A webinar hosted by the Propane Education & Research Council outlined the benefits of propane-fueled school buses with transportation professionals that are currently using them in their fleets.

“Blue Bird loves to make buses, and we love to make options,” said Steve Whaley, alternative fuels manager at Blue Bird during the Wednesday webinar. He discussed a comparison with propane to other fuels in terms of cost differential, as he said perception of alternative fuels is that they tend to be more expensive.

With over 20,000 propane buses on the road, Whaley said that savings are significant with average fuel and maintenance costs of about $3,700 per year per bus. As opposed to other clean fuel options and even when compared to diesel, the infrastructure costs are the lowest of any other fuels because propane evaporates leading to fewer regulations from the EPA. Since so much propane is sourced in the U.S., Whaley said transportation departments can avoid the cost instability that comes with outsourcing fuel from outside the country.

Whaley quoted Mike Bullman, director of transportation for the South Carolina Department of Education, as saying, “We don’t need funding for propane, those things pay for themselves.”

To discuss the health benefits of propane, Bailey Arnold from the American Lung Association presented statistics on the high rates of lung cancer in the U.S. As the director of healthy air solutions, Arnold said the organization is committed to fighting the high rates of lung cancer that lead to nearly 125,000 lives lost every year.

He noted that implementing propane is one of the things society can do to combat these mortality rates and health issues as well as high CO2 emissions, explaining that while emissions are commonly measured and analyzed on a yearly basis, “they stack up and have a cumulative effect.”

He said that he would encourage school districts to consider propane now as it will only get more difficult to reduce overall emissions. Arnold referenced a recent NREL study that found that using propane would save 147 tons of carbon emissions in three years, while renewable propane would save 360 tons over the same period.

Amy Rosa, director of safety and transportation at Wa-Nee Community Schools in northern Indiana, is currently running 25 Blue Bird propane buses out of the 56 buses in her fleet that transports 3,000 students. She said losing two parents to lung disease in recent years spurred her passion for cleaner fuels. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen mitigation trust grant funding contributed a lower cost of implementation for the new propane buses. She said her district is always looking to save money to benefit the students and taxpayers, and that propane buses helped do that.

She said the transition was seamless, and that partnerships with the suppliers were supportive. Mechanics and drivers were on board. She said that the drivers appreciate the quieter engines, which “reduces tension with students and drivers” and that these quiet, clean, warm buses are improving student behavioral student issues. In a cold state, she said the quick heating ability of propane buses with no need for auxiliary heaters has been a benefit, and that her drivers have told her, “I love knowing my bus will start no matter how cold it gets.”

Whaley noted that Diane Mikelski, the recently retired director of transportation at Illinois’ Township High School District 211, will be speaking about her experience with propane buses at the upcoming Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference in November on the benefits of a quieter bus on student behavior.

Sam Corson, the bus and automotive maintenance manager at Newport News Community Schools in Virginia, said he has seen immediate positive results from using propane buses. He said with wide city borders, which requires school bus drivers to often log 100 to 200 miles a day, long-range buses are necessary. He said Newport News has had no issues with propane buses doing around 340 miles on one tank.

Corson said that about 80 percent of district routes are covered by the 180 propane buses out of 306 total in the fleet,. Cost savings are evident, with diesel buses costing 38 cents per mile to operate compared to 29 cents on propane.

“I noticed all the things [a propane bus] does not have that I was continuously fixing on a daily basis,” he shared, and continued that he has seen a reduction in bus breakdowns.

Learning maintenance was simple for his team, he said, noting that the local Blue Bird dealership led training for all the mechanics to make sure they were comfortable with the new buses. Corson said that due fewer regulations and overall positive reactions to propane buses, the district decided to not decommission and replace the fuel tank.

Both Rosa and Corson praised the ROUSH CleanTech fueling software that allows them to keep track of fuel levels and that suppliers have been consistent. They also noted that they did not have to invest in new additions for their maintenance facilities when implementing propane.

When asked what she would tell another director who is considering buying propane buses, Rosa said, “No hesitation…the choice is a no-brainer for kids and for your mechanics, for bus drivers. It’s just a really good choice all around. I couldn’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t.”

Corson said his advice is to “jump in 100 percent.”

“I couldn’t see myself buying [another] diesel unless I was forced to,” he continued, adding that maintenance is much simpler on propane buses and any issues that do come up are usually easy fixes.

Watch the webinar on demand.

Related: Ride and Drive, Technology Product Demos Return to Texas in November
Related: Propane Best Immediate Option For Greening Fleet, Says Rural Missouri School District
Related: Students, Staff at Illinois District Approve of Propane School Buses

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Expert speakers at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference will provide attendees with a solid foundation to provide transportation for students with special needs.The “Foundations of Special Needs Transportation” session will be held on Friday, Nov. 7 to open up the conference. The three-hour session will feature panelists Alexandra Robinson, president at A. Robinson Consulting, and newly inducted NAPT hall of famer, Katrina Morris, executive director for Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT), and John Benish, chief operating officer at school bus contractor Cook-Illinois Corporation.

The panelists will discuss federal laws and regulations pertaining to the transportation of students with special needs, including a breakdown of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), the meaning of a free and appropriate education (FAPE) and least restrictive environment (LRE), and McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act details.

