Technology experts explained how AI can help school bus drivers spot students in blind zones, prevent collisions and improve safety, without replacing driver judgment.

AI could give school bus drivers an extra set of eyes when students are most vulnerable: Boarding, exiting and crossing near the school bus, according to a Thursday webinar sponsored by Brigade Electronics. The company’s representatives discussed how AI-powered cameras can recognize pedestrians, cyclists and other hazards, then alert drivers before an incident occurs.

CEO Corey Heniser said traditional cameras provide visibility, but AI adds the ability to recognize people and issue active warnings.

“It can identify the human form and what we call it as human form recognition,” he explained. “That will identify individuals, pedestrians, as well as small students around a vehicle and allow you to take evasive action where needed.”

Protecting Students in Blind Zones

Steve Wenger, Brigade’s OEM business development manager, said school buses present significant visibility challenges because of their size and the number of students moving around them.

Wenger explained that AI-enabled, 360-degree camera systems can monitor blind spots and identify people approaching or moving alongside a bus. He added that the technology can support driver awareness during loading and unloading.

“Artificial intelligence is a human-taught technology,” Wenger said, explaining that developers train systems to recognize hazards and determine when to alert operators.

Brigade’s presentation highlighted a camera system with full 360-degree visibility and AI-powered pedestrian detection. Another application adapts technology originally developed to protect workers behind waste trucks to help monitor students around school buses, according to the slide deck.

Wenger emphasized that AI should complement established safety practices.

“Artificial intelligence is not necessarily replacing judgment or experience or the many trainings that an operator goes through,” he said, adding that instead, it can provide earlier warnings and better information when drivers need to make critical decisions.

Helping School Bus Drivers Prevent Crashes

Jeff Schweitzer, Brigade’s national sales manager, said AI offers particular value to districts experiencing driver turnover and increasingly complicated traffic conditions.

“Today’s drivers need more support [now] than ever,” he said.

Schweitzer explained that AI cameras can monitor high-risk areas and notify drivers while they still have time to respond. He contrasted that capability with traditional video systems, which primarily document incidents afterward.

“Prevention is more valuable than recording,” he noted.

Wenger also covered AI dashcams that can warn drivers about potential collisions, unsafe following distances and lane departures. Driver-facing cameras can identify fatigue, distraction and handheld-device use, while connected systems allow transportation departments to review events and provide targeted coaching.

Schweitzer said those capabilities can help newer drivers develop situational awareness.

“Experience definitely cannot be built overnight,” he noted.

Turning Safety Data Into Action

Heniser said districts could eventually combine AI camera information with telematics to identify near misses, recognize recurring hazards and tailor driver coaching for school bus drivers with more close calls.

Brigade’s slide deck also presented injury and fatality trends from 2013 through 2022. Heniser pointed to a general decline in injuries over the period, but he said fatalities remained comparatively steady outside the pandemic-related dip in 2020. He cited those trends while explaining the potential benefits of more proactive safety technology.

Heniser said districts can add AI camera systems to existing buses through aftermarket installations, while manufacturers may increasingly offer the technology on new vehicles.

Wenger cautioned that AI recognition remains imperfect and can produce false positives, but said timely warnings still offer safety benefits.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s extremely accurate,” he said.

Wenger also clarified that automated vehicle functions, such as braking, would require integration at the manufacturer level rather than a simple camera retrofit.

Starting With School District Safety Needs

Schweitzer encouraged transportation leaders to frame AI as a tool for protecting students, drivers and communities rather than employee surveillance.

“It’s not the big brother side of it,” he said.

Heniser advised districts to identify their most common safety challenges before selecting technology, whether those involve loading zones, blind spots or driver behavior.

“Really, it’s up to the fleet managers, fleet operators, drivers to identify where their most common problems are,” he concluded.

Heniser also emphasized that AI’s role in student transportation should remain focused on helping drivers create safer conditions, rather than replacing their judgement or student interaction.

“The goal overall is to create a safer environment while operating vehicles,” he summarized.

Watch the webinar on demand.

Written with the assistance of AI and a live session transcript.

The post AI Cameras Aim to Make School Bus Operations Safer appeared first on School Transportation News.

WARRENVILLE, Ill. – Summit School Services has introduced Catalyst, its connected, flexible approach to safe, reliable student transportation that combines proven technology, real-time data, transportation expertise, consistent fleet standards, and accountability into one integrated solution. Through the utilization of Catalyst’s technology stack, district partners and families can expect an elevated level of service and transportation experience that is more visible, informed, and proactive – providing an amplified level of confidence and peace of mind every school day.

Catalyst is Summit’s answer to defining a new, transformative chapter in student transportation, one that reduces unreliability and uncertainty and connects its advanced, smart technology to its teams, districts, and parents/guardians for service they can count on and trust. The creation of Catalyst is also a symbol of Summit’s century-long commitment to safe, dependable student transportation and a strong demonstration of its determination in setting higher standards for safety and service.

“Delivering safe, reliable transportation to the districts and families we serve is, and will always be, our priority,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Summit School Services. “Catalyst opens a world of opportunities that further supports safety and reliability. It changes student transportation by delivering more visibility, elevated safety, and better technology for school districts, families, and the teams serving our students, so that everyone involved can have a shared peace of mind and assurance that students are in the best, capable hands and on safe, dependable buses. Through Catalyst, we are truly setting a new standard in the way districts and families can trust and rely on student transportation and transforming how successfully our teams operate. It’s revolutionary, and it has been really inspiring to see all the hard work my teams have put into bringing Catalyst to life.”

As part of its connected approach, Catalyst powers each technology within its system to share information and communicate seamlessly, in real-time, across its operations and into the hands of not only our team members, but also the districts and families we serve, enabling greater efficiency, effectiveness, and proactivity. Districts can also integrate Catalyst’s technology solutions into their existing platforms, giving them the flexibility to customize technology solutions to their district’s needs.

In depth, for districts, families, and our transportation teams, Catalyst’s technology stack provides:

Advanced, Proactive Safety

• State-of-the-art smart dash cameras to inform drivers in real-time of potential risks, adding an extra layer of protection for not only our students, but also pedestrians and fellow motorists.
• Driving behavior monitoring to allow for greater, proactive coaching opportunities, which means driving patterns and habits can be anticipated and addressed early on – fostering safer driving behaviors.

Elevated, Timely Visibility

• Mobile bus tracking and notifications for timely updates on route changes and near real-time bus locations that are communicated consistently to parents, districts, and transportation teams to provide immediate peace of mind and transparency.
• Real-time visibility into enroute buses and direct access to on-board footage to allow for clearer communication, clarity, and prompt accountability when districts and local teams need it most.

Smarter, Efficient Performance

• Vehicle telematics to identify emerging maintenance care needs in advance – minimizing disruption risks and ensuring efficient vehicle performance.
• Route optimization powered by real-time GPS and geofencing and automated scheduling to maximize route efficiency and performance.

“What Summit has is a collection of best-in-class systems for operations, maintenance, safety, and scheduling,” said Adam Silbernagel, Senior Vice President of Information Technology, Summit School Services. “And what Catalyst does is bring all of those systems together to operate in a way that makes each and every ride more visible so that school districts can focus on safely getting their kids to and from school, and parents can wake up in the morning and not have to wonder if or when their student’s bus will arrive. Student transportation should work consistently, safely, reliably, and without disruptions to those who count on it, and that’s exactly what Catalyst delivers.”

To learn more about Catalyst, follow Summit School Service’s LinkedIn page and also visit Summit School Service’s website, which features a video series about Catalyst, highlighting its benefits, capabilities, and a few customer testimonials.

