See Also: School Bus Sales Dip 2% in 2024
K-12 Student Transportation Statistics 2023-24
The latest state-by-state student transportation statistics for the most recent school year, sponsored by First Light Safety.
December 10, 2024
Photo: SBF/Canva
1 min to read
How does each U.S. state measure up to its student transportation statistics?
School Bus Fleet contacted all 50 states' department directors to find out. We asked each to share as much updated information as possible.
Here's the report!
State-by-State School Bus Statistics - 2023-24
| State | Total # Yellow Buses | Total # Contractor-Owned Buses | Total # Bus Drivers | Public K-12 Students Transported Daily | Public K-12 Students Enrolled | % of Public K-12 Students Transported | Total Annual Route Mileage | Total State Aid Paid for Student Transportation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 9,984 | 352 | 15,301 | 329,837 | 720,468 | 46% | 89,370,000 | $385,850,572 |
| Alaska | 925 | 657 | 715 | 71,844 | 128,275 | 56% | 9,688,450 | $70,743,841 |
| Arizona | 7,081 | 161 | 5,385 | Not Available | 1,115,160 | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| Arkansas | 5,223 | Not Available | 8,367 | 339,948 | 436,796 | 78% | 84,836,600 | Not Available |
| California | 21,736 | 9,422 | 66,000 | 1,100,000 | 5,837,690 | 19% | 202,612,287 | $1,800,000 |
| Colorado | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | 279,043 | 881,464 | 32% | 46,765,451 | $71,845,006 |
| Connecticut* | 8,600 | 8,250 | Not Available | 467,000 | 512,652 | - | Not Available | Not Available |
| Delaware | 1,711 | 1,079 | 2,144 | 127,250 | 142,157 | 90% | 20,810,604 | $166,833,900 |
| District of Columbia | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | 98,663 | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| Florida* | 17,388 | Not Available | 10,414 | 847,952 | 2,851,850 | 30% | 204,014,432 | $1,273,553,604 |
| Georgia | 20,506 | Not Available | 13,738 | 880,998 | 1,693,856 | 52% | 137,282,220 | $148,750,195 |
| Hawaii | 785 | 725 | 437 | 28,260 | 167,649 | 17% | 4,527,500 | $85,000,000 |
| Idaho | 2,985 | Not Available | Not Available | 90,000 | 315,141 | 28% | 20,970,348 | $94,400,000 |
| Illinois* | 23,065 | Not Available | 32,098 | 976,971 | 1,861,774 | 52% | 215,587,529 | $809,366,100 |
| Indiana | 15,540 | 1,971 | 14,151 | 671,270** | 1,032,724 | 65% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Iowa* | 6,000 | 900 | 9,000 | 223,345 | 478,692 | 47% | 38,501,255 | $210,557,708 |
| Kansas* | 3,495 | 1,220 | 9,176 | 196,148 | 475,233 | 41% | 33,518,081 | $3,817,084,539 |
| Kentucky | 8,977 | Not Available | 8,364 | 301,583 | 634,424 | 48% | 99,816,332 | $274,446,300 |
| Louisiana | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | 1,360,046 | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| Maine | 3,400 | 0 | 2,850 | 138,099 | 172,624 | 80% | 30,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Maryland | 7,169 | 3,301 | 8,580 | 628,866 | 889,900 | 71% | 122,401,833 | $335,964,983 |
| Massachusetts | 9,000 | 7,850 | 10,000 | 500,000 | 914,959 | 55% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Michigan | 15,000 | Not Available | Not Available | 700,000 | 1,429,895 | 49% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Minnesota | 18,332 | 13,583 | Not Available | 682,399 | 870,506 | 78% | 160,134,264 | $373,985,043 |
| Mississippi* | 5,534 | 284 | Not Available | 368,644 | 439,787 | 84% | 38,132,316 | $225,937,857 |
| Missouri* | 11,678 | 3,950 | Not Available | 464,322 | 861,494 | 54% | 123,379,100 | 347,297,933 |
| Montana | 3,740 | 2,281 | 2,013 | 74,780 | 148,585 | 50% | 15,468,935 | $10,411,642 |
| Nebraska | 5,398 | Not Available | Not Available | 86,599 | 328,649 | 26% | 27,152,911 | Not Available |
| Nevada | 2,320 | 0 | 2,000 | 145,000 | 484,240 | 30% | 24,802,999 | $26,765,997 |
| New Hampshire* | 3,200 | Not Available | Not Available | 159,600 | 155,253 | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| New Jersey* | 16,704 | 4,677 | Not Available | 677,045 | 1,343,058 | 50% | Not Available | $328,421,850 |
| New Mexico | 1,975 | Not Available | Not Available | 123,905 | 295,236 | 42% | Not Available | $126,821,800 |
| New York | 50,000** | 22,800* | Not Available | 2,300,000** | 2,418,513 | 95% | Not Available | $2,000,000,000** |
| North Carolina | 10,871 | Not Available | 11,281 | 622,640 | 1,374,664 | 45% | 154,082,167 | $675,388,863 |
| North Dakota* | 2,351 | 284 | Not Available | 43,585 | 116,598 | 38% | 22,564,317 | $27,638,204 |
| Ohio | Not Available | Not Available | 18,902 | 715,881 | 1,665,552 | 43% | 1,119,933 | $773,000,070 |
