For the 2025–2026 school year, Omaha Public Schools has provided every middle and high school student with a free Metro bus pass, in partnership with the Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority of Omaha (Metro). In total, OPS distributed over 27,000 passes, costing the district roughly $170,000.
The passes, valid from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026, allow students to ride Metro buses anywhere in Omaha at no cost. This includes students who may not qualify for the traditional yellow school bus service due to distance or district eligibility rules.
While OPS has not released specific data on how many students regularly use their passes, many believe the program could make a lasting impact on both student transportation and the city’s public transit system…