The City of Waco has again approved free bus rides for Waco Independent School District students.

Council members unanimously passed an interlocal agreement Tuesday night which provides access to fixed route bus transportation services to Waco ISD, at no cost to the students, for the next three-years.

The term will begin Aug. 24, three days after the start of the school year for the district, and runs through Aug. 31, 2021.

According to city documents, Waco ISD will pay the city $45,000 over the three-year period.

During the 2013-2014 school year, Waco Transit System tested a pilot program which provided 18,786 trips to Waco ISD students.

WTS officials now estimate between 19,000 and 20,000 student trips will be used per year.

While students can ride for free, WTS clarified it will not be providing “school bus operations” under the agreement.

To ride, students need to show a valid Waco ISD ID card.