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April 2026

By: STN
Superintendent Jennifer Collier poses in front of a school bus
Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Collier.
Cover design by Kimber Horne
Cover photo for Zum by
Alexis Cronk with Cronk & Co Collective.

This month’s issue features the leadership perspectives from superintendents on the importance of student transportation on educational access for students and how they’re navigating in the educational world. The other features look at school transportation mobility models and factors to consider when upgrading current school buses or purchasing new ones. Also, learn more about the intricacies of addressing safety issues, fresh ideas for staff recruitment and training with AI.

Read the full April 2026 issue.

Cover Story

What’s Trending?
Superintendents share how they’re navigating some of the challenges impacting not only education but also transportation operations.

Features

Something Old vs. Something New
Other factors besides cost are considered when districts decide to either upgrade their current school buses or purchase new ones.

How Do Your Kids Arrive at School?
A child can get to school in a variety of ways. Operations discuss how they are ensuring a safe route to school regardless of the mode.

Special Reports

Safety Upgrade Complexities
State laws are normally reactive to various safety related incidents, and Texas and Maine are no different. But experts say that solving one safety issue could create others when retrofitting a fleet.

Conversations
Trends
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
You Can’t Spell Training Without AI

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Fresh Ideas: Recruitment, Retention

The post April 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.

(STN Podcast E299) Meeting Needs: Answering Questions on Alternative Student Transportation

Learn more about our upcoming April magazine, inflation and fuel prices, internet for school buses, record revenue for Zum, district efforts amid ICE enforcement, and a driver dressing to impress.

Michael Signer, chief policy and legal officer for EverDriven, discusses the evolution of alternative student transportation from safety and regulatory perspectives to help school districts meet student needs alongside yellow buses.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.



Conversation with EverDriven
.

 

Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, DeezeriHeartRadioSpotify and YouTube.

The post (STN Podcast E299) Meeting Needs: Answering Questions on Alternative Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

EverDriven Launches Vendor-Agnostic Routing Consulting Service for School Districts

EverDriven is expanding its support for school districts with the launch of a new school bus routing consulting service designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs and ease staff burnout without requiring a change to existing software platforms.

The new offering, currently in early development and pilot planning stages, will focus on providing expert routing support for districts nationwide. Rather than introducing proprietary school bus routing software, EverDriven will work within the systems districts already use.

“We’re not forcing districts into new platforms,” explained Greg Jackson, who was recently hired as general manager of EverDriven’s new school bus services division. “We’re coming in vendor agnostic, preserving their workflows and institutional knowledge and helping them operate more efficiently.”

The service will combine remote routing work with periodic on-site visits to build relationships with transportation directors, office staff and drivers. Jackson emphasized that maintaining a human connection is critical to long-term success.

“We’re going to come into your community, sit down with your team and work alongside you,” said Jackson, who was the 2019 STN Transportation Director of the Year for his work at JeffCo Public Schools in Colorado.

EverDriven’s Routing Process

 

Greg Jackson, the general manager of EverDriven’s new school bus services division, explained that the company organizes its services into two distinct areas: Alternative student transportation, which provides individualized transportation for students with unique learning needs or housing instability, and consolidated routing services, which integrate school buses, vans and alternative transportation into a unified strategy. Each service has specialized teams and processes due to their differing operational requirements.

 

While school bus routing focuses on large-scale, fixed-route planning aligned with schedules, capacity, geographic boundaries, vehicle type and ride-time standards, alternative transportation requires a more individualized and dynamic approach. Drawing on over 20 years of experience and leadership from former transportation directors, EverDriven delivers efficient, safe, and optimized routing designed to reduce costs, improve on-time performance, shorten ride times, and quickly adapt to daily changes, Jackson said.

 

Routing oversight is collaborative. School districts typically provide student data, service requirements, and guidelines, while EverDriven develops routes within those parameters. Districts maintain full visibility into route plans and performance and may choose to be highly involved in route design or rely on EverDriven to lead, depending on their preference. Routing is an ongoing partnership, with school districts regularly providing feedback and updates to ensure routes remain safe, practical and aligned with district goals.

 

“We view routing as a partnership built on shared goals and well defined roles and responsibilities,” Jackson said. “District teams bring critical local knowledge about communities, schools and student needs. Our routing specialists bring experience, deep technical abilities, and process consistency. Together, this collaboration ensures routes remain practical, safe, and aligned with district goals throughout the school year.”