About Summit School Services

Summit School Services sets the standard for safe, reliable student transportation across North America. As the parent organization to trusted local operators including Durham School Services, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, Summit supports over 5,500 schools. Powered by Catalyst, a connected technology ecosystem, and guided by five core values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Community, and Culture, Summit delivers student transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

The post Summit School Services Introduces Catalyst: A Transformative Technology Stack Driving Safety and Operational Success appeared first on School Transportation News.

National School Bus Safety Week each October is another opportunity to remind motorists about the tremendous responsibility we all share around school buses and school children.

Stop for the red lights. Obey the stop arm. Slow down in school zones. Watch for children at bus stops and when crossing streets. We know the messages. But knowing what to do matters only if we are paying enough attention to recognize when we need to do it.

That is especially relevant this month. We examine the rapidly advancing collision-avoidance technology reaching school buses. Automatic braking, lane-related warnings, connected vehicle technology, cameras and other systems are increasingly capable of recognizing hazards, alerting drivers and, in some cases, reacting faster than a human can.

Similar technology is commonplace in our personal vehicles. My car can warn me if I drift from my lane or get too close to another vehicle. Other vehicles can automatically brake when their systems detect an impending collision.

All of that is remarkable and welcome. We also need to do more to avoid collisions the
old-fashioned, human way: Pay attention.

Working remotely has changed some of my own habits. Without a traditional commute to and from an office, I find myself conducting more conversations with work associates while driving to appointments, picking up the kids or running errands. Even before remote work became commonplace, I frequently spoke with school transportation professionals during their morning or afternoon commutes.

It feels productive. Why waste 20 or 30 minutes in the car when we can knock out a conversation? Because our attention has limits, that’s why.

Earlier this year at STN EXPO East, speaker Bret Brooks spoke about the difference between being careless and caring less. Being careless means failing to give something the attention it deserves. Caring less can be intentional. Sometimes we need to give less attention to things that aren’t as important at a particular moment so we can devote more attention to what is.

Behind the wheel is a great place to put that into practice. That work call might be important. The meeting might be approaching. The conversation might save some time later. But none of it is more important than what is happening outside the windshield.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but we can’t wait until then to practice mindfulness. Distracted driving needs to be top of mind every month, week, day, hour, minute and second of the year, especially in school zones and wherever school buses are loading and unloading children.

A Governors Highway Safety Association survey STN reported on last month found that 46 percent of parents whose children ride school buses said their child had experienced a close call involving dangerous driving near a school bus or in a school zone. Across all surveyed parents, 36 percent reported such an experience involving their own child. Distracted driving and speeding were among the dangerous behaviors reported.

Those numbers demand our attention. Certainly, if we take a call while driving, hands-free should be the minimum. Don’t hold the phone. And there is absolutely no justification for reading or sending texts, checking email or scrolling while you are operating a vehicle.

But hands-free does not mean distraction-free. A conversation can occupy our thoughts. So can drowsiness, passengers, food, navigation systems, vehicle controls or simply mentally working through the next deadline or problem. Even other traffic on the road.

Meanwhile, a school bus may be stopping ahead. A child may be approaching a crosswalk. Traffic may suddenly slow. Vehicle-to-everything technology promises to alert motorists when they come upon a school bus stop. The technology is impressive but still in it’s infancy, as it is only available in a figurative handful of vehicles. It will take decades for all vehicles on the road to communicate with each other and road infrastructure.

One of the most important observations this month comes from Rosalyn Vann-Jackson of Broken Arrow Public Schools in Oklahoma. She notes that the safest technology isn’t necessarily technology that removes the human from the equation. It’s technology that helps the human make a safer decision sooner.

Let’s continue developing and adopting technology that gives motorists and school transportation operators another layer of protection on the road. But we cannot surrender our own first line of collision avoidance in the process.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the October 2026 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: Texas Sixth Grader Wins National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Related: School Bus Safety Month Again Unanimously Supported in Senate
Related: Bridging the Safety Journey: From Car Seats to School Bus Seating
Related: School Is Back, So Are Safety Risks

The post The Human Element of Collision Avoidance appeared first on School Transportation News.

Between driver’s ignoring stop arm cameras, bus drivers unable to see students outside of the bus, and inattentive students, the Kansas State Department of Educated estimates there are over 13,000 injuries in school-bus related incidents involving students, pedestrians, and vehicles.

In this presentation, we will discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly moving from concept to a practical safety tool for student transportation safety. AI-powered safety systems can help detect pedestrians and objects around vehicles, alert drivers to risky behaviors, and trigger real-time responses to specific safety events.

This presentation explores how AI is being used today to improve school bus safety, what technologies are most ready for adoption, and which applications may be further out. Attendees will learn implementation best practices, key considerations for evaluating solutions, and how evolving industry expectations and regulations may shape future fleet safety decisions.

Brought to you by Brigade Electronics

REGISTER BELOW:

Presenters:

Corey Heniser
CEO
Brigade Electronics

Corey Heniser is CEO of Brigade Electronics, Inc., bringing 30 years of experience focused on vehicle safety for on-road and off-road applications. His career began with municipal fleet technologies for safer winter road maintenance, then expanded into hydraulic braking systems and radar-based collision avoidance for major OEMs and international distributors. In 2009, Brigade invited Corey to help grow its North American business. Now in his 16th year with Brigade, he continues to introduce safety technologies for commercial fleets while contributing to ANSI standards, collaborating with OSHA, and supporting Vision Zero and Together for Safer Roads initiatives.

Jeff Schweitzer
National Sales Manager
Brigade Electronics

Jeff Schweitzer is a sales and business development leader with more than a decade of experience driving growth for Brigade Electronics Inc. As National Sales Manager, he leads U.S. sales teams, develops national accounts, and supports forecasting, budgeting, and quota planning. His work has expanded Brigade’s presence across the United States and Mexico while strengthening relationships with distributors, OEMs, body builders, and fleet operators. Jeff has helped grow Brigade’s vehicle safety solutions, including radar, alarms, camera systems, proximity sensors, and recorders. He brings multi-industry experience and a customer-focused approach to building strategic relationships and supporting commercial vehicle safety nationwide.

Steven Wenger
OEM Business Development Manager
Brigade Electronics Group Plc

Steven Wenger is a business development and engineering leader with extensive experience delivering technology solutions for OEMs, commercial vehicle manufacturers, fleets, and upfitters. He currently serves as OEM Business Development Manager at Brigade Electronics Group Plc, where he builds strategic partnerships and helps customers identify practical solutions for the commercial vehicle market.

Drawing on a background in project engineering, direct sales, strategic partnerships, and fleet applications, Steven connects technical capabilities with real-world customer needs. His work is focused on developing strong relationships and scalable solutions that support safer, smarter, and more seamlessly integrated vehicles.

The post (Free Webinar) Understanding AI’s Role in Improving Student Transportation Safety appeared first on School Transportation News.

Leon County Schools shared how stronger Medicaid reimbursement, better ridership documentation and teamwork across departments can help districts recover the cost of transporting students with disabilities.

Karen Thomas, Medicaid coordinator at Leon County Schools in Florida, shared how her district secured a higher reimbursement rate through collaboration among transportation, finance and Medicaid staff during a Thursday webinar sponsored by Zonar.

Leon County receives about $18 per eligible ride, compared to approximately $2.50 in Florida’s larger Volusia County Schools, Thomas said.

“If you know one Medicaid program, you know one Medicaid program,” she explained, emphasizing that reimbursement rules and rates vary widely.

Thomas said Leon County pursued a district-specific rate rather than relying on the reimbursement amount established when Florida’s program began in the late 1990s. The process took three school years of coordinating information among departments before the superintendent brought everyone together.

