LOS ANGELES, Calif. —HopSkipDrive, a leading technology company partnering with
school districts to get kids to school more quickly, safely, and easily than anyone else, today announced advancements to its “on-time engine” designed to simplify the school day. By blending nearly a decade of Google Maps integration with real-world operational data, HopSkipDrive has achieved a meaningful reduction in lateness and early arrivals, ensuring students spend more time in the classroom and less time in transit.

While standard navigation gets a driver to a street address, student transportation requires navigating the “Timing Gap”—the complex minutes spent inside school loops and pickup lanes. For the students who are not a fit for the traditional bus, including those in foster care or with specialized IEP needs, this transition is critical; these riders often rely more heavily on a consistent and safe experience to start their school day successfully.

“We know that transportation directors spend 95% of their time solving for the last 5% of their students, the McKinney-Vento and IEP riders who require the most care. Five minutes can be the difference between a student receiving their morning meal or missing their first class,” said Corey McMahon, Chief Product and Technology Officer at HopSkipDrive.”We pair over a decade of operational data with purpose-built technology to deliver the exact precision needed to consistently improve on-time arrivals.”

Innovation Through Direct Accountability Coupled With Advanced Technology HopSkipDrive is able to make these advancements because of how it leverages data and technology and its direct driver relationship model. The company doesn’t subcontract to unknown third-party providers, giving HopSkipDrive the direct visibility needed to constantly improve the in-ride experiences, making it possible to provide a higher level of care and consistency. Specifically, three core innovations have helped accelerate the company’s work to improve timeliness:

● Predictive “Procedure Time”: By applying over 10 years of data to create and refine predictive models for unique cases, HopSkipDrive can more accurately predict the time it takes for students to safely and comfortably enter or exit a vehicle, ensuring they are supported without feeling rushed.

● Enhanced CareDriver Instructions: By improving the quality of pickup notes for complex school layouts, HopSkipDrive has doubled the quality scores of driver instructions, leading to smoother handoffs and fewer delays.

● Verified Location Pins: Navigation goes beyond the front office to provide precise map pins for the specific door or lane where a student is waiting, ending pickup confusion for good.

Real-Time Visibility for School Staff
To ensure these improvements translate into smoother school days, HopSkipDrive provides total transparency through a connected suite of tools designed for every stakeholder. By surfacing real-time data across RideIQ for administrators, Daily Queue for school staff, and the HopSkipDrive App for parents and caregivers, we provide real-time certainty into a student’s journey. This connected system is designed to eliminate the “game of telephone” and ensure that every student is safe and accounted for.

This ecosystem is backed by the Safe Ride Support team—in-house specialists who serve as “human-eyes-on-every-ride”. This proactive monitoring ensures that potential hurdles are identified and solved before they ever result in a phone call to the transportation office.

“Daily Queue has allowed me to fully focus on my role as a ride organizer by saving me valuable time,” said Marcy P., Director of Transportation at Littleton Public Schools.”Allowing on-site staff to see live ride data means they can effectively track rides, leading to better hand-offs and coordinating smoothly with CareDrivers.”

A Proven Standard of Safety for Better Student Outcomes Consistent, on-time transportation is critical for student well-being, and HopSkipDrive views timeliness as a fundamental safety requirement. By ensuring students arrive on time and ready to learn, HopSkipDrive helps districts reduce chronic absenteeism for vulnerable populations who might otherwise needlessly miss school due to transportation gaps.

“Our model is built on prevention, not reaction,” added McMahon.”By removing the middleman, we prevent the communication breakdowns that cause delays. This ensures district budgets go directly toward a reliable student experience and driver quality, protecting both learning time and the district’s bottom line.”

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a leading technology company partnering with school districts to get kids to school more quickly, safely, and easily than anyone else. The company is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and an industry-leading transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI.

HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly-vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 13,500 schools across 21 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.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -HopSkipDrive, a leading technology company partnering with school districts to get kids to school more quickly, safely, and easily than anyone else, today released new data highlighting the impact of its expert-developed CareDriver education and the deep experience of its driver network. Following the launch of the company’s industry-leading driver education program focused on supporting students with neurodivergence, internal data reveals that 94% of surveyed CareDrivers say they feel confident supporting neurodivergent riders, a result that translates directly into greater preparation for students and better experiences for students, families, and school staff. Additionally, 85% of surveyed CareDrivers found these proprietary resources, developed in partnership with nationally recognized child development leaders, essential in preparing for these specialized rides.

Defining the “Caregiver on Wheels”

Unlike traditional rideshare platforms or traditional unlicensed brokers, HopSkipDrive vets the human, not just the paperwork. CareDrivers are highly qualified individuals from the community—often parents, nurses, or educators—who provide a dignified and supportive experience for students.

Reflecting a deep well of expertise within the network, CareDrivers bring a median of 10 years of prior caregiving experience. Every CareDriver is vetted through a rigorous 15-point certification process, which includes fingerprint-based background checks and mandatory video screenings to evaluate empathy and situational judgment before their first trip.

“My son’s driver was patient and understanding with him since he’s a special needs child,” says Andrea O., a parent in Los Angeles. “She always watched him get inside the building before she took off to make sure he got in safely. She provided a safe and calm atmosphere.”

The Differentiator: Education That Empowers Care

School districts often spend 95% of their time solving transportation for the most vulnerable 5% of their students, such as those with IEPs or those experiencing homelessness. HopSkipDrive’s customized curriculum provides CareDrivers with practical skills in:

Trauma-informed care to support students during difficult transitions.

Supporting neurodivergent riders and understanding sensory sensitivities to ensure a calm ride environment.

De-escalation techniques for proactive ride management.

“The integration [of HopSkipDrive] has significantly streamlined our processes, allowing for a smoother and more responsive service for our students,” says Marcy P., Littleton Public Schools in Littleton, Colorado. “It allows me to fully focus as a ride organizer by saving me valuable time.”

The Power of Direct Accountability

This specialized preparation is a primary differentiator of HopSkipDrive, which prioritizes direct accountability and verified oversight for every trip. As a fully licensed and regulated Transportation Network Company (TNC), HopSkipDrive maintains a direct relationship with every CareDriver on the platform. This allows for rigorous, transparent reporting and a level of verified compliance that provides school districts with peace of mind and reduced liability.

