CONCORD, N.C. — As school districts nationwide confront tightening budgets, driver shortages and changing student needs, multi-modal transportation options are emerging as viable strategies to expand service while controlling costs.
During the first day of STN EXPO East Friday, transportation directors and an industry expert discussed how blending traditional yellow bus service with alternative modes — including public transit, walking programs and contracted services — can help districts adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.
The concept is increasingly being implemented in practice. “Multimodal is really about expanding that definition of who ‘we’ are,” said Tim Ammon, owner of Ammon Consulting Group, and the session moderator. “We might not be able to do everything ourselves anymore, so we need to think about how to integrate different providers into the system.”
Ammon, who also spoke earlier Friday on school transportation funding, said the growing interest in multi-modal transportation is closely tied to mounting fiscal pressures facing school districts, as flat federal funding, uncertain state and local revenues and rising operational costs force leaders to rethink how services are delivered. He noted that with costs outpacing available funding, districts must find ways to reduce expenses without significantly cutting service, making alternative transportation models an increasingly practical solution to maintain access for students while improving efficiency.
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Expanding Beyond the Yellow Bus
For decades, the yellow school bus has been the backbone of student transportation. While it remains the safest form of student transportation for its vehicle construction and driver training, transportation directors are now rethinking that model as financial pressures mount and operational complexity increases.
Ammon noted that rising costs and constrained funding are forcing transportation departments to evaluate alternatives that can complement, not replace, traditional service.
“If it costs us $1,000 a kid to transport and we can find somebody who can do it for $800, that’s a 20 percent reduction in cost,” he said. “We’ve got to start thinking about that as an equation if we want to continue serving the maximum number of students.”
Multi-modal systems can include partnerships with transit agencies, use of smaller vehicles for specialized routes, and coordination with private transportation providers. It can include working closely with Safe Routes to School programs that focus on walking and biking. The goal is to match the right mode to the right student’s needs.
Keba Baldwin, director of transportation for Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland, said the decision to explore alternative modes often begins when demand outpaces available resources.
“The demand for services is greater than my supply,” said Baldwin, the 2026 STN Transportation Director of the Year.
He continued that PGCPS faced a shortage of more than 200 drivers while managing over 1,000 routes.
Baldwin said factors such as increasing McKinney-Vento transportation needs for students experiencing homelessness, specialized programs and longer-distance routes require districts to expand beyond traditional service models.
“When you start thinking about when to discuss the multimodal mix, that’s when,” Baldwin said. “We want to be able to provide options … and not close ourselves in to just one path.”
Bernando Brown, executive director of transportation for DeKalb County School District in Georgia, echoed similar challenges. He emphasized the importance of acting before systems begin to fail.
“You don’t want to wait till the system breaks,” he said. “You basically act when you see the pressure building.”
Brown noted that his district has struggled to maintain driver staffing levels since the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing leaders to rethink how services are delivered. “We’re constantly hiring, but through attrition … we’re losing as well,” he said.
Communication and Stakeholder Buy-In Critical
Panelists emphasized that implementing multi-modal transportation requires more than operational changes and instead requires clear communication and stakeholder alignment.
Brown said districts must proactively address concerns from parents, staff and community members, particularly around safety and job security.
“Silence creates confusion. Communication builds trust,” he said, stressing the importance of transparency throughout the process.
He added that explaining the “why” behind changes is essential to gaining support.
“Most people may not always agree … but when people know the why, it’s easy for them to understand,” Brown said.
Baldwin noted that engaging stakeholders early, including unions, school boards and parent groups, helps control the narrative and prevent misinformation.
“We wanted to lead the narrative,” he said. “Anything related to our services … we’ve got to get ahead of that.”
As districts integrate multiple transportation modes, Brown and Baldwin said establishing clear systems for oversight and accountability is critical.
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Brown noted that his district assigned a dedicated manager to oversee contracted services, ensuring consistency and clear communication. He also stressed the importance of detailed contracts and defined expectations when working with third-party providers.
“If it’s not written, it will not happen,” Brown said, emphasizing the need for clear safety and performance standards.
Baldwin added that districts must continuously evaluate and refine their approach, particularly when working with diverse providers and student populations.
Integrating Services, Not Replacing Them
Both panelists emphasized that multi-modal transportation is not intended to replace the yellow school bus but to supplement it.
“We don’t try to compete against one,” Baldwin said. “We just figure out what’s going to be the best usage for that student in terms of service delivery.”
Brown agreed, noting that districts must view alternative providers as part of the broader transportation team.
As districts continue to navigate staffing shortages, funding constraints and evolving student needs, transportation leaders said flexibility and strategic planning will be essential. Ultimately, the panelists agreed that multi-modal transportation represents a shift in mindset.
Written with assistance of AI.