“It was not a super simple process, but it paid off tremendously,” she said.

Finding the Funding

Tim Ammon, consultant and owner of Ammon Consulting Group, said transportation directors need to understand their state’s funding formula before identifying additional reimbursement opportunities.

“We’ve got a whole variety of expectations that are different state to state,” he explained.

A September survey conducted by Zonar and School Transportation News found that 72 percent of transportation professionals did not know how much their districts recovered annually through disability transportation funding programs. Zonar Chief Revenue Officer Rob Consoli shared during the webinar that only 47 percent of the survey respondents reported using Medicaid reimbursements, despite 58 percent knowing they are available.

“There are six sources that districts can pull from today. That includes the IDEA funds, state transportation funding, vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid reimbursement, and the McKinney-Vento [Homeless Assistance] Act funds which are not well known but are available – and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Program,” Consoli explained. “Districts rarely tap the full stack, and funding most often goes unclaimed on Medicaid.”

Ammon said the complexity can overwhelm transportation departments already managing staff shortages and daily operations.

“It’s really hard for transportation folks to try to navigate this on their own,” he said.

His recommendation was straightforward: Find a district or state Medicaid specialist who understands the requirements.

“And honestly, my expert opinion would be, find somebody like Karen,” Ammon said.

The Paperwork Problem

Thomas illustrated the documentation burden with her own summer routine, since Leon County still records specialized transportation ridership on paper logs.

“I actually physically get in my car and drive over to the bus barn, and I pick up boxes, legal boxes,” she quipped. “We see a lot of coffee stains and shoe print marks and things like that.”

She then matches those records with students’ individualized education programs, Medicaid eligibility and documented medical aids to determine which rides qualify for reimbursement.

The Zonar-STN survey found that 48 percent of respondents similarly relied on paper ridership logs, while 13 percent did not document daily ridership at all.

Thomas stressed that accurate documentation matters even when states change their reimbursement methods.

“At the end of the day, you’re still going to need that ridership data to back up that claim,” she said.

Ammon noted that electronic ridership tracking can support multiple funding opportunities, particularly in states where transportation aid depends on student ridership.

Related: (STN Podcast E321) The Mission: Supporting Education & Independence for Students with Special Needs
Related: School Bus Driver for Students with Special Needs Convicted of Sex Crimes
Related: Special Needs Roadeo Returns to TSD Conference with Expanded Training, Team Challenges
Related: (STN Podcast E323) Better Outcomes: Expert’s Insider Advice on Transporting Students with Disabilities

Turning Reimbursement Into Services

Thomas said Leon County dedicates its Medicaid reimbursement revenue to student health services, including school nurses. Additional funding could allow the district to hire a licensed practical nurse or vocational nurse instead of a clinic aide. It could also free-up other district funds for transportation needs, such as child safety restraint systems.

The panel also emphasized that reimbursement requires more than recording a school bus ride. Depending on applicable rules, claims must connect Medicaid eligibility, IEP requirements, medical services or equipment, and appropriate vehicle adaptations.

Consoli presented Zonar’s Z Pass digital ridership system as a way for transportation, special education and finance departments to share records.

Ammon encouraged districts to begin by determining whether they qualify for reimbursement and identifying the information needed to support a claim.

“I think the first thing that we would want to try to fix is awareness,” he said.

Watch the webinar on demand.

The TSD Conference and Trade Show brings together transportation professionals from around the country to learn and discuss the latest in transportation for students with special needs. Register online now.

Written with the assistance of AI and a live session transcript.

The post Florida District Tackles School Transportation Funding Gaps appeared first on School Transportation News.

The Anahuac Independent School District board approved a $159,150 in funding for purchasing and installing video cameras on existing school buses after a pickup truck nearly struck a 9-year-old girl approaching her bus in Chambers County, Texas, reported KFDM News.

Angela Nelson told local news reporters that her daughter, Lorigan, was preparing to board her school bus outside her home Sept. 18, when a pickup truck passed the stopped bus.

Video Nelson shared with local news shows Lorigan looking both ways before approaching the bus, which had its stop arm extended and red lights flashing. The girl spotted the pickup and moved away just before it passed, reportedly missing her by inches.

Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said investigators had identified and spoken with the motorist, who could face a reckless driving charge, a Class B misdemeanor.

Angela Nelson said the county attorney indicated that additional video and other evidence would be gathered and that the case could be presented to a grand jury.

Nelson also provided investigators with footage from a camera outside her home. That recording reportedly shows the school bus coming into view with its lights flashing several seconds before the pickup passes.

Texas law requires motorists approaching in either direction to stop for a school bus loading or unloading students, when its required visual signals are activated. Drivers may proceed when the bus moves, its driver signals them to proceed, or the signals stop.

Anahuac Superintendent David Walker told local reporters that the district currently has no cameras on its buses. He presented information to trustees who approved the new bus purchase and additional camera equipment.

The district was reportedly considering systems with approximately five interior cameras and two exterior cameras per bus. Walker is reviewing vendors, costs and potential funding sources, including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Supplemental Environmental Projects program.

Written with the assistance of AI.

Related: Wisconsin Teen Injured After Being Struck by Pickup While Boarding School Bus
Related: 9-year-old Boy Struck by SUV While Waiting for School Bus
Related: Two Students Struck After High School Student Illegally Passes School Bus
Related: Kentucky Motorist Arrested After Illegal Passing School Bus, Hitting Child

The post Texas District Approves School Bus Cameras After Girl Nearly Struck by Pickup appeared first on School Transportation News.

DeSoto County Schools transportation staff shared how moving from paper timesheets to digital payroll and dispatch cut processing time, improved accuracy and freed up employees for other work.

For one of Mississippi’s largest school transportation operations, modernizing payroll started with a basic problem: Too much time went into chasing paper.

DeSoto County Schools operates about 500 buses across 476 square miles, managing 1,344 routes each day with 366 drivers and 72 transportation aides. About 20,000 of the district’s approximately 34,000 total students are registered for transportation.

Yet until a few years ago, transportation employees still recorded their time with paper and pencil.

“We’re the largest school district in the state of Mississippi, right? And we had been operating with paper and pencil for the longest,” said Director of Transportation Levi Williams during a Thursday webinar sponsored by Bytecurve. “We’re going to have to come to the 21st century.”

The district eventually implemented Bytecurve by Transit Technologies for payroll, timekeeping and dispatch. Williams said the change “has revolutionized everything that we’ve done with payroll so far.”

From Several Days to One

The district’s payroll specialist, Conerly Burrell, experienced the outdated system firsthand. School bus drivers spread throughout the large district had to physically submit timesheets, leaving Burrell to track down missing paperwork and decipher handwritten entries before payroll could even begin.

“I was having to call them if they forgot or hunt some down to get their paperwork, and then that puts me behind,” she recalled.

Now, Burrell verifies clock-ins and clock-outs digitally and focuses on records that require attention.

“Now it takes me a day, maybe, to do payroll, to get what I need done to send in. It used to take me several days,” she said. “The time has helped so much because I can take care of other duties, also, and it has been a time saver, big time.”

Payroll Meets Daily Operations

Jonathan Agenten, director of sales for Bytecurve, explained that the system uses an exception-based process. Rather than requiring payroll staff to review every entry, it flags records that need closer attention.

“Our system has been designed to again be efficient and only focus on things that require you to dig a little deeper.” Agenten said.

He noted that transportation payroll can become particularly complicated because employees may complete different assignments with different pay rates and rules during the same day, such a regular bus routes compared to field or activity trips. He confirmed that Bytecurve ties timekeeping to the specific work assigned rather than treating every clocked hour the same.“

Bytecurve is a task-based timekeeping system, not a time-based,” he explained. “People are clocking into the work, and the system knows what that means.”

