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LPS unveils 2026-27 transportation plan as ridership, route miles rise
Summary
Lincoln Public Schools presented a transportation plan showing a rise to 4,749 students transported and nearly 1.9 million route miles last school year, described ongoing route consolidation, driver shortfalls and reliance on vendor partners as the district plans incremental route additions and efficiency changes.
Phil, Lincoln Public Schools— director of transportation, presented the district—s 2026-27 Transportation Plan, reporting that LPS transported 4,749 students last year (up from 4,366) and drove about 1.9 million route miles during the school year.
"Our mission is to provide safe and timely student transportation to and from assigned schools and activities according to district policies," Phil said, giving an overview of ridership broken down by regular education, special education, early childhood and English language learner programs.
Phil told the board LPS ran 127 routes and 779 runs and had a fleet age average of about 12 years. The department currently employs 141 drivers (112 regular-route drivers) and 93 paras; he said the district remains about 30 drivers short of an aspirational staffing level of 150. To manage service gaps, LPS continues to use outside partners such as First Student and EverDriven for specialized or extra trips.
Board members pressed on the tradeoffs of consolidating routes to match staffing and equipment. Phil acknowledged that consolidated routes can push some student ride times above an hour and, in some cases, approach 90 minutes, and that tight run times increase exposure to delays, overtime and staff burnout.
To reduce certain run times the department is moving some middle-school EL ridership toward corner-stop models instead of door-to-door service where feasible, and plans to add one new route in South Folsom to serve students near West Pioneers who lack sidewalks or safe walking access.
On staffing, Phil said LPS has increased recruitment efforts, raised pay and expanded benefits, and offers CDL training, but noted the positions typically are not year-round full-time work and therefore attract a limited applicant pool. He also said First Student committed eight drivers for the coming year and LPS plans to use those contracted drivers as needed.
The plan called for incremental restoration of routes and added runs as staffing and equipment permit. The board took the presentation for future consideration; the transportation item will return for the next reading.
