The School District of Osceola County (SDOC) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for its new Transportation West facility, which will be constructed on 65 acres in Poinciana. The state-of-the-art facility, expected to open in June 2026, will span 42,000 square feet and serve as the home base for 200 school buses.
For years, the district has operated a single transportation facility on Simpson Road in Kissimmee. The addition of the Transportation West hub, along with the upcoming Transportation East hub on Nova Road in St. Cloud set to open in two weeks, marks a significant step forward in enhancing the district’s transportation efficiency.
“This new facility is part of the expansion of our transportation hubs that will be on the east side and west side, along with the facility that we currently utilize on Simpson Road in Kissimmee, that will shorten bus routes, reduce travel times for students and drivers, and decrease the number of buses traveling long distances on Osceola County roads,” said Osceola School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff. “For everyone that uses the roads in Osceola County, our goal is to reduce our part in traffic congestion during peak commuting hours while ensuring a safer, more efficient transportation system for our students.”
The Transportation West project is a partnership between SDOC, Bentley Architects + Engineers, and Charles Perry Partners, Inc. (CPPI). The new facility will include an Administrative/Fleet Maintenance Building, a Refueling/Bus Wash Depot, and a Bus Driver Restroom Pavilion. The Administrative/Fleet Maintenance Building will house administrative offices, staff training spaces, and 12 maintenance bays equipped with storage for parts, batteries, tires, and bulk fluids.
The facility is expected to reduce operational costs by minimizing travel distances for buses serving the western portion of the county. “This is an investment in the future of Osceola County’s education system,” noted Randy Wheeler, Director of School Bus Transportation with the school district. “By providing localized transportation hubs, we aim to improve the daily commute for our students and staff alike.”
The groundbreaking event took place at 5300 Robert McLane Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34758, marking the beginning of construction for a project that promises to bring long-term benefits to the community.
Stay tuned for more updates as the district prepares to open its Transportation East hub and continues its commitment to enhancing student transportation across Osceola County.
