LISLE, Ill. and MIAMI, Flo. – Mobico Group has announced that it has reached an agreement for the sale of its School Bus division, National Express School (NEXS) to I Squared Capital, a specialist global infrastructure investor. The acquisition, which is anticipated to close in the third quarter of this year, will involve all brands associated with NEXS, including Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, and Stock Transportation.

As one of the largest student transportation companies in North America, NEXS is a transportation leader with over 100+ years of experience in the industry with a renowned history of safe and reliable transportation service. With its high-visibility contracting model and sticky revenue streams, NEXS looks forward to embarking on a new chapter of growth in partnership with I Squared while retaining our market-leading safety record and brand heritage.

Tim Wertner, CEO of National Express School, said, “This transfer of ownership will allow us to stand on a much stronger financial foundation for a wider spectrum of new opportunities and growth to benefit our stakeholders, valued partners, and prospects, as well as reinforce our position as a transportation leader and flourish to even greater heights. With I Squared Capital’s strong reputation and support of our Company, we firmly believe they will be an outstanding steward for us, and we look forward to furthering our footprint in the student transportation industry together.”

Gautam Bhandari, Global Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at I Squared, said: “School transportation is more than just a daily commute. It’s a vital link to education, which underpins a functioning society regardless of the economic cycle. As infrastructure specialists, I Squared has specific expertise in providing vital public services, including public transport. Our investment will provide the capital needed to upgrade equipment and maintain safe, efficient transportation for children using this essential service so parents can rest assured each time their family member travels. We are proud to add this critical business to our portfolio and look forward to continuing to support its growth in North America.”

About National Express School
National Express School (NEXS) is the North American subsidiary of Mobico Group, one of the premier global mobility firms. We operate across 34 states and two provinces. Our organizations share a strong commitment to provide the highest level of safety, quality, outstanding customer service and positive employee relations. National Express School serves more than 400 school districts and contracts in 30 states and two provinces, and transports more than 1.2 million students on a daily basis.

About I Squared Capital
I Squared Capital is a leading global infrastructure investor managing over $40 billion in assets. We build and scale essential infrastructure businesses that deliver critical services to millions of people worldwide. Our portfolio includes over 90 companies operating in more than 70 countries and spanning sectors such as energy, utilities, digital infrastructure, transport, environmental and social infrastructure. Headquartered in Miami, our team of over 300 professionals is based across offices in Abu Dhabi, London, Munich, New Delhi, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Taipei. Learn more at www.isquaredcapital.com.

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ANAHEIM, Calif. – International Motors, LLC * (“International”) will showcase its digitally enabled solutions dedicated to the customer experience at ACT Expo 2025 in Anaheim, California April 28 – May 1.

“At International, we’re investing in innovative solutions to create an exceptional customer experience” said Debbie Shust, vice president, Customer Insights & Experience, International. “It’s not just about delivering vehicles—it’s about delivering confidence. In a dynamic environment, we simplify the journey, support long-term success, and show up as a true partner every step of the way.”

Fleet Decarbonization

International offers end-to-end consulting services to support customers in reaching their fleet decarbonization goals. These services include electric readiness assessments, infrastructure planning, grant support, and onboarding assistance. Customers can begin their journey by visiting their local International dealer to tailor a decarbonization strategy that is best suited for their business.

With more than 10 million real-world miles, International’s battery-electric vehicles have been meeting customer demands in practical scenarios, assisting customers in their decarbonization journeys.

With the announcement of the International eRH Series, an all-electric Class 8 regional haul tractor, the company expands its electric vehicle lineup to meet demands of the heavy-duty market. The eRH joins the International eMV Series and the IC Bus Electric CE Series in the International electric vehicle lineup.

Recognizing that fleet decarbonization happens at different paces for customers, International also provides advanced diesel solutions For example, the LT with the S13 Integrated Powertrain delivers at least 5% more in fuel economy than any competitor in the on-highway aero category.** The S13 Integrated is also certified for use with R100 renewable diesel.

Electric Maintenance Solutions

International provides planned maintenance service contracts to ensure that customers’ operating, maintenance, and service needs are met and supported by our expansive dealer network. These contracts ensure that battery-electric trucks and buses are seamlessly integrated and maintained through proactive service planning.

This white-glove experience is tailored to enhance uptime via scheduled maintenance intervals, solutions like proactive parts planning, advanced technician scheduling, and a new digital ecosystem designed to predict service and maintenance needs aimed at driving efficiency across International and IC Bus dealerships.

The new digital ecosystem provides greater visibility into fleets’ health-based vehicle data allowing customers and dealers to schedule planned maintenance appointments three to four weeks ahead of time. During this already planned downtime, fleets and dealers can also proactively identify other needed repairs and campaigns.

International Service Contracts include planned maintenance and can also include powertrain coverage, chassis coverage, and optional towing coverage. International Service Contracts are available for either five or six years on every new battery-electric truck. Electric bus terms for service contracts vary.

International Financial Payment Program for Bundled Solutions

Beyond financing for traditional diesel trucks, International Financial is also a partner for electric-powered trucks and chargers. This partnership extends past the hardware needed to operate in the battery-electric vehicle ecosystem with a Payment Program that enables customers to access International Service Contracts seamlessly. Importantly, the Payment Program allows our customers to opt for planned maintenance over the term of the contract, with no associated financing cost.

The Payment Program for International Service Contracts is available for electric vehicles whether or not the vehicle is financed through International Financial. Visit the International Financial EV page for more information.

International is dedicated to providing innovative solutions that propel our customers forward. By minimizing downtime and enhancing operational efficiency, we ensure our customers can spend their time and attention focusing on continuous growth and success of their core business. To learn more about these customer solutions, visit the International booth (#5640) at ACT Expo April 28 – May 1 at the Anaheim Convention Center or explore International.com.

