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Advocating for Safe, Reliable, and Accessible Alternative Student Transportation.
About Alternative Student Transportation
Alternative Student Transportation (AST) is an innovative transportation option that utilizes smaller, flexible vehicles—like sedans, vans, or SUVs—to reach students who are not well served by traditional yellow buses. In partnership with school districts and families, AST providers offer tailored transportation options that prioritize safety and flexibility for students, including those with special needs, disabilities, or in unstable housing situations. ASTA (Alternative Student Transportation Association) represents the largest AST providers in the U.S.
Increasing Access
While traditional yellow school buses remain the foundation of student transportation, some circumstances require additional solutions to ensure that all students can get to school safely.
- Students Facing Housing Insecurity – Students experiencing homelessness or in foster care often have changing residences, making traditional routes unfeasible. Alternative student transportation provides a critical link to their school of origin, ensuring continuity in education and support services. In the U.S., there are over 1.2 million students experiencing homelessnes
- Students with Special Needs – Sixty-two percent of school districts reported an increase in their population of students with disabilities. These students need additional support and tailored transportation options to get to school safely and on time. In the U.S., there are over 7.6 million students with disabilitie
- Rural & Underserved Areas – Students who live outside of urban or densely populated suburban areas are often missed by traditional yellow bus routes. AST providers ensure that students in rural areas are not left behin
- Districts Seeking Flexible Transportation Options – As school districts adapt to changing student populations, staffing shortages, and alternative forms of education, AST services provide real-time flexibility to enable efficient transportation networks.
Evolving Student Transportation – Flexible, Safe, and Equitable
Alternative Student Transportation providers contract with local school districts to provide tailored transportation solutions that address specific needs of different students. Some providers do this by utilizing technology to manage every aspect of the process with features that prioritize safety and efficiency, provide transparency, and simplify operations.
- AST providers follow rigorous safety protocols around driver standards and impaired driving prevention, vehicle standards, ongoing safety education, and insurance and liability protection.
- With real-time tracking, there is full visibility into the status of students and vehicles, so parents and administrators alike can stay abreast of movements.
- Increased transparency allows for more immediate communication with parents if a route or pickup is impacted by unexpected traffic conditions (construction detours, road closures, etc.).