The 2025 hurricane season officially began on Sunday. Forecasters are predicting an active season.

(Image credit: Sean Rayford)

The EPA's environmental justice office potential closure hits over polluted communities, yet they fight on

(Image credit: Ryan Kellman)

Some things in car design make you stop and ask, “Wait, seriously?” Rear wipers don’t usually make the list, but once you notice one that looks wildly out of proportion, it’s hard to unsee. Take this Honda Prologue, for example. At first glance, everything seems fine, until your eyes land on the rear window and spot what might be one of the smallest rear wipers we’ve seen.

It’s so tiny it barely qualifies as functional. And that got us thinking, what other vehicles are out there sporting hilariously undersized rear wipers?

Read: These Concept Cars Were So Bad You’re Glad They Never Made It

As it turns out, the Prologue seen in this photo shared by a Redditor is far from the only car that has a wiper so small it can only clean the tiniest section of the rear window. Unsurprisingly, the Chevrolet Blazer EV, which shares its underpinnings with the Honda, appears to be equipped with exactly the same wiper as the Prologue.

The reasoning behind these comically small wipers is relatively straightforward. Both the Prologue and Blazer EV feature tall beltlines and narrow rear windows. Fitting a longer, centrally mounted wiper would mean it would smack into the spoiler hanging over the top of the glass. So instead, manufacturers opt for a short blade mounted low, which can clear only a small portion of the glass without interference.

But Honda and Chevy aren’t the only ones skimping on rear wiper real estate. Look at the rear of a new Jeep Grand Cherokee L, or a Wagoneer, and you’ll find that they, too, have very small rear wipers, despite having relatively large rear windows. It’s a similar story with the Ford Bronco Sport. In all of these cases, the rear wiper looks far too small for the vehicle and is only capable of cleaning a tiny part of the window.

There’s got to be a better way to handle this. And thankfully, some automakers seem to agree. As it turns out, there is. Both the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage have rear wiper blades that actually mount to the top of the rear window and are hidden beneath the rear spoiler. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in execution and aesthetics.

So, what other cars have you seen that take the idea of a rear wiper and shrink it down to toy-like proportions? Because once you start noticing them, you’ll see them everywhere.

that wiper so comically small
byu/Synfinium inHonda

Lead photo Reddit/u Synfinium

Going green is on the radar for many student transportation fleets, but choosing what fuel to use is not always a simple decision. Read this month’s issue for articles on expectations and benefits of green energy options, the knowledge foundation needed for routing efficiency, electric school bus legislation in New York and the news from the 17th National Congress on School Transportation.

Also find the STN EXPO Reno Preview, complete with agenda topics, speaker information, unique event descriptions and trade show exhibitors.

Read the full June 2025 issue.

Features

Peeling Back the Routing Layers
Routing software is the brain of a transportation operation, but human routers are the heart that keep student safe to and from school. How to route requires a strong knowledge base along with many other considerations.

Green Expectations
STN EXPO East near Charlotte, North Carolina featured presentations from various OEMs about their latest and greatest offerings in the green bus space.

Fuel Choices Are Not One-Dimensional
Choosing the right fuel for your school district is no simple task, especially with all the options and funding available. District leaders weigh in on why they went in a certain direction.

Coming Clean
Going green is good for the environment, proving to have beneficial implications for student riders, bus drivers and the surrounding communities.

Special Reports

May, Should, Shall?
School Transportation News was on site in Iowa at the 17th National Congress on School Transportation. Learn some of the conversations held as the industry readies for an update the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures.

Q&A: Going On an Electric RIDE With Patrick Duan
Patrick Duan, co-CEO of the electric school bus manufacturer, provides insights into top trends such as federal funding, impending tariffs and battery technology.

STN EXPO Reno Preview
STN EXPO West returns to Reno, Nevada for “Content, Community and Commerce.” Prepare for next month’s conference, trade show and networking events. You won’t want to miss any of the action.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
New York State of Charge

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Tech-Forward Approach to Staffing

The post June 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

Every day, drivers illegally pass stopped school buses, ignoring extended stop arms and flashing red lights, putting our children in immediate danger.
The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) estimates over 251,000 illegal pass-bys happen daily. Projected over a 180-day school year, that’s 45.2 million times our children are at risk of injury or worse. These statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to protect students.

