Parents Scramble to Get Kids to School as Bus Shortage Hits St. Louis — Again

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Anthony Dorsey’s battle to get his children to school on time is far from over. 

Last spring, the St. Louis Public Schools parent had to drive his four children to different schools after the district’s bus contractor quit in May. It wasn’t uncommon for some of his kids to miss the first class of the day because of the trek across town. This summer, Dorsey was hoping the new school year would bring improved transportation. Instead, he is once again in the driver’s seat — which he fears will hinder his children’s education.

“I have to make sure everybody gets to school on time. I don’t want them to miss any more time in class,” Dorsey said. “So it’s just going to be a real hectic time in the morning — just trying to move through traffic and hustle and bustle.”

Dorsey is one of thousands of St. Louis parents — and millions more nationwide — who have had to scramble to make alternative plans for their kids because of bus driver shortages. 

An August survey of 400 school districts by HopSkipDrive, a national student transportation company, found that 91% reported being impacted by a bus driver shortage in 2024. The numbers were 92% in 2023 and 88% in 2022.

About 60% said shortages had forced them to cut back on bus services. More than a third (38%) of the districts said staffers are taking time away from their jobs to drive school buses or vans.

“My fear is that at some point we are going to cross the point of no return,” said Keith Galloway, a senior vice president with Student Transportation of America, in an Aug. 7 podcast.

“We have to somehow figure out how we will continue to partner with school districts, keep our costs under control and also be in a position where we can recruit and retain school bus drivers, mechanics, dispatchers and managers to operate the business,” he said. 

In St. Louis, after the bus company pulled out last spring, district officials cobbled together an emergency transportation plan involving yellow buses, taxis and private rideshare cars from nearly 20 vendors.

On Aug. 19, the first day of school,  roughly 6,400 students were supposed to be transported by yellow buses, 6,200 by cabs or rideshare cars and 1,450 by public transit. But the day before, three bus vendors canceled their commitments, leaving more than 1,000 students in limbo.

In lieu of bus transportation, some parents received temporary gas cards, according to the district. Dorsey was one of them — his 10th grader at Nottingham CAJT High School was assigned to a bus, while his eighth grader at Compton-Drew ILC Middle School received a $25 gas card. His other two children attend charter schools.

“The card probably won’t last two days of picking up and dropping off,” Dorsey said.

He said he adjusted his work schedule so he can bring his children to school, but picking them up will be a problem. His shift starts at 3 p.m., so he either will have to get to work late or take his kids out of class early.

“I know it’s going to be a lot with the upcoming school year, especially with these kids trying to figure out how to ride public transportation or even jumping in a cab with a stranger,” Dorsey said. “It’s going to be hard for the parents to instill that confidence in their children. It’s going to be hard for the parents to even try to make sure that their children are at the bus stops and get to work. It’s a lot for us right now.”

The HopSkipDrive study also surveyed 500 parents and found 79% said they are managing school transportation on their own and 62% said driving their children has caused them to miss work. About 63% said their kids would miss less school if more convenient transportation were available.

HopSkipDrive is one of the rideshare vendors that recently partnered with St. Louis Public Schools to cover transportation. Earlier this year, Patricia Ludwig left her job as a bus driver in the St. Louis area to become a driver with HopSkipDrive because of her arthritis. 

Ludwig said the job is easier because she uses her own car. She uses company software to pick up as many routes as she wants and transports only a few children at a time. Ludwig said she drives kids of all ages.

“You can offer certain things you can’t offer with the school bus, because it’s a much more personalized and intimate experience,” Ludwig said. “You’re not on a bus with 30 to 70 other kids, right? You’re just with three or four children. It’s much more like carpooling.”

Drivers with HopSkipDrive go through a rigorous background and certification process, and their cars have to be inspected, according to the company. Drivers communicate directly with parents, pick up children at their door and can wait for students if they are running late.

Square Watson, chief operations officer for St. Louis Public Schools, said at an Aug. 13 school board meeting that the district is ensuring safety for students using rideshare companies and public transit by patrolling routes, monitoring driver progress using GPS and stationing volunteers at stops. All vehicles transporting children require windshield decals, and drivers have to wear identification badges.

Officials haven’t said how long the district will use rideshare companies or taxis. Watson said the district hopes to bring on more traditional school buses as the year continues.

“Everyone is in this together as we arm up and get ourselves ready for the start of school. Will it look ugly? Yes,” Watson said. “I mean, we’ve got lemons and we’re making lemonade.”

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