“Safety and education are not add-ons; they are the foundation of our entire model,” says Jennifer Brandenburger, SVP of Safety at HopSkipDrive. “Because we maintain a direct relationship with every CareDriver, we can ensure our specialized education reaches every person behind the wheel without a ‘game of telephone.’ This direct accountability ensures drivers are not just vetted, but truly prepared for the students they serve, providing districts with a level of verified compliance and risk reduction that subcontracted models simply can’t guarantee.”

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a leading technology company partnering with school districts to get kids to school more quickly, safely, and easily than anyone else. The company is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and an industry-leading transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI. HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly-vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 13,500 schools across 21 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.

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DUPAGE, Ill. – Durham School Services and Glenbard Township High School District 87 have started the year on a strong note with their newly formed partnership and successful start to the semester – a testament to Durham’s 109 years of expertise and safe and reliable service. The partnership will extend through July of 2027, and Durham will service a total of fifty regular routes and nine special education routes for the school district.

Durham and its sister brands currently provide student transportation for fifteen communities across Illinois, and through this partnership with Glenbard Township High School District 87, are excited to be able to expand our transportation services to another community in Illinois. Further, through our company-wide community outreach program, Partners Beyond the Bus, our team looks forward to supporting the Glenbard community and its students beyond providing transportation through various community activities and events.

“We appreciate the partnership we’ve established with Durham School Services with an emergency contract for transportation for Glenbard Township High School District 87,” said Jessica Santee, Superintendent, Glenbard Township High School District 87. “While changes of this scale and in this short timeline are extremely difficult, our shared commitment to student safety, reliability, and clear communication has helped us to start the semester off smoothly. Durham has worked closely with our district to address our needs, support drivers, and strengthen day-to-day operations. We value their responsiveness and commitment to our greater school community. We look forward to our continued partnership in providing dependable transportation services for our students and families.”

“What a great, positive way to begin 2026 by forging this partnership with Glenbard Township High School District 87,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Durham School Services. “Even with the hustle and bustle of the holidays and New Years, our team stayed focused and worked in perfect tandem with the school district to keep the momentum going to ensure that we were prepped and ready for a successful start-up. Thank you, team, and Glenbard Township High School District 87, for all your efforts! We are off to an excellent start, and we’re thrilled to join and support the Glenbard community. We look forward to building strong bonds with the community and continuing our commitment to transport students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn every day.”

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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DENVER, Colo. —EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced the recipients of its 2025 Driving Access Forward micro-grant initiative, awarding $20,000 in total funding to 30 schools and districts to help remove barriers to education for students and families facing instability.

EverDriven’s Driving Access Forward initiative was created to support students, families, and school staff nationwide by addressing community-identified needs. Awards were determined through applications submitted by school representatives, with funding being used for food, clothing, school supplies, emergency rides, and essential resources, including support for students experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations.

Award recipients span 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, highlighting the breadth of need across school communities nationwide.

“Every day, we see how transportation and access to essential needs can stand in the way of a student’s education,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “Through our Driving Access Forward initiative we launched on Giving Tuesday, our goal with this micro grant initiative was to provide tangible support directly to school districts, empowering them to meet immediate needs and keep students connected to school, no matter the circumstances.”

Addressing Critical Needs for Students and Families

While needs varied by community, award recipients consistently identified three core priorities: emergency transportation access to help students attend school consistently; essential supplies, including food, clothing, and school or care items; and direct support for students experiencing homelessness, helping remove barriers tied to housing instability. A significant number of awarded applications focused on strengthening services for students protected by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, including funding for emergency rides, last-minute transportation needs, and other critical resources that promote stability and continuity in education. Together, these funds allow districts to respond quickly in moments of crisis, helping ensure students can remain engaged in school even during periods of uncertainty.

“I am tremendously grateful to the EverDriven team for making this opportunity possible! Funds from the Driving Access Forward grant will go to transportation, first and foremost. That was a gamechanger for us last year,” said Sara Landrum, Social Worker and McKinney-Vento Liaison, Huntington County Community School Corporation. “We have a number of students who qualify for McKinney-Vento but not for health insurance, so the remaining funds will go toward eye exams and dental work support for those students in need.”

“Thank you very much for selecting us as a recipient of the Driving Access Forward grant. We look forward to continuing our programs and services in 2026. Your support will certainly improve access for students and families in our community,” said Dr. Narineh Khemichian, Interim Director of Student Wellness Services Department, Glendale Unified School District.

EverDriven’s Driving Access Forward initiative reflects the company’s broader mission to ensure safe, reliable access to education for every student, particularly those navigating complex life circumstances. To learn more about EverDriven’s work in modernizing student transportation and policy, visit www.EverDriven.com.

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.

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A longtime school bus driver received a heartwarming surprise from Star City School District in Arkansas when the transportation building was named after him.

Eighty-seven-year-old Brames Jackson has dedicated most of his life to serving his community in southeast Arkansas for decades. STN discovered a family connection when reaching out to Star City Transportation Director Kenneth Jackson. Brames is Kenneth’s uncle, and their story reveals a family legacy of outstanding student transportation service.

Brames Jackson became a school bus driver in 1964. He was on the district’s custodial staff, when he was asked to cover a route for a driver that was involved in a school bus crash. He shared that he continued to drive that bus for three months unpaid, simply to make sure that the students on the route got to school. The oversight was corrected, and he was officially put on the transportation payroll.

“When I got on that bus, I asked the Lord to take care of me and the children. And He did that. I didn’t want any child to get hurt and, I didn’t want to hurt any child,” said Brames.

He shared his entire 61-year-long career as a driver is accident free. The only maintenance he said he had was when he got a flat tire while on a route. He also shared that his route was often hard to navigate with lots of mud and rural roads. He proudly shared that he never got stuck, even during extreme weather conditions.

He relayed a story of waking up one day to snow but reported to work and drove his bus to the first stop on his route. The student informed him that she had just been told that school was cancelled due to the snow. For Brames, his focus was always dedication to the students, even in bad weather.

