Expressway offers 'free' rides for school buses

Some 2,000 school buses from districts around Orlando were recently fitted with free e-passes and now, when a school bus rolls down an expressway with students, the ride is practically free.

It's part of a 99% rebate program from the Central Florida Expressway Authority.

Last year, Orange County schools paid about $240,000 tolls -- Now, it's hoped that kind of money will be returned by the authorit, so it can be spend on education.

“This is a great way to be a good community partner in Central Florida,” said Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd, CFX’s vice-chairman. “The school districts in Central Florida have an important job to do with limited funds. Giving some money back to the schools is an exciting opportunity, and I’m happy we are able to do it.”