The Safe Fleet Illegal Passing Suite is the only solution designed to tackle the stop-arm violation epidemic from every angle. Prevention, proactive protection, and enforcement work together to safeguard students in the school bus Danger Zone.

• Preventive: The Safe Fleet Illuminated Stop Arm and Driver Alert Device ensure drivers see and recognize a stopped school bus, reducing the likelihood of illegal pass-bys before they happen.
• Proactive: Our Predictive Stop Arm^® (PSA) detects approaching vehicles that are not likely to stop in time and warns students to stay back, adding an extra layer of real-time protection. It’s the only solution of its kind that engages with students directly, giving them agency over their well-being and extra seconds to keep out of harm’s way.
• Responsive: The Safe Fleet Stop Arm Violation Enforcement System (SAVES) captures high-quality video, photographic and location-based evidence of illegal pass-bys––including context footage from the right-hand side of the bus––and packages it for citation, holding violators accountable and driving long-term behavior change.

School bus safety technology should do more than just react. It should prevent incidents, protect students in real time, and hold violators accountable. That’s how we curb the illegal passing epidemic.

The solutions in the Illegal Passing Suite work together to create a protective umbrella within the school bus’ Danger Zone. At the heart of it is SAVES.

Why SAVES Stands Out

Superior Performance with Unmatched Accuracy Rates

SAVES delivers big results while requiring minimal school administration effort by helping to keep students safe, shaping long-term positive driver behavior, and providing operational insights. With its AI-powered analytics, SAVES consistently delivers greater than 98% violation/plate-detection accuracy in real-world settings, giving districts clear, reliable evidence and full ownership of their data to support training, enforcement, and safety improvement.

Seamless Evidence Management with the SAVES Cloud Interface

Unlike competitive offerings, Safe Fleet provides the school district with full access to their data should the district want to mine the information for insight. And the Safe Fleet cloud interface streamlines the process – making it as simple as possible.

• The Stop Arm Enforcement Application Dashboard – Provides key metrics such as the number of violations over a select period, location data, and emerging trends. The district can use this information to change bus stop locations and work with law enforcement to diffuse hot zones.

System performance stays reliable without adding a burden on the district. Safe Fleet handles updates remotely to keep everything running smoothly and safe.

• Device Management – Safe Fleet remotely updates SAVES devices for districts, ensuring optimal functionality without disrupting operations.

Reliability That Stands the Test of Time

Safety technology needs to be reliable. There’s no room for failure when student lives are on the line. The Illegal Passing Suite is built with durability and consistency in mind, delivering dependable performance across all its components. Every piece of the suite is designed to work seamlessly, ensuring school buses are equipped with solutions that function when they matter most.

Evidence That Holds Up

The effectiveness of enforcement depends on the quality of the evidence collected. The SAVES system captures comprehensive evidence packages that consist of high-resolution video, photographic evidence, location-based and context-specific data with incredible accuracy, helping eliminate instances in which violations go unchecked. With built-in AI and automated evidence packaging, SAVES delivers clear and thorough documentation that streamlines the citation process and reinforces driver accountability.

Support and Resources at Every Step

Adopting new technology is easier when the right support is available. Safe Fleet provides expert guidance throughout every stage of SAVES onboarding, including installation, implementation, and developing community outreach programs. We handle all the technical aspects, including violation capture, processing, and citation management, so districts can stay focused on student safety.

Better Safety Starts Here

Creating a safer environment for students takes a complete approach. With the Illegal Passing Suite and SAVES, school districts can prevent dangerous pass-bys, protect students in real time, and hold violators accountable with high-quality evidence.

Safer buses. Smarter enforcement. Stronger results. That’s the Safe Fleet difference. 

Learn more at www.safefleet.net.

The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.

The post Change Driver Behavior, Protect Students: The Smarter, Stronger Solution to Protecting Students in the Danger Zone appeared first on School Transportation News.

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Nestled 20 miles south of Rochester in upstate New York, the York Central School District may be small in size, but it’s making big strides in transportation innovation under the guidance of director of transportation, Tracey Proctor.

