Access to Learning
How the School Bus Provides Access to Learning
Since the first all-steel school bus was built in 1930, ridership has steadily grown. Service to suburbs, cities, rural, and at-risk communities provides access to learning for new students each year. Today, the school bus transports over half of the 50 million students who attend school, from just about every type of community imaginable.
The school bus has been providing safe and reliable transportation to more students of all ages and abilities for generations. Ridership has more than doubled since reaching the 10 million mark in 1956. In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act expanded the role of the school bus for transporting special-needs students to school. In 1998, new guidelines made access to learning a priority for toddlers and pre-K children. Currently, about 80% of states have mandates for providing transportation to school. Expansion of school bus services into new communities will continue to bridge gaps to learning that many families would otherwise face.
The school bus plays different roles to different community members. But at its core, it’s an important part of the education system. To busy parents, it’s a critical support in getting their children to and from school each day. To educators, it increases attendance and puts more students in their desks on time and ready to learn. To students who don’t have reliable transportation to school, it’s a gateway to education.
As the reach of the school bus continues to expand, it will support students for generations to come in obtaining safe and reliable access to education.
Reports and Articles
2018
School Bus Fleet
Student, Parent Share Benefits of New School Bus Service
February 2010
School Bus Fleet
Bus Helps Emphasize the Importance of Staying in School
Reach Out: The American School Bus Council appreciates your interest and wants to hear from you. Please email us with any questions, thoughts, or suggestions at info@americanschoolbuscouncil.org, or sign up for updates.