His nephew Kenneth Jackson said that his uncle has always been a source of inspiration to him. Kenneth began driving a school bus in 2009 and was made the transportation director in 2022, leading a fleet of 16 route buses and 22 drivers. Brames shared the advice he gave to Kenneth when he started in his new leadership role which was to focus on doing his job well and to connect with students and district staff. Those relationships with teachers, superintendents and other district leadership, the drivers and especially with the students are what create a lasting and positive impact.

A key mindset Kenneth said he shares with his uncle is the unwavering dedication to student safety, as students on the bus are “precious cargo.” As Brames said he sees the students as “pure gold” to their families and parents and that as student transporters, it’s crucial to see the students in the same way.

Both uncle and nephew said that they treat the students as if they were their own. Brames shared that he often sees adults who rode his school bus as young children and is happy to see them doing well in their lives. While he says he rode the school bus as a child and didn’t give his driver any trouble, he often encountered students having difficult behaviors. He stated that his goal was for students to not get taken off the route but rather address the behavior and keep them on the bus.

One day, Brames discovered a student smoking on board the bus. He told the student he would have to write him up, to which the student responded with a threat. Brames still took the boy to the office, despite the fact that he was armed with a knife.

Many years later, the former student approached Brames and hugged him. “’You made a man out of me. You don’t know how much I love you,’” Brames recalled the man told him. The boy had to go before the school board before he could ride the school bus again, but that moment was a turning point in his life. He later went to college, married a teacher and is successful in his work in the trucking industry.

“I felt like I helped that young man and I felt good over that,” said Brames.

The Arkansas Association of Pupil Transportation honored Brames as the 2025 School Bus Driver of the Year in June.

When Kenneth Jackson learned his uncle was retiring, he went to Superintendent Jordan Frizzell to ask if the school district would rename the transportation building after him. Kenneth said Frizzell enthusiastically accepted the idea and the district shared on its Facebook page last month that the Star City Board of Education officially named the transportation facility as the “Brames Jackson Transportation Building.”

“His commitment, integrity and care have made a lasting impact on generations of students and families,” said the post. “We are deeply thankful for his unwavering professionalism and the encouragement he offered to countless children through the years.”

When asked about his reaction to the news, Brames tearfully said, “I thank God. My nephew, the superintendent, I thank God for the school and the staff.”

Both true family men, Kenneth said that his uncle is well known for throwing the best family cookouts for the 4th of July. Brames, Kenneth continued, is a humble man who doesn’t like to draw attention to his achievements, including the adoption of multiple children over the course of his life.

Kenneth also stated that Brames is remaining active in his retirement as a full-time minister of a local church and president of the local usher board. He said that growing up with his uncle, he fondly remembers Brames’ favorite saying is “By the help of the good Lord.”

Related: School Bus Driver Knits Beanies to Spread Warmth, Love in Oklahoma City
Related: Virginia School Bus Driver Retires After Over 50 Years of Service
Related: Superintendent Snapshot: Fully Staffed Arkansas District Focus’ on Employees

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The holiday season means plenty of celebrations, including staff parties, decorated school buses, community events and more! View the gallery of photos shared by school districts and transportation companies below.

1 of 33

Related: Kansas School Bus Drivers Deliver Christmas Gifts
Related: Gallery: Student Transporters Celebrate Holiday Season
Related: North Carolina School’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ Drive Returns to Support Local Students

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These days there are a lot of questions and institutions, state regulations, and in federal funding. The constructive focus will always be on the “half-full” glass because that is what we can control. However, in my opinion, too much airtime is spent focusing on the “what we don’t have” and “what we don’t know.” This seems to be a preoccupation that serves no purpose and has me continually asking “to what end?”

As leaders within our organizations, we are tasked with vision casting, strategic planning and daily implementation, irrespective of the questions and the challenges that (we know) will arise. People look to us for support and reassurance that corrective measures are available and will be deployed when necessary. Therefore, it is our responsibility to acknowledge and promote the success stories within our organizations or external examples that can help our journey.

Record Setting Examples
Within the last six years, I have helped two different school districts go from breaking ground to charging electric school buses in less than a year. Prior to these projects, electric charging infrastructure was thought to be at least a two- to three-year process because of COVID-19 shutdowns, supply chain issues, the procurement process, the complexity of utility coordination, and normal construction schedules.

Both districts are in California’s Central Valley. The first was Stockton Unified School District, and the most recent was Modesto City Schools. I realize that everyone is busy and rarely do we have time to add one more project, especially something as complex as EV charging. But I can tell you firsthand that every district that helps to reduce harmful emissions makes their city better for their students, their staff and everyone in their community.

Every successful accomplishment is a building block that generates momentum, creates more opportunities and inspires others. It is important for district leadership to attend workshops and conferences like STN’s to hear positive lessons from other districts. Collaboration with our peers is always valuable. Finding examples with similar fleet size, terrain, weather conditions and funding strategies are most useful.

Transportation Leading the Way
Transportation can (and should) be the leader for innovative efforts at your school district. We get up earlier than most and many times a bus driver is the first district staff that students see and interact with. In January 2022, the board of trustees for Modesto City Schools voted to convert half of its school bus fleet to battery electric with the purchase of 30 Blue Bird buses. The success of our electric school bus conversion was the fulcrum that allowed us to develop and expand sustainability initiatives.

Since then, Modesto City Schools has:

• Started a new Sustainability & Adaptation Department (2022).
• Created sustainability webpages.
• Contracted $61 million in solar carports and sustainability initiatives.
• Secured almost $24 million in state and federal grant funding.
• Received $5.3 million in elective pay for 2024 Investment Tax Credit.
• Paid stipend to teachers for environmental club support at all 34 schools.
• Installed Purple Air Monitors at every school site.
• Contracted with Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) for paid student internships promoting Green Career Path education.
• Achieved the Green Ribbon Schools District Award in 2024, Gold Level, from the California Department of Education.

Everyone’s path is unique but learning how successful districts chose their team and decreasing timelines helps. Understanding the strengths and roles of specific project partners can save you time (and a lot of headaches).

