In some instances, the use of vans is prohibited
or limited in scope. In other instances, recent or proposed changes in state law promise more flexi- bility. For example, a 2025 Virginia law established a two-year pilot program for small school divisions allowing use of alternatives to traditional buses, most typically passenger vans. With small school divisions defined as those having 4,500 students or fewer, the law includes requirements that participating schools hold appropriate insurance and liability on alterna- tive transportation. The legislation allows qualifying school boards to supplement traditional school bus routes through partnerships with community col- leges, contracts with private transportation providers and use of ride sharing and carpooling services. Recent legislation in California, New Jersey, Ohio and other states have also addressed the issue by as- signing similar rules on alternative vehicles and their drivers as those for school buses. And with the pressure of driver shortages and other challenges, more wide- spread use of MPVs may become a reality elsewhere. An alternative familiar to school transportation and
with a long history of transporting students is the Type A school bus. They play a key role in transport- ing Newark students with special needs. “Type A or our 24-passenger buses are used because they better support our students’ disability such as of- fering shorter commute times because ridership is less,” Dukes-Spruill said. “It’s also easier for transportation staff to manage students’ needs in smaller vehicles.” Type As complement other Pittsburgh vehicle
choices. “We use a limited number of Type A buses for smaller group routes when we need greater capacity than our nine-passenger vans,” Patton said. “However, we do have 16 electric Type A buses that we are proud to have running.” Conversely, Hillsboro, Illinois has not invested in Type A buses except for a single vehicle, which is used for a mid-day, pre-K route. “It’s nice for maneuverability purposes, but for most
of our routes it’s too small,” Gregg noted. “It is also impracticable for sports as you basically have to have a regular CDL with most of the endorsements to drive it.” Beaverton, Oregon has historically avoided Type A buses due to their limited seating capacity. But newer electric models are changing that equation. In the coming months, Beaver said he plans to apply for a grant to help fund two Type A electric buses. “These smaller buses would primarily transport
students qualifying for McKinney-Vento services who live outside the district,” Beaver noted. “They’ll give us a lower-cost, clean-energy option for those routes.” If the pilot goes well, he added, their use may expand.
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