Understanding SD43

Getting to school in SD43: there is no school bus, and what families use instead

If you have just moved to the Tri-Cities from somewhere with yellow buses, the first thing you go looking for is where to sign up for the bus. There is no sign-up, because the Coquitlam school district (SD43) does not run regular school buses. That surprises a lot of families, so here is what the district does provide, and what everyone else does to get their kids to school.

Who does get district transportation

The one exception to the no-school-bus rule is narrow. Under Policy 20, Conveyance of Students with Special Needs, the board runs limited transportation for students enrolled in special education programs. The policy covers students designated by the district as students with special needs, who live in the district and attend a District Program for Students with Special Needs, and it runs from the student's home to the school they are assigned to. It is decided one student at a time, and only the eligible student can ride, even when a sibling goes to the same school. There is no conveyance for French Immersion, Montessori, cross-catchment, or any other optional program.

If you think your child might qualify, the district's transportation page points you to Policy 20 and asks you to contact the administrator of the school your child attends, and that's the person to start with.

What families actually use

Lots of kids walk or bike because a catchment school is usually close to home. If you want to know how walkable your address is, the catchment changes page is a good place to start.

For older kids, TransLink does a lot of the work. Children 12 and under ride free on the bus, with no fare product or ID needed, and they don't have to be travelling with a fare-paying adult. On SkyTrain, SeaBus, or the West Coast Express they still ride free, they just need a station attendant or a courtesy phone to get through the fare gates. Once a kid turns 13 they move to the discounted Concession fare and have to carry valid photo ID proving their age.

And plenty of families just drive. Schools have drop-off zones out front, and they get busy and a little tight right at the bell, so give yourself a few extra minutes at pickup and drop-off, especially in the first weeks of September.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I sign up for the school bus?

There is nothing to sign up for. SD43 does not run regular school buses. The only district transportation is the limited Policy 20 conveyance for designated special-needs students, and that starts with a call to your school's administrator.

My child has special needs. Could they qualify for a ride?

Possibly. SD43's Policy 20 covers students the district has designated as students with special needs who attend a District Program for Students with Special Needs. It is decided case by case, so the best step is to talk to the administrator at your child's school.

Can my younger child ride if an older sibling qualifies?

Only the student who is eligible under SD43's Policy 20 can be transported, even when a sibling attends the same school.

Is there a bus for French Immersion or other programs of choice?

There's no busing for programs of choice in SD43. Policy 20 spells out that there's no conveyance for French Immersion, Montessori, cross-catchment, or any other optional program.

Does my kid need a ticket or a bus pass to ride TransLink?

Not if they are 12 or under, they ride free on the bus with no fare product and no ID. From age 13 they pay the discounted Concession fare and need valid photo ID proving their age.

How do I know if my address is close enough to walk?

SD43 catchments are drawn so your nearby school is your school. The catchment changes page walks through how that works.

Sources

By Jessica Morrison, SD43 School Trustee Candidate · Updated August 20, 2026