Strategies that Make a Difference
Zig Ziglar said that “success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.” In my last six years, my greatest results have come from innovative “out-of-the-box ideas.” I think we must dream big and strive for the ideas that make the most impact.

We should trust our project partners and be willing to try good ideas regardless of where they come from. Many people say, “We are doing projects for the kids,” but the end goal should be doing sustainability projects with our students.

An example would be having student reporters attending press events, interviewing administrators, and working alongside the local news stations. (That happened at Modesto.)

I would encourage you to include student voices in transportation messaging, professional development videos and instructional notifications. As a sustainability director, I would love nothing more than to break my job into eight semester modules and create a sustainability certificate program for students. Visit the Modesto City Transportation page at stnonline.com/go/nw.

Focusing Forward
I was an interim transportation director at Stockton Unified for two months in 2021. That means that I have a special appreciation for all that you do for students and the districts you serve. The complexity of this responsibility requires the ability to spin 13 plates at once, be able to put out any situational fires, and make sure all students get to (and from) school safely (and on time!!) All of you are talented, seasoned professionals. You are good at what you do (that’s why you are in charge).

It doesn’t matter what tomorrow brings, we will always show up and we will always do our best. In this month of November, I am thankful that transportation continues to lead the way and I wish you all the best.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the November 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

Gilbert Blue Feather Rosas is the director II of sustainability and adaptation at Modesto City Schools in California. He is a 2022 STN Rising SuperStar and serves
on several boards such as the World Resource Institute, Generation180 (Solar), School Energy Coalition and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI). Gilbert can be reached at gr122mmlt@gmail.com.

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Related: Giving Birth to Proper Leadership
Related: School Bus Safety Company Unveils New Leadership Training Course to Elevate Safety Leadership

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NEWBURGH, N.Y.- Today, Beacon Mobility announced George M. Carroll Transportation, Inc. as the newest member of the Beacon Mobility family. George M. Carroll Transportation, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company that has been specializing in transportation for children with special needs since 1969. The company also offers charter services for special occasions and community events. With this acquisition, Beacon Mobility now serves transportation customers through 30 companies in 25 states, nationwide.

“George M. Carroll Transportation, Inc. has been a pillar in Newburgh’s school community for decades and we are proud to welcome their dedicated team to the Beacon Mobility family,” said David A. Duke, Chief Development Officer for Beacon Mobility. “Moving ahead, we remain focused on delivering safe, reliable transportation services to students and members of the local community. We look forward to working with the outstanding drivers, monitors and employees that support day to day operations for the Newburgh Enlarged City School district and beyond.”

“We have been a family-owned and operated school transportation business for decades and our proud of the work we do for Newburgh Enlarged City School district,” said John Schindler, seller of George M. Carroll Transportation, Inc. “With the support of our loyal drivers and staff, we are confident we will continue to expand our footprint as the newest members of the Beacon Mobility family and look forward to our growing partnership to support our students, schools and communities.”

George M. Carroll Transportation, Inc. operates in Newburgh, New York and has a fleet of 46 vehicles, including transit vans and minivans. The company is supported by a dedicated team of nearly 70 employees who serve as drivers, monitors, mechanics and administrative staff to support daily operations.

About George M. Carroll Transportation, Inc.: George M Carroll transportation inc. was incorporated in 1969 and has been servicing Newburgh Enlarged City School district since 1979. We are a family owned and operated transportation company, specializing in safe transportation for special needs children. In 2002 we were awarded the prestigious New York State School Bus Contractor of the year award.

About Beacon Mobility: Beacon Mobility, a people-focused, values-driven organization, continues to grow its national footprint while staying true to its core purpose: providing mobility without limits. With 30 local brands operating in 25 states, Beacon is united in its commitment to transporting people to live, learn, and achieve.

Their goal is their north star: to provide the best people transportation experience, because every ride matters. Guided by their values of We Care, We Collaborate, We Do The Right Thing, and We Have Fun, Beacon’s experienced and compassionate team delivers customized transportation solutions that empower communities and elevate lives.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Students from Rochester City School District and the community were provided brand-new coats as a result of a new partnership between Monroe School Transportation, its sister brand, Durham School Services, and Operation Warm. Operation Warm is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing warmth, confidence, and hope for children in need by manufacturing brand-new, high-quality coats for them.

Just in time for the winter season, over 800 new, high-quality coats were donated to students of Rochester City School District at the school district’s Operation Warm event. The event was held on November 4, 2025, at the school district’s Dr. Freddie Thomas Learning Center, where students were given the opportunity to personally choose their own winter coats based on their own color preference. During the coat selection process, each student was guided and provided assistance by a volunteer from the school and/or Monroe School Transportation and Durham School Services team to ensure each student chose a coat that fit comfortably and was size appropriate.

“A warm coat is more than just protection from the cold; this ensures our students have the warmth and confidence they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools, Rochester City School District.

“We are very proud and excited to have forged this new partnership with Operation Warm,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Durham School Services. “This new partnership is especially significant because of how it perfectly aligns with our Company’s value of giving back to our students and communities and directly benefits the well-being of our most precious cargo – our students.”

As student transportation leaders dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves, Monroe School Transportation and its sister brand, Durham School Services, continuously seek out opportunities to support its communities as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program. This new partnership with Operation Warm is of especial significance because it fulfills an important need – a warm coat– that directly relates to a student’s well-being and can impact a student’s ability to attend school and receive a well-deserved education.

About the success of the event, Wertner shared, “We couldn’t have done it without the help of over 38 volunteers, which included those local to New York and those who traveled from all over the country, and, of course, the support from the Operation Warm team and Rochester City School District. With the success of this first event, we plan on holding one every year with a different school district partner so that we can continue to positively impact and support our students’ well-being and education. Thank you again to everyone who provided a helping hand in making this inaugural Operation Warm event such an incredible success.”

About Monroe School Transportation: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Monroe School Transportation has served the Rochester community for over a decade and is a sister brand to Durham School Services. Together with its sister brands, such as Durham School Services, we are dedicated to the safety of our students and People.