The instructors will also cover operational considerations, including child passenger safety equipment, training for drivers to accommodate student needs, how to make sure transportation needs are included in student Individual Education Plans or IEPs and vehicle specifications. Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and review scenarios to determine what best practices for transporting students with special needs would be.

The TSD Conference will be held Nov. 6 through Nov. 11 at Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel and Convention Center. Visit tsdconference.com to register and view the conference agenda, which includes dozens of educational sessions, hands-on training, networking events, product demonstrations and keynotes all focused on transportation of students with special needs.

Related: New TSD Conference School Bus Attendant Seminar to Provide Training Guidelines
Related: TSD Keynote to Outline Legal Considerations When Transporting Students with Disabilities
Related: Former OSERS Leader, Advocate for People with Disabilities to Keynote TSD Conference

The post Foundations of Transporting Students with Special Needs Returns to TSD Conference appeared first on School Transportation News.

A video quickly circulating online showed a father boarding a school bus and telling his daughter to hit another student. The man has now been arrested by local police.

The incident occurred Oct. 9 on a Ferguson-Florissant School District near St. Louis, Missouri. On Tuesday, the Ferguson Police Department identified the father as Maurice Fox, 36, in a statement.

In the video footage released by the department, Fox is seen onboard the bus telling his first-grade daughter to assault another student saying, “This one? Yeah, do what I told you to,” and “Don’t put your hands on my daughter no more because if I find out you’re touching her again, your parents will have to talk to me.” The daughter then begins punching the other student. When she stops, Fox says, “Again, I want her crying.”

Fox later posted on social media that he felt he did what he needed to do to teach his daughter to defend herself from bullies

A news article reported that before Fox was taken into custody, he created an online fundraiser seeking donations for his legal defense. But a spokesperson for GoFundMe said the platform’s terms of service prohibit people charged with violent crimes from raising money for their legal defense. The fundraising page was removed and donations were refunded.

The article also said that according to an affidavit, the school bus driver tried to stop Fox, but “he pushed the driver’s arm out of the way and continued walking.” The video blurs the faces of all others on the school bus, but the school bus driver appears to be seated at the front of the vehicle.

The statement said that Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle confirmed that Fox turned himself and is being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center with a $100,000 bond.

Prior to Fox’s arrest on Monday after turning himself in, police said he was being sought on an at-large warrant from the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Fox is now also facing charges of one count of first-degree harassment, two counts of assault in the fourth degree and trespassing on a school bus.

“This incident is extremely troubling on many levels. As adults, we have a responsibility to model appropriate behavior and teach our children how to resolve conflict peacefully. Encouraging violence among children — especially in such a public and frightening way — is unacceptable. We are grateful this individual chose to turn himself in, and we hope this brings some measure of accountability,” said Police Chief Troy Doyle.

He continued, “No child should ever be exposed to that kind of behavior, especially in a setting that should feel safe, like a school bus,” he said. “We encourage parents and guardians to work with school officials, counselors and community resources when facing conflicts involving their children. Collaboration and communication, not confrontation, are how we keep our kids and schools safe.”

In the comments on the police statement, many people commented on the difficult emotions of knowing a child is being bullied, but that there are better ways to handle the situation.

School Transportation News reached out to Ferguson-Florissant School District for comment and received the following statement from their communications department:

“We fully cooperated with law enforcement as they addressed this matter. Student and staff safety is always our top priority, and we will not tolerate anything that compromises their safety. School buses are an extension of the school campus. Trespassing on a school bus and engaging in the behavior described in this incident are completely unacceptable.”

Related: School Violence Grant Provides Opportunity for Threat Assessment Training
Related: Florida District Introduces Innovative Safety Training for School Bus Drivers
Related: 9-Year-Old Arrested for Bringing Loaded Gun onto Florida School Bus

The post Missouri Parent Boards School Bus, Tells Child to Assault Another Student appeared first on School Transportation News.

MESA, Ariz.,- Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM), a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions, continues its commitment to National School Bus Safety Week (October 20-24) by providing a toolkit promoting safe school transportation to communities nationwide.

Passing a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended is illegal in every state, yet nearly one in four drivers are unaware of this law, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As a leading provider of school bus stop arm enforcement technology, Verra Mobility recognizes the importance of education around school bus safety and invites communities nationwide to help spread awareness.

The need for education is urgent. Children are vulnerable to being killed or injured when boarding or deboarding a school bus, and illegal school bus passing violations can lead to devastating consequences. During the 2023-2024 school year alone, victims included a 15-year-old student in Alabama, a 15-year-old student in Texas, and an 8-year-old student in Georgia, all of whom were boarding or exiting their school bus while the school bus’s stop arm was extended with lights flashing.

To encourage communities and organizations to raise awareness around school transportation safety, Verra Mobility created its toolkit with ready-to-share social media posts, educational messaging, and statistics. The toolkit equips communities with ready-to-use resources, including social media posts, digital collateral, educational messaging, and statistics to emphasize the importance of safe driving around school buses.

To download the free materials and share this important safety message, visit www.verramobility.com/national-school-bus-safety-week-toolkit.

“Children – our most vulnerable citizens – must be able to get to and from school safely,” said David Dorfman, senior vice president, Verra Mobility. “This week is a great reminder that we can all make a difference and help improve safety for our children. We’re proud to once again partner with communities nationwide to raise awareness around the importance of safe driving near school buses, and to remind drivers that a child’s life is not worth saving a few minutes.”

