Registration for Bus Transportation is NOW OPEN for the 2026-2027 school term. Bus assignment information will be provided to parents/guardians during the Open Houses in August 2026!
Transportation Facts
Lowndes County Schools' bus fleet ranges in age from 2004-2027 models. We have 127 buses in transit each morning and afternoon, and 43 buses are used as needed when other buses are being repaired. The Transportation Department is also responsible for support vehicles and maintenance fleet.
Total number of buses owned | 170 |
Buses with air conditioning | 170 |
Full-time employees | 161 (127 drivers, 21 monitors , 7 mechanics, and 6 office staff members) |
Substitute drivers | 6 |
Regular education drivers | 106 |
Special needs drivers | 21 |
Special needs monitors | 21 |
Number of field trips driven each year (approximate) | 900 |
Approximate number of miles driven each day | 10,000 (1.8 million per year) |
Students transported daily | 7500-8000 |
Gallons of diesel used yearly | 263,000 |
Gallons of gas used yearly | 23,000 |
Transportation Department
1064 Howell Rd.
Valdosta, GA 31601
229-245-2257
229-245-2259 Fax
Austin Merriman
Director
Email Austin Merriman
Cheryl Banks
Assistant Director
Email Cheryl Banks
Thea Stanford
Administrative Assistant/Time & Attendance Coordinator
Email Thea Stanford
McKenna Lindberg
Administrative Assistant/Field Trip Coordinator
Email McKenna Lindberg
Jackie Thomas
Driver Trainer/Safety Coordinator
Email Jackie Thomas
James King
Fleet Manager
Email James King