Current transportation reliance on Seattle’s public transit system is creating barriers that impact student safety, attendance, and equity. High school students deserve a safe, reliable, and direct way to get to and from school and it’s time for district and city leaders to act.

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) has shifted away from providing yellow bus service for grades 9–12, instead relying on public transit as the primary transportation option. As a result, many teens endure long commutes with multiple transfers through unfamiliar areas, often before sunrise or after dark. Safety concerns have been documented, including incidents of harassment and assault during student commutes. Students with disabilities or heightened safety needs are disproportionately affected, and transportation barriers contribute to chronic absenteeism and lower academic outcomes.

The impact extends beyond students. Families who don’t feel public transit is safe or reliable often have no choice but to drive their teens themselves, carving significant time out of busy mornings and evenings, disrupting work schedules, and adding to traffic congestion around schools. Restoring safe, dependable school transportation would give families back valuable time and peace of mind while reducing traffic pressure citywide.

Transportation is not a luxury — it’s a critical part of public education. Students should be focused on learning, not on navigating unsafe commutes across the city.