METHUEN, Mass. – Lawrence Public Schools, NRT Bus Inc., Zenobē, and partners today hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the deployment of 35 new electric school buses. Thanks to successful public and private partnerships, Lawrence Public Schools has deployed 25 new electric school buses, supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and 10 minibuses, supported by an initiative led by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and funded by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), as part of their regular home-to-school operations. The buses are based in Methuen and support clean transportation for Lawrence Public Schools.

“To give students a comfortable, quieter daily bus ride while benefiting public health, the environment and Lawrence taxpayers is a big win for our entire community,” said Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Ralph Carrero. “This initiative is the power of public-private partnership at its best.”

“As part of our ongoing commitment to reduce emissions and promote cleaner air for our students and schools, we are thrilled to announce the launch of this charging site to support our new electric fleet for Lawrence Public Schools,” said Scott Sheridan, Senior Vice President of NRT Bus. “We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of all our partners from the public and private sector who made this project possible and are helping us power this new fleet for the 2025 school year.”

“We’re drawing on our global fleet electrification experience to bring clean transportation and its many health and climate benefits to NRT Bus, Beacon Mobility and Lawrence Public Schools. This is an excellent example of public-private partnership in action, and we believe projects like this can be as financially sustainable as they are environmentally sustainable and beneficial,” commented Zenobē Executive Vice President of U.S. EV Sales and Marketing Maggie Clancy.

Undertaken as a partnership between the EPA, MassCEC, Beacon Mobility, Zenobē, Sargent & Lundy, National Grid, Liberty Utilities, and the school district, the charging site was completed last summer and is being used to charge and store the 35 new electric buses.

“This investment means healthier air for students, quieter neighborhoods, and cost savings for school districts over the long term,” said Rachel Ackerman, Senior Program Director for Clean Transportation at MassCEC. “Projects like this show how innovative partnerships can deliver immediate community benefits while accelerating the state’s transition to clean transportation. MassCEC is proud to support Lawrence Public Schools in putting these new electric minibuses on the road.”

Electrified by National Grid and Liberty Utilities, the charging station site provides a sustainable hub for recharging the electric batteries that power the new fleet to shuttle Merrimack Valley students and community members to and from school and other local activities.

“At National Grid, we believe fleet electrification is a key component of building a sustainable and diversified energy future,” said Jake Navarro, Director of Clean Transportation, National Grid. “We’re proud to collaborate with a range of stakeholders to invest in and modernize our energy infrastructure to support the customers and communities we serve.”

Lawrence Public Schools deployed the 25 new electric buses as part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program in 2022. The school district serves 13,000 K-12 students. The 25 electric school buses alone are projected to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 1.35 million pounds per year, equivalent to removing 136 gas-powered passenger cars off the road for one year. In addition, the district was awarded $1,670,000 under MassCEC’s ACT School Bus Deployment Program in 2023 which was used to fund the 10 minibuses.

All vehicles were placed in service for the current 2025 school year.

About Zenobē Energy Ltd. (Zenobē):
Zenobē is an EV fleet and grid-scale battery storage specialist, headquartered in the U.K. The company began operations in 2017 and now employs >380 FTEs with a wide range of leading skills including electrical engineering, software development, computer sciences and financing. Zenobē has around a 25% market share of the U.K. EV bus sector and supports over 3,400 electric vehicles across 120 depots globally. The company is the largest owner and operator of EV buses in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. Zenobē is also the leading owner and operator of grid-scale batteries on the Great Britain transmission network with >1GW of battery storage assets in operation or under construction. Zenobē’s North American headquarters are in Chicago with a subsidiary office in New York and it is actively hiring in Canada and the U.S. For more information visit zenobe.com or LinkedIn.

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More federal and legal wrangling over school bus Wi-Fi and emissions regulations, plus bus manufacturing updates. Read the new October issue of School Transportation News magazine and watch our recent webinars.