About International:
Based in Lisle, Illinois, International Motors, LLC* creates solutions that deliver greater uptime and productivity to our customers throughout the full operation of our commercial vehicles. We build International trucks and engines and IC Bus school and commercial buses that are as tough and as smart as the people who drive them. We also develop Fleetrite aftermarket parts. In everything we do, our vision is to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility to create the cleaner, safer world we all deserve. As of 2021, we joined Scania, MAN and Volkswagen Truck & Bus in TRATON GROUP, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry. To learn more, visit www.International.com.

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JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation (JKUSA) is enhancing our U.S. business model to provide digital integrated wireless systems solutions to professional user markets in the United States. JKUSA recently established the Kenwood Integrated Solutions division to offer expanded infrastructure solutions featuring technologies that will include DMR 2/3, our groundbreaking DMR 2.5, NXDN Gen1/2, and traditional Analog. This new go-to-market model will prioritize integrated solutions in collaboration with key channel partners for trunking, conventional, and simulcast systems.

JKUSA’s integrated solutions will feature our renowned NEXEDGE product platforms for infrastructure construction and subscriber devices in VHF Hi/Lo, UHF, and 800/900 MHz bands. Gaining worldwide industry acceptance for its quality, performance, and value across diverse user ecosystems, the NEXEDGE platform delivers robust and cost-effective communications for clients requiring NXDN, Analog, and DMR derivative solutions. Planned enhancements for the NEXEDGE platform will further improve system performance, security, and usability, addressing the evolving demands of customers in these sectors.

Kenwood Integrated Solutions, along with teaming partners, will deliver complete systems solutions, including the network, subscriber devices, and associated services.

For further information regarding JVCKENWOOD’s systems and communications solutions, please visit www.kenwood.com/usa/com.

About JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation
JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of JVCKENWOOD Corporation. We manufacture KENWOOD analog and digital communications equipment, including NEXEDGE two-way radios using the NXDN protocol. JVCKENWOOD provides complete system solutions for the utility, government, education, healthcare, business, and industrial markets and is recognized by industry professionals for providing quality, performance, and value products. For more information, visit us at kenwood.com/usa/com or call 1-800-950-5005.

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The New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) is supporting Operation Safe Stop Day, an annual event to promote school bus safety and educate the public about the dangers of illegally passing a stopped school bus while its red lights are flashing. NYAPT chapters throughout the state will be holding Operation Safe Stop Day public awareness events this Thursday, April 24 including the Capital Region, and Rochester and Central New York areas.

“Stop on red, our kids are ahead – that’s the Operation Safe Stop motto,” said David Christopher, Executive Director of NYAPT. “While the main focus is to remind drivers to stop for stopped school buses so we can keep our school children safe, it is important to note that law enforcement across the state will be out in force following yellow school buses and issuing tickets to those drivers who violate the law.”

Operation Safe Stop is a cooperative educational and enforcement project supported by NYAPT, the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the New York State Education Department, the New York State School Bus Contractors Association, the New York State Bus Distributors Association, the student transportation industry, and state, county, city, and local law enforcement agencies.

A recent survey of nearly 900 school bus drivers reported almost 2,000 illegal passings in a single school day. Projected out to include all New York State school bus drivers, that equates to more than 110,000 illegal passings in one day, an alarming number.

“The safety of students riding our school buses to and from school is our top priority, and we urge drivers to do their part by stopping for stopped school buses,” said Marc Medina, President of NYAPT and Transportation Director of the Farmingdale Union Free School District. We ask the public to avoid distractions while driving, to be aware that school buses are on our roadways, and to stop when they see the red lights flashing on a school bus. Student lives depend on all motorists following the law.”

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires all vehicles to come to a complete stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing as those lights indicate a child boarding or disembarking a school bus. New York State law prohibits passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing, regardless of the direction of travel, even on a multi-lane or divided highway.

NYAPT Operation Safe Stop Committee Chair, Belinda Govich, Shenendehowa Central School District, urges motorists to look out for our children, “Our children shouldn’t have to worry about motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus. Slow down and watch for school buses. Stop when you see the red lights. It’s that simple!”

Law enforcement will be following buses on the lookout for illegal passings. Penalties for a first-time offense of illegally passing a school bus include a fine of $250 to $400, five points on your driver’s license, and possibly up to 30 days in jail. A second conviction within three years may result in a fine of $600 to $750, five points on your license, and up to 180 days in jail. Three or more convictions will result in a fine of $750 to $1,500, 5 points on your license, and up to 180 days in jail.

Additionally, for those school districts and municipalities that choose to use automatic ticketing stop arm cameras on school buses, state law allows fines to be levied on the owner of any vehicle that illegally passes a stopped school bus, beginning at $250 for a first violation and up to $300 for subsequent violations.

NYAPT chapters throughout the state will be holding Operation Safe Stop Day public awareness events on April 24 including the following locations:

Capital Region (10 a.m.) – Fuller Road Firehouse, 1342 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205

Rochester Area – Rush Henrietta Transportation Center, 1133 Lehigh Station Road

Henrietta, NY 14467. Contact: Shirley Smith-Gravanda

Central New York Area – Pulaski Transportation Department, 4662 Salina Street, Pulaski, NY. Contact: Melissa Goodwill

NYAPT also noted that the 2.3 million children who ride school buses in New York State are driven by qualified and well-trained school bus drivers on routes carefully planned for safety, that buses are maintained at the highest of safety standards, and that school transportation officials are doing their best to keep students safe when they are on or near a school bus.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, students are 70-times safer riding a school bus to school than in a private car. See www.nhtsa.gov

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JACKSONVILLE, Flo. –Durham School Services celebrated more growth and expansion with the grand opening of its new bus yard facility in Duval County today, which will serve students from Arlington to the Beaches. Team members, school district transportation staff, and local media attended the event.

