The state of Washington is moving towards the assumption of the full costs of public school student transportation. This move has increased interest at the state level in transportation costs originating at the local district level. These costs have been relatively high in the Seattle school district, complicated by the city's geographic and demographic characteristics and traffic flow patterns. The city's ethnic and cultural diversity adds the difficulties of busing to achieve racial balance and to provide adequate bilingual education. Transportation costs projected for 1978-79 were $1,222 for each special education pupil, $420 per pupil in the desegregation program, and $351 per pupil for those transported because they lived over two miles from their schools. This document discusses these costs and other factors in Seattle's student transportation program, including the ramifications of the contracts with school bus and city bus companies. An addendum treats the rationale behind transportation decision-making in greater detail, using five examples from the Seattle district. (Author/PGD)