With nearly two decades of experience in school transportation, Proctor has brought a fresh, tech-forward approach to the district since her arrival four years ago — a move that has significantly improved efficiency, safety and confidence for both drivers and students.

When Proctor joined York CSD, she came equipped not just with experience, but also a clear vision: she needed better tools to run a more modern and responsive transportation department. Having worked with Transfinder solutions at a previous district, Proctor knew she didn’t want to operate without them.

“As soon as I started, when it came contract time, I said, ‘I really need this [Transfinder technology]. I can’t go any longer without it,’” she recalls.

At the time, York was operating the old-fashioned, “very manual,” Proctor said. “A lot of notebooks. That was it.”

But she knew what she was missing without having Transfinder’s award-winning routing solution.

“Once I started with Transfinder, you just can’t go back,” Proctor said.

Today, York CSD uses Transfinder’s awards-winning Routefinder PLUS and driver app Wayfinder, a combination that has transformed the way the district manages its transportation. York CSD transports just over 400 students daily, with eight large bus runs and eight out-of-district van runs. Like many districts, small and large alike, resources and staffing flexibility are critical.

“We have 18 drivers, and right now we’re doing very well with staffing,” Proctor said, joking: “Please don’t share that with anyone!” Still, the district relies on flexibility, with mechanics and even Proctor herself stepping in to drive when needed. That’s where Wayfinder has made a tremendous difference.

Wayfinder has helped the district when assigning routes to new drivers or substitutes who may not be familiar with the run.

“I don’t print routes anymore,” she said. “I just click on the Wayfinder and say the driver, ‘There it is.’ It’s done and I know that it’s correct.”

The technology is also helping shape the future of York’s driving staff. Those used to driving small vans with fewer students are appreciative of the Routefinder PLUS-built routes displayed on Wayfinder as they travel unfamiliar terrain with more students.

The ease of use of Wayfinder and Routefinder PLUS has also made an impression. Proctor recently completed her Wayfinder training and described the experience as a positive experience.

“I don’t know my way around a computer very well,” she said. “Everyone at Transfinder has been very helpful. They take their time with me. I should say, they speak my language. They didn’t speak ‘technical talk.’ The classes were very, very down-to-earth and I was able to understand everything that was put in front of me.”

That kind of client-centered support, combined with reliable and intuitive software, is what motivated Proctor to bring Transfinder technology to York in the first place.

Looking ahead, Proctor is considering how she can use Transfinder technology even more strategically, including using Wayfinder in recruiting. “I never have in the past, but now that I know how it works and how it helps the drivers, I definitely will use it for recruitment,” she said.

To learn more about Routefinder PLUS, Wayfinder or Transfinder’s suite of solutions, visit Transfinder.com, email getplus@transfinder.com or call 800-373-3609.

The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.

The post ‘I Can’t Go Any Longer Without [Transfinder],’ York CSD Director Says appeared first on School Transportation News.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb kicks off on June 22 and Ford is hoping to have an ace up their sleeve. Two of them actually, as Romain Dumas will be piloting an insane Mustang Mach-E.

Simply known as the Super Mustang Mach-E, the one-off model shares little in common with the electric pony car that populates dealer lots. The changes are immediately apparent as this is a low-slung coupe, instead of a lifted hatchback masquerading as a crossover.

More: Ford Shows Mustang Mach-E NASCAR Prototype And Teases Electric Pikes Peak Racer

More notably, the car has some extreme aerodynamic modifications. Key among them is a huge front splitter and a massive diffuser. They’re joined by canards and a Texas-sized rear wing. Thanks to all the changes, the model generates 6,125 lbs (2,778 kg) of downforce. That’s more than 2023’s SuperVan 4.2 and last year’s F-150 Lightning SuperTruck.

Aerodynamics aside, the Super Mustang Mach-E has a tiny grille and custom bodywork. They’re joined by a stylish rear end with muscular haunches and flowing curves. The model also appears significantly shorter than the road-going EV, although Ford is keeping specifications under wraps at the moment.

While there’s no word on powertrain details, the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck gives us some idea about what to expect. It featured three STARD UHP six-phase motors that produced a combined output in excess of 1,600 hp (1,193 kW / 1,622 PS). The truck was also equipped with a custom suspension and ultra-high performance Li-Polymer NMC cells.

