Is Your Transportation Model Costing You More Than You Think?

School districts across the country are under growing pressure to do more with less, and transportation is one of the largest, most complex budget lines they manage. This session features Albert Samora, Executive Director of Transportation of Denver Public Schools, as we explore how strategic vehicle diversification, smarter routing, and intentional use of alternative transportation models can drive real efficiency. Whether your district is large or small, urban or rural, you’ll leave with a practical framework for making your transportation system more cost-effective, data-informed, and adaptable.

Key Learning Objectives


By the end of this session, you’ll will be able to:

• Evaluate flexible transportation models and understand how leading districts are intentionally blending traditional bus service, smaller vehicles, and alternative transportation solutions to meet diverse student needs.
• Apply a right-sizing framework to identify where each transportation model creates the most financial value, reducing underutilization, controlling costs, and improving overall fleet performance.
• Align routing strategy with budget outcomes by recognizing that every routing decision carries a financial consequence, and that technology-driven optimization works best when paired with experienced human oversight.
• Continue shifting from reactive to strategic thinking, moving beyond managing routes to managing a transportation system where vehicle selection, routing efficiency, and service flexibility work together toward long-term sustainability.