Each year, the state determines school transportation funding based on how many students ride the bus both to and from school during this designated week. According to Jeremy Stowe, director of transportation for Buncombe County Schools, “Bus Ridership Week is crucial for our school system to get an accurate snapshot of which students could need bus transportation at any time of the year.”
State funding is determined by three main factors: the total number of buses operating, total transportation expenditures, and the number of students riding the bus. That ridership number will be recorded during the week of Sept. 22–26.
“We are encouraging students to ride the bus as many days as possible during the week of the count,” Stowe said. “Since the needs of our families could change throughout the year, we want to ensure that we’ll have the resources available to accommodate all of our bus riders.”
School buses are the safest way for students to get to and from school. They also reduce traffic congestion around campuses, especially in high-traffic areas. Buncombe County school buses travel about 15,000 miles each school day, transporting approximately 10,000 students.
To ensure continued funding and support for student transportation throughout the year, families are encouraged to have students ride the bus as often as possible during Bus Ridership Week.