The change extends beyond payroll. Dispatchers can assign substitute drivers digitally, while route and pay information remains attached to the work rather than relying on staff memory.

“It has saved so much time for us,” Williams said. “Remembering the routes, what we pay for that particular route, we don’t have to do that anymore.”

Burrell said task codes also allow the department to account for work outside a regular route, such as midday assignments or extra duties.

“It’s made my life much easier,” she confirmed.

Saving Time & Money

Agenten’s presentation illustrated the potential impact of even small-time savings. A sample calculation based on 100 buses operating 180 school days estimated that saving five minutes per route could equal 1,500 hours annually and about $30,000 at a $20 hourly rate.

DeSoto County’s own experience produced similar efficiencies. Williams estimated the district saves at least $20,000 to $25,000 annually in staff time previously spent collecting, reviewing and processing timesheets.

The efficiencies also allowed the transportation department to reassign one of its two payroll positions rather than eliminate the job.

“We don’t want anyone losing their jobs,” Williams established. “It gave us an opportunity to reallocate that position to somewhere else in our department.”

Drivers Embrace the Change

Getting hundreds of employees to abandon paper didn’t happen overnight. Williams said DeSoto County took a phase approach to implementing the technology, and he acknowledged that he initially approached the transition cautiously.

“We didn’t get 100-percent buy-in from all of our drivers,” he said. “But you know, right now, our drivers don’t want to go back to paper.”

Burrell helped push the department across the finish line. Williams recalled her insisting that if the district went digital, it shouldn’t continue maintaining two systems at once.

Drivers and aides can now clock in and out using bus tablets or the ByteCurve DriveOn mobile app, which also provides messaging and notifications.

“They do love the app,” Burrell said, noting that drivers can check whether they remembered to clock out without returning to their bus.

She added she can also message one driver, selected employees or the entire group through the system.

Watch the webinar on demand.

Written with the assistance of AI and a live session transcript.

The post Mississippi District Streamlines School Bus Payroll, Operations appeared first on School Transportation News.

The October issue explores how school transportation leaders are using technology, training and strong leadership to improve safety and operations. Learn how collision-avoidance systems and video technology are helping prevent crashes. Hear from this year’s Top Transportation Team award winners at STN EXPO West on the role of communication and leadership. Discover how districts are navigating CDL testing and certification bottlenecks. Plus, get insights into the future of student transportation following changes at the U.S. Department of Education. Finally, preview what’s ahead at the Transporting Students With Disabilities & Special Needs Conference next month in Frisco, Texas.

Cover Story

Training for a Safer Start
School districts are finding ways to navigate CDL testing and certification bottlenecks to keep qualified drivers behind the wheel.

Features

Avoiding Collisions
Collision-avoidance systems and video camera technology are giving school transportation teams new tools to identify hazards and improve safety, while districts weigh the costs of adopting these technologies.

Leadership Strategies
Communication and strong leadership continue to play a key role in effective transportation operations, as this year’s Top Transportation Team award winners share the strategies behind their success.

Gearing Up for TSD Conference
Get a preview of the sessions, networking opportunities and other events planned for the Transporting Students With Disabilities & Special Needs Conference in Frisco, Texas.

Special Reports

NSTA Contractor of the Year Shares Success Secrets
B.R. Williams of New Jersey credits its employees and people-focused approach for helping the company earn NSTA Contractor of the Year honors.

What Happens Now?
Experts examine the operational and funding considerations school districts need to understand as the U.S. Department of Education undergoes major restructuring.

Conversations

Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
The Human Element of Collision Avoidance

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Learn. Network. Grow. Repeat.

Thought Leader by Linda Bluth
What to Do When a Supervisor Directs You to Do Something You Know Is Wrong?

The post October 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.

When the School District of Philadelphia began searching for a new transportation technology partner, leaders were looking for much more than a replacement for their existing routing software. They wanted a comprehensive platform capable of improving operational efficiency, increasing visibility and ultimately enhancing service for thousands of students and families across one of the nation’s largest school transportation systems.

After a competitive selection process, Philadelphia chose Transfinder. The decision was driven by a combination of technology, proven experience and a shared commitment to student transportation excellence.

The search began when the district learned that its previous provider, Compass, was exiting the school transportation business.

All-in-one Solution Sought

“We needed to identify another company for our routing for our school transportation,” said Executive Director of Transportation Tom Marcucci. “We wanted to ensure that we identified an all-in-one software solution so we didn’t have to navigate multiple platforms.” Transfinder’s all-in-one solution includes Routefinder PLUS as well as Transfinder’s parent app, Stopfinder and driver app Wayfinder.

Philadelphia is among the largest districts in the country with a student enrollment of 198,405 who attend 330 different schools. It was critically important to get it right. The district issued a formal RFP and evaluated several vendors before selecting Transfinder.

“Through our internal committee, we went through our process. Transfinder was the successful candidate based on our selection process,” Marcucci said.

For Marcucci, who spent more than three decades in mass transit leadership before joining the district, visibility and real-time information were critical differentiators.

“My background is mass transit,” he explained. “I had the capability to see every vehicle on the street, where they are, by driver number, bus number and route number. I was surprised that we did not have that capability within the school district.”

That was prior to Transfinder.

Transfinder’s ability to provide GPS integration, parent communication tools and real-time transportation visibility helped separate it from the competition.

“So the parent app, GPS location, all that information went into our decision and was one of the main reasons why Transfinder separated themselves from the rest,” Marcucci said. “In 2026, if I can pick up my phone and order a pizza through my phone and an app, why can’t we do the same with transportation?”

Transfinder Makes it Easy to Transition From Another Platform

The district also valued Transfinder’s long history and reputation within the industry. Compass itself recommended Transfinder as a proven platform with successful transitions at other school districts.

“Transfinder did come highly recommended,” Marcucci said. “Our partners from Compass said that Transfinder had been successful with previous school districts in integrating and transitioning from whatever platform they had.”

Today, Philadelphia is actively implementing Routefinder PLUS, with plans to expand into additional solutions in future phases. The district and Transfinder meet regularly to ensure progress remains on track.

“We have an implementation project plan that we have shared,” Marcucci said. “Our analysts started early training with Transfinder’s project manager and trainer coordinator. It morphed into both online virtual training and on-site training as well.”

The project represents a significant undertaking. Philadelphia’s transportation operation serves traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, nonpublic schools and specialized transportation programs across the region. Transportation includes yellow buses, vans, taxis, public transit partnerships and parent reimbursement programs.

Despite the size and complexity of the operation, Marcucci said the implementation has been making steady progress.

“Thus far, everything’s going well,” he said. “We have ongoing trainings. We’re using Routefinder PLUS right now. We’re progressing toward our goal.”

Technology Leads to Improved Customer Service

Looking ahead, Philadelphia sees technology as a catalyst for improved customer service. One major objective is giving parents direct access to transportation information through mobile technology.

“What I’m looking for is a streamlined process,” Marcucci said. “A parent can then look up, ‘Where is my student?’ Because we know five minutes may seem like a lifetime when you’re a dad, a mom or a guardian.”

Rather than making phone calls, parents will be able to receive real-time updates and monitor transportation information through the parent app Stopfinder.

“Instead of having to pick up the phone and call the district or call a vendor, I can look right on that app and say, ‘Okay, I see where they are,'” he said.

Marcucci expects these improvements will reduce call volumes, improve customer service and create operational efficiencies throughout the department.

“It’ll make us more efficient in our response time with answering calls and responding to parents and guardians,” he said. “We’re looking at improving not only on-time performance, but a reduction in call volume and improving our overall customer service.”

