Virginia Lawmakers Shift Gears on School Transport Despite Safety Concerns

Legislation to ease Virginia’s lingering school bus driver shortage is cruising through the General Assembly. A bill allowing eligible school districts to use alternative transportation, like passenger vans, has passed the House this week and is now headed to the Senate.

The shortage of CDL-certified school bus drivers began during the pandemic, as many operators retired, sought higher wages, or struggled with rising costs. While vacancies have improved, finding enough drivers remains a challenge, especially in rural areas.

Virginia’s school bus driver vacancy rate improves

“In rural parts of Virginia, where there are great distances, and there may be fewer children that will get on a bus, this allows the [school] district to use different methods to get those kids so they don’t have to run a big bus,” said Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt.

Austin’s House Bill 2720 creates a two-year pilot program allowing school divisions to explore alternative transportation options. Schools could partner with nearby colleges or private companies to help students get to and from school.

Vehicles must comply with state and federal safety regulations and undergo regular inspections. School Boards would also be required to hold a public hearing before adopting the program and submit an annual report detailing ridership, costs, and bus routes to the Virginia Department of Education.

The Virginia Education Association (VEA) is opposing the legislation, pointing to problems in other states that have tried similar measures.

During a recent House subcommittee hearing, VEA policy analyst Chad Stewart warned that some drivers in privatized systems have lacked proper training to handle students in distressing situations. He also highlighted concerns over safety and reliability, citing Detroit’s privatized bus fleet, which failed state inspections at a significantly higher rate, and worker disputes in Boston that led to driver walkouts.

In response, Austin defended his proposal, emphasizing that school divisions wouldn’t be turning to charter buses as CDL-certified drivers remain scarce. Instead, the bill offers a way for rural districts to cut costs while ensuring students get to school efficiently.

“It’s just some options for local divisions,” Austin said. “It’s permissive for divisions under 4,500 students … to allow them to be a little creative.”

The bill has been sent to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee for review, though a hearing date has not yet been set. The committee is scheduled to meet Monday.

If passed and signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the legislation would take effect immediately but includes a sunset provision, expiring on July 1, 2027.

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.