Depends on the level of city service, but probably a good thing.

When I was in Ottawa, highschool students got city bus passes instead of yellow bus service. This allowed students to use passes at any time greatly increasing their freedom of movement. It let them go places without someone driving them, or a car of their own.

The OCTranspo also ran specials according to school hours and demand, these routes would be adjusted based on local demand each season to relieve pressure on normal routes.

This was at least 20 years ago, someone may have more recent information.

it really depends on how it’s done, if they get free passes and they are reliable good. but if they are anything like my bus system, and non free this is awful.

Might be more cost-effective than sending the yellow buses, but it’s seriously not delightful when twenty high school kids get onto a city bus.