Student transportation in Maine: FAQ for district transportation leaders
Answers to common questions from Maine transportation directors, with a link to the official source for every answer. Updated October 2026. State rules change, so confirm details with the Maine Department of Education before you act on them.
How does Maine fund school transportation operating costs?
Maine sets a transportation operating allocation for each school unit under Essential Programs and Services (EPS). The Maine DOE starts from the prior year allocation and inflates it. For FY2026 that increase was 2.6%. It then compares the result with a range built from your net operating expenditures. The allocation can be no less than 90% and no more than 105% of net expenditures. Complete and accurate cost records each year help your allocation reflect the work your team does.
Source: Maine DOE, ED279 line by line calculations
How are school bus purchases funded in Maine?
EPS includes a separate approved bus allocation based on the amount approved through the Maine DOE Transportation Coordinator for bus purchases made in the previous year. Purchases run through the School Bus Purchase Program under Chapter 85 of the department's transportation rules. Bringing your fleet plan to the Transportation Coordinator early helps approvals line up with your budget calendar.
Sources: Maine DOE, ED279 line by line calculations and Maine DOE, transportation laws and rules
Which student counts matter for EPS funding?
EPS uses 2 kinds of counts. Attending pupil counts reflect where students are enrolled and use the average of the October counts from the previous 2 years. Subsidizable pupil counts come from October 1 resident enrollment and reflect where students live. Clean October enrollment and residency data gives your district a strong starting point.
Source: Maine DOE, ED279 line by line calculations
What safety drills and reports does Maine require?
Chapter 81 of the Maine DOE rules covers school transportation safety. Students take part in supervised bus evacuation drills at least once each semester and receive safety instruction on the same schedule. School units submit an annual Transportation Safety and Training Report between July 1 and October 15.
Sources: Maine DOE, Chapter 81 summary and Maine DOE, transportation laws and rules
What does it take to drive a school bus in Maine?
State law requires that an applicant is at least 21 and has held a driver's license for at least 1 year. Applicants pass an annual physical exam paid for by the employer and an exam on the specific vehicle they will drive. The DOE's Chapter 81 summary adds at least 40 hours of initial training for new drivers and 16 hours of in-service training each year for experienced drivers.
Sources: Maine Revised Statutes 29-A, section 2303 and Maine DOE, Chapter 81 summary
How is Maine doing on chronic absenteeism?
Maine is making steady progress. Maine DOE reports chronic absenteeism at 31% in 2021-22, 27% in 2022-23 and 24% in 2023-24. The Governor's 2025 proclamation notes a 23% reduction in chronically absent students since 2022. A reliable ride is one of the ways districts help students keep that progress going.
Sources: Maine DOE, attendance and Office of the Governor, School Attendance Awareness Month proclamation
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