“Today was a day to have fun and recognize those who transport our most precious cargo safely, on time, and ready to learn. It was also a chance to recognize the people who keep the buses running. We have been extremely excited about the opening and what it means for our drivers, monitors and community,” said Nicoll Conden, General Manager at Durham School Services.

More than 100 drivers will operate out of the new bus yard. Durham School Services has been part of the Jacksonville area since 2009 and has almost 400 service routes in the Arlington, Southside, Mandarin and Beaches areas. As a dedicated community partner and as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program, Durham’s team members have participated in several community events such as Wreaths Across America, back to school events and the city’s Christmas party.

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services is dedicated to the safety of our students and people. For more than 100 years, we have been committed to excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services has earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our customers and the communities we serve.

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RICHMOND, Va. – This Earth Day, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is highlighting propane autogas and renewable propane as key solutions for cutting emissions and delivering reliable energy amid global sustainability efforts. As a safe, clean, and readily available energy source that produces 52 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the electric grid, propane supports both the environment and communities striving for more sustainable, resilient energy.

“Too often the energy conversation turns toward a choice between sustainability and reliability; propane proves that you don’t have to choose,” said Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of PERC. “With extreme weather events on the rise, we need solutions that are as resilient as they are clean. Propane is widely available and rises to the challenge of reducing carbon emissions and keeping our planet clean and our communities up and running.”

In addition to being a low-carbon energy source, propane autogas is nontoxic and does not contaminate soil or water, making it a safe choice for fleets and the communities in which they operate. Today’s ultra-low nitrogen oxide (NOx) propane autogas engines reduce harmful NOx emissions by up to 96 percent and are certified to the California Air Resource’s Board’s (CARB) 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr) standard.

These engines are even cleaner when they operate with renewable propane. Made from renewable feedstocks, renewable propane offers the same benefits of conventional propane — power, performance, and reliability — but with even lower emissions. Renewable propane can be used in any current propane autogas engine or infrastructure without modifications, providing another smart solution along the path to zero emissions.

Beyond its environmental benefits, propane autogas provides fleet owners with energy security and resilience because it is a portable energy source that can power equipment and be delivered even when the grid is down. Even in the aftermath of natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, blizzards, or blackouts, propane autogas keeps fleets on the road when they’re needed most.

Propane can also support electric vehicles with propane-powered EV charging. The technology utilizes a self-sufficient nanogrid with a propane-powered generator to provide DC level 3 fast charging. The infrastructure operates independently from the electric grid to keep EV fleets on the road.

“Propane autogas continues to empower fleet owners to meet their sustainability goals while staying resilient and efficient,” said Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at PERC. “From slashing emissions and leveraging the latest in renewable technology to helping fleets maintain operational uptime, propane is trusted to keep vehicles on the road well into the future.”

To see how propane autogas is making a difference this Earth Day, visit propane.com/fleet-vehicles.

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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CINCINNATI, Ohio – First Student, the leading provider of student transportation, today announced it was selected by Fort Worth Independent School District to provide a comprehensive suite of fleet maintenance services. Through its division, First Services, the company will manage maintenance for the district’s 240 buses, integrating its advanced HALO technology platform to improve efficiency, safety and reliability. The partnership reflects First Student’s leadership in fleet management, predictive maintenance, and route optimization, ensuring a smoother, more dependable ride for students.

First Student will offer Fort Worth ISD’s existing technicians the opportunity to join their team with competitive wages and benefits, or they can choose to remain district employees. Forth Worth ISD will now be supported by ASE-certified technicians, providing the highest standards of service and reliability. Through First Services, the district will gain a more efficient and cost-effective approach to fleet maintenance and management, with potential savings of up to 20%.

“We’re proud to partner with Fort Worth ISD to deliver comprehensive fleet maintenance and services that keep student transportation reliable, safe and efficient,” said Leslie Norgren, vice president of First Services. “This partnership reflects First Student’s commitment to helping districts operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and uphold the highest standards of safety and service excellence.”

Operating directly from Fort Worth ISD’s facilities, First Student will equip the district with its comprehensive HALO technology platform. Technicians will leverage tablets for real-time diagnostics and integrated fleet maintenance, ensuring efficient service tracking. Through predictive analytics, the system will minimize breakdowns, while enterprise-level inventory and asset management will enhance parts availability across the district’s fleet.

“Partnering with First Student to manage our fleet maintenance allows us to ensure safe, reliable transportation for our students, minimizing the risk of bus breakdowns and ensuring they arrive at school on time,” said Kellie Spencer, Deputy Superintendent at Fort Worth ISD. “Reliable transportation is essential to student success, and this partnership enables us to provide high-quality service while focusing on our core mission, education.”

Through customized transportation assessments, First Services collaborates with school districts to identify challenges, align with their goals, and improve operational efficiency. By evaluating current transportation systems and providing recommendations, First Services helps districts optimize performance and achieve long-term success. Its comprehensive offerings include:

Fleet Management: Fleet as a Service (FaaS) enables districts to create a program that meets their transportation needs and lower costs. First Services supports bus procurement, vehicle maintenance, technician training, and best practices.

Fleet Maintenance: Maintenance as a service (MaaS) offers best-in-class, full service maintenance as a stand-alone contract, to ensure well-maintained vehicles without worrying about parts, technician staffing or varying maintenance costs.

