School bus pass applications and payments can now be processed online, the Hawaii Department of Education said in .
While paper applications and in-person payments are still available at school offices, the new online application and payment system for student transportation will 鈥減rovide not only a more convenient and efficient process, but also improve safety with a contactless experience for families,鈥 Superintendent Christina Kishimoto said in a statement.
The DOE鈥檚 release said the development of the online service was in the works prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parents who need school bus service for their kids can complete a form online and submit payments using EZSchoolPay. A temporary bus pass can then be printed at home, with a permanent bus pass card available at the child’s school up to a week after payment.
The “uncertainty” of the COVID-19 situation, however, is changing some things up. The DOE has temporarily removed the 鈥 keeping just the quarterly plan or one-way bus coupons.
It’s also reduced the cost of a sheet of 10 one-way passes from $12.50 to $10.
Families who only used a portion of the 2019-20 school year bus passes or have unused bus coupons from that year can seek refunds, according to the DOE.
Students who ride the school bus will be required to wear a face mask, as will the bus driver, per the DOE鈥檚 school reopen framework. 鈥淗igh touch points鈥 will be cleaned and sanitized after each route, the department said.
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