Lincoln Public Schools presents 2026-27 transportation plan amid rising ridership and driver shortages

Lincoln Public Schools staff presented the district's 2026-27 transportation plan to the school board, reporting that the district transported 4,749 students on routes last year, up from 4,366 the year before. The presentation outlined ridership growth, staffing levels, vehicle fleet details and planned adjustments to routes and service.

The presentation matters because rising student numbers, tighter staffing and higher operating costs are forcing continued route consolidation and increased reliance on outside contractors, which the district says can lengthen some student ride times. "Our mission is to provide a safe and timely student transportation to and from assigned schools and activities according to district policies," the presenter said, summarizing the department's goals and constraints.

District staff gave a program-by-program breakdown of ridership: roughly 1,350 regular-education students in specialized programs, about 1,769 special-education riders, 966 early-childhood riders, and 664 English language learner riders, the presenter said. Staff reported nearly 1.9 million route miles were driven last school year, up from about 1.7 million the prior year.

Operationally, the presenter said the district currently counts 141 drivers (112 regular-route drivers), seven conflicting-trip drivers, seven substitutes and 15 shared-route drivers; there are 127 routes and 779 runs. He told the board the department remains roughly 30 drivers short of an ideal staffing level of 150, and that the consolidated-route staffing plan depends on the district's outside partner, First Student. "Our First Student contract would allow for up to 20 drivers, but last year they were only able to provide eight drivers," the presenter said, adding that First Student committed eight again for the coming year.

Staff warned that consolidation has practical consequences for families. "There are some cases where student ride times could exceed an hour and maybe even approach an hour and a half," the presenter said, and cited tight run times that are vulnerable to inclement weather and traffic delays.

To reduce some run times, staff proposed moving some English language learner pickups at middle schools (the presentation named Color and Goodrich) to corner stops rather than door-to-door service, funneling students to centralized pickup points. The board was also told the district plans to add one new route to serve Roper-area students near South Folsom south of West Pioneers where sidewalk access is limited.

The presenter described fleet composition and age: 10 small type-A buses, 107 medium type-C buses (21'to 60-passenger, adaptable for wheelchair needs), and type-D buses for regular routes and activities; average fleet age was reported at about 12 years. He also said the district currently operates three electric type-A buses.

The district uses a second partner, EverDriven, for small-vehicle trips and hardship or MVS cases; EverDriven provided transportation for 422 students last year. "It's roughly $65 per trip for an EverDriven," the presenter told the board, noting costs can be higher when specialized equipment is required.

Board members praised the work. One committee member called the presentation "one of the most interesting" and thanked the staff for coordinating complex daily operations. Barb, a board member, pressed the district to continue recruiting drivers. The presenter described recruitment efforts including increased pay, benefits, comprehensive training and targeted outreach; he noted the limitations of the non-year-round nature of the work as a factor in recruitment.

The presentation closed with district staff inviting questions; the board thanked the presenter and indicated the transportation item will return to the board agenda at a later date. The transcript records no formal motion or vote on the plan.