East Aurora School District 131 is shaking up how some of its most vulnerable students get to class, approving a one-year pilot contract with EverDriven to transport students covered by the McKinney-Vento homelessness program next school year. District leaders say the move is aimed at stabilizing daily service after repeated disruptions tied to driver shortages and taxi backups.
According to Chicago Tribune reporting, the school board signed off on a trial that runs through July 31, 2027, with an option to extend the agreement for up to three additional one-year terms. The outlet noted that the district currently arranges about 140 to 150 McKinney-Vento trips per day and approved the deal while grappling with staffing shortfalls at its existing alternative transportation provider.
Contract Costs, Fees And Add-Ons
Under the new agreement, each trip will cost $62 for the first seven miles, with a $2.50 per mile charge after that. If the district averages 60 or more trips a day, the rate drops slightly to $60 per ride. The contract also allows for yearly rate increases of up to 3% and spells out extra fees for in-vehicle camera systems, wheelchair-capable vehicles, car seats, and no-shows or late cancellations.
Transportation director Gladys De Lucio said the district is trying to move away from unreliable taxi service. “We want to get away from that,” she told the Chicago Tribune, referring to the district’s past dependence on cabs when other transportation options fell through.
Why The District Is Shifting Providers
District officials say staffing shortages at the current contractor have repeatedly disrupted McKinney-Vento routes, forcing East Aurora to lean on taxis as a fallback. Administrators have criticized that setup as inconsistent and often lacking the cameras, aides, and safety equipment they want in vehicles carrying students experiencing homelessness.
The shift away from taxis toward a model with more consistent drivers and greater visibility into daily operations was highlighted in a webinar and profile of East Aurora’s transportation efforts, according to School Transportation News.
Who EverDriven Is
EverDriven promotes itself as a tech-forward national transportation provider that relies on AI-enabled cameras, GPS tracking, and a parent-facing app to coordinate rides. On EverDriven, the company says it has supported more than 111,000 students and completed millions of trips.
The company also highlights what it describes as 100% compliance with background checks and vehicle inspections on its site, a safety assurance district leaders cited when weighing the switch.
What Comes Next
During the pilot, East Aurora administrators plan to track EverDriven’s on-time performance, safety reporting, and parent feedback, then decide whether to keep the service in place beyond summer 2027.
Residents who want to follow how the rollout goes can find board meeting schedules and public documents through the district’s online board resources at East Aurora School District 131.
