New double decker bus added to county fleet, boosts student travel and study time
On November 24, 2025 the county school transportation fleet added a new double decker bus that will let boys and girls wrestling teams and basketball teams travel together each week. The vehicle includes a WiFi hotspot so students can complete homework on the road, an upgrade that officials say supports both athletic logistics and academic equity.
Lewis and Clark County schools unveiled a new double decker bus on November 24, 2025, a fleet addition intended to streamline team travel and support student learning. The bus will allow the county to send entire boys and girls wrestling teams or basketball teams together each week, reducing the need for separate vehicles and simplifying trip planning for coaches and families.
The bus is equipped with a WiFi hotspot to help students stay connected while traveling to competitions. District officials emphasized that the onboard internet access will enable students to complete homework in transit, alleviating the common problem of falling behind when students spend evenings and weekends on the road. The investment was framed as a combined boost to comfort, convenience, and academic support for student athletes.
Beyond athletic logistics, the upgrade carries implications for local public health and educational equity. When students can use travel time for schoolwork, families may experience less stress and fragmentation of household routines. For students who lack reliable internet at home the WiFi option can help narrow an access gap that otherwise contributes to uneven academic outcomes. Consolidating travel into a single bus can also reduce the number of vehicles families need to provide, easing financial and scheduling burdens for caregivers.
The new bus may also affect school transportation policy and budget priorities going forward. Centralizing team travel can produce efficiencies in driver scheduling and fuel use, and the availability of onboard connectivity raises questions about how districts will integrate supervised study time into trip itineraries. Transportation decisions that improve access to academics and extracurricular activities can be part of a broader strategy to promote student wellbeing.
For parents, coaches, and students in Lewis and Clark County the bus represents a tangible commitment to supporting success both on the mat and in the classroom. As athletic seasons continue the district will monitor how the new resource affects team travel, student learning time, and family logistics, and will consider how similar investments might address broader equity concerns in county schools.