One available resource that can help reduce illegal school bus passings is Verra Mobility’s school bus stop arm program which works when the bus’s stop arm is deployed. AI-enabled cameras capture video evidence of vehicles illegally passing the stopped school bus; the violation is then transmitted to a secure platform and reviewed by law enforcement.

These programs have been shown to change driver behavior, with 98% of drivers who are issued a violation for illegally passing a stopped school bus not repeating their behavior, and with some programs experiencing up to a 67% reduction in issued citations when comparing the beginning of the school year to the end.

“Verra Mobility has equipped thousands of school buses across the country with life-saving technology that helps communities improve school transportation safety,” said Dorfman. “This week allows us to highlight the positive impact of these efforts while educating parents and students on how they can prevent school transportation-related tragedies.”

To learn more about the school bus stop arm safety program, visit
www.verramobility.com/government/school-bus-safety/.

About Verra Mobility
Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM) is a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions that make transportation safer, smarter and more connected. The company sits at the center of the mobility ecosystem, bringing together vehicles, hardware, software, data and people to enable safe, efficient solutions for customers globally. Verra Mobility’s transportation safety systems and parking management solutions protect lives, improve urban and motorway mobility and support healthier communities. The company also solves complex payment, utilization and compliance challenges for fleet owners and rental car companies. Headquartered in Arizona, Verra Mobility operates in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more information, please visit www.verramobility.com.

The post Verra Mobility champions student safety during National School Bus Safety Week appeared first on School Transportation News.

PASADENA, Calif. — At RIDE, every mile matters, especially when it comes to the safety of our children. As we celebrate School Bus Safety Week Oct. 20–24, we’re proud to highlight how RIDE 100% battery-electric school buses are redefining safety and sustainability through advanced innovation.

“Safety isn’t just a feature — it’s our foundation,” Patrick Duan, Co-CEO RIDE Mobility said. “Our Blade Battery, built on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology, sets the industry standard as the safest and most reliable battery system available today.”

Designed to withstand extreme conditions and prevent thermal runaway, the award-winning and innovative Blade Battery ensures every school bus ride is as secure as it is smooth. Through rigorous testing, the Blade Battery delivers unmatched protection for children. Parents get the assurance and peace of mind they need, knowing their children are safe on their way to and home from school.

Beyond safety, RIDE’s all-electric, zero-emission buses eliminate tailpipe pollution, creating a quieter, cleaner cabin environment and contributing to a healthier community, directly benefiting the long-term respiratory health of our communities.

Based in Pasadena, California, RIDE is committed to protecting students and giving peace of mind to parents, drivers, and communities across the country. Visit ride.co to learn how RIDE is shaping the future of clean, safe student transportation.

About RIDE:
Headquartered in Pasadena, Calif., with a 550,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Lancaster, Calif., RIDE, founded in 2023, is the US spinoff of BYD. RIDE builds award-winning battery electric school buses, transit buses, motorcoaches and trucks for the U.S. market. RIDE is a union employer with a unique community benefits agreement that offers opportunities to those who have faced previous barriers to employment. A global force in clean energy and transportation, BYD is the world’s leading battery and EV manufacturer. Visit our website RIDE.CO to learn more.

The post RIDE Celebrates School Bus Safety Week appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus fire in Bethel, Minnesota, turned into a dramatic rescue earlier this month when a mother helped evacuate 22 elementary students just moments before flames engulfed the vehicle, reported CBS News.

According to the news report, Kari Thorp was waiting for her daughter’s school bus when she noticed smoke and flames coming from underneath the vehicle as it stopped in front of her home. She quickly alerted the driver, Rick Gratton, and the two acted fast to get the children off the bus safely.

“It was crazy. I’m just thankful that he was very calm,” Thorp said via the article.

Thorp’s Ring doorbell camera captured the scene as students from East Bethel Elementary gathered on her lawn, visibly shaken while flames spread rapidly through the front of the bus.

“Kids were crying. Kids were scared and freaking out,” Thorp told local news reporters. “It was quite emotional and kind of frantic.”

The fire escalated quickly. Within 15 minutes, the front of the bus was fully engulfed, and the intense heat even melted part of the road in front of Thorp’s house.

Though some backpacks, lunch boxes and the bus itself were lost in the fire, no injuries were reported. The students’ safe evacuation is being credited to the swift response of Thorp and Gratton as well as the children’s recent school bus safety training.

Both Thorp and Gratton were recognized for their “heroic efforts” in getting all students to safety by St. Francis Area Schools. Thorp reflected on how different things might have turned out if she hadn’t been outside at the time.

“I don’t think he would have gotten very far. And I don’t think we would have been able to get those kids off the bus as fast,” she said via the report. “A lot of little ones sit up front, and that’s where it all started.”

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Related: California Student Honored for Quick Thinking During School Bus Fire
Related: Missouri Students Learn School Bus, Fire Safety During Back-to-School Bash
Related: WATCH: Fire Expert to Lead School Bus Evacuation Training at STN EXPO West
Related: Electric School Bus Catches Fire in Montreal, No Injuries Reported

The post Minnesota Mom Helps Evacuate 22 Students from Burning School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

Registration is now open for the 2026 ACT Expo, which returns to Las Vegas, Nevada, in the spring.

The 16th ACT Expo, held May 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, will feature sessions on AI and autonomy as well as zero-emission vehicles. Originally called the Advanced Clean Transportation, ACT Expo for short, will now be known solely as ACT Expo, which event producers TRC Companies, said reflects the “expanded scope across advanced, autonomous, connected, and clean transportation technologies.”