| Oklahoma | Not Available | 21 | Not Available | Not Available | 701,066 | Not Available | Not Available | $37,165,015 |
| Oregon* | 4,429 | 2,086 | Not Available | 173,740 | 552,380 | 31% | 50,351,936 | Not Available |
| Pennsylvania | 28,637 | 42,117 | 43,173 | 1,412,379 | 1,685,859 | 84% | 434,649,271 | Not Available |
| Rhode Island* | 1,691 | 1,356 | Not Available | 94,800 | 137,452 | - | Not Available | $558,024,000 |
| South Carolina | 5,740 | 100 | 5,600 | 330,000 | 751,000 | 44% | 77,000,000 | $136,000,000 |
| South Dakota* | 1,778 | 782 | Not Available | 43,876 | 137,759 | 39% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Tennessee | 8,653 | Not Available | 3,815 | 467,745 | 1,000,920 | 47% | Not Available | Not Available |
| Texas* | 45,347 | 0 | Not Available | 1,548,374 | 5,402,928 | 29% | 341,827,721 | $385,607,193 |
| Utah | 3,151 | 44 | 3,204 | 190,945 | 672,662 | 28% | 25,188,512 | $124,066,041 |
| Vermont | Not Available | Not Available | 2,364 | 63,005 | 82,901 | 76% | Not Available | $21,786 |
| Virginia | 15,124 | 168 | Not Available | 759,011 | 1,261,962 | 60% | 202,868,629 | $409,500,000 |
| Washington | 10,345 | 1,311 | 10,000 | 339,367 | 1,070,679 | 32% | 96,759,250 | $841,000,000 |
| West Virginia | 3,835 | 0 | 3,663 | 174,019 | 245,047 | 71% | 43,845,002 | $99,231,183 |
| Wisconsin | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | 369,762 | 814,002 | 45% | Not Available | $24,000,000 |
| Wyoming | 1,835 | 0 | 657 | 26,747 | 90,297 | 30% | 11,861,500 | Not Available |
| TOTAL | 451,238 | 131,732 | 323,392 | 21,356,584 | 49,261,141 | - | 3,211,891,685 | $15,281,481,225 |
| AVERAGE | 10,255 | 3,992 | 11,151 | 454,395 | 965,905 | 50% | 94,467,403 | $424,485,590 |
*Latest available data.
**Estimate.
Note: Many states don’t track or provide data in all categories, so these totals and averages don’t necessarily capture an accurate nationwide picture.
Previous Reports
Get more industry information and statistics in School Bus Fleet's 2025 Fact Book, available in full Dec. 18, 2024.
More Management
How to Build a Better Driver Training Program
Ready to boost up your school bus instructor training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety.
Read More →
CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility
The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.
Read More →
What Makes a Great School Bus Driver Trainer?
Choosing the right school bus driver trainer takes more than experience. Learn six keys to selecting and developing trainers and evaluating program effectiveness.
Read More →
School Bus Contractors Expand Through New Deals, Acquisitions & Partnerships
STA's Canadian division acquires Ontario-based G&L Stevenson Transport while Durham School Services adds a new district contract in California, First Student adds a New Jersey contract, and Minnesota Coaches acquires Halo Transportation.
Read More →
Logan Bus Company Rolls Out AI Phone System for NYC School Bus Families
A summer pilot found that AI agents could handle most routine calls, freeing up time for customer service staff to focus on emergencies and complex family concerns.
Read More →
From Intent to Impact: What I Learned About Leadership from TAPT
A Texas transportation supervisor shares lessons on self-awareness, accountability, managing stress and building trust — and why investing in leadership development matters at every stage of your career.
Read More →
NAPT Names 2026 Award Recipients, Hall of Fame Inductee
Who earned national recognition for their work in student transportation? This year, NAPT named five recipients of its 2026 awards for service, safety, and leadership, plus its newest Hall of Famer.
Read More →
Sponsored•September 2, 2026
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Driver shortages. Rising costs. Growing safety expectations. More data, but not enough time to act on it. The 2026 State of Student Transportation Report reveals what transportation leaders say is putting the most pressure on their operations—and where they’re investing next. See how your priorities compare.
Read More →
How to De-Escalate an Angry Person: 5 Steps for Handling Workplace Conflict
What makes emotions run high, and how should you handle an angry colleague or parent? Follow these steps for staying calm, listening, showing empathy, and resolving conflict.
Read More →
Sponsored•September 1, 2026
What Readiness Looks Like This School Year
Learn about the challenges shaping the 2026–2027 school year, from persistent driver shortages and budget pressure to technology and readiness gaps. See how school districts are responding and adapting in Zonar’s 2026 Back-to-School Readiness Report.
Read More →