 

EverDriven takes a technology-agnostic approach, working within a school district’s existing routing systems rather than requiring proprietary software. Integration focuses on secure data sharing, validation, and structured reporting, allowing districts to retain ownership of their systems while benefiting from EverDriven’s routing expertise.

 

Read more about partnering with vendors and the importance of collaboration in the March issue of School Transportation News

EverDriven said assigned school bus routing specialists will collaborate closely with school district leaders and IT departments to establish data-sharing protocols, validate student information and normalize routing data before making adjustments. Data points include enrollment, home addresses, bell schedules, eligibility requirements and accommodations for students with disabilities or those eligible under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

EverDriven Focuses on Efficiency, Budget Relief

The consulting model is designed to help districts address rising transportation costs and driver shortages. By taking a deep dive into existing routes, EverDriven said it aims to identify opportunities to consolidate routes, reduce overtime and improve vehicle utilization.

Jackson noted that many school districts struggle with overtime budgets and staffing challenges, especially when routing staff are also required to drive routes. By shifting routing responsibilities to a dedicated external specialist, he said, districts can reduce burnout and allow in-house teams to focus on daily operations and safety oversight.

“[School] boards are asking why costs keep rising,” Jackson explained. “If we can help combine routes, reduce overtime and improve efficiency, the service pays for itself.”


Related: Ins, Outs of Routing Software Discussed at STN EXPO Reno
Related: School Districts Use Data, Routing For Medicaid Reimbursements


The new school bus routing consulting arm will operate separately from EverDriven’s existing alternative transportation division. While there may be collaboration between divisions, school bus routing consulting is positioned as a standalone support function.

School districts will not need to be EverDriven alternative transportation customers to access the new routing consulting service.

“This is about helping districts be more efficient,” Jackson said, adding that EverDriven plans to launch pilot programs in select markets to refine the service before a broader rollout.

Feedback from participating districts and the company’s customer advisory board will shape final implementation, he added.

“We’re in the beginning phases,” Jackson said, noting that details on pilot opportunities are expected in the coming months. “But the focus is student first. And now, student first with district support.”

The post EverDriven Launches Vendor-Agnostic Routing Consulting Service for School Districts appeared first on School Transportation News.

Webinar Gives Student-Centric Transportation Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism

Student support was the name of the game in a Thursday webinar featuring two leaders with copious transportation director experience.

Viewing Transportation Through an Attendance Lens

Greg Jackson served as the executive director of transportation and fleet services for Jefferson County School District in Colorado for a decade and was named the 2019 Transportation Director of the Year by School Transportation News.

In his current role as general manager of busing services for webinar sponsor EverDriven, he reviewed trends in jobs, housing and family schedules that have resulted in districts becoming more focused on consistent transportation for student access to education.

“Consistency builds routine and routine builds attendance,” he said.

Transportation departments are also expected to be more flexible with fewer resources these days, pointed out Jim Ellis, director of pupil transportation for Virginia’s Henrico County Public Schools and a past-president of the North Carolina Pupil Transportation Association. He reminded listeners that reliability matters, but rolling with the punches is also non-negotiable.

Ellis agreed that transportation stability is especially important for medically fragile students and those who qualify under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Involving Transportation Earlier in Student-Level Decisions

Jackson noted that longstanding processes may overlook or exclude transportation staff from key conversations, so directors must step up to secure a seat at the table and be a part of the decision-making process. He encouraged transportation directors to see themselves as the administrators they are.

When it comes to multi-modal solutions, Ellis concurred with Courtney Pallotta, EverDriven’s chief marketing officer, that it’s important to take the time to create the right solution for each particular student.


Related: Detroit Public Schools Shares Chronic Absenteeism Solutions
Related: TD Summit Attendees Discuss Student Absenteeism, Transportation’s Role
Related: Communication ‘Magic Words,’ Teamwork Tips Shared at Transportation Director Summit
Related: Legal Keynote Opens Attendees’ Eyes to Federal Special Needs Transportation Laws



Strengthening Governance & Cross-Team Communication

Disconnect often occurs when different departments act on their own timelines or pertinent details are left out of notifications, Jackson said. Having aligned teams means less escalation to the superintendent and more focus on students rather than communication snafus, he explained.

“There’s so much in this life where the challenge is in the detail,” Pallotta agreed. “You cannot be clear enough about who’s doing what, especially in busy teams where volatility and change are the norm.”

Ellis added, “If we don’t get together on who manages what, we’re going to be chasing our tails.”

