School transportation is more complex than ever. With nationwide bus driver shortages on the rise and a growing number of students needing transportation, districts are looking for new, innovative solutions. That's why we're excited to announce our new Hub-and-Spoke model, now available nationwide, designed to help schools build a more efficient, cost-effective transportation system.
The Hub-and-Spoke model is a two-part solution that combines our cutting-edge technology with our network of vetted drivers to transform how students get to school.
Why a New Approach Is Needed
Our recent 2025 State of School Transportation Report, conducted in partnership with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs, highlighted the urgent need for new solutions. The findings were clear:
Bus driver shortages are a problem for 81% of school administrators surveyed.
At the same time, 90% of those same administrators reported rising or stagnant numbers of students who qualify for free, school-provided transportation.
A majority of administrators (73%) believe that organizing centralized pickup and drop-off locations is a viable solution.
The Hub-and-Spoke model directly addresses these findings by helping schools leverage their existing resources more effectively while providing a new layer of support.
How the Hub-and-Spoke Model Works
At its core, this model helps school districts use their large vehicles—buses—for what they do best: transporting a high volume of students along efficient, centralized routes. We then use our network of small-vehicle drivers to fill in the gaps.
AI-Driven Planning (The Hub): The process starts with our proprietary AI platform, RouteWise AI™. This tool analyzes a district's specific transportation needs to identify efficient routes and centralized bus stop "hubs." This strategic planning can help districts achieve impressive results, including up to 40% capital savings and a 46% increase in efficiency. By focusing buses on these high-utilization routes, districts can maximize their fleet and save money.
Safe, Reliable Transport (The Spoke): Once the centralized hubs are established, that's where our network of CareDrivers comes in. Our local caregivers, who undergo a rigorous 15-point certification process, safely transport students in small vehicles from their homes or dispersed locations to those centralized bus hubs.
This unique combination of AI-powered planning and our trusted network of drivers creates a dynamic, multimodal system. As our CEO and Co-Founder, Joanna McFarland, explains, "HopSkipDrive CareDrivers can then efficiently and safely bring students from multiple different locations to centralized bus stops."
The result? Quicker, more efficient bus routes that can solve for bus driver shortages and improve on-time arrivals, while ensuring every student has a safe and reliable way to get to school.
We're proud to bring this innovative new model to schools across the country to help them overcome today's complex transportation challenges.
To learn more about how the Hub-and-Spoke model can transform your district’s transportation, contact our team today.