“I’m thankful I had the job that I had, to do the work that I had, at the time that I did.” Jeremy Stowe, director of transportation for Buncombe County Schools in North Carolina, transports us into the story of when Hurricane Helene hit last September and how student transporters assisted with emergency response and recovery. The dedication of the district’s maintenance team is reflected in the Garage Star award it won this year. Stowe also discusses benefits of vendor partnerships in technology and alternative transportation.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Bus Safety Co.

Message from Ride.

Images courtesy of Buncombe County Schools. 

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The post (STN Podcast E276) Cowboy Stuff: NC Bus Operation & Garage Stars Weather Hurricane Helene appeared first on School Transportation News.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) today announced the consolidation of Thomas Built Buses (TBB) and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) into a new division – Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles (DTSV). This strategic move brings the two organizations under one cohesive structure to create greater synergies, enhance customer service, improve operational efficiency and accelerate innovation across the specialty vehicle segment.

DTSV builds on the heritage and expertise of both TBB and FCCC, combining their strengths with the scale, resources and technology of Daimler Truck North America. By aligning products that serve distinct specialty markets, including school buses, walk-in vans and recreational vehicles, the division creates a unified platform for customer-focused solutions. FCCC supplies the chassis for Thomas Built Buses and other purpose-built vehicles, making this integration a strategic and natural alignment. DTSV is designed to foster collaboration, simplify processes and unlock capacity to deliver stronger, more efficient solutions across the markets both brands serve.

“This new structure is a strategic step forward in how we serve our customers,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and head of specialty vehicles at DTNA. “We’re not only simplifying how we operate – we’re strengthening our ability to deliver for our customers. This move reflects our long-term commitment to building a more connected, responsive and resilient organization – one that empowers our people and delivers on the expectations of those who rely on our vehicles every day.”

“By bringing together the strengths of Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis, Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles is now positioned to move faster, serve customers even better and operate with greater focus,” said T.J. Reed, who will lead the organization as president and CEO of Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles. “With a strong manufacturing footprint in the Carolinas and a unified team, we are ready to meet the needs of our dealers and customers with renewed agility, confidence and purpose.”

Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles has appointed a leadership team that reflects the combined strengths and expertise of both Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation.

Caleb Judge, chief financial officer, responsible for overseeing finance and controlling to ensure financial alignment across DTSV. Kendra Eads, head of engineering, leading the integration of engineering capabilities into a single, streamlined organization with unified design tools and methods. Nick Rini, head of quality and customer experience, unifying quality and customer experience (CX) functions to deliver an even more seamless experience for customers and dealers.

Thomas Built Buses, based in High Point, North Carolina, is one of the leading school bus manufacturers in the United States, employing approximately 500 people. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, located in Gaffney, South Carolina, employs over 1000 people and is a top manufacturer of premium chassis for walk-in vans, motorhomes and commercial vehicles with over 450 service locations.

About Daimler Truck North America
Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks in North America and a leading provider of innovative products, services, and technologies for the commercial transportation industry. DTNA designs, engineers, manufactures and markets medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school buses, vehicle chassis and related technologies and components under the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Detroit brands. As a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, DTNA is dedicated to delivering exceptional value and support to its customers – helping them keep the world moving. For more information, visit northamerica.daimlertruck.com.

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. Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America LLC, a Daimler Truck company. Learn more at thomasbuiltbuses.com or facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses.

About Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC)
Established in 1995 and headquartered in Gaffney, SC, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) is a leading manufacturer of premium chassis for the RV, medium-duty commercial truck and shuttle bus markets. FCCC supports its industry-leading chassis with a comprehensive suite of services, including 24/7 factory direct support, a nationwide service network with more than 400 dealers in the U.S. and Canada, and an official customer-support mobile app. FCCC also manufactures chassis for the work truck, walk-in van, school bus and shuttle bus markets. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America LLC, a Daimler Truck company. For more information, visit fcccrv.com or call 1-800-FTL-HELP.

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Zonar Systems made its name in the school bus and trucking industries for its vehicle inspection, GPS and telematics solutions. Now, add routing to the list.