Fleet Electrification: First Student is the largest operator of electric school buses in North America with more than 5 million electric miles driven. As more districts look to electrify fleets, First Service’s experts assist with grant applications, infrastructure design, hardware and software selection, charger and bus selections, site assessments, utility outreach and construction, and deployment.

School Bus Routing: First Services offers a standalone routing efficiency analysis, reviewing routes, school schedules, and bus utilization. With experience managing more than 44,000 vehicles a year, First Student helps districts improve on-time performance and reduce costs.

Transportation Management: First Services brings extensive experience in evaluating key metrics, maintaining high safety standards, and delivering consistent analytics and reporting to stakeholders.

About First Student:
As the leading provider of K-12 transportation solutions, First Student ensures the safest and most reliable ride to school each day for 5.5 million students in communities across North America. With a team of highly trained drivers, the company is on track to complete 1 billion student trips during the 2024-25 school year. Recognized as one of Fast Company’s 2025 Most Innovative Companies, First Student delivers a wide range of essential services, including home-to-school transportation, special needs transportation, fleet electrification, route optimization, maintenance, and charter services. The company’s focus goes beyond logistics by creating a positive, welcoming environment for students on each of its 45,000 buses. By continuously enhancing the transportation experience for students and families, First Student helps to ensure every child arrives to school ready to achieve their full potential.

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In this webinar, you will learn about the latest innovations in radio communications and dispatching solutions for K-12 student transportation.

Whether you are deploying a new radio and GPS location tracking system or looking to add range and capacity to your existing system, this webinar will help you determine the best solutions for your school or district transportation. We will present an overview of current two-way radio systems and standards that use licensed UHF and VHF frequencies, and nationwide 4G/5G/LTE Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC). Here are some of the valuable takeaways from this complete guide to radio communications webinar:

• How to choose the best radio system for your specific coverage and call capacity requirements
• How to migrate from analog to digital for improved performance
• How to extend the range and expand the capacity of your radio system
• How to add wide area coverage with PoC radios for buses and dispatching to your existing school’s radio system

This webinar is brought to you by Hytera.

REGISTER BELOW:

Presenters:

Ty Estes
Marketing Director
Hytera

Ty Estes is the Marketing Director for Hytera US Inc, where he oversees promotion of the company’s radio communication products. Estes has over twenty years of experience in marketing wireless communications and network technologies, and he has chaired committees in telecommunications trade associations and authored several technical papers. Estes has a bachelor’s degree in English from California State University, Long Beach.

Julie Ann Baker
PoC Product Manager
Hytera

Julie Ann Baker is the Hytera US Inc. Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) Product Marketing Manager. In this role, she is responsible for product planning and marketing, gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, and analyzing and understanding how PoC product line meets the needs of a variety of vertical markets. Baker has worked in high-tech for Intel Corporation, Microchip Technologies, and Hytera US. Julie Ann has a BSEE and MBA.

The post (Free Webinar) The Complete Guide to Radio Systems for Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

LOS ANGELES, Cali. -HopSkipDrive today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind AI-driven transportation planning platform as part of its RouteWise AI software.

This new offering delivers a major advancement to school districts focused on safe, reliable, and efficient transportation options. It provides comprehensive visibility into unlimited scenarios and national benchmarks, with artificial intelligence analyzing thousands of possibilities, including the risk of delays at existing bus stops and the impact of changing bell times.

Launched in 2023, HopSkipDrive’s RouteWise AI software has helped dozens of school districts around the country improve on-time arrivals, reduce transportation cost by up to 20%, and address chronic labor shortages.

For instance, Denver Public Schools implemented RouteWise AI’s suggestion of increasing the efficiency of small vehicles, leading to savings of more than $500,000 annually. And in Colorado Springs’ District 11, efficiency went up 46% when RouteWise AI increased the share of high-utilization bus routes (defined as 30 students or more), using the same number of drivers and addressing the district’s shortage.

“We’ve been working with RouteWise AI to assess our operational efficiency and support our district in sustaining operations through a driver shortage,” said Veronica Schmidt, transportation director, Snohomish School District in Snohomish, Wash. ”RouteWise AI brings together all of our data – ridership, history traffic, route policies and more – to deliver detailed optimization recommendations that aren’t possible with our current tools.”

The new RouteWise AI dashboard gives district leadership insights into the metrics that matter, including student ride times, costs per rider, and bus utilization rates. Users can compare these metrics against national averages, allowing them to benchmark against peers and track improvements. HopSkipDrive’s team of transportation and change management experts collaborate on the best transportation plan for each district that fit into existing routing software or platforms.

In addition, RouteWise AI is collaborating with EZTransportation, a leading transportation management platform, to deliver seamless end-to-end experiences for school district staff. This reinforces the RouteWise AI “Compatibility Promise” to ensure complementary efforts with, and not replacements to, districts’ existing technologies. This includes the range of solutions EZTransportation provides, such as daily route management, school and parent communication, driver management, fleet maintenance, and activity trip coordination.

“School districts often lack the time or resources to quickly analyze transportation data in one place and implement meaningful changes,” explained Corey McMahon, HopSkipDrive Chief Product and Technology Officer. “RouteWise AI bridges that gap, providing schools’ decision makers, board members and other officials actionable insights directly from their existing routing systems to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately improve student outcomes.”

School districts across the country, including Ohio County Schools in West Virginia, and dozens more, have utilized RouteWise AI. With RouteWise AI and its care-centered transportation marketplace, HopSkipDrive has supported over 10,000 schools.

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, equity, and care. HopSkipDrive is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and industry-leading routing software, 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 10,000 schools across 17 states, with over 600 school district partners. More than three million rides over 61 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

The post HopSkipDrive Launches New AI-Powered School Transportation Dashboard, Increasing Visibility and Efficiency Across Districts’ Transportation Systems appeared first on School Transportation News.

