Rural students in Virginia set to benefit from new transportation options under state law

Daleville, Virginia – In a major step toward expanding educational access in rural areas, Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed House Bill 2720 into law. This new legislation, introduced by Delegate Terry Austin, allows small school districts in Virginia—with fewer than 4,500 enrolled students—to use alternative transportation methods beyond traditional school buses. Virginia now becomes one of only ten states to adopt such a flexible transportation policy tailored for rural education systems.

Empowering Communities with Transportation Choices

“Today we’re breaking down barriers that have limited our communities for far too long,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “House Bill 2720 represents the innovative thinking Virginia needs to ensure every student, regardless of where they live, has access to quality education and extracurricular opportunities. By empowering our local school boards with flexibility and choice, we’re putting students first and allowing communities to find transportation solutions that work best for them.”

The law enables school boards in eligible districts to partner with local community colleges, contract with private transportation services, and implement ride-sharing or carpooling arrangements. These alternatives will support families in places like Botetourt County—where Delegate Austin previously served on the Board of Supervisors—which has 4,424 students scattered across a geographically diverse region.

“As someone who has served on the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, I understand the transportation challenges our communities face,” said Delegate Terry Austin. “House Bill 2720 isn’t just about getting kids to school, it’s about opening doors to opportunity. When students can’t get to clubs, sports, or tutoring because of transportation barriers, their potential is limited. This legislation gives our local school boards the tools they need to ensure no child is limited because of where they live.”

Broad Bipartisan Support and National Momentum

The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support, passing 96-0 in the Virginia House of Delegates and 36-3 in the Senate. It includes safety and oversight provisions to ensure that these alternative methods provide reliable and secure access for students.

“We’re implementing thoughtful policy with safeguards and evaluation measures to ensure we’re delivering results for our students and families,” Governor Youngkin added.

With the passage of this bill, Virginia joins a group of ten states that permit more flexible student transportation policies. These include Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Alaska, and Oregon. Among these states, four have approved smaller vehicle use, and five provide grants or reimbursement programs for alternative methods.

Investing in the Future of Virginia Students

The signing ceremony was held at Botetourt County Public Schools, a district recently awarded $1,185,245 through the Virginia Department of Education’s ALL In VA Initiative. Governor Youngkin used the opportunity to emphasize how the bill ties into a broader strategy for student success.

“Better transportation options mean better access to education,” Governor Youngkin continued. “When we remove barriers and empower local decision making, we create opportunities for every Virginia student to succeed. That’s what House Bill 2720 is all about: putting students first.”