SCHENACTADY, N.Y. — A new nationwide survey of school transportation professionals revealed that while most districts consider their bus routes moderately efficient, major operational challenges continue to limit optimization.
Key findings show that:
· Most districts rate their routing as only “somewhat efficient,” with clear room for improvement
· Driver shortages are the leading barrier to efficiency, cited across nearly every respondent group
· Between 25 percent and 50 percent of school buses on the road run below capacity in many
· On-time performance and bus utilization are the top metrics used to measure success
The School Bus Routing Efficiency Poll, conducted by Transfinder in April–May 2026, gathered feedback from transportation leaders in more than 30 states, highlighting both persistent pain points and emerging strategies for improvement. The survey was sent to Transfinder clients as well as users of other transportation products or those who manually create routes.
“The challenges transportation leaders are facing are real and in many cases have been longstanding, such as the driver shortage,” said Transfinder President & CEO Antonio Civitella. “But the survey also reveals that transportation leaders have some actions they can take to regain some control and mitigate some of the external forces.”
Districts Balancing Efficiency with Real-World Constraints
While some districts report highly optimized operations, the majority say practical limitations prevent full efficiency.
“Efficiency for us is balancing trip duration, student safety, bus capacity, and trip distance so that neither of the components becomes a parental or school issue,” said Michael Bebko, Transportation & Financial Assistance Coordinator of Hopkinton Public Schools in Massachusetts.
Patricia McGrane, a transportation supervisor at Northport-East Northport Union Free School District in New York, added: “Efficiency is the ability to streamline processes so that work is completed smoothly, on time, and with the best use of available resources, while minimizing unnecessary stress.”
Driver Shortages Continue to Reshape Routing Decisions
The survey underscored that driver shortages are not just a staffing issue but are directly shaping routing outcomes.
Districts report running less-than-full buses, combining routes, or adding complexity to meet service expectations.
“We are meeting our bell times better but we still encounter a driver shortage and we are running half empty buses or more regularly to meet the bell times,” said Lori Smith, transportation coordinator at Bellbrook Sugarcreek Schools in Ohio.
Others noted that consolidating routes, while necessary, can have trade-offs.
“We have combined and eliminated buses. This hurt my company financially but it had to be done due to driver shortage,” said Shae Harkleroad, president of Raystown Transit Service, a transportation contractor in Pennsylvania.
Community Expectations and Bell Schedules Limit Optimization
Beyond staffing, respondents repeatedly pointed to community expectations and school schedules as major constraints.
Requests for shorter ride times, neighborhood stop preferences and strict bell schedules often conflict with efficiency goals.
“Political/community expectations, such as stop locations and ride times, ranked among the most frequently cited barriers to efficiency.
In many cases, districts must prioritize service levels over cost savings or capacity optimization, respondents said.
Technology Widely Used—but Confidence Varies
The vast majority of districts rely on routing software, yet confidence in these systems is mixed. Some respondents expressed strong confidence in their tools, while others said software alone cannot replicate real-world nuances.
“We relied heavily on the Optimize feature to build trips after we set up our general education stops,” said Jack Gershon, a dispatcher at Livonia Public Schools in Michigan. “We then revise those trips based on institutional knowledge and mirror trips.”
Despite Challenges, Districts Are Finding Gains
Even with constraints, many districts are making measurable progress through creative strategies:
· Tiered bell schedules to reduce fleet size
· Double runs and wave scheduling to offset driver shortages
· Route consolidation and redesign to eliminate overlap
“Our routes looked like someone threw a bowl of spaghetti on a map,” said James Graham, financial secretary at Norman Public Schools in Oklahoma. “We had routes crisscrossing, two or three buses in the same neighborhood. With Transfinder tools we solved this.”
Efficiency Gains Could Deliver Immediate Impact
Respondents said a modest 10 percent improvement in routing efficiency would yield significant benefits, including:
· Fewer buses required
· Lower fuel costs
· Easier daily operations
· Shorter student ride times
Summarizing the stakes for school systems, Chris Corder, transportation director at Hardin County Schools in Kentucky, said: “Maximizing taxpayer monies that we are entrusted with to run our department.”
Debbie Schomisch, transportation director at Farwell Area Schools in Michigan, put it this way: “Getting the most bang for the schools money.”
An Ongoing Effort, not a One-Time Fix
The survey makes clear that routing efficiency is a continuous process—not a one-time achievement.
“Efficiency is an evolving target,” one respondent noted, emphasizing the importance of ongoing data analysis, route reviews, and stakeholder collaboration.
For districts nationwide, improving transportation efficiency will require balancing technology, policy, and community needs—while adapting to changing conditions year after year.
About the Survey: The School Bus Routing Efficiency Poll was conducted in April–May 2026 and includes responses from school transportation professionals across the United States and Canada.
Key Results
· Route Efficiency Ratings
o 64 percent — Somewhat efficient (room for improvement)
o 22 percent— Very efficient
o 14 percent — Neutral or inefficient
· Top Barriers to Efficiency (selecting up to two)
o 68 percent — Driver shortages
o 46 percent — Long geographic distances / rural coverage
o 44 percent — Bell time constraints
o 41 percent — Special education routing requirements
o 39 percent — Community/political
· Bus Capacity Utilization
o 49 percent — 25–50 percent of buses run below
o 27 percent — Less than 25 percent under capacity
o 24 percent — More than 50 percent under capacity
· Top Metrics for Measuring Efficiency
o 72 percent — On-time performance
o 69 percent — Bus utilization (capacity usage)
o 51 percent — Student ride time
· Routing Review Frequency
o 58 percent — Multiple times per year
o 28 percent — Once per year
o 14 percent — Only when issues arise or rarely
· Primary Routing Tools
o 72 percent — Routing software
o 18 percent — Institutional knowledge/manual
o 10 percent — Spreadsheets or mapping tools
· Confidence in Routing Technology
o 55 percent — Very confident
o 26 percent — Somewhat confident
o 19 percent — Not confident
· Top Benefits of a 10 Percent Efficiency Gain (Respondents pick top two benefits)
o 63 percent — Fewer buses required
o 52 percent — Easier daily operations
o 49 percent — Reduced fuel costs
o 46 percent — Shorter student ride
About Transfinder: Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to school districts, bus contractors, police departments and adult care facilities. Transfinder, has been on Inc. magazine’s “fastest-growing company” list for 13 years. The software and hardware company has received numerous awards, including Best Software, Best Hardware and Best Safety Technology. In addition, Transfinder has repeatedly won Best Places to Work, Top Workplace and Best Companies to Work for accolades. Transfinder develops and supports routing and scheduling solutions for optimal transportation logistics. Transfinder also created the award-winning Patrolfinder policing technology to enhance law enforcement. For more information, visit www.transfinder.com.
The post Survey: Driver Shortages, Underutilized Buses and Community Pressures Top Challenges to School Transportation Efficiency appeared first on School Transportation News.
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