Twice a year, the district reminds students about danger zone safety rules during its bus evacuation drills. Yet, a recent incident involving Henry confirmed that words and training are not enough to prevent life-threatening events.

Henry, an eager pre-K student, arrived late at his bus stop one day due to a power outage at home. Like any excited youngster, he ran to board his bus. Without thinking, he crossed in front of the bus and out of the driver’s sight.

Was it dumb luck that Henry eventually caught his driver’s attention? Or did the driver have an onboard assistant to thank? Read on for the answers.

1. The 360° Advantage

A second set of eyes can be invaluable for student safety – a statement that Henry’s driver can attest to. Because of REI’s 360° HD Camera System and its expansive views, he spotted Henry in the danger zone and promptly braked, preventing an unspeakable tragedy.

Now, this system provides full coverage of bus surroundings via bird’s-eye and three-dimensional views. For drivers, that means unobstructed, real-time views of students, objects or vehicles that may be hidden from sight. Henry’s driver uses it at bus stops and during turns and lane changes to avoid collisions. Your drivers would likely appreciate the extra visibility too.

But the district didn’t stop at just one solution to improve danger zone safety. They doubled up by adding a vision-based AI tool.

2. The Violation Detector

An estimated 251,000+ stop-arm violations occur daily around the U.S.* To oversee the stop-arm zone and deter illegal passings by repeat offenders, the district installed an REI AI Stop-Arm Violation Camera System on every bus.

The system’s vision-based AI camera sees vehicles enter its detection zone while the stop arm is extended. It then triggers the license plate cameras into action and facilitates an automated report in REI’s ARMOR Software Suite.** The report allows the district to quickly review violators’ license plates and data before sharing the information with law enforcement if needed.

Imagine both systems at work for your district. Your drivers would likely feel more at ease with 360-degree danger zone views. In addition, you would likely feel more relaxed knowing an automated detection system monitors your danger zone for stop-arm violators. A definite win-win for students and your district.

Visit radioeng.com to watch a 360° System demo or learn more about our AI Stop-Arm Camera System and ARMOR Software Suite.

*2024 survey results, National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services
**Additional hardware and software required.

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

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ATLANTA, Ga. – The Bus Center Atlanta is proud to announce that we are an authorized dealership for the Collins Bus Corporation. This partnership between Bus Center Atlanta and Collins Bus will offer dependable transportation solutions, not only for the State of Georgia, but the surrounding states. For more than 50 years, Collins Bus has been the leading manufacturer of Type A school buses and MFSAB buses, earning superior ratings and confidence within the industry. “Collins Bus is excited to announce The Bus Center of Atlanta as an authorized dealer of Collins Bus in Georgia. The vast experience of The Bus Center of Atlanta and Collins Bus teams positions us well to meet our customers’ school transportation needs” stated Bryce Pfister, General Manager at Collins Bus Corporation.

“We are honored to be representing such a high quality and highly respected school bus brand” said Harry Hosey, General Manager of The Bus Center Atlanta.

Mark Hoekstra, President of the Bus Center Family of Companies states “We are excited to announce our partnership with Collins Bus Corporation to bring their renowned, high-quality buses to Georgia. This collaboration enables us to provide our customers with top-tier, dependable transportation solutions, not only in Georgia but also in the surrounding states.”

The Bus Center Atlanta is committed to providing excellent customer service, including maintenance, financing, and warranty support. This new partnership emphasizes the Bus Center’s dedication to offer high-quality, safe, and reliable transportation solutions for the communities it serves.

About The Bus Atlanta:
The Bus Center Atlanta is part of the Family of Companies, which include Transportation South, Inc. (Pelham, Ala.), Mid-South Bus Center, Inc. (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and Hoekstra Transportation (Michigan) offering an exceptional selection of new and used buses and vans for public transportation, schools, churches, retirement communities, daycares, hotels, and more. The companies offer post-sales support and service that is unmatched in the bus business. For more information, visit www.thebuscenter.com.

About Collins Bus Corporation:
Collins Bus, a division of Forest River Bus., manufactures Type A school buses, multi-function school activity buses (MFSABs), multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs), and childcare buses in South Hutchinson, Kansas. For more information about Collins Bus, visit www.collinsbus.com.

The post The Bus Center Atlanta Becomes Official Collins School/MFSAB Bus Dealer for the State of Georgia appeared first on School Transportation News.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With distracted driving on the rise across the United States, BusGates, a leading manufacturer of LED stop arm extensions, is elevating its mission of enhancing student safety by launching a new pilot program that will give away its technology to school districts across the U.S.

During April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month BusGates will ship participating schools one patented stop arm extension to test and keep at no charge while inventory lasts.

BusGates are uniquely designed to make school buses more visible to approaching traffic. By extending the arm five feet from the side of the bus, the BusGates LED extension acts as a physical and visual barrier, warning drivers from a greater distance and helping to reduce illegal drive-arounds.

“As parents, all of us at BusGates understand the importance of keeping our children safe, especially when they are getting to and from school,” said Dan Thompson, Founding Partner at BusGates. “We believe every school should benefit from our proactive technology and this pilot program will make it even more accessible.”

A 2023 National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) bus driver survey found that there were more than 43.5 million illegal school bus passings in the United States during the 2022-2023 school year. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and stronger external safety measures on school buses.

“Our products are a simple solution that easily retrofits the existing stop sign on school buses,” said Trevor Clatfelter, Founding Partner at BusGates. “The stop arm extensions offer additional visibility with flashing LED lights and extend 5 feet from the bus making drive-arounds much harder.”

School districts in more than 20 states have made their bus fleets more visible by installing BusGates LED-lit stop arm extensions that add a physical barrier to oncoming traffic and significantly reduce illegal passing.