Powered by ez enRoute, which it closed its acquisition of on Sept. 16, Zonar is expanding its technology portfolio by offering an all-in-one routing ecosystem. Bus Suite, which the company said is designed to improve safety, efficiency and communication, was demoed at the STN EXPO West Ride and Drive in July. It is currently available.

Terms of the deal were not made public.

Benefits of Bus Suite, according to a press release, include independent, adaptive routing, increased visibility into student ridership, cloud-based operational oversight, and integrated parent mobile application.

Amit Anand, founder of ez enRoute and now Zonar’s senior vice president of product, said school districts can use it as a standalone routing platform or integrate it with an existing routing provider.

“This flexibility means districts no longer need to rely solely on third-party routing and can modernize operations without costly overhaul,” he added.

For existing customers, Anand noted that Bus Suites combines with Zonar telematics devices, in-cab tablets, Z-pass student ridership data, and live bus route monitoring in one dashboard. It also integrates with student information systems to deliver student roster data into the Bus Suite platform, which Zonar said eases the onboarding process.

“Instead of juggling multiple systems, drivers, dispatchers and parents, [everyone] can stay connected through one platform with real-time visibility of every bus, student, and stop,” Annad continued.

For new customers, he said Bus Suite offers an “all-in-one solution that helps districts of all sizes seamlessly modernize operations with routing, ridership, parent communication, and fleet oversight. This results in simpler operations and greater confidence in daily performance.”

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Charles Kriete, CEO of Zonar, also said in a statement that adding ez enRoute to the Zonar portfolio enables the company to deliver greater value to customers.

“We’re not just in the school bus business, we’re in the business of access to education, and we take this mission seriously,” he commented. “As districts nationwide face ongoing driver shortages, the launch of Zonar Bus Suite plays a vital role in modernizing operations, keeping families informed and ensuring safe, reliable student transportation.”

The post Zonar Acquisition Results in Launch of Routing Software appeared first on School Transportation News.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – HopSkipDrive today announced its new Hub-and-Spoke offering is available across the country to help school transportation officials select effective school bus pickup locations, paired with a network of drivers in small vehicles to help students connect at these centralized stops.

This unique offering is designed for a changing school transportation landscape. It combines HopSkipDrive’s proprietary AI-driven transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI, with a network of new drivers in small vehicles called CareDrivers, local caregivers who complete the HopSkipDrive 15-point certification process.
HopSkipDrive, a technology company solving complex transportation challenges supporting more than 13,500 schools, developed this offering in direct response to findings from the 2025 State of School Transportation Report. In the context of increased nationwide bus driver shortages, school administrators report growing numbers of students who qualify for free transportation. At the same time, these transportation staffers agree centralized pick-up and drop-off options can be a solution.

“Schools can use RouteWise AI to design efficient routing and stops that best utilize a system’s existing drivers while increasing bus rider utilization,” explained Joanna McFarland, CEO and Co-Founder of HopSkipDrive. “HopSkipDrive CareDrivers can then efficiently and safely bring students from multiple different locations to centralized bus stops. Leveraging our expertise in centralized transportation with partners like Tolleson Union High School District, we’ve transformed this offering with AI to meet current needs for out-of-district, choice policy, and highly mobile students.”

Confirmation of A Need for New Solutions
HopSkipDrive partnered with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs to release a September State of School Transportation survey of more than 500 school administrators:

● While 90% of school administrator respondents reported rising or stagnant numbers in the number of students who qualify for free, school-provided transportation, 81% of this audience said school bus driver shortages are a problem.

● A majority (73%) favor organizing centralized pick-up and drop-off locations for students using school buses and allowing schools or districts to use school-arranged supplemental school transportation services such as cars and vans (65%).

How the Hub-and-Spoke Model Works
RouteWise AI provides transportation plan scenarios for Denver Public Schools and other districts, building cost-effective multimodal transportation systems utilizing buses and/or small vehicles. It will identify centralized bus stop hubs and efficient bus routes, resulting in 40% capital savings, 46% increased efficiency or 17% more on-time arrivals, and delivering solutions for bus driver shortages.

