OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Blue Valley Schools started the new school year on a strong note last week thanks to the dedicated efforts of its long-time school transportation partner, Durham School Services, and the Blue Valley Schools transportation team. For the first day of school, Durham drove a total of 105 routes and transported 4,000 students.

Durham has been the district’s transportation provider for 14 years, and just last year, announced a five-year partnership renewal that runs through 2029 – a clear indication of the school’s continued, deep trust with Durham’s service and team. Further, over the years, as a committed community partner, Durham has supported various local pantries through donations, provided grants to teachers, and has annually sponsored the Blue Valley Educational Foundation’s (BVEF) Annual Community Breakfast event as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program.

“Blue Valley Schools are off to a strong start this fall, thanks to the efforts of our transportation team and Durham School Services,” said Jason Gillam, SFO, Director of Business Operations, Blue Valley Schools. “On-time performance has continued to improve each day as routes settle in, and families are experiencing smoother service overall. We’re grateful for the hard work and collaboration that made the first days of the 2025–26 school year one of our best bus start-ups yet.”

“Congratulations to our team and Blue Valley Schools for such a smooth, successful start to the new school year,” said Cody Aksamit, General Manager, Durham School Services. “I’d like to thank my team for their ever admirable hard work, along with the preparation efforts they’ve put into ensuring school start-up runs as smoothly as possible. From safety start-up meetings to practice runs of routes, our teams stayed focused on their objective, and it paid off. I’d like to also give special thanks to Blue Valley Schools for their unwavering support for the past 10+ years. Welcome back, everyone, and here’s to a great start to the school year!”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, 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 and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve.

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WARDSVILLE, Mo. – Starting this coming school year, Durham School Services will become the sole transportation provider for Blair Oaks R-II Schools as a result of a partnership expansion that will run through 2030. Prior to this expanded partnership, routes for the school district were shared with another transportation provider. Durham began serving the school district over two decades ago.

Durham will run a total of 17 routes for the school district, which includes regular education, special education, summer school, and activity trips. As a committed school district partner, the Durham team is dedicated to supporting its students and community as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program and will sponsor water bottles for the school district’s athletic department’s sporting events.

“Blair Oaks R-II is excited to expand our partnership with Durham School Services,” said Ben Meldrum, Superintendent, Blair Oaks R-II Schools. “Student transportation is an integral part of what we do in the school world and to have a provider with a proven track record with services and safety provided is important. We look forward to growing our partnership throughout the duration of the contract and continue to look for ways to enhance our student transportation system.”

“We are excited to now be the sole student transportation provider for Blair Oaks R-II Schools and continue our service to them in an expanded role,” said Darrell Knierim, General Manager, Durham School Services. “It has been a rewarding experience for my team to be able to see their students thrive and grow throughout the years and most importantly, ensure they are safe on their way to and from school. Our team looks forward to seeing both new and familiar faces this upcoming school year and would like to thank the school district for their continued trust and support.”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, 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 and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve.

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YORKVILLE, Ill. – Septran, proud sister brand to Durham School Services, will continue serving the students of Yorkville Community Unit School District 115 (CUSD 115) safely, on time, and ready to learn, for another five years through 2030.

Septran has been serving the school district for over 15 years and since then, the two organizations have formed a trusting, long-standing partnership. In addition to being a dedicated school district partner, Septran is also a committed community partner. Our local Yorkville team has proudly supported numerous community events such as parades, Touch-a-Truck events, and sponsorships for teachers as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program. The program aims to strengthen ties with our customers and community partners while also increasing awareness of and recognizing the volunteer efforts of our teams.

Yorkville Community Unit School District 115 shared, “Septran has been a great partner in providing safe and timely transportation for our students. Their drivers and managers understand the critical role they play in supporting our community, and we value their commitment and professionalism.”

“Over the last 15+ years, we have built a deep-rooted, trusting relationship with the school and community, as evidence by this partnership extension and all the various community outreach projects my team has participated in,” said Lisa Clements, General Manager, Septran. “We are extremely grateful to be able to continue to serve the students of Yorkville CUSD 115 and provide them with reliable transportation to attend school to learn, grow, and build their futures. Thank you to Yorkville CUSD 115 for this continued opportunity and to my team for constantly striving to provide service excellence to their students and community.”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands such as Septran, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, 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 and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve.

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BOSTON, Mass. – Michelle Harpenau, Manager of Commercial Development for Durham School Services, has been awarded the National School Transportation Association’s (NSTA) Golden Merit Award for her exemplary service and dedication to the school bus industry

The NSTA Golden Merit Award was created in 1969 as a way to recognize school bus professionals for their dedication and contributions to the school bus industry in areas such as safety, community service, business practices, and vehicle maintenance.

Michelle, along with other award recipients, were recognized and presented with the award at the NSTA Awards and Installation Dinner on July 22, 2025, surrounded by family and fellow team members and industry professionals. The award presentation was held as part of NSTA’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Convention.

“Michelle is an exceptionally talented and valued team member who has an inherent ability to foster positivity within the team and work environment. She has led the company to growth and success as a result of her industry experience and aptitude for breaking down and simplifying financial situations for her team. Even in times of high stress, Michelle can be seen with an infectious smile on her face that spreads to those around her, lightening the mood, and driving motivation and morale,” said Dan Cecchin, Senior Vice President of Commercial Development, Durham School Services. “This award is fittingly well-deserved and an incredible symbol of Michelle’s impressive career and service excellence. Congrats, Michelle. Thanks for always going above and beyond for the team and Company. We are lucky to have you.”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, 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 and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve.

