The legal aspects of pupil transportation are examined, including the liability of various factions for transportation decisions and the duty of school districts to provide adequate transportation. Discussed are court decisions dealing with such complex topics as transportation of special education students, transportation for purpose of desegregation, transportation of private school students, the use of rental vehicles, placement of bus stops, funding of transportation, school board defenses in transportation litigation, the care owed to students during transportation, and general financial concerns. School districts are advised to (1) follow the standards and procedures established by state law, (2) have comprehensive policies regarding the type of vehicles to be used for school functions, (3) investigate liability coverage that includes nonschool owned transportation, (4) schedule regular maintenance of buses, and (5) supervise drivers. Extensive footnotes of legal citations accompany the text. (MLF)