TRC noted that ACT Expo can no longer “be simply defined as the clean or advanced technology show — it has become so much more.”

ACT now stands for the following:

• Advanced, Autonomous, Alternative, AI, Analytics, Adaptable, Assets
• Clean, Commercial, Connected, Cost-Effective, Compliant, Charged, Carbon-free
• Transportation, Technology, Transition, Trailers, Telematics, TCO, Tires

The event, which annually attracts over 12,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors, “offers end-users the most current insight into the key technology trends driving the market today and in the years ahead, practical lessons from peers, direct access to every major OEM and industry supplier in the market, strategies to boost competitiveness and accelerate the use of high-tech and clean vehicles and fuel, and the relationships that drive long-term success,” a press release on the event states.

The ACT Expo traditionally has hosted one school-bus-specific session each year and features school buses on the trade floor from various manufacturers. This year, however, TRC Companies said ACT Expo will place a greater emphasis on the digital frontier, reflecting industry investment in software-defined vehicles, real-time data collection and analysis via the use of AI and autonomy.

Related: (STN Podcast E257) The Paths Forward: AI, Clean Energy, Manufacturing Discussed at ACT Expo
Related: ACT Expo Heads Back to Anaheim, Agenda Released
Related: School Bus Wi-Fi Solution Now Available for Districts Left in E-Rate Cold
Related: WATCH: Michigan Association Releases Illegal Passing PSA for School Bus Safety Week

“Through end-user case studies, the event will highlight how these cutting-edge technologies are improving performance, safety, and ROI, while giving attendees a clear view of where and how they are scaling,” the release states.

In addition to the technologies, the conference will continue to highlight ultra-clean vehicles and low-carbon fuels, spotlighting infrastructure.

“The pace of change and acceleration of advanced technologies in commercial transportation is phenomenal; it’s unlike anything we have seen before,” stated Erik Neandross, president of Clean Transportation Solutions at TRC. “From the boardroom to the show floor, ACT Expo is the one place where C-suite representatives from fleets, OEMs, and infrastructure partners engage directly to shape real-world progress and the future of their businesses. It’s where fleet leaders learn what’s actually working in the field, what’s just around the corner, and where they can better understand proven strategies that can deliver both economic and environmental results.”

School Transportation News is a media sponsor of the event.

The post ACT EXPO Registration Opens, Event Focus on AI and Autonomy appeared first on School Transportation News.

For National School Bus Safety Week, the West Virginia Department of Education partnered with the state police department to create a video that is a sobering reminder of the dangers of illegal passing. The video shows footage of a student getting off the school bus and nearly being struck by a motorist driving past the stopped bus. Jimmy Lacy, the transportation director for the state’s Department of Education, and Sgt. Travis Bailes of the Charleston Police Department outline the impact on student safety and state regulations regarding illegal passing.

Related: WATCH: Michigan Association Releases Illegal Passing PSA for School Bus Safety Week
Related: Wisconsin State Police, School Bus Association Promote School Bus Safety
Related: Gallery: National School Bus Safety Week 2024

The post WATCH: West Virginia Releases Illegal Passing Awareness Video appeared first on School Transportation News.

Mission Telecom threw a lifeline to school bus Wi-Fi when the nonprofit broadband provider announced it is honoring the cost share of E-Rate for lines of service.

Last week’s announcement comes after the Federal Communications Commission last month retroactively ended school bus Wi-Fi and external hotspot eligibility under the federal discount program for school districts, libraries and health providers.

School districts nationwide had already applied to and started procuring equipment and services for a school bus Wi-Fi under the assumption they would be receiving anywhere between 20- and 90 percent discounts based the proportion of disadvantage students the district serves or if it’s a rural location. With school districts essentially holding the bag following the 2-1 FCC decision on Sept. 30, Mission Telecom is reselling access to the T-Mobile 5G network.

“Equipment’s already installed. Some of these bus Wi-Fi programs [have] been running for years, and [school districts] were counting on their E-Rate discounts in their budgets. And then, all of a sudden, they were told you’re not going to get those discounts,” commented Michael Flood, a school broadband consultant and owner of Alpine Frog, which advises Mission Telecom.

Mark Colwell, director of broadband operations for Mission Telecom, explained to School Transportation News in an email that the company holds seven wireless spectrum licenses in large U.S. cities and leases them to a subsidiary of T-Mobile. In exchange, he continued, Mission Telecom access T-Mobile’s 5G network and resells the lines of service to education, libraries and social-good organizations at affordable rates.

Also, a grantmaking organization, Mission Telecom’s nonprofit status allows it to provide the data service at no more than $20 per month.

“We do not rely on traditional benefactors or individual donors, our nonprofit model and partnerships allow us to reinvest every surplus dollar into other digital-equity initiatives, cost savings for our partners, and grant making programs,” he added. “Every connection we make helps expand affordable access, close the digital divide, and empower organizations to thrive in an increasingly connected world.”

Colwell said Mission Telecom is offering the unlimited 4G/5G wireless service
at the applicant school district’s post-discount share of case based on the approved E-Rate Form 471.

“Thus, we are matching the lines of service, not the equipment,” he noted.

Colwell provided the example of a school district that previously paid $30 per month for school bus Wi-Fi connectivity and received an 80 percent E-Rate discount. He said Mission Telecom will provide unlimited service for $6 per month through June 30, 2026.

