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El Paso Schools Face Declining Field Trips Due to Budget and Driver Shortages

KVIA•Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 8:19 AM•Stacker

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Field trips, once a staple of educational experiences, are increasingly disappearing from El Paso schools due to budget constraints and a shortage of school bus drivers. A report from BusesForSale.com highlights that rising transportation costs and limited driver availability are forcing districts to cut these enriching activities. A 2015 survey indicated that 10% of school districts eliminated field trips, a trend exacerbated by a 12% national driver shortage compared to 2019. Field trips have proven beneficial for students, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, yet the financial and logistical challenges continue to threaten their existence in local education.

Key Details: • Budget cuts are prioritizing essential transportation over field trips. • Charter bus costs for trips range from $1,300 to $2,200, making them unaffordable for many schools. • Over 90% of school transportation leaders report a shortage of drivers, impacting regular routes and activities. • Field trips are crucial for cultural enrichment, especially for students from low-income families.

budget education transportation school-districts field-trips

People & Organizations

El PasoEconomic Policy InstituteBusesForSale.comSchool Superintendents Association

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