As the federal government finalizes the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, it’s a critical moment to recognize the essential student transportation programs that support the most vulnerable children. Among them are transportation services—now at risk of restructuring or consolidation—that help ensure students with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness can access school safely and reliably.
For students experiencing housing instability or living with disabilities, getting to school isn’t always a given. These students often require personalized, consistent transportation services to ensure they arrive at school safely, on time and ready to learn.
Without that support, attendance suffers—and with it, academic progress, social development, and long-term opportunity.
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Right now, funding levels for programs such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Title I, and the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program are being reviewed as part of the federal budgeting process. These programs are essential to many school districts’ ability to meet the complex and growing needs of the students they serve.
Millions of students rely on personalized transportation
Research from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that over 8.8 million K12 students—17.5% of the population—are either living with disabilities or experiencing homelessness.
School districts across the country are seeing rising needs, with 62% reporting an increase in students with disabilities and 49% noting growth in their population of students experiencing housing instability covered under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, according to EverDriven research.
These students often face complex transportation barriers—such as frequent address changes, medical conditions and behavioral considerations—that traditional school buses aren’t equipped to handle.
Since 2020, EverDriven has seen a 167% increase in the number of McKinney-Vento students served through alternative transportation, highlighting the importance of flexible, student-focused transportation strategies.
Role of federal programs in supporting access
Federal education programs play a key role in helping schools serve these students. For example:
- IDEA provides funding for schools to deliver services—including transportation—to students with disabilities.
- Title I supports schools with high percentages of students from low-income families, many of whom face overlapping challenges like housing instability.
- Education for Homeless Children and Youth, authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, helps ensure students experiencing homelessness can access school consistently and without disruption, including through transportation support.
These programs help schools provide specialized support such as trained drivers, one-on-one aides and flexible routing tailored to students’ needs. When students have reliable transportation, they’re more likely to attend school consistently. This boosts academic progress and long-term success.
Meeting today’s needs with practical solutions
Beyond funding, many school districts are also grappling with logistical constraints. Our national survey found that:
- 64% of districts face increasingly complex student transportation needs
- 55% cite a lack of qualified bus drivers as a key challenge
- 50% struggle to serve both general education and special needs students on the same routes
These numbers reflect a growing pressure on transportation systems that were not designed to support such diverse and individualized needs. Alternative transportation solutions, when used alongside traditional buses, can help close the gap—ensuring that students get the support they need without overextending existing infrastructure.
A moment to pay attention
As budget decisions are made, this is a timely opportunity for education leaders, community members and the public to recognize the importance of these programs. They may not make daily headlines but they make a daily difference.
Getting to school shouldn’t be a barrier to learning. For millions of students, transportation is the first step toward stability, achievement and a brighter future.