The district is also excited about the role emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can play in supporting employees. Transfinder recently received the Best Software/AI Innovation Award for its AI agent Atlas.

“That AI feature allows you to just type in and ask, ‘How do I do X, Y, Z?’ and it’ll give you suggestions,” Marcucci said. “You’re always going to need people, but resources have to be shifted to where they’re needed more.”

Ultimately, however, the mission remains unchanged.

“The real results come in the end when we are live and we’re into it,” Marcucci said. “Ultimately, are we transporting safely, effectively and efficiently where everything is seamless and transportation becomes an afterthought in the most positive way?”

That focus on students is why Philadelphia believes the partnership with Transfinder can help achieve its long-term goals.

“The school district is looking forward to its partnership with Transfinder,” Marcucci said. “We’re looking forward to providing the most efficient, the best, the safest and the most reliable transportation to our stakeholders, our student population, parents and guardians.” He added, “Never lose sight of the fact that it’s always about the safety, the transporting and the efficiency for our most precious asset, which is our children.”

For Philadelphia, Transfinder is more than a software implementation. It is an investment in a future where technology, communication and transportation work together seamlessly to better serve students, families and the community.

Transfinder President and CEO Antonio Civitella said The School District of Philadelphia’s selection of Transfinder’s solutions comes at the perfect time, as the company continues to innovate and better serve its clients.

“The Transfinder team has worked closely with the district to meet and exceed its objectives,” Civitella said. “We take The School District of Philadelphia’s trust—or the trust of any district—very seriously. Philadelphia is choosing Transfinder at an ideal time, when our solutions are more innovative and user-friendly than ever. With our award-winning AI tool, Atlas, and industry-leading support, the City of Brotherly Love is in good hands with Transfinder.”

Key Takeaways

• Sought an all-in-one solution: Philadelphia selected Transfinder after a competitive RFP process because district leaders wanted a single platform rather than multiple disconnected systems.
• Real-time visibility was a game changer: GPS tracking, vehicle visibility, and parent-facing technology were major factors in the district’s decision.
• Built on proven experience: Transfinder’s nearly four decades of school transportation expertise and successful transition history provided confidence during the vendor selection process. Plus, its previous provider recommended Transfinder.
• Serving one of the nation’s most complex operations: The district coordinates transportation for public, charter, private and nonpublic schools along with specialized transportation services and public transit programs.
• Phase One: Master routing: The immediate goal is to successfully implement Routefinder PLUS before expanding into additional Transfinder solutions.
• Future focus: Parent communication: District leaders expect parent-facing tools to provide real-time bus information, reduce phone calls and improve customer service.
• Data-driven efficiency: Long-term goals include improving on-time performance, reducing inquiry volume and reallocating staff resources to higher-value customer service activities.
• Embracing AI: Philadelphia sees Transfinder’s AI tools as a way to help employees learn the system faster, improve productivity and support better decision-making.
• Student safety remains the mission: “Never lose sight of the fact that it’s always about the safety, the transporting and the efficiency for our most precious asset, which is our children.” — Tom Marcucci.

To learn more about Transfinder’s solutions and how it can help your district become more efficient, visit transfinder.com/solutions, email solutions@transfinder.com or call 800-373-3609.

The post Philadelphia Chooses Transfinder to Power the Future of Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

The student transportation industry faces questions after a 7-year-old student rider in a wheelchair died on her bus. Additionally, rising fuel costs alongside declining enrollment complicate matters.

Gabrielle Marie Kelley aka “Gabie the Author,” former school bus dispatcher and current office manager for Irving Independent School District in Texas, takes us behind the scenes of the web series she has been sharing with STN readers titled “Calvin & Christina” following the adventures of Calvin, an anxious but dutiful bus driver, and his sentient and safety-conscious school bus named Christina.

Read more about safety.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Spotify and YouTube.

The post (STN Podcast E325) Calvin & Christina: Safety-Conscious Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

MEDIA, Pa. – Through one of its operating companies, Krise Transportation, American Student Transportation Partners, Inc. (“ASTP”), a portfolio company of CVC DIF, announces the acquisition of AJ Myers and Sons, a leading provider of student transportation in western Pennsylvania.

“For over 75 years AJ Myers and Sons has built a strong reputation in western Pennsylvania, and we’re proud to welcome their team to the Krise/ASTP family,” said Tod Eskra, President & CEO of ASTP.

Jason Dobry, President of Krise Transportation said “We are honored to welcome AJ Myers and Sons to the Krise/ASTP family. AJ Myers has earned the trust and respect of the communities it serves through its commitment to safety, reliable service and strong relationships with its employees, school district partners and local communities. We recognize the responsibility that comes with this acquisition and are committed to being thoughtful stewards of the AJ Myers legacy while providing for the company’s continued success.”

Since 1950, AJ Myers has successfully served the student transportation needs of communities in western Pennsylvania.

“As we considered the next chapter for AJ Myers and Sons, it was important to find a partner that shared our commitment to our employees, school district partners, students, parents and communities.” Said Jordan Myers, Vice President of AJ Myers and Sons. “ASTP and Krise Transportation respects the values that have defined AJ Myers and Sons while bringing the resources and capabilities to support its continued growth. I am confident this partnership will create new opportunities for our team and is positioned to deliver safe, dependable service for many years to come.”

Established in 2021, ASTP is driving the future of student transportation by focusing on customers, safety, embracing technology, and leading with a people-first approach. The company refers to its team members as “HEROES” and has built contemporary and digitally enabled marketing, recruiting, and training programs. ASTP seeks to deliver great service, every day, to families, students, and business partners. The company’s network of leading operators currently serves more than 110,000 students daily.

About American Student Transportation: Partners
American Student Transportation Partners (ASTP) is a national student transportation platform built around strong local operators working together to strengthen student transportation through investment and innovation. The result is student transportation that stays rooted in the communities they serve, delivered by drivers invested in the students’ safety and well-being. ASTP’s platform of companies, including Krise Transportation in Pennsylvania and Assisted Student Transportation in Kansas and Missouri safely transports over 110,000 students daily.

Learn more about American Student Transportation Partners.

About Krise Transportation: Krise Transportation, Inc., a leader in Pennsylvania for safe and reliable student transportation, holds a single vision of being the student transportation provider of choice for education partners in Pennsylvania. Krise’s mission is to create and maintain reliable, efficient, and safe transportation programs. Krise Transportation is built on the principle that every child deserves equal access to education. The Krise team brings this principle to life through comprehensive student transportation programs, providing the labor, training, equipment, and operational expertise our school districts deserve.

Learn more about Krise Transportation.

About CVC DIF: CVC DIF is the infrastructure strategy of CVC, a leading global private markets manager. CVC DIF manages approximately $28.5 billion in assets and invests in critical infrastructure sectors, including transportation, energy transition, digital infrastructure and utilities. With deep sector expertise, operational capabilities and long-term capital, CVC DIF partners with businesses that provide essential services and have strong potential for sustainable growth.

Learn more about CVC DI

The post American Student Transportation Partners Expands in Western Pennsylvania Through AJ Myers and Sons Acquisition appeared first on School Transportation News.

LOS ANGELES, Calif.— HopSkipDrive, the leader in safe, fast, and simple supplemental student transportation, today debuted CareEngine, the technology platform that powers every HopSkipDrive ride. Purpose built for the complexity of school transportation, CareEngine connects school districts, schools, families, riders, CareDrivers, and HopSkipDrive’s Safe Ride Support team before, during, and after every ride, so everyone gets the information they need at the right time.