He advised having clear assignments on each aspect of a child’s school experience so transportation can be made available and utilized appropriately. This is especially important when contractors are involved, he added.

Putting It All into Practice

Simply adding a new technology system, that multiple staff members will need to be trained on, isn’t always the answer, Jackson warned. Instead, he said, improving small habits results in significant progress.

Budget constraints, Ellis stressed, must be communicated so all involved parties know what resources are available and what solutions are realistic. It’s not helpful when the IEP, McKinney-Vento and transportation teams are siloed. He further noted that being fully staffed with drivers means not having much wiggle room in the budget.

Alignment among all departments results in less chaos and a better experience for the families the school district serves, Jackson underscored.

Ellis encouraged the audience to look at transportation as more than a ride to school and as a crucial part of the education process. “Our families want transportation they can count on,” he summarized.

Jackson and Pallotta noted that EverDriven as a transportation network company looks to assist districts with reducing absenteeism and securing Medicaid reimbursement.

Watch the webinar on demand. 

The post Webinar Gives Student-Centric Transportation Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism appeared first on School Transportation News.

(Free Webinar) From Taxis to Trusted Rides: East Aurora’s Student Transportation Transformation

By: STN

When East Aurora School District 131 faced growing transportation challenges, the district turned to an unexpected solution. By partnering with First Student’s First Alt®, East Aurora transitioned away from using taxis and cabs and implemented a safer, more reliable alternative for students who need it most.

In this webinar, you’ll hear directly from Gladys De Lucio, Director of Transportation at East Aurora, and Leon Fornelli, AGM at First Alt, as they share how the district:

  • Built on its existing partnership with First Student to expand into alternative transportation.
  • Leveraged FirstView® and Samsara technology to improve visibility, tracking, and communication for schools and families.
  • Met the needs of one of Illinois’ largest Spanish-speaking communities with bilingual dispatchers who provide trusted communication with parents in their native language.

Join us to discover how East Aurora created a student-first transportation model that improved efficiency, strengthened family trust, and set a new standard for safe, consistent rides.

Brought to you by First Student

REGISTER BELOW:

Presenters:

Gladys De Lucio
Director of Transportation
East Aurora School District 131

Gladys De Lucio is the Director of Transportation for East Aurora School District 131, one of Illinois’ largest Spanish-speaking districts. With 21 years of experience in school transportation, she oversees daily operations with a strong focus on safety, bus stop planning, and community engagement. De Lucio leads both traditional bus services and alternative transportation programs, working closely with bilingual dispatch teams to support non-English-speaking families. Her deep commitment to equitable access ensures that every student has reliable transit to and from school. She holds a degree from Robert Morris University–Illinois.

Leon Fornelli
Area General Manager of Alternative Transportation
First Alt®

Leon Fornelli, MBA, is the Area General Manager of Alternative Transportation at First Alt®, where he leads inclusive student transportation programs across nine states. A seasoned leader in education logistics, Fornelli develops and scales operations from the ground up, always with safety, equity, and innovation in mind. He’s deeply committed to increasing access, amplifying parent and community engagement, and building systems that meet diverse student needs, including non-traditional routes and support. Fornelli also champions technology integration and workforce development in transportation services.

Gregg Prettyman
Vice President
First Alt®

As Vice President of First Alt®, Gregg Prettyman brings more than 13 years of leadership in alternative student transportation and is recognized as one of the original architects of the alternative transportation model. Before joining First Student, Prettyman served as Chief Operating Officer at ALC Schools, where he supported over 400 district contracts across 20 states, and oversaw more than 10,000 student trips each day. Today, he leads a team with over 50 years of combined experience, all focused on helping districts deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation for students with unique needs.

The post (Free Webinar) From Taxis to Trusted Rides: East Aurora’s Student Transportation Transformation appeared first on School Transportation News.

(Free Webinar) 3 Student-Centric Transportation Strategies to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

By: STN

Chronic absenteeism remains a significant challenge for school districts, even as student transportation needs continue to grow more complex. Changes in student mobility, specialized services, workforce limitations, and ongoing budget pressures have made transportation planning increasingly difficult, affecting even districts with mature, well-functioning bus systems.

In this session, transportation expert Greg Jackson and a district practitioner will discuss three student-centered transportation strategies districts are using to help support consistent attendance in a rapidly shifting landscape. Drawing from real district experiences, the conversation will highlight how transportation teams and district leaders are responding to new demands, collaborating across departments, and making intentional tradeoffs to preserve both student access and operational stability.