Once these hubs and bus stops are identified, school district clients can lean on HopSkipDrive’s network of safe, vetted drivers in small vehicles to transport students to those centralized stops. In turn, school buses can run quicker, more efficient routes with higher utilization. School districts interested in working with HopSkipDrive can request more information here.

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 an industry-leading transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI.

HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly-vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 13,500 schools across 17 states, with nearly 1,300 school districts, government agencies, and nonprofit partners. More than five million rides over 95 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

The post HopSkipDrive Launches New Hub-and-Spoke Model For School Transportation Roadmap appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. -EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced significant momentum in Texas, where its growing network now supports more than 14,446 students. Over the past 13 years in Texas, EverDriven has completed 860,286 trips and driven over 12.5 million miles. Since entering into the state in 2012, EverDriven has become a critical partner in ensuring students — particularly those with the greatest needs — arrive at school safe, calm, and ready to learn.

With 102 school district partnerships across Texas, EverDriven is uniquely positioned to serve one of the nation’s largest and most complex education systems. This school year, the majority of students the company transports are among the state’s most vulnerable — 86% experiencing housing instability under the McKinney-Vento Act and 9% requiring special education support. By delivering flexible, student-centered rides that complement traditional yellow bus service, EverDriven expands districts’ ability to meet these diverse needs at scale.

Districts served include some of the largest in the nation — such as Dallas ISD, Houston ISD, and Plano ISD — as well as newly added districts this year, including Waco ISD, Aledo ISD, and Red Oak ISD.

“EverDriven has become a trusted partner in helping us deliver on our promise to families,” said Jazmin Harrison, Ph.D., Executive Director of Student Transportation Services, Dallas Independent School District. “Their consistent, safe, and student-centered service helps us meet the diverse needs of our students — particularly those experiencing housing instability or requiring specialized support. The visibility and reliability they bring to our transportation program gives us confidence that every student can access the education they deserve.”

EverDriven’s service in Texas has grown rapidly: last school year alone, the company transported 2,299 students, completed 100,749 trips, and driven nearly 2 million miles across the state.

“Texas is leading the way in adopting modern approaches to student transportation,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “From large districts like Dallas and Houston to smaller, rural communities, we’re proud to work alongside schools across the state to deliver safe solutions families can count on. With our human-led, tech-enabled approach, we’re helping districts provide every student with a consistent and reliable ride that supports their ability to learn.”

In addition to growth in student ridership, EverDriven is helping Texas districts raise the bar for safety and visibility. Through its human-led, tech-enabled approach, the company is equipping schools with its 360-Degree Student Experience, giving districts, caregivers, and administrators full visibility of every ride to strengthen safety, transparency, and accountability.

Together, with a 99.99% safety record, 100% compliance in driver and vehicle safety checks, and a commitment to consistency, EverDriven is redefining what modern student transportation means for Texas families and districts. Its combination of flexible routing, rigorous safety protocols, and real-time visibility gives districts confidence and families peace of mind.

Looking ahead, EverDriven plans to expand service to additional districts, roll out new technology that enhances visibility, and continue raising the bar for safety. As Texas’s student population grows more diverse and mobility needs more complex, EverDriven remains committed to innovating alongside districts to ensure every child can access education through safe, consistent, and modern transportation — today and into the future.

About EverDriven:
EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in transporting students across a wide range of needs — from everyday support to the most complex circumstances including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other high-need populations. Serving more than 800 districts across 36 states, the company completed over 2 million trips last year, 99.99% of them accident-free with 100% safety compliance. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Expands Momentum in Texas, Safely Delivering Nearly 15,000 Students to School Across 12.5 Million Miles appeared first on School Transportation News.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. –Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) started off the new school year by welcoming students back safely thanks to the support from its transportation provider, Durham School Services. As part of its back-to-school preparation training, the Durham team refined and practiced various safety and driving skills and performed practice runs of their routes to ensure familiarity and efficiency. In total, Durham runs 112 routes and transports over 5,000 students to and from the school every day for the district.