We can expect to learn more in the coming weeks, but Fords have been competing at Pikes Peak since 1916. That year, a Model T reached the summit in 28 minutes and 03 seconds. That compares to 8:53.553 for the SuperTruck and 8:47.682 for the SuperVan 4.2.

We can all agree that this Tesla Model Y has certainly seen better days. After the driver hit a bright yellow bollard in a parking lot, the passenger-side rear door has been dented and scratched. The plastic fender? Completely ripped off. Oh, and there are some scratches on the rear quarter panel too.

But in the grand scheme of things, it’s not catastrophic damage, just a bit of a rough day for the car. So, naturally, Tesla quoted a repair bill of $11,671, which has understandably left the owner with a few more scratches, this time, on his head.

Read: Tesla’s Cybertruck Costs 30% Less To Insure Than A Model 3

It’s no secret that car repairs have gotten a lot more expensive in 2025 compared to a decade ago, even more so when it comes to EVs. This helps explain why insurance companies are quick to total cars over what seems like minimal damage. Still, the quoted price for this repair is nothing short of insane.

Roughly half of the quoted repair is for labor, totaling $5,486 for a claimed 60.7 hours of labor, working out to be $91 an hour. Now, if you’re the owner of this Model Y, you’re probably doing the math in your head and thinking that it doesn’t look like this car needs 60 hours of labor. But the service center begs to differ.

sgrinavi/Reddit

When presented with a repair bill like this, many car owners would simply let their insurer pay for the repairs, and get on with their lives. However, doing so could cost in the long run. Writing on Reddit, the owner of the car says that if he makes an at-fault claim with his insurance, his premium will increase by $1,000 per year for the next five years. And on top of that, they’ll lose their good driver discount. Oh, and don’t forget that $1,000 deductible they’d need to cough up.

In an ideal world for the owner, the insurer would decide Tesla repair costs are too high and decide to total the car. But, that doesn’t appear likely. As such, the best option is likely for the owner to go to an independent repair shop who can replace the door, fender, and perhaps the quarter panel, likely for far less than Tesla would charge the insurer.

Or, for all the DIYers out there, there’s always the option of fixing it themselves. Used Model Y rear doors can be found for just a few hundred dollars, and a new fender shouldn’t break the bank either. Maybe it’s time to roll up your sleeves.

Guess how much to repair this @ Tesla
byu/sgrinavi inTeslaModelY

Porsche dealers in the UK have been told to hold off from selling some used Taycans while the company works out a software patch for a battery monitoring problem. And for those unlucky enough to already own certain Taycan models, they are being forced to visit their dealer every 60 days to have their cars checked until the update is ready. Porsche told us the new software is currently being tested and should be ready within a few weeks.

Related: Porsche Hit With Class Action Over Taycan Batteries That Could Catch Fire

The story was first reported by Britain’s Car Dealer magazine, whose team had heard from multiple Porsche dealers that they’d been ordered to remove used electric Taycan models from sale until further notice. At least one dealer suggested the edict blocked the sale of every Taycan built between 2019 and 2023. But when we called Porsche a spokesperson told us only a small number of older cars are affected.

“Enhanced battery monitoring software is anticipated to become available for first generation Taycan models towards the end of June,” Porsche said in a statement emailed to Carscoops. “With its imminent arrival, we’ve advised our retail partners not to sell a small, specific batch of first generation Taycan models until the software update is live.”

Last fall Porsche issued a recall campaign for 2019-23 Taycans due to the risk of a short circuit within the cars’ battery modules that could lead to a “thermal event” and eventually a fire in a worst case scenario. Owners were advised not to charge their cars beyond 80 percent to minimise there risk of fire.

As for the owners forced to check-in with their Porsche dealership every 60 days, you just know that however inconvenient it is, there are certainly worse places to while away an afternoon.

Tariffs aren’t the only thing on automakers’ minds these days. Ford is now raising alarm bells, warning that if tax credits for local battery producers are axed, its EV battery plant in Michigan could be at risk. The facility, known as BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, is currently employing 1,700 workers, with plans to add another 800 by March 2027. The plant is a crucial piece of Ford’s strategy to ramp up electric vehicle production, but it’s all dependent on those tax credits staying in place.

