Broward County Bus Service Issues in 2025
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), one of the largest districts in Florida, continues to face persistent challenges in providing reliable school-bus transportation. While the district has taken significant steps toward modernization and safety, parents, administrators, and policymakers remain concerned about delays, rider experience, equity, and sustainability. This updated 2025 review revisits longstanding issues, highlights recent developments, and provides a forward-looking perspective for families and the community.
Context: Scale, Scope, and Constraints
As of the 2023–24 school year, BCPS enrolled roughly 251,000 students across 326 schools and educational centers, making it among the largest school districts in the nation. The Student Transportation & Fleet Services division operates just over 1,000 buses on daily routes that carry more than 73,000 students, with vehicles collectively traveling over 16 million miles each year.
Despite careful organization of routes and service zones, inequities and reliability issues remain a core challenge. In 2025, BCPS must balance budget pressures, driver shortages, and new state mandates while adapting to shifting demographics and technology.
Historical Issues
Parents have long identified several recurring transportation problems:
Chronic delays caused by traffic congestion and inconsistent scheduling.
Uneven service coverage, leaving some families without convenient access.
Driver shortages, leading to cancellations or last-minute changes.
Mechanical breakdowns among older buses.
Safety concerns at bus stops and during boarding.
These structural concerns have prompted ongoing scrutiny from parents and community advocates.
New Developments in 2025 1. Pre-season dry runs and inspections
Ahead of the 2025–26 school year, drivers conducted test runs of their assigned routes to rehearse timing and identify hazards. Nearly 200 buses were inspected before the first day of school, covering more than 750 routes countywide.
2. Expanded driver training
Drivers now undergo approximately 70 hours of refresher training before school begins. The district has also increased its pool of substitute drivers, ensuring coverage when regular drivers are absent.
3. Real-time tracking for parents
The Here Comes the Bus app, expanded in 2025, allows parents to monitor bus locations in real time, receive push notifications, and confirm arrival windows. Adoption has grown rapidly, helping families better manage unpredictable schedules.
4. Safety enforcement upgrades
Under a statewide law passed in 2024, districts may install cameras on school buses to detect illegal passing. Broward is preparing to implement these systems, joining other Florida districts that levy fines of around $200 for violations. ()
5. Electric bus adoption
BCPS is phasing in 60 zero-emission electric buses, purchased with a $14.8 million federal grant. These buses, capable of traveling over 100 miles per charge, mark a shift toward sustainability. Broward is also partnering with Florida Power & Light to expand charging capacity. ()
Persistent Challenges
Even with upgrades, several issues remain in 2025:
Unpredictable traffic delays disrupt schedules despite dry runs.
Last-mile access gaps leave some families too far from stops.
Limited accountability when buses miss stops or run late.
Budget constraints, with rising fuel and insurance costs competing with classroom needs.
Real-World Examples
In Hollywood, FL, parents reported buses arriving up to 30 minutes late in fall 2024, forcing some students to walk long distances to alternate stops. In other neighborhoods, families created shared shuttle services as a stopgap. These examples underscore how transportation reliability directly affects daily routines and student safety.
Parent Recommendations
To navigate the system in 2025, families should:
Register early. Submit bus applications before summer deadlines to secure assignments.
Use the tracking app. Real-time monitoring reduces uncertainty.
Confirm routes in advance. Verify stop locations and pickup times before the first week of school.
Plan contingencies. Arrange alternate transportation if delays occur.
Report issues. Communicate directly with BCPS transportation officials to document problems.
Looking Ahead
Priorities for the coming years include:
Expanding the electric bus fleet with additional grant funding.
Enhancing safety at bus stops with better lighting and signage.
Publishing transparent performance metrics on on-time arrivals and safety violations.
Coordinating with Broward County Transit to streamline overlapping routes.
Conclusion
Broward County’s public school bus service is modernizing under pressure. With expanded training, safety enforcement, and real-time tracking, the district is making progress—but persistent challenges remain. Families must stay proactive, while BCPS continues working toward reliable, equitable, and sustainable transportation.
For comparisons to how private schools manage transportation challenges, visit.