He continued that the process for school districts is “fast and transparent with no red tape or lengthy reviews,” with eligible schools and libraries needing only to submit their existing E-Rate Form 471.

Flood, who also formerly worked for Kajeet, said school districts using AT&T or Verizon, for example, could still apply for the Mission Telecom service if they already use Cradle Point routers and are released from their contracts or determine the savings is worth breaking them.

“You just pop a new SIM card in and they’re good to go,” he added.

He also noted that the new discounts come without the strings attached to E-Rate. For example, the federal discounts only applied to the number of counted, registered students who accessed the Wi-Fi on home-to-school routes and back home again. With Mission Telecom, a school district could also use the Wi-Fi for sports activity and to power GPS location, student ridership and bus video transfer.

Related:School Bus Wi-Fi in Flux?
Related: Iowa’s Largest School District Mulls Future of School Bus Wi-Fi Program
Related: <Update: Senate Approves Stripping Individual Wi-Fi Hotspots from E-Rate Program

The post School Bus Wi-Fi Solution Now Available for Districts Left in E-Rate Cold appeared first on School Transportation News.

The student transportation industry mourns the passing of Blake A. Krapf, chairman of the Krapf Group. He was 55 years old.

Krapf, died Oct. 18 at home in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. While no cause of death was provided, the National School Transportation Association informed members Tuesday Krapf fought a two-year battle with a “rare and debilitating condition.” His obituary confirmed he had Multiple System Atrophy, a neurodegenerative disorder.

Krapf started working in his family’s bus business as his grandfather’s apprentice at age 12. He helped around the garage and scrubbed buses. From there, he became a lifelong advocate and leader within the school transportation industry.

He graduated from Downingtown High School in 1988 and from Skidmore College in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in business. After searching for new experiences after college, including work as a white-water rafting guide and a ski instructor for younger students, he returned to the family business in 1995.

He eventually became the CEO, a role he held for 25 years.

“Blake’s steady leadership guided the organization through a period of remarkable success. He expanded the company’s school bus services nationally, making it the largest family-owned bus business in the U.S.,” his obituary states.

He was an active member of both the Pennsylvania School Bus Association, for which he served as president from 2014-2016. He also served as NSTA president from 2017–2019 and continued to serve on the boards of both organizations until his death. In 2021, Blake was inducted into the NSTA Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to student transportation. He also received the NSTA Go Yellow Award, Go Green Award, and the NSTA Contractor of the Year award.

NSTA said Krapf, who attended the association’s Annual Meeting and Convention in July in Boston, Massachusetts, was deeply passionate about the industry. NSTA said he “was a tireless advocate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., often testifying on behalf of contractors and writing to legislators in support of policies that strengthened the school bus community.

Related: Executive Leadership Changes Announced for the Krapf Group
Related: Krapf COO Jim Folkes Announces Retirement
Related: ‘The Bus Stops Here’ for Krapf with Pennsylvania Association Award

“His leadership, integrity and willingness to mentor others earned him the respect of colleagues nationwide. Many contractors turned to Blake for his insight, guidance and friendship. He especially enjoyed attending meetings and conventions—not only to support the industry he loved, but to share in the camaraderie that defined it,” NSTA continued.

Krapf is survived by wife Stephanie Morris, parents, Dale N. Krapf (Betsy) and Patricia (Bartone) Lyman (David), children Flynn Krapf, Logan Krapf, Sage Krapf, Ella Krapf and Sadi Morris, and brothers Gary Krapf (Samantha Stark) and Brad Krapf (Dina Avvakumova).

Services are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24, at Hopewell United Methodist Church in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET, followed by a service. A private celebration of life will be held for close family and friends.

The post NSTA Past-President Blake Krapf Dies, Leaves Lasting Legacy appeared first on School Transportation News.

Headlines on “The Lost Bus” movie set during recent California wildfires, a school bus Wi-Fi solution for fiscal year 2025, a $10 million Ohio safety grant for seatbelts, and a Maryland school bus driver union sending flyers home with students to gain parental support of a strike.

Gregg Fox, transportation director for Franklin Square Union Free School District in New York and a 2025 Top Transportation Teams Award winner, discusses improving workplace culture, retaining staff amid a changing economy, leveraging technology for efficiency and meeting the challenging state electrification mandate.

Read more about operations and register for the TSD Conference.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Bus Safety Co.

Message from Ride.

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

The post (STN Podcast E279) Encourage, not Discourage: NY Top Transportation Team Talks Work Culture appeared first on School Transportation News.

School district officials have until Nov. 3 to apply for a grant designed to help implement measures to prevent school-based violence.

The funding would cover programs to “prevent violence in K–12 school settings by implementing behavioral threat assessments and/or intervention teams, technological solutions, such as anonymous reporting technology and other school safety strategies that assist in preventing school-based violence,” states an overview of the fiscal-year 2025 Student, Teachers and Officers Presenting (STOP) School Violence Program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Examples of funding options include developing and operating technology solutions, developing and implementing multidisciplinary behavioral threat assessment and/or intervention teams, educating students on how to prevent school violence, and training school personnel on how to prevent it.

School Transportation Active-Threat- Response Training (S.T.A.R.T.), an organization based in Ohio that provides evidence-based training programs nationwide, is encouraging districts to apply for the STOP Grant funding, to provide training to shool bus drivers and aides.

