Bus Driver Shortage Disrupts 71% of U.S. School Districts, Report Finds

NewsData.io · United States · Oct 14, 2026

A 2026 report by HopSkipDrive found that 71% of school district administrators reported operational disruptions from bus driver shortages in the past year, including combined routes, employee burnout, and elimination of extracurricular travel. Simultaneously, 54% of districts received mandates to cut transportation spending, while 78% took measures such as consolidating routes, raising starting wages, or reassigning non-transportation staff as drivers. Structural barriers including low wait-time pay, CDL drug testing standards that conflict with state marijuana laws, and pension hour caps are driving experienced drivers to leave the profession. Staffing firms with CDL or transportation staffing capabilities may find demand from school districts seeking qualified drivers, particularly as districts raise starting wages to compete.