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, such as Monroe School Transportation, 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 Rochester City School District
The Rochester City School District (RCSD) serves more than 20,000 students across the City of Rochester. Guided by a mission to cultivate a culture of academic excellence for all and a community of empathy, equity, and accountability that empowers students to succeed beyond graduation, the District’s vision, activating dreams and unlocking potential, drives opportunity. A high-quality education is every child’s civil right, and that principle remains at the heart of everything RCSD does.

About Operation Warm:
Operation Warm is a respected national nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering warmth, confidence, and hope to under-resourced children through basic need programs that connect them to vital community resources. For 26 years, Operation Warm and our esteemed supporters have utilized the powerful gift of brand-new coats and other essential clothing items to empower children and families in need. Together, we are transforming lives and making a lasting impact on communities across the nation. To get involved, visit operationwarm.org.

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Declining birth rates in and of themselves aren’t news. They have been well-publicized for years across the U.S. and Canada. China is even worse off. Throw a dart at a map, and any country you hit is likely experiencing a drop in births. There are many reasons for this, but they are all inconsequential except that they impact education and student transportation.

The National Center on Education Statistics recently published data that projected a decline in overall K-12 public school enrollments through 2030. It does not refer once to falling birth rates, but we know they are central to the issue. (NCES does refer to the effect of dropouts, transfers to and from public schools and state-level migration.)

COVID-19 unsurprisingly resulted in a 2 percent decrease in public school student enrollment. The real eye-opener, according to NCES, is that enrollment decreases will rise 6 percent over the next several school years.

Meanwhile, private charter school enrollment, which spiked during COVID, has “significantly slowed,” according to the Cato Institute. Yet competition remains high for public school bus transportation in states like Ohio, a microcosm for how the issue could affect the rest of the nation. One of several states that requires publicly funded school buses to transport students attending private and charter schools, Ohio’s challenge has been exacerbated over the past several years by a dramatic expansion in the enrollment of private school students, about 90,000 of them.

Not all these students need transportation service, true. Still, local news outlets reported last month that for the second-straight year, many public high school students were left without school bus service because the vehicles were dispatched instead to transport their private and charter school peers. Ohio public school districts are mandated to transport K-8 students to their private or charter schools and offer the same transportation service to private high school students that public high school students receive.

The publication the74million.org reported this summer that 16 states offer public funding for private school tuition to any student in the state. On one hand, this means inevitably more transportation, which theoretically is a good thing. But then factor in one of if not the biggest startup challenges: the school bus driver shortage.

Over the past year, several readers have bristled at the term, “shortage.” One told me the industry is not suffering a driver shortage, or a shortage of any other transportation staff, for that matter. No, instead they said the industry has a retention problem. No wonder with pay, though increased out of necessity, hardly if at all keeping up with inflation and school bus drivers stretched thin over routes with multiple tiers and no rest in between. An issue experienced by many readers but rarely discussed by the media are school bus drivers “calling out” sick when perhaps they aren’t. Everyone needs a mental health day. But in larger and urban school districts, I’m told callouts can run rampant, and the cases aren’t always legitimate. Many drivers are now salaried employees. If they aren’t sick, then what is the real issue?

Maybe they are sick of their job or more aptly sick of the organizational culture. Find another job, one might argue. That is hardly a constructive response to an issue that undermines the very reason student transportation operations exist.

Now, more than ever responsible leadership is fundamental to transportation success. In addition to coaching the operational “X’s and O’s,” provide a pathway to employees that encourage them to stay behind the wheel, at the dispatch desk, or in the maintenance facility. This goes for the transportation leaders, too. What is keeping them in their current role at their current school district, or encouraging them to look elsewhere?

In addition to exploring school startup challenges, this month’s edition shares examples and perspectives of how proper leadership is helping transportation operations not only navigate the many pressures laid out before them but succeed at their missions of delivering students safely and efficiently to school and home again. And having fun while doing it.

I’ve written this before, and I’ll write it again. STN co-founder and Editor and Publisher Emeritus Bill Paul repeatedly would tell me that as long as parents keep making children, there will be a need for the yellow school bus. The iconic vehicle certainly has competition today in many forms, birth rates being just one of them. Don’t let your organizational culture be another.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the October 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: (STN Podcast E277) Make the System Better: Safety Leadership Training & D.C. Insider on Disability Supports
Related: School Bus Safety Company Unveils New Leadership Training Course to Elevate Safety Leadership
Related: (STN Podcast E279) Encourage, not Discourage: NY Top Transportation Team Talks Work Culture
Related: How concerned are you about the data security of your student transportation operations?

The post Giving Birth to Proper Leadership appeared first on School Transportation News.

Historically, School Transportation News has looked at school bus driver pay and benefits as it relates to staffing. But developing a standout department starts at the very top, as proven by the Top Transportation Teams awards sponsored by Transfinder and presented at STN EXPO West (learn more about the 2025 winners on page 28). What factors encourage transportation directors to stay at their current district versus jumping the bus to another? No surprise: The overwhelming answer is support from administration and department culture.

For Colby Stevens, spending his career at Teton County School District in Wyoming makes sense. A 2023 STN Rising Superstar, Stevens started driving a school bus for the district in 2011. Over time, he took on more responsibilities, eventually becoming a secretary and now the director of transportation, a position he’s held since 2018, when he was 29 years old.

“Though it wasn’t something that I had dreamed of, it provided an opportunity to get full-time, year-round work, which was appealing,” he said of first moving into the secretary role.

Stevens became the assistant director in 2016 and served for two years. He credited becoming director to his relationships in the department and his experience working up through the ranks. He noted that he has a very positive relationship with the district administration, which encourages him to stay at Teton Conty.

“I feel like I have the trust of the district, and they have mine,” he said. “That’s a huge reason why I’m not really interested in going elsewhere. I feel like I have support if I need it, but I also feel like I’m not micro-managed. I’m given a long leash to do my job, and so that gives me the weighty responsibility of doing what’s supposed to be done. But at the same time, I don’t feel like I’m on my own. And I think that balance, from what I have found, is rare, but it’s super important. I can imagine that would be one reason why there is burnout and turnover with directors.”

He shared that his college degree is in an unrelated field and it’s the on-the-job training that has attributed to his success. “Interacting in every sphere really prepared me for the job as well as just learning early on and [receiving] a lot of informal training from our former director,” he explained. “Learning the power and the importance of relationships, the importance of treating people with integrity and treating people with respect.”

