Yesterday, a new industry association announced its formation, and it’s the first group representing alternative transportation providers.

The Alternative Student Transportation Association (ASTA) shares the following transportation providers as members: 4MATIV, ADROIT, EverDriven, FirstAlt, HopSkipDrive, and zTrip. Collectively, these members support thousands of school districts across the country.

ASTA aims to educate policy leaders, community stakeholders, and parents alike about alternative transportation options and the need for consistent industry standards to support flexible, student-centered transportation options.

While ASTA is still in its foundational stages as a collaborative coalition, the association’s website offers an overview of the group’s values and policy principles. Its primary focus is currently centered around education and advocacy.

“We came together to create the Alternative Student Transportation Association to advance safe and reliable alternative student transportation across the United States,” an ASTA spokesperson said. “From budget cuts and bus driver shortages to school choice programs and rising chronic absenteeism, new realities mean that we can no longer expect one form of transportation to meet all students’ needs. As leaders in the student transportation industry, supporting thousands of school districts across the country, we recognize the significant opportunity and responsibility we have to ensure every student can access quality education. This is why we are proud to be a part of new solutions so we can look to a future with greater access and opportunities for students. …We hope to help ensure that every child has access to the education they deserve.”