Districts today are too often stuck stitching coordination together with disconnected systems that don’t speak to each other, can’t move at the speed students need, and aren’t sustainable over time. When something changes, coordination breaks down exactly when it matters most.

CareEngine was built to close that gap. School transportation is unlike any other transportation, involving far more than a car and a driver moving a rider from one place to another, and every ride is personal: a seven-year-old who depends on a consistent pickup routine, a teenager experiencing homelessness in her third school placement this year, a student who is non-verbal and relies on a familiar greeting. A late pickup can affect a classroom, an outdated handoff instruction can create a safety concern, and a missed update can lead to uncertainty and a chain of phone calls.

When a student’s home address changes at 10:30 at night, CareEngine puts a new plan into motion, and coordinates everyone in real-time. The CareDriver’s route updates automatically in the CareDriver app. RideIQ gives district staff real-time visibility into the change, the school’s Daily Queue shows the day’s updated pickups and dropoffs, the student can follow their own ride through Track My Ride, and the family’s Caregiver app confirms the new pickup, all without a series of phone calls, left messages, or lost sticky notes that plague current processes.

CareEngine brings that coordination to every part of the ride:
● Seamless coordination, always in sync: Districts can book a full school year of rides in minutes. When a pickup time, address, rider instruction, or any other detail changes, CareEngine automatically routes the update to everyone who needs it, the district, the family, and the CareDriver, so one update replaces five phone calls.

● Proactive, human-centered safety: CareEngine brings the CareDriver app, HopSkipDrive’s Safe Ride technology, and the Safe Ride Support team into one connected system that can flag unsafe driving while a CareDriver is still on the way to pickup, giving Safe Ride Support the chance to intervene before a child ever gets in the car.

● Individualized care at scale: CareEngine’s unified system captures each student’s specific needs and preferences, and seamlessly communicates them to the CareDriver at the right time, every ride. This creates a consistent experience tailored specifically to each student, even when the CareDriver changes. CareEngine makes it possible to deliver this level of individualized care consistently across thousands of students and millions of rides.

● Speed when it matters most: New rides are guaranteed in as little as six hours, and location changes in as little as two. For a student whose housing placement changes unexpectedly, that means getting to school the next morning, not the next week, protecting their attendance and continuity at their school of origin.

● A system that improves with every ride: Every ride adds useful information: how long a pickup actually takes, where delays keep repeating, and which instructions reduce confusion. HopSkipDrive’s team uses those insights to make coordination smoother and more reliable over time.

“We’ve spent more than a decade building purpose-built technology for every person involved in a student’s ride: districts, schools, families, riders, CareDrivers, and our safety team,” said Joanna McFarland, CEO and co-founder of HopSkipDrive.”CareEngine is what happens when all these applications connect with each other in one unified system. It helps transportation teams spend less time chasing information and more time serving their students. It’s not a new fix for the driver shortage. It’s what makes sure the capacity districts do have isn’t wasted on coordination they shouldn’t have to do by hand.”

CareEngine arrives as student transportation faces two forces at once. Need is rising: More students require specialized transportation than ever before, from students in temporary housing to students in foster care to students with IEPs who need consistent, individualized care. At the same time, capacity remains constrained and issues like budget restrictions and school bus driver shortages persist. HopSkipDrive’s 2026 State of School Transportation Report found that 71% of districts experienced at least one tangible operational consequence of driver shortages in the past year, including longer ride times, missed or late pickups, and staff pulled in to cover gaps. Nearly a quarter, 23%, say they can no longer offer transportation for extracurricular activities or field trips at all.

More information on CareEngine can be found here.

About HopSkipDrive
HopSkipDrive is the leader in safe, fast, and simple supplemental student transportation. The company is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and an industry-leading transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI. HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly-vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 14,500 schools across two dozen states, with over 2,000 school districts, government agencies, and nonprofit partners. Millions of rides across 130 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

The post HopSkipDrive Debuts CareEngine, the Technology Platform Built to Keep Every Student Ride Coordinated appeared first on School Transportation News.

Districts transport students with disabilities every day under an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The cost recovery opportunities that supports those rides sit in several places at once: school-based Medicaid, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), state categorical aid and grant programs. Knowing which dollars apply, and holding the documentation to claim them, is where most operations lose ground.

In September 2026, Zonar and School Transportation News (STN) surveyed transportation professionals across the U.S. about how their districts fund and document specialized transportation.

Join Zonar and a panel of experts for an open conversation about where the money comes from, what districts document today and what gets missed along the way. Get direct insights from the perspective of consultants, district leaders and the staff who handle claiming.

What we’ll cover:

• Where cost recovery for transporting students with disabilities comes from, and which sources districts already use
• How school-based Medicaid reimbursement works for specialized transportation, from eligibility through the claim
• Why documentation is where most claims break down, and what a defensible ridership record looks like
• How one Florida district handles Medicaid claiming today, including the manual matching behind every submission
• Where the survey data shows the widest gap between cost recovery options that are available and funding claimed
• Practical next steps for transportation and special education leaders heading into the rest of the 2026-2027 school year
• How ridership tracking makes applying for cost recovery easier and more reliable.

Brought to you by Zonar

REGISTER BELOW:

Featured speakers:

Rachel Trindade
Chief Marketing Officer
Zonar

With more than 25 years in marketing and 15+ years in logistics, Rachel has helped companies drive significant growth faster than industry norms. At Zonar, she leads marketing and demand generation.

Before joining Zonar, Rachel served as CMO at FlavorCloud and Extensiv, and led global marketing at Teletrac Navman (Vontier) across four continents. She holds a BBA from the University of Texas at Austin and has been recognized as a leading Woman in Supply Chain by Supply & Demand Chain Executive and named California’s Most Visionary Tech CMO by CEO Monthly.

Tim Ammon
Owner
Ammon Consulting Group

Tim Ammon has spent more than 25 years supporting transportation and fleet operations, working with more than 500 organizations across three countries. His work focuses on identifying opportunities to improve operational performance through process improvements, technology adoption, and personnel practices, consistently helping organizations bridge the gap between desired and actual performance.

Tim has also provided extensive professional development services in leadership and management, decision-making, organizational resilience, and cost and technical analysis. He holds a Master of Public Administration from American University and certifications in School Risk Management, Operational Risk Management, and Change Management.

Karen Thomas
Medicaid Coordinator
Leon County Schools

Karen Thomas handles Medicaid claiming for Leon County Schools in Tallahassee, Florida, where she manages the documentation behind every reimbursement the district submits for transporting students with disabilities. Her work covers pulling the daily records, matching each ride to the correct route and the correct student, then compiling the full file for submission.

She brings a ground-level view of what it takes to get funding for transporting students with disabilities, along with the tools and tricks that make her job easier.

The post (Free Webinar) The Cost Recovery Behind Transporting Students with Disabilities appeared first on School Transportation News.

Managing payroll for a school transportation department can involve complex schedules, changing assignments, driver time, and manual data entry. DeSoto County School District invested in dispatch and timekeeping software to make payroll more efficient, accurate, and manageable.

In this webinar, we’ll explore how modern payroll technology helps school districts streamline timekeeping, improve visibility into driver hours, and reduce the administrative burden associated with payroll processing. You’ll learn how connected transportation data can support better decision-making and more consistent day-to-day operations.

Designed for transportation directors, payroll teams, and school district leaders, this session will highlight practical considerations for evaluating payroll software and modernizing back-office workflows. Discover how the right technology can help your district save time, enhance efficiency, and build a stronger foundation for student transportation operations.

Brought to you by Bytecurve

REGISTER BELOW:

Speakers:

Levi Williams
Director of Transportation
DeSoto Public Schools

Levi Williams leads transportation at DeSoto Public Schools and will share firsthand perspective on the district’s move to modern payroll and connected transportation workflows, including the operational challenges, implementation experience, and outcomes that other school transportation leaders can relate to.

