As school districts nationwide adapt to shifting demands and increasing challenges, student transportation continues to evolve. To better understand these trends, EverDriven commissioned a third-party survey to gather insights from school district leaders.
The study surveyed 139 school district officials across the U.S., collected through interviews and web surveys in November and December 2024. Seventy-four percent of survey respondents were superintendents or administrators, and 33% were transportation department officials.
The survey focused on transportation solutions for students with special needs and McKinney-Vento students. Their answers uncovered key challenges, district priorities, and emerging strategies shaping the future of student transportation.
Rising Demand for Student Transportation Services
Increase in Students With Special Needs
The majority of school districts (62%) reported an increase in the population of students with special needs compared to the previous year. This growing demand has led many districts to explore alternative school transportation options.
Why Districts Are Seeking Alternative Solutions
- Increased complexity of student needs (64%)
- Limited availability of qualified bus drivers (55%)
- Challenges accommodating both general education and students with disabilities on the same routes (50%)
- Alternative transportation providers better equipped to serve students with disabilities (32%)
- Compliance with new special education mandates and legislation (27%)
- Advocacy from parent groups (23%)
- Lack of capital funding for vehicles and equipment (18%)
- Improved service quality of alternative transportation providers (18%)
- Increased budget allocation for third-party transportation (14%)
- Rising operational costs for in-house transportation (9%)
McKinney-Vento Student Populations on the Rise
Nearly half (49%) of school districts reported an increase in their McKinney-Vento student population. Students eligible for McKinney-Vento support experience housing instability or homelessness; they often stay outside the traditional bus route or require multiple pickup or drop-off locations. The nature of their transportation challenges are complex for students, families, and school districts.
Top Challenges in Serving McKinney-Vento Students
- Difficulty serving highly transient populations with existing bus routes (88%)
- McKinney-Vento student numbers growing faster than in-house transportation capabilities (59%)
- Limited availability of qualified bus drivers (41%)
- Rising operational costs of in-house transportation (35%)
- Improved service quality of outsourced providers (24%)
- Lack of capital funding for bus equipment (18%)
- Entry of experienced McKinney-Vento transportation providers into the market (18%)
School Districts Demand More Technology and Integration
Districts are prioritizing technology-based solutions to improve efficiency, safety, and oversight of student transportation.
Most Valued Technology Features
- In-vehicle camera video monitoring (59%)
- Live location tracking/telematics (53%)
- Real-time notifications (46%)
- Driver performance reporting (38%)
- Mobile app capability (24%)
- Technology integration with district systems (26%)
How Districts Are Addressing Transportation Challenges
Faced with driver shortages, budget constraints, and more complex transportation needs, school districts are adopting multiple strategies to build reliable student transportation.
Top Strategies for Overcoming Transportation Challenges
(Each percentage represents the portion of districts that ranked the strategy as their number one choice.)
- Optimizing bus routes (31%)
- Raising wages for bus drivers and transportation workers (27%)
- Using third-party alternative transportation providers for non-general education students (10%)
- Recruiting more transportation talent (10%)
- Purchasing additional in-house vehicles (6%)
- Contracting out bus routes to third parties (5%)
- Providing public transportation cards to students (4%)
- Modifying bus coverage radius (4%)
- Increasing mileage reimbursement for parents/guardians (1%)
The Growing Role of Third-Party Transportation Providers
As the demand for private student transportation rises—particularly for students with special needs and McKinney-Vento students—school districts are increasingly turning to third-party transportation providers to supplement their in-house fleets.
The rise in these student populations presents logistical and resource challenges for school districts, making it difficult to provide consistent and specialized transportation. Third-party providers offer a flexible, reliable solution that ensures students receive the transportation they need without overburdening existing district resources.
Expert Insights: Addressing the Challenges Head –On
Our experts at EverDriven offered their own insights on the landscape of student transportation and the challenges that administrators face every day.
On the Rise in McKinney-Vento and Students With Disabilities
The increase in students requiring special education services and McKinney-Vento support can be attributed to multiple societal and economic factors. Advances in medical research and early intervention programs have led to more accurate diagnoses of disabilities, while increased awareness and advocacy ensure that more students receive the support they need. Additionally, legislative changes and expanded eligibility for special education services have contributed to the rise in enrollment. On the McKinney-Vento side, the affordable housing crisis, economic instability, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a surge in student homelessness. Many families are experiencing financial hardship, housing displacement, and other socioeconomic challenges, making transportation access a critical issue for school districts nationwide.
“The data shows a clear trend—both McKinney-Vento and students with disabilities are increasing in numbers, placing additional strain on district transportation systems. As districts navigate these changes, they are looking for ways to maintain service quality and compliance while managing growing demand. Alternative transportation providers can help bridge the gap by offering flexible and specialized transportation solutions that work alongside traditional bus fleets,” Bridgette Brinkmann, Chief People Officer at EverDriven.
On the National Bus Driver Shortage
The shortage of qualified bus drivers has been a growing crisis across the country, fueled by multiple factors. One of the primary reasons is an aging workforce—many experienced bus drivers are retiring, and there aren’t enough new drivers entering the profession to replace them. Additionally, the job requires specialized training and licensing, which can be a barrier to entry. Low wages and challenging working conditions have also made it difficult for districts to attract and retain drivers. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the issue, as many drivers left the workforce due to health concerns or transitioned to other industries with more stable or higher-paying opportunities. These factors have created a significant gap in transportation staffing, making it harder for school districts to provide reliable student transportation services.
“The nationwide shortage of qualified bus drivers has placed immense pressure on school districts. Our data reflects what we hear daily from district leaders—without enough drivers, schools are struggling to provide timely and efficient transportation. By leveraging alternative transportation solutions, districts can ensure that students with disabilities and McKinney-Vento students receive the reliable and consistent service they need,” Danielle Press, Chief Growth Officer at EverDriven.
On the Role of Technology in Student Transportation
One of the most compelling aspects of technology adoption in student transportation is the emphasis on safety, as evidenced by in-vehicle camera monitoring ranking as the most valued technology feature among districts. Cameras provide visibility into transportation incidents, allowing administrators to quickly address concerns, ensure compliance with safety protocols, and support driver training. With increasing demands for transparency and accountability, school districts see technology as an essential tool to enhance operational oversight and improve student experiences.
“Districts are increasingly turning to technology to enhance safety, efficiency, and oversight. The demand for real-time tracking, video monitoring, and telematics shows that schools want more transparency and control over transportation operations. EverDriven is excited about the future of transportation technology and the innovative solutions we are bringing to school districts. As we look ahead to the coming school year, we have exciting plans to expand our capabilities and enhance the technology that districts rely on every day,” Mitch Bowling, Chief Executive Officer at EverDriven.
Moving Forward: The Future of Student Transportation
The data from EverDriven’s survey reflects the evolving needs of school districts and the critical role Alternative Student Transportation plays in ensuring students get to school and back safely and efficiently.
What Comes Next?
We believe administrators will leverage three key priorities to face these challenges and ensure students get to school every day:
- Continued investment in technology for real-time tracking and efficiency
- Strategic partnerships between districts and alternative transportation providers
- Innovative transportation models to address growing student populations
At EverDriven, we remain committed to supporting school districts in navigating these complexities with reliable, student-focused transportation solutions.
We’re always here to help.