He noted another key piece has been his involvement in the Wyoming Pupil Transportation Association, for which he is a director-at-large.

Amy Scopac and her on-the-job training has proven advantageous to her nearly 20-year career at Temple Independent School District in Texas. She explained that when her children became school age, she wanted to rejoin the workforce yet be on their same schedule. She started looking for opportunities available within the school system.

“In that pursuit, I was led to transportation at Temple ISD, where I began my 19th year in June [this year],” she said. Scopac started in the department as secretary in 2007,
shortly thereafter becoming the safety and training supervisor. She became operations supervisor and then assistant director of transportation from 2012 through 2020. She has served as director since January 2021.

Certifications have been instrumental in her career development, especially as she said she sees the industry steering away from requiring traditional degrees. She currently holds the certifications of Director of Pupil Transportation (CDPT) and Supervisor of Pupil Transportation (CSPT) from the National Association for Pupil Transportation, and a Texas Pupil Transportation Official (CTPTO) from the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation. She also holds driver trainer and special needs supervisor certificates from TAPT and a School Bus Driver Trainer certificate from the Texas Engineering Extension Service.

Scopac is also a certified Texas Department of Public Safety CDL third-party examiner. She served as TAPT president from 2018 to 2019 and has served as president of her local TAPT chapter twice (2011 and 2021). She is also a certified professional development instructor through TAPT.

She noted that the requirement for a degree is gradually disappearing from job descriptions, as in the example of a recent director job posting at nearby Hutto ISD, which
states, “Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree or comparable knowledge gained through work experience.

“This shift signifies a changing trend in the industry, where the significance of a degree is diminishing,” she said. “The knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a director in this industry are not solely acquired in a college classroom. On-the-job training plays a critical role in developing these essential skills.”

She noted that a successful transportation director is a leader with strong operational and management skills. “They are required to have in-depth expertise in transportation logistics, encompassing route planning, scheduling and optimizing workflow to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness,” she continued. “Additionally, they are responsible for developing and overseeing substantial budgets, monitoring expenses and negotiating contracts with vendors to effectively manage costs.”

Plus, directors must understand all local, state and federal laws, regulations and safety standards and be adept at “utilizing technology, including fleet management software, student monitoring software, GPS tracking, and data-driven analytics, to streamline operations, monitor performance, and make informed decisions based on data,” she noted.

Like Stevens in Wyoming, she said the most important aspect to staying at a district is leadership and culture. “Having the support of your supervisor, superintendent and school board are critical,” she said, adding that transportation can be a demanding job.

“Having a positive workplace culture fosters engagement, productivity and loyalty. Our senior leadership team in Temple is remarkable. They support their employees and are huge proponents of professional development. There is no doubt they truly believe in you. They make you feel connected and engaged. We function like family with a real focus on collaboration, teamwork and employee well-being. Our Superintendent Dr. [Bobby] Ott signs his emails to us ‘your biggest fan,’ and there is no doubt that is the absolute truth.”

Scopac shared that being a Temple Wildcat is “truly special,” as it’s the only high school in the district. Scopac, a native of Temple, said she loves serving her community, which is experiencing a growth in population.

A Fork in the Road
For others, however, changing districts helped align with their professional growth and goals. Karim Johnson has worked in 10 school districts across four states along the East Coast and has even run his own school bus contracting and motorcoach company. He started in pupil transportation right out of high school, working as a part-time bus driver while in college. He said what started as a means to pay bills, turned into a career he fell in love with.

He’s worked in various roles in transportation, from school bus driver to dispatcher to operations manager and driver trainer. To the management side, serving as a supervisor, regional manager, director and executive director. Johnson is currently the director of student transportation at Dorchester County School District Four in South Carolina.

“My career path really breaks down into two chapters,” he said. “Early on, from the time I started driving after graduating high school through my early 40s, I moved around mainly for growth. I wanted to see the industry from every angle, so I took on opportunities that stretched me and gave me new responsibilities. Some changes were also tied to personal and family needs, but most were about pushing myself to keep learning and advancing.”

Now, he said, he looks at things differently. While professional growth is still important, he also values balance. “At this stage, the biggest factor in staying with a district is culture,” he shared. “I want to work in a place where transportation isn’t treated as an afterthought, but as a critical part of student success. When a district invests in its people, its facilities and its fleet and when leadership understands that smart investments can actually drive efficiency and save money, it creates an environment where both students and staff can succeed. That’s the kind of alignment that makes me want to plant roots and stay long term.”

While pay and benefits are importance, culture, he said, is the centerpiece. He said a district having a student-focused culture and one that understands how instructional goals and operational support work hand in hand, sets the foundation for success. “At the same time, competitive pay and solid benefits can’t be overlooked,” he added. “They allow
employees to care for their families and show up fully at work. When a district finds the right balance between culture, compensation and support, that’s when both students and staff are in the best position to thrive.”

Johnson said one of his strengths as a director is stepping into challenged operations, finding the systemic issues and leading the turnaround—all not possible without leadership that backs the process. “I don’t expect them to know every operational detail, but I do look for a willingness to make the necessary infrastructure investments, set realistic timelines for change and understand that improvements don’t happen overnight,” he said.
“Just as important, I value when leadership listens to the recommendations of their transportation professional and trusts the process. With that kind of support, transportation programs can truly transform and without it, even the best plans can stall.”

Meanwhile, Mitzii Smith, president of the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation and a 2024 STN Rising Superstar, started her career in 2005 with Bonny Eagle School District (MSAD6), when her oldest child was starting kindergarten. Smith drove a school bus and
transitioned to lead driver. In 2021, she stepped into the building to become the administration assistant. A few months later, she became the assistant director.

On July 1, she started a new role as director of transportation for Gorham School District. “My decision to leave Bonny Eagle after 20 years wasn’t an easy one to make,” she shared. “I had an amazing opportunity for career advancement. Gorham is a neighboring district in a wonderful community. This is a unique opportunity to build on an already solid transportation department. It’s exciting to bring my vision to a new team and promote professional development and growth.”