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LISLE, Ill. – National Express School (“NEXS”), one of North America’s leading providers of safe and reliable student transportation, is pleased to announce the completion of its acquisition by I Squared Capital (“I Squared”), a specialist global infrastructure investor. The acquisition, first announced in April 2025, includes NEXS flagship brands such as Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, and Stock Transportation.

Each of NEXS’ brands possess a trusted, experienced reputation as a safe, reliable transportation provider. Notably, NEXS’ most tenured brand, Durham School Services, boasts 108 reputable years in the industry and counting, which has naturally lent itself to valuable brand equity and familiarity; making it a household, trusted company across the nation. Both Petermann Bus and Stock Transportation have also built a name for themselves that has undeniably deeply rooted them in their respective communities.

Tim Wertner, CEO, National Express School, said, “Closing this transaction marks an important milestone and an exciting new chapter for NEXS. We are a trusted, safe and reliable transportation brand that represents a vital link to education for the communities we serve. Businesses like ours have the potential to have a positive impact on millions and provide the lifeblood for a functioning society, regardless of economic cycle. The combination of I Squared’s investment commitment and deep experience and expertise in the transportation sector will help NEXS to strengthen and improve our services and further build on our reputation for safe and reliable student transportation.”

Mr. Wertner continued, “I would like to thank the NEXS team members for their dedication to our mission. They have consistently demonstrated the value of our business, not just to I Squared, but to the communities that rely on us to provide them safety-driven student transportation. We are excited to start a new chapter in the history of NEXS and look forward to working together with our new partner.”

Gautam Bhandari, Global Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at I Squared, said, “We see genuine growth potential that can be unlocked at NEXS over the long-term. We are excited for what comes next and look forward to working with the whole team at NEXS as we capitalize on the opportunities in the sector together.”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, 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 and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve.

About National Express School:
National Express School (NEXS) was 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 $45 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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AUBREY, Texas – Durham School Services and the Aubrey Independent School District have extended their partnership for another five years through 2030. This extension signals the school district’s strong, continued trust and confidence in Durham’s transportation services.

Durham began providing transportation services to the school district over twenty years ago and currently runs 37 routes for the school. Over the last 20+ years, the team has fully integrated itself and became part of the community by participating in and supporting various community outreach events as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program. These community outreach efforts include donating to the Aubrey Education Foundation, participating in community parades, and more.

“Aubrey ISD is excited about the expanded partnership with Durham School Services, which brings significant enhancements to student transportation through innovative tracking technology and improved scheduling,” said Eric Hough, Assistant Superintendent, Aubrey Independent School District. “The district is particularly pleased with the new three-tier system, which reduces student wait times, and the addition of RFID tracking that keeps parents informed about their children’s bus activities. With these comprehensive improvements—including enhanced field trip coordination and new activity buses—the district looks forward to providing the smoothest school start possible while continuing to elevate transportation services throughout the contract period.”

“Being able to serve Aubrey ISD the last 20+ years has been honor and we are looking forward to the next five years,” said Regional Manager Brian Gibson, Durham School Services. “The Aubrey team is an exceptional team that always strives to exceed expectations and improve their service to their students and the community. The school district also has the same sentiments and as a result of that, has continued to put their trust and the safety of their students in our hands for over two decades and counting. We truly cherish and are grateful for their unfaltering support and confidence in our team and will continue to provide the safe, reliable service they have trusted and expect.”

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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CUMBERLAND, R.I. – Blackstone Valley Prep (BVP) recently celebrated an electrifying milestone – its fleet of electric school buses surpassed 100,000 miles traveled since hitting the roads last winter. Since its introduction to the community, the new fleet of 24 electric vehicles (EV) has been met with revere and praise for their quiet nature and most importantly, the beneficial impact on the futures of their students and community.

In this major milestone for sustainable student transportation, the 100,000 miles Blackstone Valley Prep’s EV fleet has traveled is a distance that marks more than just mileage. The electric buses have prevented approximately 157,198 kgs of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere thus far, which is equivalent to taking around 33 passenger vehicles off the road for an entire year, based on conversion factors from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As illustrated by the statistics above, it is clear that these EV school buses are creating a healthier and more sustainable future where every mile driven helps reduce harmful emissions and promotes cleaner air in their communities.

Beth Dowd, Director of Operations at Blackstone Valley Prep shared, “We’re so proud to have surpassed 100,000 miles already in the handful of months we’ve been running our electric fleet! We are deeply committed to the well-being of all of our scholars and our entire community, and these numbers are showing us that this effort will make a significant impact over time.”

“Congratulations to BVP for reaching this incredibly impactful milestone. This 100K mile achievement is a testament to the real-world impact electric school buses are having on the environment and the communities they serve,” said Wayne Skinner, Senior Vice President of Fleet & Procurement, Durham School Services. “It is crucial that we recognize these EV milestones and share progress updates and data, which can then be used to support and advocate for state and federal EV funding assistance programs. BVP’s milestone is just one of many more to come, and we hope you’ll join and support us as we continue to advocate for healthier, greener futures for our students and communities.”

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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