At the recent Mackinac Policy Conference in Michigan, Ford executive chair Bill Ford voiced his concerns, noting that “it’s not fair to change policy after all the expenditures have been made.” He added that because “the production tax credits seems to be up for grabs,” the site could be “imperiled,” as reported by TTNews.

Read: Ford’s EV Sales Just Fell Off A Cliff And Discounts Didn’t Make A Dent

Recently passed by the House, the Trump administration’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ aims to eliminate most of the clean energy tax credits introduced under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Many of these credits were designed to build a domestic EV supply chain and encourage consumers to purchase electric vehicles.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, billions of dollars in private investments were funneled into EV manufacturing in the U.S. The Electrification Coalition reports major investments in states like North Carolina ($25.4 billion), Georgia ($24.5 billion), and Tennessee ($12.4 billion), all designed to jumpstart the transition to electric mobility.

The New Bill’s Impact on EV and Battery Manufacturing

If the new bill passes, it will not only phase out the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, but it will also cut off the manufacturer credit for battery producers after 2031. The bill also comes with stricter rules that limit the use of Chinese components and materials in U.S. manufacturing.

“Politicians can agree or disagree about whether those things are desirable,” Ford said. “But don’t change the rules once you’ve already made the investment, because that to me is just a question of fairness. And that’s unfair.”

Ford’s Michigan battery plant is also tied to a licensing agreement with CATL, a Chinese battery maker. While Ford holds full control over the manufacturing process, production, and workforce, it’s tapping into CATL’s expertise to help with factory equipment installation and to provide critical battery technology know-how.

Bentley’s Blower is a legend, a symbol of automotive history, and now, almost 100 years after its original debut, it’s making a comeback. Well, sort of. Before you get too excited, let’s temper expectations, as this isn’t the full-throttle, 4.5-liter supercharged beast of yore.

Instead, the Blower Jnr is a more compact tribute to the original. And while it’s marketed by Bentley, it won’t actually be built by them. No, that honor goes to Hedley Studios, a British company better known for crafting miniature versions of classic cars.

Read: Bentley Sends Blower Jnr To Switzerland To Pick Up A Christmas Tree

Hedley Studios might not be a household name, but it’s not exactly new to this whole “tiny car” business. Formerly known as The Little Car Company, Hedley has built scaled-down versions of other iconic vehicles, like the Bugatti Baby II (a 75% scale Type 35) and the Ferrari Testa Rossa J (a 75% scale of the 250 Testa Rossa).

The Blower Jnr takes things a step further, with an 85% scale version of Bentley’s 1929 Blower, and unlike the company’s previous models, this one is fully road legal. Yes, you can legally drive it on the road, assuming you’re not expecting to tear through traffic at warp speed.

Whereas the original Blower had a 4.5-liter supercharged engine, the Blower Jnr rocks a 48-volt electric powertrain delivering a grand total of 20 hp. With this in mind, it’ll only hit 45 mph (72 km/h) in the UK and EU and has been limited to 25 mph (40 km/h) in the US. Hedley says the Blower Jnr can travel up to 65 miles (105 km) on a charge.

Production of the Blower Jnr is now underway, shortly after Bentley hosted a first-drive event for the car on the British island of Jersey, which just so happens to exclusively have 40 mph speed limits. The first deliveries will start later this year, and shoppers will be able to heavily customize their vehicle, ensuring it stands out from all others.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Blower Jnr is not its electric powertrain, but rather how well Hedley has replicated the design of the original. It features a painted steel frame, similar to the original, and also includes leaf springs and period-correct friction dampers. Additionally, the car has a hand-crafted aluminum hood. Other components are made from lightweight carbon fiber, but the car features an impregnated fabric similar to the original car from 1929.

Prices That Will Blow You Away

The price? Well, here’s where most of you will probably tap out. The Blower Jnr starts at around £90,000 or about $121,000 at current exchange rates. That’s high end sports car money for a scaled electric car that won’t go above 45 mph and lacks any modern tech features. Despite the hefty price tag, Hedley is expecting to sell all 349 units it plans to make.

