The Transportation Department for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District operates 25 school buses, transporting over 500 students to the Malibu schools, and 250 students to special education programs throughout the District. Our staff consists of 21 school bus drivers, 2 vehicle and equipment mechanics, 1 administrative assistant, a Department Director, and a Supervisor.
Our safety record is excellent, and we strive to continue that trend. We adhere to all related regulations as dictated by the California Highway Patrol, Department of Education, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Our annual inspections by members of the CHP are consistently satisfactory.
Currently, we operate 8 school buses which are powered by clean burning compressed natural gas. Depending on future SCAQMD funding and upcoming technologies, all of our buses will eventually be powered by alternative fuels (ie. hybrid technology, and once the range is increased to meet our needs: fully electric vehicles). We also maintain all other District vehicles for our staff who care for our facilities and grounds.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education approved the LA Metro Fareless System Initiative (FSI) for student riders during its regular Nov. 18, 2021, meeting. The main goal of the program is to reduce the number of student and family vehicles driving to SMMUSD schools by promoting alternative modes of transportation like public transit.