their bus route information within 14 days.

  • FirstStudent, one of the nation’s most experienced student transportation providers, will operate our buses. Our transportation system is designed with our needs, schedules, and families in mind.

  • United plans to group bus transportation by geographic area:

    • West Side: United Elementary State St. and United Middle Dana Ave. students will ride together.

    • East Side: United Elementary 17th St. and United Middle Main St. students will ride together.

    This approach allows us to:

    • Offer bus stops closer to students’ homes

    • Keep routes shorter and more efficient

    • Ensure siblings can ride together, offering added comfort, especially for our youngest students.

  • No, only United Schools students will be on our buses.