Hilliard City Schools reported a full roster of bus drivers heading into the 2026-27 school year, even as a statewide shortage leaves thousands of Ohio families dealing with late buses and long waits.

Ohio public schools face a 15% day-to-day bus driver shortage, according to data from the National Association for Pupil Transportation cited in an Ohio Capital Journal report published Sept. 8. The state has 17,008 active bus drivers, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce spokesperson Lacey Snoke said.

Hilliard is an outlier. The district reported it was fully staffed in early August, Fox 28 Columbus reported, though it continues to recruit new drivers, substitute drivers and transportation aides.

Columbus City Schools, the state's largest district, has 395 active bus drivers and 68 contract drivers covering 425 routes for 32,450 students. The district wants 500 drivers total, leaving roughly 76 open positions. Parents there have reported buses arriving 20 minutes late and, in one case, a child left on a bus for an extra two hours, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.

Hilliard's transportation department lists 151 drivers, 30 bus aides, five mechanics and other support staff operating a fleet of 157 buses. The district, led by Superintendent David Stewart, budgeted $14.4 million for pupil transportation in fiscal year 2026, 5.6% of the general fund, to move an estimated 8,910 students daily across the district's three high school attendance areas.

The district held a "First-Time Riders & Learn to Drive a School Bus" event on Aug. 8, at Hilliard Davidson High School. Adults interested in driving were invited to get behind the wheel with certified trainers.

Other central Ohio districts are still working to fill seats. South-Western City Schools reported 12 full-time driver vacancies in early August. Dublin City Schools said it was still actively hiring.

Statewide, about 22,000 students were classified as impractical to transport last year, according to Melody Coniglio, president-elect of the National Association for Pupil Transportation. A survey by the Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group found 62% of bus drivers and aides felt unsupported when handling challenging student behavior.

"Recruiting new drivers will not solve the shortage if districts are unable to retain the qualified, experienced drivers they already have," Coniglio told the Ohio Capital Journal.

Hilliard families can find transportation information and route details on the district's website at hilliardschools.org or contact the Transportation Department at 5100 Davidson Road.