Short-staffed and on schedule: tackling the student transportation driver shortage

 The student transportation driver shortage is not news, and the 2026 data confirms it is still top of mind for fleet managers. 75% of transportation professionals rank driver availability as their top concern heading into fall, holding across every fleet size and operation type.  

 What you’ll take away:  

• Why 75% of transportation professionals rank driver availability as their top concern, and what the long-term data says about where this is headed
• Why only 15% of districts say all systems are confirmed for fall, and what the preparation gap costs on day one
• How flat budgets buy less in 2026 than they did in 2025, and where the 64% of districts investing in technology are putting their money
• How fleet tech can be an ally in this fight: one unified system, end-to-end safety, proven hardware and everything included at no extra cost
• Practical steps for transportation leaders on where to focus technology investment heading into the 2026-27 school year