Three Key Strategies

  • Viewing Transportation Through an Attendance Lens
    How districts are connecting reliability and on-time service to student attendance, and identifying where transportation decisions may unintentionally contribute to chronic absenteeism.
  • Engaging Earlier in the Process
    Why districts are reconsidering when and how transportation teams participate in IEP planning, placement changes, and housing transitions, and the downstream impact when that engagement happens too late.
  • Strengthening Governance and Communication
    How clearer leadership alignment, stronger documentation, and more effective cross-team communication are helping districts manage frequent student changes while minimizing delays and compliance risk.

Brought to you by EverDriven

REGISTER BELOW:

 

Speakers:

Greg Jackson
General Manager, Busing
EverDriven

Greg Jackson served as the executive director of transportation and fleet services for Jefferson County School District in Colorado for a decade. One of the largest districts in the state, Jackson oversaw 750 vehicles, 257 bus routes, 305 drivers, and four bus terminals, ensuring that nearly 14,000 students were safely transported to and from school and activities. The district benefited from Jackson’s charismatic leadership style and ability to build relationships with stakeholders, families, and vendors.

Prior to this position, he served as a transportation director, terminal manager, supervisor, and fleet coordinator across multiple districts and companies, providing him with unique insight into all facets of transportation. His experience includes knowledge about legislation and law concerning student safety, budgetary requirements, and best practices.

Jim Ellis
Director of Pupil Transportation
Henrico County Public Schools

Jim Ellis is a respected leader in pupil transportation with more than three decades of experience in public education operations. A NAPT-certified Director of Pupil Transportation since 2008, Ellis has served in key leadership roles across Virginia and North Carolina, including President of the North Carolina Pupil Transportation Association. Since 2020, Ellis has served as Director of Pupil Transportation for Henrico County Public Schools, where he has led operational improvements, safety enhancements, and innovative practices to better serve students and families.

The post (Free Webinar) 3 Student-Centric Transportation Strategies to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism appeared first on School Transportation News.

(STN Podcast E292) Emergencies & Training: Lessons Learned From Texas School Bus Crash

The February edition of STN magazine is out, where we continue discussions on the oversight of autonomous vehicles and alternative student transportation. Plus, sign up for school bus inspection training and many more learning opportunities at STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina, this March.

In the aftermath of a high-profile school bus rollover last August at Leander Independent School District in Central Texas, Director of Transportation Tracie Franco talks lessons learned in emergency response, lap-shoulder seatbelt enforcement, first responder collaboration and staff training.

Read more about crashes.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.



Message from EverDriven
.

 

Message from School Radio.

 

Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadioSpotify, Stitcher and YouTube.

The post (STN Podcast E292) Emergencies & Training: Lessons Learned From Texas School Bus Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

(Free White Paper) Boosting K-12 Attendance With Innovative Transportation Solutions

By: STN

The connection between student attendance and transportation is more direct and critical than often acknowledged. While a complex array of factors drives chronic absenteeism — one of the most critical threats to K–12 success — a fundamental and frequently overlooked root cause is the failure of existing transportation mechanisms to reliably connect all students to the classroom.

The student attendance crisis is not just an academic problem; it is a systemic challenge that directly impacts federal and state funding, staffing efficiency, and district stability, making the need for reliable transportation attendance imperative.

This white paper outlines a strategic, data-driven approach for district administrators to move beyond reliance on the yellow school bus alone.

Fill out the form below and then check your email for the white paper download link.

The post (Free White Paper) Boosting K-12 Attendance With Innovative Transportation Solutions appeared first on School Transportation News.

January 2026

By: STN
Photo taken over a school bus driver’s shoulder showing a school bus dash board. Photo by Taylor Ekbatani Cover design by Kimber Horne
Photo taken over a school bus driver’s shoulder showing a school bus dash board. Photo by Taylor Ekbatani Cover design by Kimber Horne

Our first issue of 2026 brings the focus back to transportation of students with special needs and disabilities. Learn more about leveraging camera technology for student safety and driver training, Medicaid reimbursement management, the considerations of using non-yellow school bus vehicles for student transportation and the details on new securement technology for students with disabilities and how to train staff to use it correctly. Also read articles on targeting sexual assault onboard school buses and the multi-faceted approach needed to build and retain student transportation teams that are prepared for the wide variety of student needs.

Find more information about our upcoming 2026 conferences in the magazine as well as a recap of the 2025 TSD Conference!

