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The reality transportation teams are facing heading into fall 

75%
 
cite driver availability as their #1 concern heading into fall
15%
 
say all systems confirmed. Leaving 85% with more work to do.  
30%
 
report a technology budget increase vs. last year
36%
 
are making no new technology investments in 2026

 

About the report

Introducing the 2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report Report

In June 2026, Zonar and School Transportation News surveyed 128 transportation professionals across the United States to understand where student transportation departments stand heading into the 2026-2027 school year. Showcasing fleet sizes from under 50 buses to 300 or more and roles spanning transportation directors, operations managers and fleet leads, the result is a clear picture of the workforce gaps, budget pressure and technology decisions shaping the season ahead. 

 

Download the report for insights on:

  • Why driver staffing remains the defining pressure of the back-to-school season
  • The real distance between "mostly prepared" and ready for the first day
  • How flat and shrinking budgets are reshaping technology decisions for 2026
  • Where the 64% who are still investing are putting their technology dollars this year
  • Who actually holds final purchase approval, and how long the process takes
  • The moves that close preparation gaps before the first bus rolls 

 

 

The workforce crisis remains the top pressure 

Driver staffing and route coverage top the list of back-to-school prep challenges, and driver availability is the concern keeping transportation leaders up at night. The numbers hold steady across every fleet size and operation type.
77%
Cite route coverage as #1 prep challenge

The gap between mostly and fully prepared 

Most departments describe themselves as mostly prepared, a phrase that carries real operational weight. That distance is where open driver slots, incomplete training and untested notification systems live heading into day one.
15%
Only 15% say the are fully prepared

A flat budget buys less this year 

Budgets are holding steady or shrinking for most departments while diesel prices and vehicle replacement costs keep climbing. The transportation directors who move budget conversations forward come prepared with both safety and cost data.
60%
Have flat or declining budgets

Investment is deliberate 

More than a third of departments are making no new technology investments this year, and for lean teams that is often the responsible choice. Among departments that are investing, routing software, student ridership tracking and driver coaching top the list.
36%
Are making no new investments this year
Download the report

Download the 2026 Back-to-School Readiness Report