Here’s how BusGates stop arm extensions work:

Physical Barrier: When a school bus stops to load or unload children, the BusGates stop arm extends just over 5 feet into the adjacent lanes of traffic. This physical presence is highly visible and is a deterrent to motorists who might otherwise consider passing the bus.
Enhanced Visibility: The extended stop arm is well-lit with high-powered LED flashing lights offering additional warning as vehicles approach. This visibility serves as a strong reminder to drivers to stop, as required by law.
Immediate Deterrent: By creating a tangible obstruction, BusGates immediately influences driver behavior, preventing potential violations before they occur.

Unlike cameras aboard many school buses, which serve as surveillance tools to catch motorists who illegally pass school buses, stop arm extensions aim to prevent the behavior in the first place.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month highlights the dangers of distracted driving behaviors, including the illegal passing of school buses, and the need for more focus behind the wheel, especially in marked school zones and bus stops in communities across the country.

To learn more about BusGates’ pilot program and how schools can participate, visit www.busgates.com/pilotprogram.

About BusGates:
BusGates is on a mission to reduce vehicle “drive-arounds” at bus stops across America and make getting to and from school safer for students. Bus Gates stop-arm extensions are a simple, cost-effective solution to a major problem – cars ignoring stopped school bus warnings putting students at risk. Bus Gates stop-arm extensions easily retro fits to the existing school bus stop signs. They offer additional visibility and stick out further from the bus to make drivers more aware and reducing “drive-arounds” by up to 95%.

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves, has funded the wrapping of two activity buses for Hutchinson Public Schools. The buses will be used to transport students to and from sports events and activities.

The first of the two wrapped buses, adorned with the school district’s signature colors and logo, was unveiled recently, and the second bus is slated to be unveiled later this month. The design, which aims to promote and demonstrate school pride, was designed by Hutchinson High School students.

Durham School Services and Hutchinson Public Schools have been partners since 1997, and as evidenced by their nearly 30-year partnership, have developed a strong, trusting relationship. Over the course of the partnership, the Hutchinson Durham team has supported various community events such as hosting toy and school supply drives, volunteering at local shelters, in-kind transportation services, and more, as part of their Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program.

“Our school district is fortunate to have such a strong partner in Durham School Services,” said Stacy Goss, Director of Communications, Marketing & Public Relations, USD 308 Hutchinson Public Schools. “When Durham’s General Manager Michael Simmons approached us with the idea, my mind immediately went to our students and how we could involve them. Hutchinson High School students in the Graphic Design Project Management class designed the artwork. They worked closely with the vinyl wrap vendor to design and approve the art. There were a few vents on the bus that the vinyl wrap couldn’t adhere to, so our students in the Collision Repair course at our Career and Technical Education Academy jumped in to paint them. Overall, we are impressed with the outcome! Our students are riding in style and can take pride in the work they’ve put out into the community. We appreciate Durham School Services and their longstanding commitment to students in USD 308.”

“As a long-time partner, we were delighted with this opportunity to give back to the students and community by supporting the bus wrapping project as part of our Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program,” said Michael Simmons, Hutchinson General Manager, Durham School Services. “Uplifting and giving back to the communities we serve is a Company value we live by and strongly believe in, and it is through our Partners Beyond the Bus program that we are able to showcase this commitment. Our teams do incredible work in their community all year round, so I am glad we were able to highlight a meaningful project such as this one with Hutchinson Public Schools that will benefit the students and community for years to come.”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services is dedicated to the safety of our students and People. For more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services has earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities we serve.

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SAN DIEGO, Calif.- Netradyne, an industry-leading SaaS provider of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing, today announced its partnership with the industry’s largest full truckload carrier, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX) (“Knight-Swift” or the “Company”), to provide 15,500 Knight and Swift trucks with Driver•i D-450 and D-215 fleet safety dash cameras.

“At Knight Transportation and Swift Transportation, safety is a foundational value and pre-requisite for the transportation services we provide. Netradyne’s unmatched investment in cutting-edge AI technology made them the clear choice for our fleets. The in-cab audio alerts and real-time feedback are unique tools that empower our drivers to make safer decisions on the road,” said David Tillman, SVP of Safety and Driver Development at Knight-Swift. “What truly sets Netradyne apart is their ability to recognize and positively reinforce safe behaviors, which aligns well with our safety culture and our desire to highlight the outstanding achievements of our professional drivers. With the most up-to-date AI on the market, combined with a focus on driver development and positive feedback, Netradyne’s tools and technology represent an invaluable advancement to our safety programs.”

Netradyne will transform the video data from Knight-Swift’s D-450 and D-215 dash cams into actionable safety and efficiency insights. By analyzing 100% of driving time, Driver•i proactively enhances safety through real-time, in-cab audio alerts, empowering drivers with self-coaching, accident warnings, and immediate guidance for safer decisions. This data and Netradyne’s unique scientific approach inform its GreenZone Score, the industry’s first driver score that calculates an accurate reflection of what’s happening in the field of a driver.

“We’re honored that our solutions empower one of North America’s leading names in trucking and logistics to achieve meaningful milestones in driver safety, underscoring the real-world impact and effectiveness of Netradyne’s technology,” said Avneesh Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder of Netradyne. “Our industry-leading positive recognition AI continues to set us apart, and we’re delighted the Knight-Swift team recognizes its potential to improve fleet operations, elevate driver safety, and enhance overall driver satisfaction.”

The Driver•i D-450 is the company’s latest four-camera video telematics device. It provides a 270-degree view through a road-facing camera and two side cameras in a compact, windshield-friendly package. The D-215 builds on the D-210 Driver•i system with an integrated connectivity module and improved installation experience.