“The Ann Arbor Public Schools is pleased to be working with Durham School Services who provides the district’s general education and special education bus service. The management staff, led by manager Renae Pickel and her team, partner with us to provide transportation services to over 5,000 students,” said Liz Margolis, Executive Director of School Safety & District Operations, Ann Arbor Public Schools. “The Durham team also works with us to ensure students are scheduled for busing in the most efficient manner and to assess the routes during the first few weeks of school for any improvements in service. Further, they understand our families and the expected level of service. We look forward to a smooth 2025-2026 school year for transportation.”

In addition to celebrating the successful start to the school year, AAPS and Durham are also celebrating a three-year extension to its already decades-long partnership. The new partnership between AAPS and Durham extends through 2028 and plans are currently underway to transition the school’s fleet of buses to electric vehicles (EV).

Durham was one of five providers that submitted a proposal in response to AAPS’ request for proposals and was recommended by the review committee after careful and thorough consideration. In the recommendation letter, which is publicly accessible, it was noted that, “Over the contract term, Durham focused on student safety, on-time performance, and customer service, with an expertly maintained fleet of updated buses. The Durham Ann Arbor operation has consistently been awarded the Michigan State Police Certificate of Excellence for a 100% pass rate for all school bus safety inspections.”

“Maintaining and building a decade-long partnership, as you can imagine, takes significant dedication, effort, and hard work,” said Renae Pickel, General Manager, Durham School Services. “Thanks to our team members, we’ve not only been given the opportunity to continue serving AAPS for another three years but also had our best school start-up in years. We had a driver in every seat covering all 112 routes and all routes ran successfully. That is such an immense achievement, and I can’t help but feel a huge sense of pride for what my team has accomplished through their diligence and immeasurable efforts. Lastly, on behalf of the team, I’d like to express how truly appreciative we are for the school’s trust and recognition of our team’s commitment to always providing the utmost safe, dependable service to their students and community.”

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.

The post Ann Arbor Public Schools and Durham School Services Start New School Year with Excellent Service and Partnership Renewal appeared first on School Transportation News.

First Student will equip its 46,000 school buses across North America with Samsara’s AI-powered technology platform — video-based safety, telematics, commercial navigation, door monitors, and student ridership insights — to help predict risk, prevent incidents and ensure student well-being.

The announcement Tuesday comes as part of a new partnership between the two companies. Samsara’s technology will integrate into First Student’s Halo platform that rolled out earlier this year. The companies said school districts will have a unified system that combines telematics, video-based safety and monitoring, fleet tracking and ridership insights.

“By leveraging real-time data collected from Samsara’s Connected Operations Platform, First Student will build the most advanced safety and performance ecosystem in the student transportation industry,” a press release states, noting that the companies aim to set a new standard for how drivers, districts, families and students experience pupil transportation.

“This partnership between two industry leaders enables us to leverage advanced technology to deliver safer, smarter, and more connected student transportation,” said John Kenning, CEO and president of First Student in a statement. “By integrating Samsara’s AI insights into HALO, we are living out our value of setting the highest standards and redefining what student transportation can be. With Samsara’s AI capabilities, predictive analytics, and real-time safety monitoring, we are taking HALO to the next level, anticipating risks, preventing incidents, enhancing driver satisfaction, and advancing our mission to provide every student with the best possible transportation experience so they arrive at school ready to achieve their full potential.”

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Samsara said it AI-powered platform will further unlock key safety features in HALO across all vehicles, including the use of AI cameras with in-cab alerts; collision avoidance and hazard detection alerts for drivers and pedestrians; and predictive safety analytics that combine data from vehicle sensors and AI cameras to generate insights. It also integrates post-trip insights, giving supervisors visibility into coachable driver trends. Samsara said its models learn from billions of minutes of video footage to help identify and address risks proactively.

