Widespread School Bus Driver Shortages Persist

School districts across the United States are grappling with bus driver shortages as the new academic year begins. Hawaii faces a significant school bus shortage affecting around 150 routes, impacting Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island, with the Department of Education prioritizing transportation for students with disabilities. Omaha Public Schools (OPS) has introduced Zum Transportation Service, featuring new buses and a tracking app for parents, to improve reliability and safety after previous service issues. Penn Hills, PA reversed a decision to cut bus routes following community backlash. Nationwide, districts are trying various solutions including recruiting bonuses and partnering with rideshare companies like HopSkipDrive to address driver shortages, with some districts like Clark County seeing partial success.