PARKER, Colo. (AP) -- Colorado's third largest school district plans to start charging a fee to ride the school bus next school year.

The Douglas County School Board voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve a transportation fee of 50 cents per ride starting this fall, with exemptions for families who qualify for the National Free and Reduced Lunch Program and for students in the Individualized Education Program that requires transportation.

Students would receive passes linked to special units on each bus to track rides.

The district hopes to raise $2 million with the fees, as it faces $31 million in cuts for the upcoming school year.

About 17,000 students rode the bus this year.

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