“We are proud to partner with First Student, which operates at an unmatched scale, serving millions of students daily across North America,” said Sanjit Biswas, CEO and co-founder of Samsara in a press release. “By integrating our AI-powered platform with First Student’s HALO, we are taking innovation to the next level to create a safer, more efficient experience. Together, we’re bringing students the best possible transportation experience, powered by data-driven insights.”

The post First Student to Integrate Samsara AI Technology into Halo Platform appeared first on School Transportation News.

School bus operations rely on technology to address the complex requirements of transporting students. Properly identifying your organization’s operational, functional, technical and financial needs will enhance its capabilities as well as your satisfaction with your choices—but how to start?

Download our complimentary white paper for fresh perspective into choosing a partner who provides good value, not just a good price.

• Take a wide, objective look at your organization to understand what’s needed.
• Identify the new technologies’ impact to end users and other departments.
• Work with potential partners to define KPIs and calculate projected ROI.
• Evaluate providers in detail to determine their suitability as a long-term partner.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, and look for partnerships and integrations.

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

The post (Free White Paper) How To Choose Your Ideal School Bus Operation Management Partner appeared first on School Transportation News.

TransAct Communications has officially rebranded to Pathwise, unveiling a new name, visual identity and website that the company said signals a renewed focus on simplifying K–12 school operations.

While the brand’s visual identity has changed, the company remains under the same leadership and ownership, as does its core mission to reduce the administrative burden on school staff so educators can stay focused on student success through transportation logistics, governance, compliance, and out-of-school time programs. Pathwise will continue to serve school districts, charter organizations and state departments of education across the country with no disruption to its services or leadership.

“This rebrand reflects who we’ve become a trusted partner with deep education roots and a clear focus on helping schools run more smoothly so educators can focus on students,” said Nate Brogan, CEO of Pathwise, via a press release.

The rebrand comes on the heels of significant growth. Since partnering with Polaris Growth Fund in 2020, the company said it has quadrupled its revenue and made major investments in leadership, product innovation and customer experience. Dan Lombard, managing partner at Polaris, noted in a statement that the rebranding was a natural step toward aligning the company’s public identity with its expanded impact and long-term goals.

The name Pathwise was chosen to convey more than just progress. The company said it represents guidance, purpose and partnership and positions the company not just as a vendor but as a trusted advisor to help schools manage the unseen but essential operations that keep learning on track.

Pathwise launched a redesigned website that it said refined its messaging to better communicate the value it brings to K–12 education.

The company serves over 3,000 school districts and charter organizations, as well as more than 25 state departments of education.

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SHELTON, Conn. -Just in time for back-to-school, the City of Shelton announced today the launch of a new school bus safety program in partnership with BusPatrol. The initiative is designed to protect children as they travel to and from school by curbing the dangerous and illegal motorist behavior of passing stopped school buses.

Starting Tuesday, August 26, Shelton Public Schools’ fleet of 68 buses will be equipped with BusPatrol’s AI-powered stop-arm enforcement technology. The program will begin with a 30-day warning period during which vehicle owners who illegally pass stopped school buses will receive warning letters without monetary penalties. On September 29, the program will enter live enforcement, with violators subject to a minimum $250 civil penalty under Connecticut law. Every violation is reviewed by trained municipal staff before a fine is issued.

Importantly, the program is provided at zero cost to the City, school district, and taxpayers. BusPatrol covers the upfront investment, including the technology, installation, and ongoing maintenance. The program is entirely violator-funded, meaning drivers who break the law and put children at risk pay for this important student safety program.

Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti said: “We’re proud to lead the charge as the second city in the state to launch stop-arm enforcement. This is about one thing: protecting our kids. We’re setting the standard for student safety and sending a clear message – passing a stopped school bus is never worth the risk.”

Justin Meyers, President and Chief Innovation Officer at BusPatrol, said: “Every day, drivers put kids at risk by blowing past school bus stop-arms. The data shows these programs work. Nine out of ten drivers who receive a violation notice do not do it again. That proves the technology changes driver behavior and makes roads safer. By bringing AI-powered enforcement to Shelton, we are helping the City tackle a public safety issue with a solution that is protecting children nationwide.”

