With more than 19,000 students across 54 schools, Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) understands the importance of flexibility when it comes to transportation solutions. Their diverse student population includes children experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or with other unique transportation requirements. This situation, paired with the bus driver shortage that has impacted so many districts across the country, has led PPS to think differently about what “school transportation” looks like in a modern, urban environment.
Six years ago, PPS partnered with EverDriven to supplement their traditional yellow bus fleet. Today, the district leads the way with a flexible student transportation model that ensures every child has a safe, reliable way to get to school, regardless of circumstance.
A Smart, Flexible Transportation Model
Like districts across the nation, Pittsburgh has felt the strain of ongoing bus driver shortages. But rather than let these challenges limit access to education, the district took a proactive approach by modernizing its transportation program to include vetted, tech-enabled alternatives.
Through its partnership with EverDriven, PPS now has a system that pairs traditional school buses with smaller-capacity vehicles driven by certified, background-checked, and highly trained professionals. Today, EverDriven transports more than 150 students to 41 different schools across the district.
This hybrid model gives PPS the flexibility to:
- Safely transport students with specialized needs, including McKinney-Vento (MKV) and foster youth populations
- Fill gaps created by driver shortages or hard-to-route areas
- Offer more consistent, reliable service for families who might otherwise face long commutes or unpredictable bus schedules
“Transportation is the bridge to opportunity,” said Megan Patton, Director of Transportation for Pittsburgh Public Schools. “By diversifying our transportation options with trusted partners like EverDriven, we can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that every student, regardless of their situation, has a safe way to get to and from school each and every day.”
Safety and Trust at the Core
It’s only natural for families to express hesitation about non-traditional transportation options, so PPS works hard to bring transparency and trust into the process and to raise awareness of these options among the community. PPS and EverDriven work together to ensure safety and reliability are never in question.
Every EverDriven driver:
- Undergoes comprehensive background checks and drug screenings
- Completes extensive training in student safety, confidentiality, and special needs transportation
- Drives vehicles that meet strict safety and maintenance standards
- Utilizes the latest technologies, including in-camera vehicles and best-in-class navigation technology
EverDriven’s drivers and vehicles are managed through secure, school-district-approved systems with full visibility and accountability for every trip.
“Parents are often surprised to learn that EverDriven drivers have completed all the same background checks, training, and compliance requirements as any other district-contracted bus driver,” said Adam Warner, Vice President of Field Operations and Head of Safety at EverDriven. “The difference is, we’re giving families flexibility without ever compromising on safety.”
Technology that Keeps Students Connected
EverDriven’s technology platform enables PPS to track, manage, and report every ride in real time. The district can see which students are scheduled, who their driver is, when they were picked up, and when they arrived — down to the minute.
That level of visibility gives transportation teams and school administrators the data they need to monitor performance, improve efficiency, and quickly resolve issues. It also reassures parents and caregivers that their students are in safe hands from door to door.
Leading the Way in Modern Student Transportation
Now entering its fifth year of partnership with EverDriven, Pittsburgh Public Schools is seen as a model for other urban districts navigating similar transportation challenges.
By embracing a multi-modal approach that combines traditional buses with certified alternative vehicles, PPS has:
- Increased on-time arrival rates for high-need student populations
- Reduced missed instructional days due to transportation barriers
- Improved family satisfaction and trust in the district’s transportation system
“Modern student transportation isn’t about replacing the yellow bus—it’s about expanding what’s possible,” says Patton. “With EverDriven, we have the flexibility to meet every student where they are.”
