Homeschool benefits: City of Columbia Go COMO
Go COMO buses in Columbia charge no fare to anyone, so your homeschooled child can ride all six fixed routes to classes, the library, and activities for free. Buses run Monday through Friday, 6:25 a.m. to 6:40 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6:40 p.m.
Who qualifies
Anyone who boards
Go COMO is fare-free for all riders. There is no age, income, or school enrollment requirement.
Rides during service hours
Buses run weekdays and Saturdays. There is no Sunday service and none on eight listed holidays.
Follows the rider rules
Parents and guardians should closely supervise their children at all times, and riders must follow rules such as no eating or drinking on board.
What the bus gives you
The fares and hours come from Go COMO's rider guide and rider handbook, and the route frequency from the city's June 2026 service update.
- Fixed-route fare
- Free
- Paratransit fare
- Free
- Weekday service
- 6:25 a.m. to 6:40 p.m.
- Saturday service
- 10 a.m. to 6:40 p.m.
- Sunday service
- None
- Bike rack on every bus
- Free
Full weekday service returned on a trial basis in summer 2026 after a driver shortage, so check the ETA Transit app for current schedules and detours.
How to ride
- Before you ride
Plan the trip
Use the route maps at gocomotransit.com, the ETA Transit app, or Google Maps directions to find a route and departure time. On weekdays a bus reaches each stop every 45 minutes.
- At the stop
Wave the bus down
Arrive early and wave so the driver knows you want to board. A bus counts as on time up to five minutes after the scheduled time.
- On board
Ride without paying
No pass or fare payment is needed. Pull the yellow cord once before your stop.
- Before holidays
Check for closures
There is no service on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.
What it includes
Included
- All six fixed routes
- Paratransit service
- Bike racks on buses
- Mizzou Tiger Line
Not included
- Sunday service
- Service on listed holidays
- Non-foldable scooters
Good to know
Buses have been fare-free since March 2020
Fares ended in March 2020, and the city's June 2026 update says fixed routes and paratransit remain fare-free for all riders.
Who to contact about the bus
Go COMO staff answer questions about routes, schedules, and bus stops.
transit@como.gov 573-874-2489 Contact Go COMO
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Missouri
No annual homeschool registration required. If withdrawing from public school, a written notice requesting removal from its rolls documents the change.
Missouri sets these rules:
- Subjects: For students under 16, offer at least 1,000 hours of instruction: 600 in reading, language arts, math, social studies, science, or related courses, including 400 at the regular homeschool location. The statutory hours and recordkeeping rules do not apply at age 16 or older.
- Testing: Missouri does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: For students under 16, keep a subject and activity record, a work-sample portfolio, and progress evaluations, or equivalent written or credible evidence.
- Teachers: No state teaching-license or degree requirement for a homeschool instructor.
Read the Missouri homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Missouri
Questions parents ask
- Can my child ride Go COMO alone?
- It is your call. Go COMO's guide sets no minimum age for riding alone, but it asks parents and guardians to closely supervise their children at all times.
- Does Go COMO run on holidays?
- Not on eight: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day.
- Where can I get schedules in person?
- The Wabash Bus Station at 126 N. 10th St. has route and schedule information, and its lobby is open weekdays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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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