Dr. Ken Saranich, Superintendent of Shelton Public Schools, said: “The safety of our students is our top priority at Shelton Public Schools, and implementing this program will mark a major step in further safeguarding our children as they ride the bus to and from school daily. We are grateful to partner with BusPatrol to enhance student safety and promote safer driving behaviors in our community.”

Shelton is the latest city in Connecticut to implement a BusPatrol program, following Bridgeport, and joins a growing movement across New England. Neighboring Stratford and Trumbull are also expected to launch the program in the new school year, along with Waterbury, Danbury and New Haven.

Every day, more than 330,000 children ride school buses in Connecticut. A recent study found that cameras on just 74 buses recorded nearly 10,000 illegal passes in six months, equivalent to 75 violations per weekday. Each violation represents a moment where a child’s life is put at risk.

Connecticut law requires drivers to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, so children can cross the road safely. This applies on two-lane and multi-lane roads in both directions. The only exception is when traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway with a raised median or barrier.

The post City of Shelton Launches School Bus Safety Program with BusPatrol to Protect Children on the Road appeared first on School Transportation News.

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.

The post Blair Oaks R-II Schools Expands Partnership and Selects Durham School Services as Exclusive Transportation Provider appeared first on School Transportation News.

ADROIT Advanced Technologies, a leading alternative student transportation company, today celebrated a new partnership with Motive, the AI-powered Integrated Operations Platform. ADROIT partners with school districts to provide accessible transportation for special needs students who require accommodations or live outside standard bus routes. Now, through this partnership, ADROIT will equip its vehicles with Motive’s industry-leading AI-powered fleet safety cameras, strengthening visibility, accountability, and protection for special needs students, drivers, and school districts.

The partnership follows a successful three-month pilot program of Motive and other leading competitors’ AI dashcams in Massachusetts and Arizona to ensure ADROIT was selecting the most accurate and effective safety solution. ADROIT selected Motive for its real-time safety alerts, on-demand trip footage, and 24/7 support, all key capabilities and services for providing more visibility into vehicle activity and meeting school district requirements.

ADROIT is now expanding the availability of Motive’s Vehicle Gateways and AI Dashcams to support all customers nationwide. Motive will help ADROIT meet operational and compliance standards while improving communication, reducing accidents, and giving parents and schools greater peace of mind.

“Safety is at the heart of our commitment to the education communities we serve,” said Ryan King, Vice President of Operations for ADROIT. “We’re proud to announce our new partnership with Motive to offer AI-powered fleet safety cameras and vehicle reporting to provide more transparency to families, drivers, and school districts. The platform is designed not only to support our drivers and passengers today, but well into the future.”

“Creating safer roads for students and drivers with accurate AI is one of the most meaningful ways we can make an impact with Motive,” said Abhishek Gupta, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Motive. “We’re proud to support ADROIT’s goal of modernizing student transportation with smarter technology that reduces risk and enhances the safety, productivity, and impact of their operations.”

ADROIT supplements schools’ existing fleets by conducting comprehensive background checks and requiring certified, wheelchair-accessible vehicles. To date, ADROIT has safely transported students more than 3 million miles.

Learn more about ADROIT’s services here and Motive’s Driver Safety Solution here.

About ADROIT Advanced Technologies: ADROIT Advanced Technologies, part of the Beacon Mobility family, was founded in 2017 on the premise that school transportation needs to be as varied and unique as the students and districts it serves. For five years, ADROIT has successfully complemented school transportation in communities in California, and Arizona with recent expansion into Wisconsin, Missouri, and Texas. Their unique model of ensuring their carefully vetted drivers are partnered with children based on their unique needs and IEPs ensures a transportation solution that perfectly serves parents, children, school districts, and communities. To learn more, visit: https://www.goadroit.com. To learn more about Beacon Mobility, visit: https://gobeacon.com/

About Motive: Motive empowers the people who run physical operations with tools to make their work safer, more productive, and more profitable. For the first time, safety, operations, and finance teams can manage their workers, vehicles, equipment, and fleet-related spend in a single system. Motive serves more than 100,000 customers from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises such as KONE, Komatsu, NBC Universal, and Maersk across a wide range of industries including transportation and logistics, construction, energy, field service, manufacturing, agriculture, food and beverage, retail, waste services, and the public sector. Visit gomotive.com to learn more.

