Demand for special needs transportation continues to rise, according to respondents of School Bus Fleet's 2024 Special-Needs Survey, sponsored by AMF-Bruns of America. Last year, nearly 53% of school districts said their special needs ridership increased; this year, it's up again, at 59% reporting an increase.
More than half (59%) of respondents reported that the percentage of their passengers who have special needs increased compared with last year.
Source: SBF survey. Photo: SBF Canva
A few more highlights from the 2024 survey are:
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Average percentage of buses in fleet primarily transporting special-needs students: 33%
Average percentage of riders with special needs: 22%
Average percentage of special-needs riders who use a wheelchair: 5%
Average percentage of school-to-home special-needs bus stops: 72%
More than one-third (38%) of operators surveyed reported the shortage of drivers and aides as their greatest challenge this year.
Less than half (49%) of operators reported having aides/attendants on board all their special-needs buses.
More than three-quarters (84%) of operations surveyed have all their special-needs buses equipped with air-conditioning systems.
More than three-quarters (79%) of operations surveyed have mainstreamed some special-needs students on regular routes.
About 58% of survey respondents said they do not outsource SPED services, nor are they considering doing so in the next 12 months. Twenty-two percent said they do or would, and 20% were undecided. Of those who do or would, just over half use an alternative transportation service, while 39% use a contractor.
Nearly two-thirds (64.58%) of respondents said that all their special-needs buses have an electronic system to remind drivers to check for students after ending their route.
Most all (85%) of buses are equipped with video surveillance systems. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of operators surveyed have experienced small or large impacts from the nationwide school bus driver shortage on their special-needs routes.
The most-common vans used are the Ford Transit and the Dodge Caravan.
Type C and Type A school buses remain the top choices for transporting special-needs students.
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