SPECIAL REPORT
Austin Independent School District in Texas issued a new bid last year for stop-arm cameras.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
(ODEW) said the pilot programs aim to inform future strategies and guide the development of comprehen- sive solutions to address ongoing absenteeism, high transportation costs, outdated student rosters, noncom- pliance with individualized education programs (IEP), and reliability and efficiency. Established under the 135th General Assembly’s
House bills 33 and 250, the programs are designed to explore alternative transportation methods and address inefficiencies in the current system. ODE established the pilots for the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) and the Montgomery County Education- al Service Center (MCESC). They launched the pilots for the 2024-2025 school year. In a program summary, ODEW said both organizations are tasked with identify- ing students facing transportation difficulties, arranging approved vehicles for eligible students, and ensuring compliance with transportation requirements for stu- dents with disabilities as outlined in their IEPs. ODEW funds the programs by deducting the state-
wide average cost per student—$1,214.29 for fiscal year 2025—from participating districts’ state transportation payments. Additionally, the educational service cen- ters received federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grant funds to support transportation expenditures. The MCESC pilot program, branded as Ride Smart
Ohio, focuses on using alternative vehicles with a ca- pacity of nine passengers or fewer, according to ODEW. The program not only provides transportation for students but also creates flexible income opportunities for teachers, staff and community members. Ride Smart Ohio utilizes advanced software from Trust-Ed to ensure a secure and user-friendly system, empowering school staff to play an active role in transportation efforts.
28 School Transportation News • MARCH 2026
In fiscal year 2025, MCESC received over $493,000 in funding for the pilot program. For fiscal years 2026 and 2027, the program will receive $250,000 annually to con- tinue its operations. As of November, Ride Smart Ohio entered service con- tracts with six districts, including West Carrollton, Mad River, Valley View, Northmont, Oakwood Schools, and Dayton Public Schools. Seven active drivers currently pro- vide daily transportation for 13 students, including seven who attend Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services. The program has prioritized safety and compliance,
completing 100 percent of vehicle inspections and driver physicals before the school year began. Updated driver training modules have been implemented to align with state rules. Looking ahead, Ride Smart Ohio plans to re- cruit and onboard new drivers, enhance data reporting, schedule refresher training, and review fleet manage- ment before winter maintenance. The ESCCO pilot program, which concluded last June,
focused on providing transportation for Columbus City Schools. During its operation, 23 drivers transported 60 to 65 students to three community schools. The program received over $5 million in funding for fiscal year 2025. ODEW highlighted key findings in September. It found
that participating students saw improved attendance, averaging 13 more days in school compared to the previ- ous year. Non-school bus transportation using smaller vehicles proved effective and reliable, but the cost of third-party contractors was significantly higher—more than five times the amount received through state trans- portation funding. Additionally, outdated and inaccurate student roster
information from schools created delays and extra work. Despite these challenges, families and community school participants expressed high satisfaction with the program state funding model. ●
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