About Knight-Swift:
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. is one of North America’s largest and most diversified freight transportation companies, providing multiple truckload transportation, less-than-truckload, logistics, and business services to the shipping and transportation sectors. Knight-Swift uses a nationwide network of business units and terminals in the United States and Mexico to serve customers throughout North America. In addition to operating the country’s largest tractor fleet, Knight-Swift also contracts with third-party equipment providers to provide a broad range of services to its customers while creating quality driving jobs for driving associates and successful business opportunities for independent contractors.

About Netradyne:
Founded in 2015 by Avneesh Agrawal (CEO) and David Julian (CTO), Netradyne is a global leader in AI-powered fleet safety and video telematics solutions and headquartered in San Diego, CA, with offices in San Francisco and Bangalore, India. Thousands of commercial fleet customers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and India trust Netradyne’s over 800 employees worldwide. Netradyne’s flagship product, Driver•i, delivers cutting-edge HD video safety and management technology powered by advanced AI that analyzes every minute of drive time with up to 99% accuracy, recognizing risky and safe driving behaviors. With over 18 billion vision-analyzed driving miles, Netradyne sets the industry standard for fleet safety, empowering commercial fleets of all sizes to enhance driver performance, reduce risk, and optimize operations. Netradyne is committed to advancing road safety and efficiency through innovative technology transforming the transportation industry.

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BYRON CENTER, Mich. — Pro-Vision, a leader in mobile video technology, proudly announces the release of its enhanced second-generation Stop Arm Camera. This cutting-edge camera solution builds upon the success of its predecessor in delivering increased low-light capabilities, reduced installation time, and improved evidence collection, further supporting school districts in their mission to safeguard student passengers.

The Pro-Vision Gen2 Stop Arm Camera captures crystal-clear video evidence of motorists illegally passing stopped school buses, a crucial step in enhancing student safety. Featuring superior low-light performance and AI-based computer vision, the Gen2 model ensures accurate footage and reduced false positives under the most challenging conditions.

“Our goal is always to innovate and improve the technology that keeps our children safe,” said Corey Mathews, Director of Sales for the school transportation segment. “With the Gen2 Stop Arm Camera, we’ve taken a significant step forward in protecting students and assisting schools and authorities in enforcing stop arm violations.”

Designed with simplicity in mind, the Gen2 Stop Arm Camera easily integrates with Pro-Vision’s existing school bus camera systems. Its robust design allows for seamless installation and low-maintenance operation, ensuring minimal downtime and maximizing safety on every route.

Additional key features of the Gen2 Stop Arm Camera include:

• Enhanced image clarity for precise identification of vehicles and license plates.
• Added infrared illumination for capturing license plates in low-light situations.
• Automatic violation detection and plate recognition of illegal-passing vehicles to reduce false positives and simplify enforcement.
• Integrates with CloudConnect software, allowing school districts and law enforcement easier access and management of recorded incidents.

Pro-Vision remains dedicated to creating innovative solutions that make roads safer for everyone, especially our children traveling to and from school.

About Pro-Vision

Founded in 2003, Pro-Vision is a global leader in mobile video technology, delivering innovative solutions that enhance safety, improve efficiency, and protect vital assets. The company’s comprehensive suite of products includes vehicle video recording systems, body-worn cameras, data management tools, and cloud-based storage solutions. Trusted by partners in transit, public safety, and commercial industries, Pro-Vision’s technology helps organizations operate more securely and effectively. For more information, visit provisionusa.com.

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ELKHART, Ind. — LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lippert Components, Inc. (“Lippert”), a leading supplier of engineered components to the recreation and transportation markets, today announced that its subsidiary, Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc., has acquired substantially all of the business assets of Trans Air Manufacturing Corporation (“Trans/Air”).

Founded in 1979, Trans/Air is a trusted provider of climate control systems for a wide range of vehicles, including commercial, school, type-A, transit, limo, touring and electric-hybrid busses, as well as specialty vehicles and vans. Their full product line includes evaporators, compressors, condensers, hoses & fitting systems, electronic controls and custom-designed drive kits. While servicing traditional commercial vehicles for 45 years, Trans/Air has also invested significant capital and technology into the rapidly growing EV Bus Market, which continues to expand due to federal and local government emissions initiatives across North America.

Trans/Air is headquartered in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, but operates multiple strategic installation facilities across the country that are physically located inside their customers’ operations. This approach ensures a daily presence at customer sites, enabling the management of complete or partial installations while providing crucial technical service and product expertise. Trans/Air also maintains a network of over 170 authorized service centers across North America.

Lippert has been manufacturing window and glass solutions to the commercial bus industry for over 12 years. The two companies already share many of the same customers in the transportation vehicle space, and these synergies excite Ryan Smith, Group President for Lippert’s North American OEM Operations: “We’re pleased to welcome Trans/Air to the Lippert family. When Lippert was approached with the opportunity months ago, we were immediately impressed with their operational strategies and knew that they would be a great addition to our product portfolio,” said Smith. He continued, “We are excited to continue the investment into innovation in order to grow the business, and we’ll build on their great team and customer relationships to further expand into the Transportation Vehicle Market.”

Andrew Pocock, Lippert’s EVP of Building and Transportation Products, echoed Smith’s enthusiasm: “We are so excited to add such a great team, brand and product line to the Lippert family. We are confident that together we can serve our partners better and will strengthen the product offering as well as the overall value that Lippert brings to our customers.”

About LCI Industries:
LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII), through its Lippert subsidiary, is a global leader in supplying engineered components to the outdoor recreation and transportation markets. We believe our innovative culture, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and dedication to enhancing the customer experience have established Lippert as a reliable partner for both OEM and aftermarket customers. For more information, visit www.lippert.com.