A Thursday webinar stressed the importance of student transportation departments taking an active role in school district-wide efforts to modernize facilities and electrify school buses despite funding shortages.

Marcus Gilmore, senior advisor of clean mobility strategy for webinar sponsor ENGIE North America, shared that despite the staffing and purchasing issues school transportation is facing, electric school bus (ESB) momentum continues. The World Resources Institute reports 13,860 ESB deployments or commitments in 49 states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, and several tribal nations. Many of these buses are deployed in disadvantaged communities, he noted.

He reviewed how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program process faced unprecedented demand before proceeding with a 2024 round. Most districts also see limited state funding, which poses a challenge with federal ESB funding in question.

“Districts are getting creative,” he said, adding that funding is one piece of the puzzle, but aligning efficiency and modernization goals across school district departments is also crucial.

“Districts are getting creative.”

-Marcus Gilmore, Senior Advisor – Clean Mobility Strategy, ENGIE North America

Michael Decker, ENGIE’s senior business development manager, has nearly 30 years of experience as an administrator in Michigan public schools, culminating in his nine-year term as superintendent of St. Charles Community Schools. He spoke to the politics involved in getting a standalone project approved, especially when the district administration doesn’t have visibility into what transportation does or perceives it as competing with “core” education priorities.

He strongly advised transportation leaders to claim a seat at the table and make their voices heard by district administration. As such, student transportation leaders should attend all relevant meetings and remain in the loop with planning because other departments are also advocating for their projects.

“Being able to work in collaboration is huge,” Decker emphasized. “Request and demand that you have a chance to talk.”

While funding approvals typically come through the C-suite, he confirmed that lower-level employees and departments have crucial information and perspectives that must be heard.

“We need to have a need, we need to have desire and we need to have the funding,” he summarized.

Decker also encouraged student transporters to seek discretionary funding, after personnel cuts and other often-overlooked sources.

He noted benefits of facility modernization, which can include fleet electrification, for better student health, improved academic success, attracting more staff and student families, greater operational efficiencies, fuel cost savings, performing needed upgrades, and ending the “kick the can down the road” mentality.

He advocated for affordable comprehensive improvements, since repairs within the walls and roofs are just as important as more public facing facilities. Solar power, battery storage, lighting and transformers are examples of upgrades that give districts a quick return on investment. EV fleet infrastructure, roof upgrades, major HVAC, and window repairs provide a longer return on investment.

Decker shared that, during its free, graded assets survey or consultation, ENGIE will seek holistic improvement opportunities in a district. The company is also brand agnostic with its proposed solutions.

Related: Funding, Data and Resiliency Needed for Electric School Bus Success
Related: (STN Podcast E251) Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses
Related: Roundup: Green Bus Summit at STN EXPO East Sounds Optimistic Tone
Related: Gallery: Ride & Drive Caps Day of Technology Demos, Green Energy Panels
Related: Despite Federal Funding in Peril, California State Funding for EVs Continues
Related: Future of Clean School Bus Program?

Gilmore reviewed the example of San Marcos Unified School District in California’s San Diego County, which implemented a resilient microgrid for its ESB fleet to satisfy district officials’ desires to cut overall energy costs to help fund the initiative. District-wide cost control measures include LED lighting, solar power, battery energy storage, and HVAC mechanical replacements.

Aromas-San Juan USD, a small rural district in Central California, wanted to improve its energy efficiency, resiliency and sustainability with a comprehensive approach. ENGIE provided the district with an energy services contract comprised of district-wide measures: Solar power, more than 20 new HVAC units, programmable thermostat upgrades, a backup generator for energy resilience, and installation of Wi-Fi on school buses which helped support distance learning for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Decker noted that lighting upgrades are an important yet often overlooked improvement for cost savings, which webinar host STN Publisher Tony Corpin noted requires a conversation with the facilities manager.

Gilmore cautioned against purchasing ESBs solely because there is currently federal funding. Without doing the necessary homework and future planning, he said ESBs could end up parked on a district lot unused.

Transportation infrastructure ultimately supports students’ education and economic prowess, which is the main goal, Decker said. “Make it attractive so we attract more students and fulfill their needs,” he commented.

Watch the webinar on demand. 