Conerly Burrell​
Payroll Specialist​
DeSoto Public Schools​

Jonathan Agenten
Director of Sales
Bytecurve

Jonathan Agenten works with school transportation organizations to connect operational challenges with Bytecurve and busHive solutions.

The post (Free Webinar) How DeSoto County Schools Simplified Transportation Payroll Operations appeared first on School Transportation News.

In a first of its kind, STN EXPO West introduced a new session series focused on the use of artificial intelligence in school transportation. Held July 14, the track focused on AI in dispatch, personnel productivity, budgeting, fleet management, risk mitigation and bell schedules. Prior to the six breakout sessions, a general session “Beyond ChatGPT: The AI Revolution in Student Transportation,” consisted of all AI session speakers and served as an opening panel, helping transportation leaders cut through the hype to define what AI actually is—and isn’t—today.

Moderated by STN Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray, the panel consisted of Richard Jimenez, director of transportation for Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District; Timothy Purvis of Pupil Transportation Information; GP Singh, the founder of Bytecurve and a strategic advisor to Transit Technologies after selling his company last year; and Rosalyn Vann-Jackson, Ph.D., the executive director of enrollment and student services for Broken Arrow Public Schools in Oklahoma and founder/CEO of Bloom Bigger Coaching.

The panel dissected AI’s transformative impact, referencing tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Claude. It spotlighted Broken Arrow’s integration of AI for daily operations, policy analysis, comparative studies on sick leave and overtime (notably for special education aides), and public records requests.

Jimenez shared how AI use at Placentia-Yorba Linda streamlines compliance, special education (IEP/IDEA) processes, legal messaging to parents, and multi-services bid response summarization, reducing manual workloads and enhancing communication.

Tim Purvis, however warned of data exposure risks in field trip and alternative transportation bids, public records requests and contract reviews, reinforcing the “bad data in, bad data out” principle. He advocated for robust policies like Broken Arrow’s Vision and Mission.

Singh clarified that true AI synthesizes multi-source data for actionable insights, distinguishing it from mere automation and recommended retrieval augmented generation (RAG) for fact-based outputs. The panel outlined essential AI safeguards: Exclusive use of IT-approved and licensed tools, multi-factor authentication, and strict avoidance of uploading confidential or personally identifiable information.

The panelists detailed the many ways AI is being integrated into school transportation operations, from predictive maintenance, vehicle diagnostics, telematics, and fleet management to dispatch automation, field trip planning, attendance tracking, and master bell schedule optimization. They also highlighted applications in driver and employee performance, including driver coaching, behind-the-wheel assessments, accident analysis, training plan development, safety modules, and automated performance reviews.

Beyond daily operations, panelists described using AI to support budgeting, identify contract issues, research laws and regulations, analyze public documents and district-specific data, plan travel, develop parent communication templates, and even compare social media claims with more reliable information.

A recurring theme was the importance of “context engineering,” or providing AI tools with detailed, relevant instructions. Panelists recommended using prompts of roughly 300 words tailored to a district’s specific needs. They also encouraged gradual staff adoption, internal model training and continued human review to reduce errors and prevent AI-generated misinformation or “hallucinations.”

Survey data of 23 STN EXPO attendees found that 65 percent of respondents use AI at least occasionally or daily, with ChatGPT dominating use. Eighty-two percent of respondents are using it for writing emails/communications. Whereas 59 percent are using AI for customer/parent communication, 45 percent for policy or document drafting, 41 percent for training or onboarding materials. The percentage falls to 32 percent for data analysis and reporting. The lowest use cases are database/app development (14 percent) and routing/logistics support (9 percent). Plus, the survey found that most districts are still in “Wild West” mode with only 33 percent having formal organization-wide guidance and policies.Lack of training at 68 percent is the main driver for holding transportation employees back from using AI.

Cathy Whitney, transportation coordinator at Glenn County Office of Education in California, shared with School Transportation News after the conference that she is still new to use of AI. She said she doesn’t believe her organization has any policies or guidance on use cases.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how it can help and improve on what we’re already doing that may save time and save the funds for other needed items. It’s exciting to see how fast it’s growing and the things that it can do in a very short time,” she added.

However, her biggest fear is getting the wrong information and using it in a report or a way that presents false information. “When I was at the STN [EXPO] conference, they kept saying check and make sure that the information is correct. We already do that in our regular lives every day,” Whitney added. “I think a lot of people are unsure or aren’t good with change and [fear] that AI is going to take jobs away from other people. I think they would have to see the positive side and see how it helps them in their lives and jobs to save time.”

Her takeaway from the sessions was to learn more about AI. “I want to create and gather data by putting information into AI that would [normally] take me hours to do and have it create it in a very short time. I look forward to a future with AI in it,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, Keba Baldwin, the director of transportation and central garage for Prince George’s County Schools in Maryland, shared on the School Transportation Nation podcast that his district has adopted AI policies and is cautious about its AI use cases. He said transportation is unable to use ChatGPT or Claude because they don’t meet the district’s security standards.

In a year’s time, PGCPS has expanded from using AI for help crafting emails to now analyzing data. “I’m thankful it’s helping to cut some of our workload in half,” he said on Episode 319. “But the technology is still developing, and we just want to keep up with it.”

When navigating vendors who say they have AI integrated into their technology suites, Baldwin advised asking the right questions. “At the end of the day, I need to know if their infrastructure can align with my infrastructure to get us the outcome,” he said, adding that some companies might not even meet the district security measures, and student transporters should be aware of that.

“How much time it’s going to take to implement? What’s the customer care on that? Can I call you 24/7?” he said of some other questions to ask. Additionally, he said technology demos are great but remain at surface level. When implementing new technology, he advised directors to get into the weeds of the offerings.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the September 2026 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: District Says ‘No Looking Back’ After Using Artificial Intelligence Routing System
Related: School Bus Maintenance Process Recommendations Influenced by Technology
Related: An Autonomous Near-Future? ‘AI’ Think So
Related: Is Safety Everyone’s Responsibility?

The post AI Takes a Larger Role in School Transportation Management appeared first on School Transportation News.

The September issue explores how technology is reshaping school transportation, from AI and connected tools to video systems, routing and communications. Learn how Allentown School District is using technology to improve safety and operations, hear from Los Angeles Unified School District’s new superintendent on transportation’s role in student access and discover how districts are navigating the shift to cloud-based video storage. Plus, get practical insights on implementing AI with guardrails and using technology to support drivers and transportation teams.

Read the full September issue.

Cover Story

Tech Focused
Student transportation leaders at Pennsylvania’s Allentown School District are turning connected tools into safer service and operational gains, using technology to improve communication, efficiency and the student experience.

Features

The Video Storage Shift
As school bus camera systems become more sophisticated, districts are weighing cloud, local and hybrid storage options while balancing accessibility, cost, cybersecurity and student privacy.

Driver Training Goes High-Tech
Technology is changing how transportation departments approach driver training, coaching, safety and performance.

Improving Communications With Technology
New technology is giving transportation teams more ways to communicate with drivers, families and administrators while improving visibility and service.

Special Report

AI Takes a Larger Role in School Transportation Management
Transportation leaders explore how AI can support dispatch, fleet management, budgeting, driver training and other operations while emphasizing policies, safeguards and responsible use.

Q&A 

Transportation’s True Value
Los Angeles Unified School District’s new superintendent discusses transportation’s role in student access, educational opportunity, operational efficiency and student success.