Related: WATCH: Michigan Association Releases Illegal Passing PSA for School Bus Safety Week
Related: Ohio School Bus Grant Program Launches, $10M Available
Related: Florida District Introduces Innovative Safety Training for School Bus Drivers
Related: Federal Bill Aims to Increase Awareness of Illegal School Bus Passing

Eligible applicants include state governments or public/state-controlled institutions of higher education (category 1) as well as local units of government (cities, counties, townships), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, non-profits (with or without 501(c)(3) status) other than institutions of higher education, independent school districts, and private institutions of higher education (Category 2).Category 2 awardees can receive up to $1 million per award.

The application process is two-part. Applicants must register in Grants.gov and follow the prompts to submit the SF-424 form by Oct. 27. The complete application is due Nov.3.

The post School Violence Grant Provides Opportunity for Threat Assessment Training appeared first on School Transportation News.

A typical school day took an unexpected turn for 5-year-old Hendrix Camden, a kindergartner with special needs, when he was mistakenly dropped off several miles from home by a school bus driver, reported First Alert 4.

The incident reportedly occurred the afternoon of Oct. 9, when Camden boarded a school bus after class at an Amador County Unified School District elementary school east of Sacramento, California, just as he had every other day. But his usual driver noticed something was wrong.

“Yesterday, his normal bus driver showed up, and we made eye contact, and he goes, ‘Hendrix isn’t on my bus today,’” said Twilight Camden, Camden’s mother via the article.

Unbeknownst to her, Camden had been loaded onto a different bus, one that would drop him more than three miles from his home, on the side of a remote, winding road. “I was sad,” Camden recalled.

Panic set in when Twilight arrived at the bus stop, only to find her son missing. Then came a phone call from an unknown number. “I get back to my car, and I’m getting a phone call from a random number, and they’re saying, ‘Hey, we have Hendrix,’” she said. “And I assumed it was a van driver, or he was just put on a different route or something.”

Instead, the call was from an employee of Kamps Tree Services, a local tree-trimming company, who had found the young boy walking alone along the two-lane road.

“The kid, he came walking from around the corner over there and came up to this first house here, and since there was nobody there, he came around this way,” said one worker via the news report. “He just wasn’t sure where he was at, and I tried to make him comfortable, gave him a water bottle and a cookie.”

Twilight Camden said her son had walked roughly a quarter mile on his own before encountering the workers.

“There’s nowhere for him to be that could have been safe, and I was hoping, praying that he didn’t get kidnapped,” she said.

The district protocol requires kindergarten students to be released only to an adult or parent. “If there’s not anybody there, you don’t have signal, you keep driving to the next stop and you call,” she emphasized.

Twilight Camden is now demanding accountability from the school district and its transportation department, urging them to review their procedures to ensure this never happens again.

Related: Tennessee Kindergartner Found Safe After School Bus Mix-Up
Related: 7-Year-Old Student Missing for Hours After Being Placed on Wrong School Bus
Related: 6-Year-Old Left on School Bus for Hours
Related: Colorado School Bus Driver Dismissed After Leaving Students at Wrong Bus Stop

The post California Family Demands Answer After 5-Year-Old Was Dropped Miles from Home appeared first on School Transportation News.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Thomas Built Buses (TBB), a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America and a division of Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles, today announced the launch of Saf-T-Liner eHDX2 Wattson, the company’s first electric Type D school bus. Type D, or “transit-style” buses, are the largest in the industry, featuring a flat front, high seating capacity and unparalleled visibility for drivers managing busy routes. Built on Thomas Built’s proven HDX2 platform and designed for districts ready to take the next step in electrification, Wattson draws from years of EV manufacturing experience and customer input to deliver a solution engineered for long-term fleet planning.

“Wattson represents our next step in electrification,” said T.J. Reed, president and CEO of Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles. “It reflects our belief that the best electric solutions are the ones that feel familiar, fit within your fleet and are built to last. That’s what we’ve heard from our customers, and that’s what we’re delivering.”

Wattson is powered by Accelera’s 14Xe electric axle, the same system featured in Jouley Gen 2. The integrated e-axle combines the motor, gearbox and power electronics into a single, compact unit. This results in smoother driving performance and fewer mechanical parts, which means less maintenance and fewer service disruptions.

Wattson performance highlights include:

Battery capacity: 246 kWh
Estimated range: Up to 150 miles
Charging: Standard SAE CCS1 charging; 2–3 hours at a DC fast-charging station (minimum 60 kW output); V2G-capable system; optional AC/DC SAE J1772 CCS1 charging with 20kW onboard charger for additional flexibility while on the road
Charging range: 20kW (AC); 120kW (DC)
Torque and power: 295 peak horsepower; 750 lb-ft of torque
Two-speed transmission
Liquid-cooled battery system
Additional features:

277” wheelbase
LCD instrument cluster providing real-time vehicle and diagnostic data
Optional 69” pass-through luggage compartments for activity or dual-use buses
Standard rear charging port, with optional front charging available
“Wattson showcases the strength of Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles, bringing together proven manufacturing, operational excellence and deep customer insights to deliver the right solutions at the right time,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at DTNA. “From design through production, our teams at Thomas Built Buses and across the DTNA network are aligned to support customer needs in whatever powertrain they choose with confidence.”

“We know electrification can feel like a big step,” continued Reed. “With Wattson, we’re making that step easier by giving districts a familiar Type D solution they already trust – now in electric.”

