Homeschool benefits: City of St. Joseph Transit
Riders ages 6 to 18 pay $0.40 a ride on St. Joseph Transit buses, or $15 for a monthly pass, instead of the $0.50 full fare and $20 pass. Children under 6 ride free, up to two per paid fare. The fare is based on age, so a homeschooled child qualifies with proof of age.
Who qualifies
Is 6 to 18 years old
St. Joseph Transit charges the youth fare to riders ages 6 to 18. The fare page does not tie it to any school.
Shows proof of age
Riders must show a Medicare card, Half Fare identification, or other proof of age when boarding.
Under 9 rides with company
Children under age 9 must ride with someone who is at least 12 years old.
What the fare costs
St. Joseph Transit's fares page lists the youth prices next to the full fares.
- Cash fare (full fare $0.50)
- $0.40
- Monthly pass, unlimited (full fare $20)
- $15
- Book of 10 tickets (full fare $10)
- $7.50
- Transfer
- Free
- Children under 6, up to 2 per paid fare
- Free
Drivers do not carry change, so bring exact change for cash fares, and route deviations cost $0.25 extra even with a monthly pass.
How to use the youth fare
- Before you ride
Bring proof of age
Have something that shows your child's age, because proof of age is required when boarding at the youth fare.
- Buy passes
Pick a sales location
Buy monthly passes and ticket books at the St. Joseph Transit Office, 702 S. 5th Street; City Hall, Room 107; or the HyVee at 201 N Belt Highway.
- On the bus
Ask for a transfer
Request a free transfer when you pay if your trip needs a second bus. It covers only that one-way trip, not the return.
- Each month
Buy a new pass
The monthly pass covers unlimited rides for one calendar month. Ticket books never expire.
What it includes
Included
- St. Joseph Transit fixed-route buses
- Free transfers on a one-way trip
- Unlimited rides on the monthly pass
Not included
- Route deviation fee
- Transfers for the return trip
Good to know
The youth fare depends on age, not school
The youth fare is set by age, 6 to 18, and the fare page asks only for proof of age at boarding, not a school ID.
Who to contact about fares
Michelle Schultz, St. Joseph Transit's general manager, answers questions about fares and passes; the office is open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
transit_mschultz@stjosephmo.gov 816-233-6700 Fares page
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
- When does the St. Joseph Transit youth monthly pass pay off?
- At 38 or more rides in a calendar month. At $0.40 a ride, the $15 youth pass costs the same as 37.5 rides.
- Can my 7-year-old ride alone?
- No.
- Do ticket books expire?
- No. A youth book of 10 tickets costs $7.50 and has no expiration date.
- Can I pay with a card?
- Only for passes at the St. Joseph Transit Office, which accepts Visa and MasterCard. On the bus, cash fares need exact change.
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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