She noted that as a new director, one of the most important benefits is a strong district culture. “When there is mutual respect, open communication and a shared commitment to student success, transportation becomes more than just getting students to school; it becomes an essential part of supporting their overall educational experience,” concluded Smith, who is also a school safety specialist.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the October 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: Transportation Directors Urged to “Prepare with Propane” Amid Growing Energy Reliability Concerns
Related: (STN Podcast E262) Assess & Fix: The NJ Transportation Director Managing 63 Contractors
Related: Magician Teaches Transportation Directors About Connection at STN EXPO West
Related: (STN Podcast E269) Legacy & Leadership: Award-Winning Suffolk Transportation Talks NY Operations

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For the first time, school bus drivers at Lee County School District underwent advanced scenario-based training, including simulations of real-life situations such as active shooter incidents and de-escalation techniques.

Launched ahead of the school year, the initiative was developed in collaboration with several district departments, including academics, human resources, exceptional student education (ESE), and health services, with the goal of creating more dynamic, hands-on training experiences. The move comes amid growing concerns about safety and the vulnerabilities inherent in student transportation.

The idea for a more immersive training experience originated as a desire to break away from the traditional format of lectures and PowerPoint presentations. When asked how the training was developed in collaboration with other departments, Jarriad McKinney, executive director of transportation and logistical services, told STN that it began with a conversation about annual compliance training with health services and academics.

“I told them I wanted the training to be more engaging for staff, not just the norm of sitting in an auditorium, listening to presentations,” McKinney said. “We then invited all parties to the table to collaborate. Everyone was given topics and created presentations based on their area of expertise.”

The program included real-world scenarios selected in part due to recent incidents in the district, including cases where individuals boarded buses and assaulted drivers. These events prompted a partnership with the Sheriff’s Office and ONE Training to develop hands-on sessions on de-escalation and emergency response. Members of law enforcement observed the sessions and offered on-the-spot feedback to drivers.

“The training was an eye-opener for the staff,” McKinney said. “No one wants anything bad to happen, but we live in a day and age where anything is possible. You’re better off being prepared and having an idea of how to respond.”

One standout training, “Happy Bus,” focused on the emotional climate drivers create and its impact on students. “Behaviors are just the tip of the iceberg,” McKinney said. “We have to learn to address the root cause and not feed into what just lies on the surface.”

A classroom-style structure replaced the usual auditorium setup, breaking staff into smaller groups and allowing for more active participation. Drivers followed a bell schedule, giving them time between sessions to walk in the halls, connect with peers, and reflect.

“The employees loved the training,” McKinney said. “Everyone I talked to, enjoyed the change and appreciated the opportunity to engage with district staff. It reinforced that support is out there for them.”

David Newlan, chief of safety, security and fleet operations and a former police chief, told local news reporters that the training reflects a broader strategic focus on bus safety within the district.

“Knowing one of the district’s vulnerabilities being the buses, we wanted to prepare our drivers as much as possible,” he said.

McKinney emphasized the importance of team-based planning in creating effective training. He encouraged other districts to adopt a collaborative approach., “Working together increases rapport and understanding,” he said. “It’s vital for staff to have a solid grasp of the material we provide annually. Changing things up and getting creative makes all the difference.”

He added that the small group setup helped foster more meaningful conversations. “It allows for healthier discussions and a better understanding of what is being taught,” he added.

When asked whether the training will be expanded or refreshed in the future, McKinney told STN the district plans to enhance the program further next year. “We’ll add more departments for context,” he said.

The district is also working closely with the State Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement to implement new legal protections for school buses and drivers, including measures to address unsafe driving near buses and unauthorized boardings.

Ultimately, the training is as much about emotional safety and student connection as it is about emergency protocols.

Related: (STN Podcast E277) Make the System Better: Safety Leadership Training & D.C. Insider on Disability Supports
Related: Vermont School District Boosts Pay, Offers Training to Attract Bus Drivers
Related: Hands-on Training Opportunities for Student Transporters at TSD Conference
Related: Wisconsin State Police, School Bus Association Promote School Bus Safety

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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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The new school has begun and students are back in class, notwithstanding the dozen
school districts that have gone year-round, according to the National Association for YearRound Education. We know full well school buses never stop operating, at least in most places, but the yellow machines are marching full force across North America,
delivering the most precious cargo. It’s an exciting yet anxiety-riddled time of year. With all those school buses and all those children on roads and highways, risk follows, largely in the form of other motorists.

But this school year, more than ever before, school buses are armed with innovations that target increased safety and efficiency. And technology offerings as well as adoption will only continue its upward movement. By 2032, the global student transportation market is forecast to more than double in value, to $4.95 billion from $2.31 billion last year, according to market intelligence firm Skyquest Technology Group. The North American market, especially the U.S., makes up the lion’s share and figures to continue to do so, though Skyquest’s recent report notes the rapid emergence of China then Japan and Australia as the forerunners of the fastest-expanding market of Asia Pacific.

All this growth is being largely led by AI-based vehicle and student monitoring and tracking, safety technology, and cloud-based fleet management systems. Look no further than this month’s technology “Superusers” to illustrate these points. Repeatedly, I read about student transporters who need and are getting access to real-time data ranging from student ridership to video, communications to vehicle telematics—that not only impact the decisions they need to make but are making them easier. In fact, all these technologies and then some are becoming increasingly integrated to give a more complete picture of operational safety and efficiency.

Elsewhere in this magazine issue, the technology conversation inevitably turns to securing the plethora of data now at student transporters’ fingertips. If the technology itself doesn’t leave you feeling trepidation, cyberattacks will. The Watch Dog Blog reported last year that the Verizon Data Breach Report saw a 258-percent increase in total security incidents plaguing education and research sectors in 2023 compared to the previous year and a staggering 546 percent rise in data breach cases.

In addition to the security measures available to or being taken by student transportation operations, I found especially informative the IT glossary Senior Editor Taylor Ekbatani included in her article. It wasn’t long ago we ran a similar glossary that defined electric school bus terminology. Many of those words and acronyms are now commonplace throughout much of the industry. I suspect many of the IT terms provided this month have already entered the industry lexicon.