Wattson will be available for order by the end of 2025, with initial deliveries scheduled for late 2026.

For more information, visit thomasbuiltbuses.com/school-buses/saf-t-liner-hdx-2-wattson/

About Thomas Built Buses:
Founded in 1916, Thomas Built Buses is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America. Learn more at thomasbuiltbuses.com or facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America LLC, a leading provider of comprehensive products and technologies for the commercial transportation industry. The company designs, engineers, manufactures and markets medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school buses, vehicle chassis and their associated technologies and components under the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Detroit brands. Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. together form Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles. Daimler Truck North America is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.

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A South Carolina school bus driver is facing DUI and child endangerment charges after authorities say she was impaired while transporting a bus load of elementary students from a field trip, reported WBTV 3.

According to the news report, 62-year-old Janice Waldorf was pulled over Sept. 25, while driving in North Augusta. Authorities say Waldorf was seen swerving on the road before being stopped by law enforcement.

At the time of the stop, Waldorf was reportedly behind the wheel of a Merriwether Elementary School bus carrying 51 passengers, including second-grade students returning from a school field trip.

During the traffic stop, Waldorf allegedly told officers she was “just tired” and denied consuming alcohol. She also said she had certain medical conditions but claimed she did not take medication daily. However, field sobriety tests revealed signs of impairment, according to the arrest document.

Waldorf was reportedly transported to the North Augusta Department of Public Safety, where officials suspected her condition was drug related. A subsequent urine test confirmed the presence of central nervous system depressants, indicating she was not in a safe condition to operate the vehicle.

In addition to the DUI and child endangerment charges, Waldorf was found to be in possession of 17 prescription pill bottles when she was booked into the Aiken County Detention Center, six of which were reportedly expired.

The incident has raised serious concerns among parents and school officials. No injuries were reported during the incident. The school district has not yet issued a public statement at this time on Waldorf’s employment status or any changes to its transportation policies.

Related: Georgia School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI With Students on Board
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Faces Sentence After DUI Crash
Related: Pennsylvania School Van Driver Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for DUI
Related: Alaska School Bus Driver Charged with DUI 

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Watch the highly anticipated public safety announcement from the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT) in partnership with ROUSH CleanTech, highlighting awareness of illegal passing of stopped school buses. The video premiered for National School Bus Safety Week and features racecar driver Ryan Preece at the RFK Racing Museum in Concord, North Carolina.

Learn more about the vision behind the project.

Related: Combatting Illegal Passing with Awareness, Technology
Related: (STN Podcast E267) I Believe in This: Illegal Passing Drops, Michigan Pupil Transportation Leader Speaks
Related: Federal Bill Aims to Increase Awareness of Illegal School Bus Passing

The post WATCH: Michigan Association Releases Illegal Passing PSA for School Bus Safety Week appeared first on School Transportation News.

Directors of transportation from across the U.S. are set to convene for a roundtable discussion addressing the complex landscape of special needs student transportation. The panel features three distinguished transportation directors who will share insights from their diverse regional experiences.

The Nov. 8 TSD Conference session promises to provide transportation professionals with a comprehensive look at the current state of special needs student transportation and innovative approaches to overcoming systemic challenges.

Keba Baldwin of Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland oversees a split urban-rural county transportation system that covers not only a 486 square-mile area but one that ventures into the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as the District of Columbia. He will discuss managing a significant driver shortage, as his department currently faces 150 unfilled driver positions. His district, the 18th largest in the U.S., is implementing innovative workforce development strategies, including an internship program to recruit and train new transportation staff.

Julie Hrebicek from Magnolia Independent School District near Houston, Texas will highlight the growing challenges of transporting students with increasingly complex disabilities. Magnolia ISD is also confronting a critical driver shortage and seeking solutions through targeted training and potential pay increases to attract and retain qualified drivers.

Quanika Dukes-Spruill represents a unique transportation model in Newark, New Jersey. She will share her perspective on managing transportation via 63 contractors while successfully navigating budget constraints that have nearly doubled her transportation costs from $28 million to over $50 million annually.

In addition to driver recruitment and financial challenges, the panelists with discuss specialized training and operational needs for transporting students with individualized education programs as well as those served by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, technological innovations in routing, and behavioral management strategies.

The panel is part of the five-day event held at the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Convention Center. Registration remains open online and will be available on site.

Related: New TSD Conference School Bus Attendant Seminar to Provide Training Guidelines
Related: TSD Conference Session to Focus on Mental Health Supports
Related: TSD Conference to Feature American Sign Language Training for Student Transporters

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RICHMOND, Va. — During National School Bus Safety Week, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is highlighting how propane autogas buses help school districts across the country deliver on their most important priority: getting students to and from school safely, reliably, and responsibly.

More than 1.3 million students nationwide ride to school each day on 22,000 propane-powered buses. The technology is trusted in more than 1,000 school districts coast-to-coast due in part to the energy source’s low emissions profile. Propane autogas school buses produce 96 percent fewer nitrogen oxides (NOx) than diesel. That significant reduction helps improve air quality around schools and neighborhoods, which benefits students, drivers, and communities.

The buses are also noticeably quieter than diesel models, allowing drivers to focus on the road and better hear what’s happening inside and outside the bus.

“As a former school transportation director, I know that nothing matters more than getting students to school safely,” said Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at PERC. “I trusted propane autogas in my fleet because of its proven track record of keeping students and drivers safe on every ride.”

