Monday’s Headlines Get Schooled

A shortage of bus drivers has left some school districts and parents struggling to get their kids to class.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on October 6, 2025

Flickr, CC

With a shortage of bus drivers nationwide, some school districts are turning to vans or rideshare services to transport kids. Those methods are less reliable and less safe than old-fashioned school buses, though. (Stateline)
The U.S. transit agencies that have escaped a post-pandemic death spiral are those that successfully brought back riders with more efficient service, reined in rising labor costs and found new sources of revenue. (Planetizen)
About a third of Americans do not have access to a reliable personal vehicle, and the Natural Resources Defense Council mapped out where they live.
Money from a 1 percent sales tax referendum may not go as far as the Charlotte Area Transit System is promising. (Ledger)
The Trump administration continues to target Democratic cities, "pausing" a $2.1 billion grant for Chicago's Red Line extension. (NBC News)
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can't withhold $34 million in subway terrorism security funding from New York. (Center Square)
After watering down a $4 billion transportation funding package, Oregon Republicans now want to put it up for a popular vote. (KATU)
Oregon cyclists filed a complaint after police pulled over about 20 riders participating in a Critical Mass event. (BikePortland)
Pittsburgh installed speed tables on Southern Avenue. (Post-Gazette)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an agreement with Uber and Lyft granting their drivers the right to form a union. (Politico)
Boston is testing new "Zebra barriers" to replace plastic flexpoles on bike lanes. (Axios)
Bologna is under attack from Italy's conservative government for lowering speed limits to 30 kilometers per hour. (CityLab)
The UK government is adding transit to a midcentury housing development, recognizing that it's too reliant on cars. (BBC)
Retail sales in central Madrid rose nearly 10% when the city closed the area to cars. (Fortune)