Program Description
State pupil transportation aids are determined under the provisions of Wis. Stat. §. 121.58 Wis. Stats. The appropriation for reimbursement of transporting public and nonpublic school pupils who are actually transported is found in Wis. Stat. §. 20.255(2)(cr) Wis. Stats.
2017 Wisconsin Act 59 (signed into law on September 21, 2017)
This Act modified the Pupil Transportation Aid in multiple ways and impacted the aid payment dispersed starting with the 2017-2018 school year:
- The State of Wisconsin increased the Pupil Transportation aid allocation by $49,000, resulting in a total allocation of $24,000,000/year that was paid out in the 2017-2018 school year, covering the modifications listed.
- A half payment for a student rider during the regular school year who rode at least once and was enrolled less than 91 days was eliminated.
- A student rider whose residence is over 12 miles from the school of attendance qualified for a reimbursement rate of $365, an increase of $65 from the rate paid in the spring of 2017.
- A summer session or an interim session student rider whose residence was over 2 miles and less than 5 miles from their school of attendance qualified for a reimbursement rate of $10 in place of $4.
- A summer session or an interim session student rider whose residence was over 5 miles from their school of attendance qualified for a reimbursement rate of $20 in place of $6.
Click below for more information:
Reimbursement Rates
School districts that furnish transportation to and from public and nonpublic schools are entitled to receive state aid at the following rates:
| Distance in Miles | Regular Year | Summer/Interim |
|---|---|---|
| Less Than 2 Miles (hazardous area) | $15/pupil | -- |
| Over 2-5 miles | $35/pupil | $10/pupil |
| Over 5 up to 8 | $55/pupil | $20/pupil |
| Over 8 up to 12 | $110/pupil | $20/pupil |
| Over 12 | $365/pupil* | $20/pupil |
Distances are measured from the pupil's residence to the school attended, following the shortest commonly traveled route. Half payment is made for pupils actually transported at least once and enrolled less than 16 days (summer and interim sessions). Pupil transportation aid for the current year is based on the number of children transported during the prior school year.
The aid payment for 2018-2019 school year was calculated on a total of 448,866 children reported as eligible for aid reimbursement. Pupil transportation aid in 2018-2019 was calculated at 100 percent of eligibility because aid eligibility was less than the aid appropriation. This is the fourth year with 2R Charter schools receiving Pupil Transportation Aid.
Who Receives Assistance
School districts can receive this aid. Pupil transportation aid is based on student ridership in the previous year. School districts report ridership in the School Finance Reporting Portal. (Public View Submitted District Data - portal access)
Amount of Funds Available
The statewide dollar amount for pupil transportation aid is appropriated by the legislature. Aid eligibility for each district is determined based on riders from the previous year, times the flat amount per pupil in each distance category. The WUFAR chart of accounts requires that this revenue be recorded in Fund 10, Source 612. Payment date is the last Monday of January.
Residual Balance of Allocation (2011 WI Act 105)
Effective with the 2011-12 school year, any balance remaining after paying all claims for pupil transportation aid shall be apportioned among districts. This apportionment shall be based on each district's share of the total claims. For example, if a district's claim equals 0.5 percent of the total claims, the district shall receive 0.5 percent of any residual balance. Residual balance payments shall be paid in June.
Independent Charter Schools
Pupil Transportation (PI-1547) 2019 Update for Independent Charter Schools
Guides school staff in collecting and entering pupil ridership data.
Transportation Aid Payments
- 2019-2020 Transportation Aid Eligible Payments as of January 13, 2020
- 2018-2019 Transportation Aid Eligible Payments as of May 30, 2019
- 2018-2019 Transportation Aid Eligible Payments as of January 4, 2019
- 2017-2018 Transportation Aid Payment as of June 8, 2018
- 2017-2018 Transportation Aid Payment as of January 5, 2018
- 2016-2017 Transportation Aid Payment as of May 2, 2017
- 2016-2017 Transportation Aid Payments as of January 4, 2017
- 2015-2016 Transportation Aid Payments as of May 2, 2016 (Alpha order)
- 2015-2016 Transportation Aid Payments as of January 5, 2016
- 2014-2015 Transportation Aid Payments as of June 4, 2015
- 2002-2016 Transportation Aid Eligibility District List
Transportation Aid Information
Transportation Aid Worksheet
Includes Regular, Summer/Interim and Vocational.
Transportation Data Reporting FAQs
Provides information related to 10 questions common to pupil transportation reporting.
Pupil Transportation Homepage
Provides general information on pupil transportation beyond transportation aid.
The Pupil Transportation (PI-1547) FY-2020
Guides individuals entering the 'Regular School' and/or 'Vocational Programs' data at the renovated portal.