School Bus Transportation: Serving Students and Communities

Even though big yellow buses are most commonly associated with schools, that doesn't mean school bus transportation is only about schools. A fleet of buses is a genuine asset for any community, and they can be put to creative use in ways that go beyond their daily student transportation.

This is especially good to keep in mind when you're pushing for more investments into school bus programs and school bus routing software. With the residents of many communities being so reluctant to pay for more services, being able to talk about added benefits of having a school bus fleet can be a major selling point. Convince the community that school buses can be good for everyone and they'll be more likely to sign off on funding. Some of these could even be revenue-driving opportunities.

These are some examples we've seen put into use around the country.

Five Ways School Bus Transportation Can Help a Community

1. Emergency Assistance

Probably one of the best-known alternative uses for school buses is as transportation in the case of major emergencies or disasters. Many people remember the school buses rolling out of New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Katrina, and there are other examples on record of similar efforts. If part of a community needs to be evacuated, school buses are one of the best possible options.

2. Event Transportation

You don't need to wait for a disaster to use school bus transportation for major events. They're appropriate for moving large numbers of people almost anywhere, such as for sporting events, major political rallies, or even get-out-the-vote efforts. A savvy school district could pick up some extra cash by renting out use of their buses during weekends or summer months, while still charging far less than charter bus services or similar ventures.

3. Roaming WiFi

Increasing numbers of districts around the country are installing WiFi hotspots in their buses, as these hotspots encourage kids to stay in their seats and give them extra time to do homework during the ride. These hotspots could just as easily be put to use for the community, such as providing Internet to low-income areas, or supplementing the services around public facilities such as the library.

4. Meals-on-Wheels Type Programs

Does your city have programs for feeding needy families? School buses are a great option for delivering those meals. Additionally, they could utilize volunteer student labor for meal preparation and delivery, giving kids a chance to contribute to their community (or as an alternative to detention).

5. Weather Shelters

In cold areas, buses are often equipped with heaters, which means they can be turned into mobile warming shelters during periods of extreme cold. This could be especially important if a city has a large transient population which may not have access to other sources of heat.

Has your district found innovative uses for its buses? Let us know below!