In Kansas’s largest school district, transportation is more than a logistics function. It is a lifeline to a bright future.
Serving nearly 50,000 students across a geographically large and diverse urban area, Wichita Public Schools faces complex transportation challenges, especially for students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and others with specialized needs.
For Transportation Director Lisa Riveros and her team, the goal has always been simple: make sure every child has access to “the right ride” to stay connected to school.
The Challenge: Stability Amid Complexity
Like many districts, Wichita Public Schools must comply with federal and state mandates that protect school stability for students experiencing housing instability. Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students have the right to remain in their school of origin, even if their living situation changes.
In practice, that can mean:
- Students moving across attendance boundaries mid-year
- Temporary housing far from their original school
- Rapid changes in address or guardianship
- The need for individualized, flexible transportation solutions
But traditional yellow bus routes are not built for that level of customization or fluidity.
Riveros understands that solving this challenge requires partnering with an alternative student transportation provider that’s capable of delivering more than a ride. It requires flexibility, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to student well-being.
The Solution: A Flexible, Student-Centered Model
In partnership with EverDriven, Wichita Public Schools has implemented a transportation model built around individual student needs. With more than 17,000 students qualifying for transportation, Wichita uses a mix of solutions: traditional yellow buses, public transit for about 800 students, and EverDriven rides for students with unique needs.
“EverDriven really meets our needs for students who live outside of the school boundaries… from a pre-K student who may be homeless and just needs a ride back to their school, all the way through our transitioning students who are 18, 19, 21 and doing job training in the community,” said Riveros. “EverDriven meets the needs for all of our kids.”
Instead of trying to force students into rigid route structures, the district’s student-centric model offers the ability to:
- Arrange customized transportation quickly
- Adjust routes when housing situations change
- Provide safe, vetted drivers
- Maintain consistent communication with families
Riveros emphasizes the district’s focus on providing continuity and care, and she reflects on her partnership with EverDriven as a true collaboration; one that prioritizes responsiveness and alignment with district expectations.
“Important aspects of a partnership include… making sure that communication is clear, making sure that transparency is there, making sure that both sides of the partnership discuss their needs, discuss what restrictions they may have,” explained Riveros. “We both have the same goal of caring for the child.”
The Impact: Keeping Students Connected to Their School Community
For students facing instability, transportation is often the deciding factor between staying connected to a familiar school or losing access to trusted teachers, friends, and support systems.
With EverDriven’s support, Wichita Public Schools has been able to:
- Reduce disruptions for students experiencing homelessness
- Maintain compliance with McKinney-Vento requirements
- Respond quickly to changing living situations
- Provide families with reliable, consistent service
“My favorite part of student transportation is meeting the needs of students with special needs, and I feel that EverDriven does a great job working with me in doing that,” said Riveros. “I’ve found that the EverDriven drivers are amazing in meeting student special needs. They are invested in learning how to provide students what they need to be successful — offering the proper safety equipment that’s outlined in the IEP and supporting with the right tools.”
The ability to secure individualized transportation has helped Wichita remove one of the biggest barriers these students face. By ensuring a dependable ride, the district reinforces its commitment to educational equity.
A Shared Commitment to “The Right Ride”
At its core, the Wichita + EverDriven story is about partnership.
The district sought a solution that would blend seamlessly with its existing transportation framework, while offering the agility required for high-need student populations. EverDriven delivered a model that complemented Wichita’s operations rather than disrupting them.
For Riveros and her team, success means more than efficiency metrics. It means peace of mind for families and uninterrupted access to education for students navigating difficult transitions.
In a district as large and diverse as Wichita Public Schools, ensuring “the right ride” is not a small task. But it is achievable, one student at a time.
Learn More
Check out Lisa Riveros’s “Right Ride” interview with EverDriven.
