Wheels to Water free buses
The Wheels to Water Program provides free water education field trip bus transportation to qualifying schools.
Eligibility
Eligible school groups must:
- Be a public school in King County, or a public school in Pierce or Snohomish County located within the Wastewater Treatment Division service area
- Have a school low-income percentage of at least 35%
- Be between 20 to 70 people
- Be attending a field trip at a participating program
Note: Wheels to Water is available only once per group per school year.
Scheduling process
For Field trips with Brightwater, South Plant, and Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station
- Schedule your field trip directly with the participating program.
- After your field trip is confirmed, our staff will work with Metro transit to arrange all the details about time and pickup/drop-off location(s).
- A confirmation will be emailed to you with an attached transit report 1 to 2 weeks before your trip.
- Before your trip, print two copies of the transit trip report.
For Field trips with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust
- Schedule your field trip directly with the participating program.
- After your field trip is confirmed, your scheduler will direct you to Wheels to Water Request Registration.
- Submit your request to Wheels to Water at least 3 weeks in advance.
- Our staff will work with Metro transit to arrange all the details about time and pickup/drop-off location(s).
- A confirmation will be emailed to you with an attached transit report 1 to 2 weeks before your trip.
- Before your trip, print two copies of the transit trip report.
Buses
Wheels to Water uses standard 40-passenger or large 70-passenger coaches.
Buses are available Monday through Thursday between 8 am and 3 pm.
Buses often continue providing regional transportation in the middle of the day and will leave the field site after drop-off and return for afternoon pickup.
Funding
When approved, your bus is free. This program is funded by water and sewer rates, and supports access to education programs that teach students about water and their daily choices that affect our water systems and regional water quality.