Equally as important as a clean, quiet ride, propane autogas school buses provide an additional layer of reliability. A recent U.S. Department of Energy report warns that, without major upgrades, the U.S. could see up to 100 times more grid disruptions by 2030. Unlike electric models, propane autogas buses don’t rely on grid power to stay in operation, providing a layer of security when schools need to safely transport students even during emergencies.

Depending on the tank size, propane autogas buses have a range of up to 400 miles on a single refuel, providing flexibility and peace of mind for school districts and parents. And unlike diesel or electric models whose performance can vary when temperatures plummet, propane autogas buses start in cold weather without any additives or heaters.

“School transportation directors want solutions that make sense not just on paper, but on the road, too,” said Stutheit. “With propane autogas, school districts can lower emissions, keep buses running on schedule, and give students a safer, quieter ride. It’s a solution for today and well into the future.”

To learn more about the safety, performance, and environmental benefits of propane school buses, visit betterourbuses.com.

About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com.

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YARDVILLE, N.J. —During National School Bus Safety Week (NSBSW), highlighted on October 20 through October 24, 2025, organizations from across the country including the National School Transportation Association (NSTA), Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing, Blue Bird Corporation and ROUSH CleanTech are joining the nationwide call to remind motorists that stopping for a school bus is not optional—it’s the law and will prevent avoidable tragedies.

To raise awareness, RFK Racing driver Ryan Preece appears in a new video campaign showing that even professional drivers stop for school buses. In the video, Preece, who drives the No. 60 car, reinforces the message that safety around school buses is everyone’s responsibility—no matter how much experience you have behind the wheel.

You can access the video here: RFK Racing & Ryan Preece PSA

This message is especially critical in light of recent findings released by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS). Each school day, millions of students across the U.S. depend on the yellow school bus—the safest form of student transportation—to get to and from school. Yet, new data from the NASDPTS reveals that illegal passings of stopped school buses remain a major threat to student safety.

According to NASDPTS’s thirteenth annual National Stop Arm Violation Survey, released at the 2025 NSTA Annual Meeting and Convention in Boston, 114,239 school bus drivers in 36 states and the District of Columbia reported 67,258 vehicles illegally passing their stopped buses in just one day during the 2024–2025 school year. When projected across all U.S. school bus drivers, that’s more than 39.3 million violations per year. Although this marks a decrease from 45.2 million violations in the previous year, the issue remains alarming.

The annual survey, conducted since 2011, highlights the ongoing need for education, enforcement, and vigilance to prevent these dangerous incidents. In recent years, several states have strengthened penalties, authorized camera-based enforcement, and implemented new awareness campaigns—all steps toward safer roads for students.

Additionally, NSTA has spearheaded a national effort to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal school bus passings through their support of the “Brake for Kids Act” (H.R.2348/S.2812) – an initiative sponsored by Reps. Pete Stauber (MN-08), Rudy Yakym (IN-02), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Seth Moulton(MA-06), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), as well as Senators Todd Young (IN) and Gary Peters (MI).

According to its description, the bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to produce and distribute a national public safety campaign on the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. Specifically, the campaign must increase awareness and education about the issue through a variety of media, including television, radio, and social media advertising. “Illegal school bus passings have continued on our roadways, despite the best efforts of student transportation professionals to curb this dangerous and illegal practice. Public Awareness campaigns like this provide the ability to reach a wide target audience with the hope that our message resonates,” said Patrick Dean, NSTA President, as well as President of Dean Transportation in Michigan.

“As evidenced by the release of this video, student transportation stands unified in our quest to eliminate incidences of illegal school passings throughout the United States. Public messaging remains one tool at our disposal, and I call on motorists, law enforcement, and the court system to do their part as well to help alleviate this vexing problem,” Curt Macysyn, NSTA Executive Director concluded. NSTA would like to thank the Michigan Association for Student Transportation (MAPT) and ROUSH CleanTech for their leadership in this project. For more information about school bus safety, please go to School Bus Facts – website hosted by NSTA at https://www.schoolbusfacts.com

The post When the School Bus Reds are Flashing, There is No Passing Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Driver Ryan Preece Reminds Motorists to Protect Students on the Road appeared first on School Transportation News.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) supports School Bus Safety Week and is a proud sponsor of the video campaign featuring RFK Racing drive Ryan Preece who proclaimed, “even professional drivers stop for school bus” https://youtu.be/wGEDFwkRfys.

While during School Bus Safety Week we celebrate the professionals that ensure the safe travel of students to and from school each and every day, NASDPTS estimates there were more than 39.3 million illegal passings of stopped school buses in the past year based on our 2025 survey (https://www.nasdpts.org/stop-arm-violations“) NASDPTS reminds all drivers to slow down and to stop for stopped school buses. The safety of every child depends on it,” offered NASDPTS President Mike Stier. “We in the school transportation industry have a very important job to do, and we take great pride in doing our job well, but the safe transportation of children to and from school takes every one of us. Drivers aren’t paying attention, and they aren’t focused on the right things. What could be more important than the safety of a child?” added Stier.

NASDPTS thanks the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT) for the opportunity to co-sponsor the Ryan Preece video and appreciates their efforts to draw attention to the problem of illegal passing of stopped school buses.

Additional School Bus Safety Week information can be found here: https://nasdpts.org/SBSW

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