Student transportation in Arizona: FAQ for district transportation leaders
Answers to common questions from Arizona transportation directors, with a link to the official source for every answer. Updated October 2026. State rules change, so confirm details with the Arizona Department of Education before you act on them.
How does Arizona fund schools?
The Arizona Department of Education defines average daily membership (ADM) as the basis for state aid funding, built from membership days, FTE and reporting periods under A.R.S. 15-901. Basic State Aid is paid monthly to districts and charters.
Source: Arizona Department of Education, School Finance Terms and Acronyms
How does Arizona fund student transportation?
The transportation support level (TSL) starts with approved daily route mileage, multiplied by the state support level per route mile and adjusted for eligible students transported. The TSL is added to the district’s base support level. A.R.S. 15-945 sets the rate tiers by route miles per eligible student transported in the prior fiscal year.
Sources: Arizona Department of Education, School Finance Manual, Transportation and A.R.S. 15-945
Which students count as eligible riders?
Students in grades K-8 who live more than 1 mile from their school of attendance and high school students who live more than 1.5 miles away qualify. The manual also lists exceptions, including students facing safety risks, students whose IEPs call for transportation, some open enrollment students and students experiencing homelessness attending their school of origin.
Source: Arizona Department of Education, School Finance Manual, Transportation
When do districts report route miles?
The Transportation Route Report (TRAN55-1) is due 12 instructional days after the 100th day of instruction. Districts on a 180-day calendar estimate the rest of the year at 80% of the miles from the first 100 days. The Vehicle Inventory Report (TRAN03-1) is due by July 15.
Source: Arizona Department of Education, School Finance Manual, Transportation
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