Ninety-eight percent of school districts are actively modernizing transportation to strategically address safety, equity and chronic absenteeism.
Districts are turning to technology and flexible models to ensure every student gets to school, especially those who experience homelessness, live in foster care or require specialized accommodations, according to EverDriven’s latest.
Some of the key findings from the report include:
- 95% of districts expect transportation budgets to increase in the next five years by an average of 26%. Two-thirds of districts have already secured funding.
- 49% have begun implementing modern solutions; 47% plan to within five years.
- 68% say technology will play a significant or critical role in their strategy. Districts are prioritizing a variety of technology solutions aimed at addressing student safety.
- 88% report equity gaps in transportation across student groups.
Modernizing transportation
To address these challenges, school districts are resorting to numerous technology-enabled strategies that are safer, more efficient and built around students’ needs.
According to the report, districts are implementing:
- Real-time GPS tracking systems (52%), AI-assisted routing software (48%) and driver monitoring systems (47%) to improve monitoring and reduce inefficiencies.
- Onboard camera systems (39%) and collision avoidance technology (37%) to enhance student safety.
- Parent and student communication apps (44%) and emergency communication tools (37%) to improve family engagement and responsiveness.
- Alternative student transportation models, adopted by 37% of districts, are being used to serve students outside of standard bus routes.
Driving factors
Equity continues to be a top concern for superintendents and their technology directors, with 88% of districts reporting access gaps, particularly in non-regulated states.
Additionally, rising operational pressures are accelerating the need for modernization. Top pain points include:
- High maintenance costs (25%)
- Inefficient routes and schedules (24%)
- Challenges meeting regulatory compliance requirements (23%)
On-the-ground challenges include:
- Ensuring student safety (20%)
- Coordinating schedules across diverse student groups (20%)
- Adapting to shifting populations (19%)
- Improving communication with families (19%)
Read the full report .
More from 91心頭: The top 5 challenges educators experience in 2025
