US schools are struggling to keep the yellow bus running amid shortages and cuts
Summary
School districts across the United States are having trouble providing bus transportation to students. This is because of a shortage of bus drivers, less funding, and changes in how families choose schools. These problems are making it harder for students to get to school on time.Key Facts
- Many U.S. school districts have cut or are considering cutting school bus services due to driver shortages and budget problems.
- About 80% of districts report driver shortages impacting transportation, and 73% report budget issues affecting bus services.
- The number of school bus drivers dropped nearly 10% from 223,000 in 2019 to 202,000 in 2025.
- Some drivers left to work for companies like Uber or Lyft, where jobs are easier and require less training.
- Higher gas and diesel prices have caused extra costs for districts, forcing some to use funds from other school programs.
- Fewer students are enrolled because of lower birth rates and more families choosing private, charter schools, or homeschooling, which lowers tax funding for districts.
- School buses cannot easily reduce routes without making students spend much longer on the bus, which harms attendance.
- Districts are looking into new ways to transport students beyond traditional yellow school buses.
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