Homeschool benefits: South Bend Transpo
From June 1 through August 31, K-12 students 18 and under ride South Bend Transpo buses and the Interurban Trolley free. A homeschooled child without a school ID gets a Summer Travel Pass from the Transpo administrative office or South Street Station.
Who qualifies
Is a K-12 student
The Summer Travel Program is for K-12 students 18 and under. Transpo names homeschooled students directly.
Gets a Summer Travel Pass
Students whose school issues an ID just show it to the driver. Homeschooled students, or students whose school does not issue IDs, get a Summer Travel Pass instead.
Can show proof of age
Your child may be asked to show proof of age, so bring a document with your child's birth date when you get the pass.
What the pass saves
Transpo's fare table shows what a student would otherwise pay for the rides the Summer Travel Pass makes free.
- Summer Travel Pass, June 1 to Aug. 31
- Free
- Regular cash fare
- $1.00
- Day pass
- $3.00
- Two-week pass
- $18.00
- 31-day student pass, rest of the year
- $30.00
- Children 4 and under, two per paying adult
- Free
Transpo runs Monday through Saturday with no Sunday service, so plan summer trips for those days.
How to get free summer rides
- Before June 1
Gather proof of age
Have a document that shows your child is 18 or under, since drivers may ask for proof of age.
- Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pick up the pass
Get a Summer Travel Pass at the Transpo Administrative Offices, 1401 S. Lafayette Blvd., or at South Street Station.
- June 1 to Aug. 31
Ride free
Show the pass to the driver on Transpo buses and the Interurban Trolley.
- From Sept. 1
Switch to a student pass
Outside summer, a 31-day student pass costs $30 with proof of age for riders 17 and under or a K-12 student ID.
What it includes
Included
- Transpo fixed-route buses
- Interurban Trolley
- Rides June 1 through August 31
Not included
- Rides from September through May
- Access paratransit fares
- Sunday service, which Transpo does not run
Who to contact about the Summer Travel Pass
The Transpo administrative office issues Summer Travel Passes and answers fare questions.
businfo@sbtranspo.com 574-232-9901 Fares and passes
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Indiana
No state registration or homeschool number is required. On withdrawal, notify the school in writing. For a high-school student, a parent or guardian must also sign the Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Non-public School Located in Indiana form.
Indiana sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide 180 days of instruction and instruction equivalent to public schools; state law does not define equivalency, and public-school curriculum rules do not apply.
- Testing: Indiana does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Indiana requires you to keep attendance records.
- Teachers: Indiana does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Indiana also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- The Indiana Education Scholarship Account pays about 90% of state tuition support, for students with a qualifying disability or an eligible sibling. Once enrolled, your child is no longer an independent homeschool student, and the money stays in ClassWallet for approved costs.
Read the Indiana homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Indiana
Questions parents ask
- What does my child need to show on Transpo this summer?
- The Summer Travel Pass. Drivers may also ask for proof of age, since the program is for K-12 students 18 and under.
- Does the Summer Travel Pass work on the Interurban Trolley?
- Yes. The Summer Travel Program covers both Transpo buses and the Interurban Trolley.
- What does my student pay the rest of the year?
- A single cash fare is $1.00.
- Where do I call with questions?
- Call the Transpo administration office at 574-232-9901, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or the information line at 574-233-2131.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
A student fare helps with trips to classes and activities. We handle the learning at home, with lessons built around your child's interests and feedback on their work.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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