The post Special Transportation Provider ADROIT Taps Motive to Strengthen Student Safety and Support Drivers Behind the Wheel appeared first on School Transportation News.

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.

The post Septran Pledges Continued Service Excellence to Yorkville Community Unit School District 115 for Another Five Years appeared first on School Transportation News.

David Weber, business development manager for School-Radio, analyzes new bus radio and communication technology solutions that can optimize district operations.

Regional Sales Manager James Holtz gives us a glimpse of the innovative new electric school bus Blade Battery from RIDE.

Amidst rapid developments in the clean fuel school bus market, Francisco “Paco” Lagunas, general manager of the North American bus market for Cummins, and Richard Garvin, director of strategy and commercial business development, present answers from the energy leader.

Director of Transportation Teri Mapengo discusses operations, technology and fostering the kind of positive workplace culture that won Prosper Independent School District in Texas a Top Transportation Teams award at this week’s STN EXPO in Reno, Nevada.

Read more STN EXPO West coverage.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Conversation with RIDE.

Conversation with School-Radio.

Conversation with Cummins

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 E265) Onsite at STN EXPO West: Innovations & Partnerships for School Transportation Success appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. -EverDriven, the leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced strong year-over-year growth, including an 18% year-over-year increase in school district partnerships, expansion into three new states, and a single-day record of 15,051 completed rides.

Between May 31, 2024, and May 31, 2025, EverDriven safely transported 32,641 students across 2,076,445 trips and 33,663,023 miles. This includes 17,154 students experiencing housing instability and 10,535 students with special needs. On April 29, 2025, EverDriven set a new benchmark by completing 15,051 rides in a single day.

“Our growth is a reflection of the trust school districts place in us to safely deliver their most vulnerable students to school each day,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “Through a combination of human-led, technology-powered service, we’re continuously raising the bar for what modern student transportation can and should be.”

As the company’s footprint expanded to 36 states—including new entries into Idaho, New Mexico, and Minnesota—EverDriven continued to invest in technologies that improve accountability and student safety. Over the past year, 1,279 vehicles across 69 school districts in 14 states were equipped with its AI-powered Camera Solution, improving visibility, accountability, and safety. In tandem, more than 5,300 drivers and monitors completed EverDriven’s new English proficiency training program to strengthen communication and service delivery.

These efforts reflect a broader commitment to operational excellence. According to EverDriven’s 2025 Safety and Operations Report, which covers the period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, 99.6% of trips were completed with no reported concerns. Keeping pace with regulatory change, EverDriven was the first alternative transportation provider to achieve full compliance with California Senate Bill 88. Since May 2024, the company has implemented updated inspection protocols, enhanced driver monitoring systems, and expanded accessibility features to better support students with a wide range of needs.

“Delivering safe, reliable service at scale doesn’t happen by accident. It takes constant review, rigorous standards, and a team committed to getting it right every day,” said Adam Warner, Head of Safety at EverDriven. “Districts trust us with their most vulnerable students—and we take that responsibility seriously. Our safety practices are built to scale without compromise, so families and administrators can count on consistent, high-quality transportation day after day.”

To learn more about EverDriven and how its solutions support student transportation, visit https://www.everdriven.com.

About EverDriven:
With nearly 700 school district contracts and over 31,806 students served last year alone, EverDriven is the leader in safe and technology-enabled Alternative Student Transportation. Leveraging proprietary routing technology and customized transportation services, the company has been instrumental in addressing driver shortages, helping reduce chronic absenteeism, accommodating varying bell times, and serving unique student needs related to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, special needs, ESSA, hard-to-serve trips, and out-of-district placements. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

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