The post Why Student Transporters Must Seize a Seat at the Table appeared first on School Transportation News.

An irate South Carolina father is being accused of running a school bus with 19 student passengers off the road after authorities say his child was allegedly assaulted by a school bus monitor.

The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on May 23 confirming that two individuals had been charged in connection with a physical altercation involving a student on a school bus the day before.

According to the statement, allegations were brought forward from statements obtained by the Marlboro County School District officials from students on the bus, indicating that bus monitor Sharona Ford Cooper had physically assaulted a student after the student refused to remain seated in assigned seating.

Authorities added that Cooper was \charged with third-degree assault after utilizing her arm to restrain the student from moving down the school bus aisle, as depicted in the video from the school bus monitoring system obtained by law enforcement.

Police stated that shortly after the incident, Anthony Chavis, the father of the student, arrived at the school and became verbally abusive toward administrators and law enforcement staff, using profanity, racial slurs and physical intimidation.

Chavis’ children had been removed from the school bus and left on the school grounds. Once the school bus departed and continued its route to transport 19 other students home, Chavis followed the school bus in his vehicle with his five children as passengers and then forced the bus off the road. He exited his vehicle and struck the bus numerous times with his fist in an unsuccessful effort to gain entry, causing damage to the door.

According to authorities, as the school bus driver continued the route,circumventing Chavis’s car, the father threw an object at the back of the bus and damaged the window. The incident was captured on the school bus video.

Chief Deputy Larry Turner said Chavis was charged with interfering with operations of a school bus, child endangerment, threatening the life of a public official, aggravated breach of peace, malicious injury to government property, and disruption of a school. He was taken into custody and was denied bond, as he was already out on bond for an assault charge at the time of this arrest.

The investigation is ongoing.

Related: Colorado School District Pays $16.2M for Abuse of Student by Bus Attendant
Related: Maryland School Bus Aid Charged with Sexual Assault
Related: North Carolina Student Target of Racial Slurs on School Bus
Related: Arizona School Bus Driver Assaulted, Student’s Mother Charged
Related: Ohio Man Smashes School Bus Window

The post South Carolina Parent Runs School Bus Off Road After Alleged Child Assault appeared first on School Transportation News.

Toyota may be riding high with its hybrid-heavy lineup and ambitious plans to have 20% of US sales come from plug-in hybrids by 2030, but the company isn’t stopping there. It also has big plans to expand its electric vehicle offerings in the US. By mid-2027, Toyota and Lexus will introduce no fewer than seven new EVs across North America, including a range of models that could give it the edge against the competition.

More: Toyota And Lexus Will Launch 15 EVs By 2027 And That’s Just The Start

First, Toyota is adding a few more electric options to its own lineup. Expect the facelifted bZ4X crossover (now named the bZ), the bZ Woodland, the C-HR, and an upcoming three-row SUV. On the Lexus side, the RZ crossover will be joined by an electric version of the new-generation ES sedan introduced last month and a larger SUV to boot.

US-Made Electric SUVs Are Coming

While many of these models will be imported, the big news is that the upcoming three-row SUVs, one from Toyota and one from Lexus, will be manufactured right here in the United States. After a brief delay, production will start in 2026 at two factories in Georgetown, Kentucky, and Princeton, Indiana. These new electric SUVs will go head-to-head with the likes of the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, which are also targeting the growing demand for larger electric vehicles.

Toyota isn’t diving into the EV market without a plan. According to Bloomberg, the company typically adds a new model to a factory only when it’s confident it can move 100,000-150,000 units annually. While US EV adoption is expected to grow at a slower rate than anticipated, Toyota has a strategy to keep production moving. Any excess EV output from its US factories will be sent to overseas markets where demand is ramping up faster.

Cooper Ericksen, Senior Vice President, Product, BEV and Mobility Planning and Strategy at Toyota Motor North America, explained: “We’ll sell a little bit more every year and grow with the market. But we have to think about how many Canada will use, how many the US will use, and we can then export to other global destinations.” Of course, the company hopes that its export plans won’t be affected by a potential escalation of the tariff war.