Read the full January 2026 issue.

Features

Navigating the Complexities
The arduous task of tracking students and routes for Medicaid reimbursement can be off-putting. However, software companies are highlighting the benefits of how technology can help with documenting and reporting.

Smaller Options
Switching to alternative transportation vehicles like vans and SUVs for students with disabilities is beneficial in some circumstances, but at what cost?

Secure & Ensure
As securement devices for students with disabilities become more specialized, ensuring transportation staff are trained in securing them properly inside the school bus is a top safety element.

Special Reports

Eagle Eye on Student Transportation Safety
Leveraging camera technology can offer a host of safety solutions, from identifying student behavior issues to detailing driver performance behind the wheel.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Driving Change in 2026

Thought Leader by Linda Bluth
Sexual Assault on School Transportation Vehicles: A Call for Action

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Innovative Staffing & Retention

The post January 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.

As School Bus Production Spikes, So Do Alternative Vehicles?

By: Ryan Gray

Any year that school bus production figures spike is cause for celebration, especially amid “anemic” growth in the larger trucking
industry.

That is how Steve Tam, vice president of ACT Research, put it to me early in the fall. Truck manufacturers were laying off workers, in part due to Trump administration tariffs and reduced purchase interest among companies. Class 8 forecasts were down by 20 to 25 percent.

But he sounded more optimism for the bus market, as production was up 11 percent in July alone. For school buses specifically, manufacturing exhibited continued resiliency from pandemic induced shortages despite tariff pressures with a 7-percent spike in overall output. But within those numbers, the market disruption provided by alternative vehicles appears to account for a big drop-off in smaller school buses.

Total Type A small school bus production fell almost 14 percent from 2023-2024, as Type 1 vehicles weighing under 10,000 pounds GVWR came in at 1,041 units compared to over three times as many as the previous year. The good news is larger Type A-2 school buses weighing over 10,000 pounds GVWR nearly doubled to 6,326 units.

As School Transportation News articles and conversations with attendees at STN EXPO and TSD conferences continue to indicate, school districts are foregoing the smaller Type A school buses for light-duty passenger vehicles to transport students experiencing homelessness and those with Individualized Education Programs. It should come as little surprise considering the National Congress on School Transportation last May approved for the first time, a section on the use of alternative transportation vehicles for student transportation.

The Type C conventional category remained vibrant as reported output increased over 17 percent to 30,654 units, the most since 31,834 for the 2018-2018 production cycle and the third-most over the past decade. School districts have long preferred Type Cs for home-to-school routes, and that trend has been buoyed in recent years by OEMs offering wheelchair lifts on their models, which has also further affected the Type A market.

Type D transit-style school buses, on the other hand, came in at 2,324 units manufactured, or about 7 percent of the Type C figure. Type D’s have historically accounted for 10- to 15-percent of the number of Type Cs produced each year.

Another big winner? Diesel rebounded to nearly 27,000 units, similar to pre-COVID-19 levels. That could be largely due to a hiatus in the five-year, $5-billion Clean School Bus Program that has heavily favored electric school bus awards. (Word is funds will start up again in 2026.) Additionally, uncertainty has centered on the status of the pending federal greenhouse gas emission rule and a rollback of California requirements.

Two years ago, the conversation was that the industry might be facing a large amount of pre-buy orders as districts looked to delay the inevitable cost increase associated with more strict diesel emissions equipment and software. Those fears have subsided as the EPA is in the process of publishing updated rule making to pare back a lot of those requirements.

OEMs led by Daimler Trucks North America are suing the California Air Resources Board over its rules, arguing they are incompatible with the rollbacks from Washington, D.C. For the larger commercial sector, Tam said ACT Research removed the prospect of fuel pre-buys entirely from its forecast.

Electric school bus output was flat. Meanwhile, Blue Bird and Micro Bird remain the lone propane suppliers to the market, courtesy of the
ROUSH CleanTech autogas injection system, which accounts for another year of reduced numbers. Its gasoline cousin remained consistent at over 10,000 units produced. Interest is only ramping up as Cummins’ new octane engine enters the marketplace this year. IC Bus and Thomas Built Buses are already set to o!er models.

As for tariffs? They certainly hit the school bus industry. Unsurprisingly, few OEMs chose to publicly weigh in on their impact to manufacturing costs and purchasing. But two respondents said they indeed had to pass along increased supplier and parts costs to customers, with one of them adding the tariffs forced layoffs of company workers.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the School Transportation News Buyer’s Guide.


