Homeschool benefits: City of Springfield Transit
Riders ages 5 to 18 pay $0.75 a ride on Springfield's City Utilities buses instead of the $1.00 adult fare, or $22.00 for an unlimited 31-day pass. Children under 5 ride free with an adult. The fare is based on age, so homeschooled children get it the same way as anyone else.
Who qualifies
Is 5 to 18 years old
City Utilities sets youth fares for riders ages 5 to 18. The fare page does not tie the fare to any school.
Under 5 rides with an adult
Children under 5 ride free only when an adult accompanies them.
What the fare costs
City Utilities' fares page lists these prices for youth ages 5 to 18 next to the adult prices.
- Single ride (adult $1.00)
- $0.75
- Single ride plus transfer
- $1.00
- Daily pass, unlimited (adult $3.00)
- $2.00
- 7-day pass, unlimited (adult $10.00)
- $7.00
- 31-day pass, unlimited (adult $36.00)
- $22.00
- 30-ride ticketbook (adult $21.00)
- $15.00
Not every youth fare is sold everywhere: Price Cutter stores sell only adult passes, so buy youth passes in the Token Transit app or at the Transit Center.
How to use the youth fare
- Before you ride
Pick a fare
Decide between single rides, a daily or 7-day pass, a 31-day pass, or a ticketbook based on how often your child rides.
- Buy it
App or Transit Center
Buy in the Token Transit app or in person at the Transit Center, 211 N Main Avenue. Single rides and daily passes can also be paid on the bus.
- On the bus
Ask for a transfer
Get a transfer from the operator when you board. A single-use transfer costs $0.25 more.
- Each month
Reload the pass
A 31-day pass can be preloaded on a City Utilities Smart Card and scanned at the fare box.
What it includes
Included
- City Utilities fixed-route buses
- Unlimited rides on daily, 7-day, and 31-day passes
- Free rides for children under 5 with an adult
Not included
- Paratransit fares
- Transfers, which cost $0.25 each
Who to contact about fares
City Utilities Transit answers fare questions Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including fare disputes.
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
- Does a homeschooled child pay the City Utilities youth fare?
- Yes. The youth fare is based on age, 5 to 18, not school enrollment.
- Is the City Utilities youth 31-day pass worth it?
- Only for heavy riders. The $15.00 youth 30-ride ticketbook is cheaper unless your child rides more than 44 times a month.
- Can a young child ride alone for free?
- No. Children under 5 ride free only with an adult.
- What if a driver charges the wrong fare?
- Pay the fare, then call City Utilities Transit at 417-831-8782 to dispute it.
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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