A Long-Term Commitment

Currently, electric vehicles account for just 8% of automotive sales in the US, but Toyota expects that number to double by 2030. Ericksen pointed out, “BEVs right now aren’t incremental volume for us. They’re cannibalizing our volume. But in the future, we think it’s a really important segment that we don’t want to give up to the competition.”

More: Toyota’s C-HR Returns To America But It’s Nothing Like You Remember

On the production side, Toyota is setting up a lithium-ion battery plant in North Carolina, which will power its US-made EVs and hybrids. Once fully operational, the plant will have a production capacity of over 30 gigawatt hours, enough to power 800,000 hybrids, 150,000 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and 300,000 battery electric vehicles annually.

Toyota has pledged to offer an electrified option across all of its models this year. Right now, about 80% of Toyota and Lexus models in the US are available with either hybrid or EV options. With these moves, Toyota is aiming to cement its position in the growing EV market, even if the journey to widespread adoption is a gradual one.

Update: Jeep has finally given us a peek at the next-generation Cherokee SUV, just ahead of its confirmed launch later this year. And, in case you were holding your breath for a name change, don’t bother. Despite some rumors suggesting the brand might drop “Cherokee” in favor of a new nameplate as a mark of respect to the Cherokee Nation, the brand is sticking with the original. Looks like that debate is settled.

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While the camouflaged prototypes gave us a solid idea, the official press photos reveal that the new Cherokee takes a more traditional Jeep approach, moving away from the swoopier design of its 2023 predecessor. Instead, it embraces a boxier look, with a front end that shares styling cues with the upcoming electric Recon 4xe, all while staying true to what Jeep fans expect.

“The all-new Jeep Cherokee headlines our efforts to deliver more product, innovation, choice and standard content to customers than ever before,” said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep CEO. “Jeep Cherokee will boast competitive pricing that strikes at the core of the largest vehicle segment and sits perfectly between Jeep Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee to bolster our winning mainstream line up.”

In addition to confirming its name, Jeep revealed that the mid-size SUV will debut with a “new, efficient, and powerful hybrid propulsion option.” That said, we could see traditional internal combustion engines and, eventually, an all-electric variant joining the lineup, as the STLA-Large platform supports all types of powertrains.

For more on the new Cherokee, check out our original story below, where you can also get a glimpse of our exclusive interior shots.

John Halas contributed to this report.

Jeep’s lineup has filled out over the past couple of years with the addition of the luxury Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer and all-electric Wagoneer S, which is soon to be joined by the also-electric Recon. But potentially more important than all of them is the 2026 Cherokee, and new spy pics reveal the face and interior for the first time.

Compared with previous prototypes, this one has stripped away much of the front-end disguise, giving us a look at a grille that’s like a mashup of several other Jeep grilles. The five visible vertical grille sections (two are still hidden) are taller than the ones on the Grand Cherokee and seem to stand more proud of the body. But they also don’t have the a piece of trim above them to display the model name like the Wagoneers do.

Related: Here’s What We Know About Jeep’s 2026 Cherokee

But even if it did have a bit of trim with the name on, what would it say? We’re calling this SUV the Cherokee because it’s effectively a replacement for the Cherokee that bowed out in 2023, and will nestle below the Grand Cherokee in the Jeep lineup. But some reports say Jeep will move away from the name it’s used for decades as a mark of respect Cherokee Nation.

Whatever it’s called, this new Cherokee’s dashboard design has more in common with the Wagoneer S EV than it does the existing Grand Cherokee. These first ever interior pics of the Ford Bronco Sport rival show a large digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen that’s mounted at an angle, just above a bank of touch-sensitive buttons for the climate control.

It’s good to see drivers won’t have to dive into the infotainment to change the temperature, and the switches do look great, but physical push-buttons would be even better. Further down the console is what looks like a rotary controller for the transmission and a toggle to move between the driver modes. The passenger side of this prototype is covered with cloth disguise but it’s possible Jeep could offer a third screen above the glovebox, as it does on the Wagoneer S.

Housed between the shock towers of Stellantis STLA Large platform you’ll find the Cherokee’s first ever hybrid powertrain options, and later, an all-electric variant. Leaked documents suggest production is scheduled to begin this fall for the 2026 model year and we’re sure to find out more – including the name – in the months leading up to that debut.

Images: Baldauf

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