Related: Alternative School Transportation: Roadmap for Decision-Making For Children with Disabilities and Special Needs
Related: (STN Podcast E259) Feel the Passion: Debates on Wi-Fi, Technology, Alternative Transportation & Safety
Related: National Specifications Manual Republished to Fix Alternative Transportation Section Omission
Related: Alternative Transportation a Fit for this Catholic All-Girls High School in L.A.

The post As School Bus Production Spikes, So Do Alternative Vehicles? appeared first on School Transportation News.

EverDriven Identifies 3 Forces Quietly Reshaping Modern Student Transportation in 2026

By: STN

DENVER, Colo. — EverDriven, the nation’s leader in alternative student transportation, today shared new insights on the three forces expected to shape modern student transportation in 2026. Drawing from national district trends, operational data, and daily conversations with transportation teams, EverDriven outlines how greater flexibility, deeper equity considerations, and technology as essential infrastructure are reshaping transportation planning in the year ahead.

To support district leaders in understanding these emerging pressures, EverDriven is providing a structured, Q&A-style overview of the factors influencing modernization across districts nationwide.

What key pressures are driving districts to modernize student transportation in 2026?
Student transportation is entering a new era, shaped by key pressures including the changing demographics, evolving mobility patterns, tighter funding conditions, and heightened expectations from families.

According to EverDriven’s Future of Modern Student Transportation and Safety Report, 98% of districts report active modernization efforts, signaling a nationwide shift toward transportation systems that are more flexible, more equitable, and more technology-enabled.

EverDriven’s work with transportation teams across the country offers real-time visibility into these pressures and how they are reshaping planning for the year ahead.

How will funding volatility elevate the need for flexibility in student transportation?
Many districts are heading into 2026 with uncertainty surrounding key federal programs—including EHCY, IDEA, and Title I—that support transportation for vulnerable student groups. At the same time, student needs are becoming more individualized, and mobility patterns are shifting more frequently.

These realities are prompting districts to explore flexible operating models, including:
Blended fleets that mix small-capacity vehicles with traditional buses
Partnerships with vetted, compliant transportation providers
Dynamic routing and communication tools that allow rapid adjustments

Flexibility is becoming non-negotiable—a foundational strategy for maintaining service reliability when financial or demographic conditions change quickly.

How are shifting student needs elevating equity as a core priority in student transportation?
Districts are seeing rapid changes in the populations they serve. Since 2020:
McKinney-Vento transportation requests increased 167%
62% of districts report growth in special education populations
Family homelessness increased nearly 39%

These shifts are reshaping what equitable transportation must provide, including shorter ride times, reliable access regardless of housing status, and seamless continuity when students move or experience instability.

With 88% of district leaders identifying access disparities, equity is moving from an aspirational goal to a central planning lens for 2026. Districts are prioritizing modern transportation models that offer stability and predictability for students who need it most.

Why is technology becoming core operational infrastructure for transportation teams?
Transportation operations have become more complex due to individualized routing, expanded compliance requirements, and demands for real-time communication with families. According to EverDriven’s report, 68% of district leaders say technology will play a significant or critical role in their 2026 strategies.

As a result, districts are turning to systems that:

  • Integrate routing, planning, and driver credential management
  • Automate verification and reporting
  • Consolidate parent communication and visibility tools
  • Reduce manual workload across transportation teams

In 2026, technology becomes core infrastructure—the backbone that enables districts to respond to student needs quickly, operate transparently, and maintain high levels of safety and compliance.

What does this mean for the year ahead?
Flexibility, equity, and modern infrastructure will define how districts adapt in 2026. These forces are reshaping the foundation of modern student transportation planning, helping districts build systems that are more resilient, more adaptable, and more student-centered.

Whether managing shifting funding, meeting the needs of highly mobile students, or navigating complex operational requirements, districts are using modernization to create transportation experiences that help every student arrive at school safely, consistently, and ready to learn.

To learn more about how EverDriven supports districts in modernizing student transportation through flexible, equitable, and technology-enabled programs, visit www.EverDriven.com.

About EverDriven

EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in transporting students across a wide range of needs — from everyday support to the most complex circumstances — including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other high-need populations. Serving more than 800 districts across 36 states, the company completed over 2 million trips last year, 99.99% of them accident-free with 100% safety compliance. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Identifies 3 Forces Quietly Reshaping Modern Student Transportation in 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.

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