How is everyone managing transportation issues and/or shortages?

Tonya H (@thinke)

How is everyone managing transportation issues and/or shortages?

I am in a more rural district and have been having difficulty with transportation for students. Our district, along with neighboring districts are all struggling with bus driver shortages and not having enough drivers for the routes they currently have, and public transportation is very scarce. How does every manage transportation struggles?

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Last Post 9 Nov, 2026
    • Sarah (@SarahMV)
      Moderator

      We use transportation hubs, where LEAs meet in one location and students can jump on a bus to a different LEA. We also use gas cards, or a student/family can get gas from the LEA (if districts don’t do gas cards because they can be used for other things). We struggle with driver shortages and we have tried to think outside the box in our region.

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    • Sherree A (@salvarez@bcbe.org)
      Participant

      We are a larger district and still have difficulty with bus driver shortages and availability. For the most part, we have been offering mileage reimbursements to families to coordinate their own transportation.

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      • Beth O (@Beth)
        Participant

        Thank you for this option. We also do this, but have been questioned recently whether this is legal. It was my understanding it is. What document do you use to enter into this agreement with parents? We have drawn up a contract that is board approved as Payment in Lieu with the following language: upon recommendation of the Superintendent, has determined that the above-named pupil is eligible to receive transportation in accordance with Section 3327.01 of the Ohio Revised Code, State Board Standards, and District Board Policy. The board is contracting this transportation, specifically, to provide continuity of educational access due to McKinney Vento eligibility requirements.
        The Board of Education/Superintendent has further determined that such service by school conveyance is “impractical” and hereby offers to pay the parent or guardian of said pupil in lieu of providing such service an amount equal to $0.76 per mile.
        The following reason(s) were considered in the determination that transportation is impractical:
        The time and distance required to provide the transportation;
        The number of pupils to be transported;
        The cost of providing transportation in terms of equipment, maintenance, personnel and administration;
        Whether similar or equivalent service is provided to other pupils eligible for transportation;
        Whether and to what extent the additional service unavoidably disrupts current transportation schedules; and
        Whether other reimbursable types of transportation are available.
        Your response is greatly appreciated, as well as what language you use to provide this service rather than contracted services through a provider.

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