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PLAINVIEW, N.Y.- WE Transport today announced the retirement of Bart Marksohn, Chairman Emeritus, who has been an integral leader of this family-owned company for over 50 years. Marksohn’s last day will be April 1, 2025.

“Bart’s contributions to WE Transport have been invaluable to the development and success of this business for decades,” said Judith Crawford, CEO of Beacon Mobility. “Throughout Bart’s lifetime career in transportation, he has channeled his passion for transportation to introduce new technologies, provide reliable transportation to schools and communities, and expand the company’s footprint from a Long Island based carrier to serve Connecticut and New York City. We extend our deepest gratitude to Bart and wish him the very best in retirement.”

“My parents founded WE Transport in the late 1950’s with one vehicle and the vision of providing safe and reliable transportation services to Long Island families with special needs children, and it has been a privilege to spend my career supporting our family founded business to reach new heights and serve a growing number of students and communities,” said Bart Marksohn, Chairman Emeritus of WE Transport. “It is the dedicated employees and strong community we have built over the years that makes this company special, and I have no doubt that our wonderful culture will continue to make a positive impact.”

Bart Marksohn, son of WE Transport’s founding partners Walter and Edie Marksohn, started helping with the growing family business at an early age. Instead of spending his weekend on sporting fields, Bart could be found in the maintenance shop working on vehicles. He started out changing brakes and tires and making vehicle repairs and worked his way up to be head mechanic. As the business grew, Bart transitioned into a different leadership role to oversee fleet management, banking, insurance, safety, contracts, bidding, customer liaison, and real estate.

Along with his brother, Jerry, they pursued cutting edge technologies to incorporate into the business, and in the early nineties WE Transport became the first school bus company to utilize GPS tracking technology. Bart oversaw significant expansions for WE Transport, including the introduction of motor coaches and growing the school transportation vehicle fleet by thirty percent in just one year in 2003 In 2010, WE Transport landed a contract with Bridgeport Public Schools in Connecticut to further diversify the business.

Bart Marksohn continued, “Bridgeport was a challenge which was handled by our family of employees with real excitement. We had to hire over 300 employees and be up and running in 60 days and we pulled it off. This positive experience encouraged us to expand into new markets in New York City and Westchester, where we hired over 350 employees and 100 employees respectively to successfully expand operations and create a positive customer experience.”

Marksohn has received both state and national recognitions for his contributions to the industry. As the President and Chief Financial Officer of WE Transport, he was recognized as the 2018 New York School Bus Contractor of the Year at the New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA) 64th Annual Convention alongside his colleague, Carmen Tomeo, Chief Executive Officer of WE Transport. In 2024, Marksohn was inducted into the National Student Transportation Association (NSTA) Hall of Fame in recognition of his “long-standing team efforts on behalf of the student transportation industry.”

About WE Transport: WE Transport, Inc. is a group of companies referred to as “The WE Transport Family of Companies.” There are five operational companies within the group, operated by the same management team and function as a single entity. WE Transport strives to serve our customers safely, efficiently and cost-effectively. From hiring and safety, operations maintenance, customer service to IT, each step of the way, working as a team, each department is dedicated to going above and beyond industry standards.

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The cover story this month features Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools superintendent Crystal Hill as she discusses what it takes to drive an entire district towards success. Read more about the new GM and VP of IC Bus as well as articles on technological upgrades, AI & predictive technology, benefits of using a third-party contractor plus more on the unclear future of electric school buses and clean energy funding.

Read the full April 2025 issue.

Cover Story

Breaking Barriers & Navigating Uncharted Territory
Crystal Hill, the superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, shares how she started her career in education, her perspective on the importance of student transportation, and the potential impacts of cuts in federal funding.

Features

Seeing Into The Future
AI and predictive technology hold many promises for student transportation professionals, especially those in charge of servicing school buses and ensuring optimum uptime.

The Steps To A Technology Upgrade
Upgrading technology comes with many questions such as staying with the same provider and looking at expanded features. Directors weigh in on the items and processes they value most.

Who, What, When, Where and Why?
While contracting operations isn’t for every school district, those that use third-party services discover the benefits of technology and safety equipment adoption, cost savings and vehicle variety.

Special Reports

Passing the Torch
Charles Chilton has big shoes to fill as the new GM and VP of IC Bus. But his experience as a school bus driver and engineer are proof he is more than up to the task.

Clean School Bus Program
School districts are left wading in the deep end of regulatory and funding uncertainty, especially when it comes to purchasing new electric school buses under the EPA’s Clean School Bus program.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Moving Target

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Building an Elite School Transportation Team

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Discover the First Serves program—a collaborative effort involving educational experts, psychologists, and parents/caregivers. This white paper provides a closer look at how First Serves, a specialized training program seamlessly supports children, connecting their classroom experience with transportation.

Key Aspects:

• Structured Support: First Serves delivers structured planning and support, closing the gap between the classroom and transportation.
• Collaborative Foundation: Forming partnerships between transportation staff, educational professionals, district leaders, and families, First Serves nurtures an environment conducive to student growth.
• Empowered Team: Through specialized training, First Serves ensures driving staff and on-vehicle monitors can adeptly address diverse student needs during their journey.
• District Customization: First Serves allows districts to customize the program, integrating social-emotional learning supports for an effective school experience.

Case Study Highlights:

See the impact of First Serves in action at Battle Ground Public Schools, showcasing tangible improvements in the student experience. This case study serves as a real-world example of collaborative, customizable approaches that enhance the student journey. Delve into the white paper for a deeper understanding of First Serves and its transformative potential in fostering student success.

Fill out the form below and then check your email for the white paper download link.

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