The intersection of education and transportation has long been a critical yet often overlooked component of student success. In its first year, the Equitable Access to Transportation Advisory Council (EATAC) has laid important groundwork through careful examination of the transportation landscape for vulnerable student populations, including stakeholder discussions and the publication of the Transportation as an Opportunity Lifeline report. Composed of 10 experts from across transportation, child welfare, road safety, community planning, education, and technology sectors, EATAC was established to examine the challenges and opportunities in expanding safe, equitable transportation policies for America’s 54 million students.
“Access to reliable transportation is fundamental to educational success,” explains Vanessa Davis, EATAC founding member and Co-Manager of Foster Youth in Action. “Drawing from my experience in foster care and youth advocacy, I’ve seen how transportation barriers can derail academic progress, particularly for our nation’s most vulnerable children. Through EATAC, we’re working to ensure every student has dependable access to their school and after-school activities, regardless of their circumstance.”
A comprehensive survey recently conducted by EATAC has unveiled significant gaps in youth transportation access. The respondents, representing seasoned policy experts, senior program directors, and leading advocates across child welfare systems, public education administration and transportation planning, painted a clear picture of the current landscape:
Based on these findings and informed by the Transportation as an Opportunity Lifeline report, EATAC encourages state policymakers and transportation administrators throughout the country to consider the following recommendations to improve transportation access for all students:
1. Develop Dedicated Vulnerable Student Transportation Services
Create specialized programs for children in foster care, ensuring consistent access to school and extracurricular activities while updating federal law to clarify which agency has responsibility for funding.
2. Create Community Transportation Hubs
Establish transportation hubs in underserved neighborhoods with adult supervision at bus stops and transit hubs to ensure safe, monitored spaces where students can gather and access transportation.
3. Launch Rural and Urban Transportation Programs
Implement tailored solutions including flexible vehicle services for rural areas and expanded transit passes in urban settings.
4. Implement GPS Tracking and Communication Systems
Introduce GPS tracking for all school buses to allow parents and schools to monitor routes in real time, ensuring timely communication of delays or route changes.
5. Expand Carpool and Rideshare Partnerships
Partner with rideshare platforms designed for youth and organize school-based carpools to address transportation gaps for students in areas without reliable transportation options.
6. Create Tiered, Income-Based Pricing Models
Develop a sliding scale fee structure for supplemental transportation services, ensuring low-income families can access affordable options in areas where traditional school bus service is insufficient.
7. Implement Bullying Prevention Programs
Provide comprehensive training for transportation staff to create secure environments when students are traveling to and from school.
8. Promote Safer Routes and School Zones
Advocate for improved infrastructure and traffic-calming measures around schools.
9. Address Transportation Workforce Barriers
Stream-line licensing requirements and continue to offer incentives to combat driver shortages, and advocate for modernized laws and policies to increase youth transportation availability in municipalities.
10. Advocate for Increased Funding and Research
Support expanded services while studying the links between transportation access and educational outcomes.
EATAC’s work underscores a fundamental truth: transportation equity is educational equity. Through strategic partnerships with transportation equity organizations, EATAC has expanded its research scope and deepened its understanding of regional transportation challenges. By addressing these critical gaps in youth transportation access, we can create more inclusive, accessible, and equitable educational opportunities for all students.
The road ahead requires sustained commitment, collaboration, and persistence as we work to understand and address these complex challenges. While we’ve taken important first steps, significant work remains. Through continued research, advocacy, and partnership-building, we hope to help transform transportation from a barrier to a bridge, connecting every student with the opportunities they deserve.
To learn more about EATAC, view or download the material below:
The Equitable Access to Transportation Advisory Council (EATAC), composed of 10 experts from across transportation, child welfare, road safety, community planning, education, and technology sectors, was established in March 2024 to examine the challenges and opportunities in expanding safe, equitable transportation policies for America’s 54 million students. The Council works together to understand where gaps may exist for vulnerable populations, like youth in foster care, and those facing poverty and homelessness. Learn more about EATAC here.