Conversations

Ad Index

Columns

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Don’t Bury the ‘Lede’

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
School is Back, So Are Safety Risks

Thought Leader By Tim Ammon
Changing Times, Perspectives

The post September 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.

The post Does your school district have a policy on how to use AI? appeared first on School Transportation News.

Earlier this year, Zonar and School Transportation News surveyed transportation professionals across the United States to document the pressures shaping fleets today and where leaders are investing next. The result is the most comprehensive look at student transportation challenges, safety priorities and 2026 technology plans available today.

Inside the report:

• Understand why driver shortages aren’t going away and what leading districts are doing about it.
• Identify where your safety program may have gaps in communication and driver compliance.
• Know which technologies are worth prioritizing in 2026-2027 before you finalize your budget.
• See how fleets your size are investing and where adoption is lagging across the industry.
• Find out which KPIs your peers are tracking and how to measure what actually matters.

Download the complimentary report to see how your fleet compares.

Fill out the form below and then check your email to get the report.

The post (Free White Paper) 2026 State of Student Transportation Report appeared first on School Transportation News.

In Churchill County School District in Fallon, Nevada, the value of Transfinder’s transportation management system looks different depending on where you sit.

For Transportation Director Austin Metz, it is about managing routes, serving approximately 1,300 students and finding practical ways to make a complex operation easier to manage. For transportation trainer Scotty Grenamyer, it is about something more immediate: being able to learn the system quickly, use it every day and give drivers and parents better information.

From both vantage points, the conclusion is remarkably similar.

“I wouldn’t change it,” Metz said. “I’m happy with what I’ve got and for the value it can’t be beat.”

Churchill County operates 17 routes and uses Transfinder’s transportation technology to help manage its operation. Metz said the district uses the award-winning Routefinder PLUS, parent app Stopfinder and Tripfinder to manage field trips. It also has Viewfinder for a deeper look at the transportation department’s transportation operation.

Each of the solutions help address everything from daily routing to field trips and parent communication.

For Metz, Stopfinder has been particularly valuable from the parent perspective.

“Stopfinder has been a great solution for our parents,” he said. “It’s very user friendly and our parents really enjoy being able to see where buses are in real time, set those GeoAlerts and contact us at the click of a button.”

That visibility can also translate into fewer questions for transportation staff.

Grenamyer, who works directly with drivers and transportation operations, sees the same benefit from a different perspective.

“Stopfinder has been really good,” he said. “I mean, I haven’t had any issue with it.”

More importantly, he said, Stopfinder has changed the parents’ experience.

“Very much so, yes,” Grenamyer said when asked whether Stopfinder had reduced calls from parents and improved communications. “It’s made it much easier.”

He added that parents appreciate knowing what is happening with their children during the school day.

“The parents love to be able to see that we’ve gotten their kids, picked them up and that that we made it to the school and dropped them off.”

Behind that parent-facing experience is the district’s routing operation. Metz said Routefinder PLUS offers the flexibility needed when circumstances change.

“It’s great,” he said, noting that once he learned the system, “there’s a world of possibilities and abilities to add, alter, absorb routes, it’s great.”

That flexibility proved especially useful when Churchill County needed to combine routes.

“We’ve had to combine routes once, and Routefinder made it extremely easy to just create a new trip, move those stops where they need to be, and send that information out to parents at the click of a button,” Metz said.

Grenamyer’s experience illustrates another important piece of the equation: usability.

As a transportation trainer, he works with the people who have to use the system in the real world. He said he was able to get comfortable with it relatively quickly.

“I got it like really quick,” he added. “Took me just a couple weeks to figure it out and I’ve been using it every day for my reports, routing, everything.”

For a transportation department, that ease of use can matter as much as the technology itself. A powerful system has to work for the people sitting behind the transportation desk as well as the people behind the wheel.

Churchill County also uses Tripfinder for field trips and activity trips. Metz said the product helps the district manage drivers, mileage and billing from a centralized dashboard.

“It allows us to track our drivers, track our mileage, and create invoices right from the dashboard,” he said. “And it makes it super simple for anyone that has to step into that role.”

Grenamyer has also found value in Transfinder’s support and learning resources. He said Transfinder Community, Transfinder’s portal featuring guides, videos, webinars, training sessions and more – has helped him continue building his knowledge of the system.

“I love that you guys have got that Community system where you can go and learn and do courses. I’m halfway through with it right now and I’m getting certifications,” he said.

When he hit a roadblock with PLUS, support was readily available.

“They walked me through it and then they actually even designed it where I could use it directly, have my own tabs for certain reports I want to run to automatically give me a 60-day warning.”

For Churchill County, the technology is not simply about routing buses. It is about giving transportation leaders flexibility, giving trainers usable tools, giving parents information and giving the district a system that can adapt as needs change.

Metz’s assessment of Transfinder’s technology is straightforward.

“I wouldn’t change it.”

And from the driver’s training side, Grenamyer offers an equally direct endorsement of support:

“I enjoy it and I love that they are very friendly and helpful.”

For a school transportation operation looking for technology that combines functionality, usability and value, Churchill County’s experience offers a compelling perspective—from the transportation director’s office to the people working with drivers every day.

Five Key Takeaways

• A complete transportation ecosystem: Churchill County School District relies on Routefinder PLUS, Stopfinder, Viewfinder and Tripfinder, creating a connected platform for routing, parent communication, reporting, and trip management. Records dating back to 2007 provide valuable historical data for planning and decision-making.
• Operational efficiency drives cost savings: Routefinder PLUS enables the transportation team to quickly modify, combine, and optimize routes when circumstances change, helping the district maximize resources and reduce administrative workload.
• Parent communication improves while phone calls decrease: Stopfinder gives families real-time bus visibility, geo-alerts, and direct communication tools. Staff spend less time answering routine inquiries.
• Trip management becomes more accountable: Tripfinder helps track drivers, mileage, and invoicing from a single dashboard, streamlining field trip administration and providing better financial oversight for transportation departments and business offices.
• Strong support accelerates staff productivity: Scotty was able to become proficient with the system within weeks, and Transfinder’s support team helped create customized reporting tools that monitor certifications, licenses, CPR renewals, and physicals, reducing compliance risks and saving administrative time.

Discover more on “From Driver-Trainer to Transportation Director” from Austin Metz in his own words.

To learn more about the STN Expo 2026 Innovation Choice Awards: award-winning Best Hardware, Best Software, Best Safety Technology, and Best Green Technology leveraged by Churchill County School District, visit www.transfinder.com, email solutions@transfinder.com or call 800-373-3609.

The post From the Director’s Desk to the Driver’s Seat: Transfinder Delivers Results appeared first on School Transportation News.

Student safety depends on buses that start every morning and perform reliably every mile. But reactive maintenance (fixing buses only after they fail) puts your fleet at risk of breakdowns, delays and potentially dangerous roadside emergencies.

This guide offers a framework for shifting from costly “break-fix” repairs to a predictive, data-driven maintenance strategy that helps you catch problems before they jeopardize student safety.

Inside, you will learn why traditional maintenance falls short and how aging fleets create hidden risks that reactive programs often miss.

• Understand the three stages of maintenance maturity (reactive, preventive and predictive) and how to reach the predictive phase to better prevent breakdowns.
• Discover what telematics unlocks for your operation, from rich engine diagnostics and digital DVIRs to driver behavior monitoring.
• Learn five steps to smarter maintenance, from benchmarking KPIs to tracking and reporting results.

Download this guide if your district is ready to stop reacting to failures and start preventing them, so every student you transport rides on a safer school bus.

Fill out the form below and then check your email to access the predictive maintenance guide.

The post (Free White Paper) How To Make Maintenance Your School Bus Operation’s Safety Advantage appeared first on School Transportation News.