Improved transportation services will enhance student experiences in the Houston area.
The Houston Independent School District is undergoing a significant restructuring of its transportation department ahead of the 2025-2026 school year to enhance efficiency and safety. The revamp will see a net increase in transportation staff, with 155 new roles created from the winding down of 125 current positions. HISD aims to improve transportation services and reduce ride times for students while ensuring safety and reliability. Families are encouraged to adapt to these changes, as the upcoming transformation promises a better experience for all involved.
Houston, we have some news! The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is revamping its transportation department ahead of the 2025-2026 school year. It’s all part of a plan to make sure that students get reliable, safe, and efficient transportation without breaking the bank.
The buzz kicked off with an announcement that dropped on HISD’s YouTube page on April 21, 2025. The message from HISD’s Chief of Operational Effectiveness Kari Feinberg laid out the roadmap for this major overhaul. The main focus? Changing the staffing roles and responsibilities at transportation terminals and within the various departments. This means that the way everything runs will be different—and hopefully much smoother!
While it sounds like a lot of changes, the numbers tell an interesting story. A total of 125 positions will be winding down, but in their place, a whopping 155 new roles are set to be created. This means HISD is looking at a larger transportation team than ever before! Some employees will be stepping into new roles with increased responsibilities and better compensation as part of the shake-up. However, those who currently hold the soon-to-be-closed positions will need to reapply for their new roles.
If you work in transportation for HISD, mark June 30, 2025, on your calendar: that’s the last day for the 125 positions that are being eliminated. By the weekend prior to this date, applications for the newly created roles will be due. It’s going to be a busy time for many!
Wretha Thomas, president of the Houston Educational Support Personnel Union, confirmed that this big change won’t affect our beloved bus drivers and attendants. However, clerks and supervisors will be feeling the pinch, as they’ll need to go through the reapplication process.
The past school year saw a significant reduction in school bus routes, with numbers dropping from 508 down to 423 due to budget constraints. Understandably, this left many families frustrated, especially working parents who faced some serious logistical headaches.
Although HISD hasn’t officially confirmed whether more bus route cuts are on the horizon, they assure us that the upcoming changes aim to improve transportation services overall. A survey conducted by HISD’s transportation department revealed that around 12,000 students were listed in the bus program but weren’t actually using it. As a result, those students have been removed from the service.
The remaining 13,000 students can expect some updated bus routes, and many may even enjoy shorter ride times. Parents, if you opted out of transportation in the past, don’t worry—you still maintain your eligibility and can contact HISD to get back on a route!
As HISD looks to take transportation to new heights, they aim to truly optimize routes and may even implement parameters to limit student ride times. This means students may experience a more pleasant and efficient journey to and from school.
So, parents and students of Houston, keep your eyes peeled for these changes! There’s a lot on the horizon, and hopefully, these improvements will make school transportation feel a lot smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved. Here’s to a bright new future for HISD’s transportation department!
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