With all today’s technology driving student transportation operations, not to mention tomorrow’s, collaboration with IT departments and a more intimate knowledge of technological solutions is a must. At the very least, student transportation leaders need to know what questions to ask of their IT departments and their dealers. And certainly, levels of security and data redundancy are at the top of the list.

Amid all this technology talk, the solutions I am most intrigued by are emerging virtual reality and augmented reality tools for maintenance professionals. Bob Pudlewski, NSTA Hall of Famer and our magazine’s technical editor, highlights how VR and AR as well as AI are changing or will change maintenance operations. Imagine being able to see into an engine to diagnose an especially vexing (and hidden) issue. Soon, Pudlewski writes, this will be possible.

It might happen even faster. Just two years ago at STN EXPO East in Indianapolis, Indiana, Cummins demonstrated during a plant tour how it is poised to use VR and AR goggles in its manufacturing and troubleshooting. The next great wave of innovation to hit the garage? As you read the following pages, ask yourself how the technologies discussed could assist and streamline your operations. Perhaps you and your transportation team are already using some of them. If so, what’s your “Superuser” story? I’d love to hear about it, and so would your peers across the industry.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the September 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: Roundup: Bus Technology Summit at STN EXPO Charlotte 2025
Related: (STN Podcast E251) Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses
Related: (Free White Paper) Your Step-by-Step Guide to Smarter, Safer Student Transportation Technology
Related: New Technology Provides Data to School Bus Routing

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As school districts across the country continue to grapple with a nationwide shortage of school bus drivers, Burlington, Vermont, is stepping up its efforts to ensure students get to and from school safely and on time, reported NBC 5.

According to the news report, Burlington School District announced a series of new initiatives aimed at recruiting and retaining bus drivers, including paid CDL training, increased wages and expanded benefits. The district has lost three drivers over the past year and, like many others nationwide, has struggled to fill the vacancies.

“We know that one of the biggest barriers to becoming a bus driver is the cost of getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL),” said Michelle Meola, director of human resources for the district. “That process can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and that’s a significant burden for many people.”

Starting wages have jumped from just under $18 an hour to $30 an hour, following recent union negotiations aimed at making the job more competitive in today’s labor market.

“In order to give a significant increase, we had to go through negotiations because we are under a union contract,” Meola explained . “But even before those talks began, we came to the table ready to invest in this position.”

Beyond better pay and training, the district is also reportedly working to make the role more sustainable by creating additional job opportunities for drivers within the school system. These could include roles in property services or other support functions, allowing drivers to become full-time employees and qualify for full-time benefits.

“We’re excited about this direction,” Meola told local news reporters. “It allows us to impact people’s lives by offering more stability, and it helps our district run more smoothly by keeping experienced, dedicated staff on board.”

Currently, the Burlington School District is looking to hire at least four new drivers. Officials are reportedly encouraging anyone interested to apply through the district’s website.

“This is more than just a job,” Meola added. “It’s an opportunity to be part of the community and make a real difference in the lives of students and families every day.”

Related: Dauphin County School District Considers Paying Parents Amid Bus Driver Shortage
Related: Arizona School District Increases Bus Driver Pay to Help with Shortage
Related: Turning School Bus Driver Shortages Into Opportunities
Related: School Bus Driver Shortage Impacts Florida Districts

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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.

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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.

A central Pennsylvania school district is considering a transportation stipend for families as it continues to grapple with a shortage of school bus drivers, reported WGAL News.

According to the news report, the Susquehanna Township School District may offer up to $1,000 per year to parents who transport their children to and from school. Under the proposed plan, families would receive $50 per student per month, with a cap of $100 per household.

The move reportedly mirrors similar efforts in districts like Philadelphia, where parental stipends have been used to ease transportation challenges.

The district stated the goal is to reduce the number of students requiring school bus service, thereby decreasing the number of buses needed each day. The proposal reportedly comes as the district canceled classes Monday for two elementary schools due to a lack of available drivers. District officials emphasized that participation in the stipend program would be voluntary. No final decision has been made.

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The post Dauphin County School District Considers Paying Parents Amid Bus Driver Shortage appeared first on School Transportation News.

A routine school bus ride turned into a frightening ordeal for students and staff after a Spring Hill parent boarded the vehicle threatening the driver, reported Fox 13.

Authorities say via the article that 40-year-old Alvon Corley unlawfully boarded a Hernando County school bus at approximately 8:45 a.m. on Aug. 22 near the intersection of Anderson Snow Road and Edward R. Noll Drive. The bus was on route to JD Floyd Elementary School, with students on board, when the incident occurred.

According to the article, Corley, who has a child that rides the bus, allegedly stepped onto the vehicle without permission, used profane language toward both the driver and the bus attendant and refused to leave. Deputies reported that he stood in the bus doorway, blocking the vehicle from continuing its route and delaying the transport of students.

When warned that law enforcement would be contacted, Corley reportedly responded with a threatening remark. “I’ll go back and get my [expletive] gun,” he said, then exited the bus.

The incident was reportedly captured on the bus’s surveillance camera. After a review of the footage, conducted in coordination with the Hernando County School District Office of Safe Schools, Corley was arrested. He now faces charges of trespassing on school grounds, a serious offense especially given the threat of involving a firearm.

No weapons were found at the scene, and no injuries were reported. However, the sheriff’s office and school district officials are taking the threat seriously. It is unclear what led to the incident.

“This type of behavior is absolutely unacceptable,” a spokesperson for HCSO said via the article. “We will continue to work with school officials to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”

The Hernando County School District has not commented on whether additional security measures will be implemented following the incident. Corley remains in custody as of Tuesday. His bond and court appearance details have not yet been released.

Related: South Carolina Man Arrested for Allegedly Pointing Gun at School Bus
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Related: Iowa Student Found with BB Gun on School Bus
Related: North Carolina Student in Custody for Bringing Gun on School Bus

The post Florida Man Arrested After Boarding School Bus, Threatening Driver appeared first on School Transportation News.

COPPELL, Texas – Coppell Independent School District (ISD) and Durham School Services celebrated a smooth, successful start to the school year thanks to the outstanding job done by Durham’s team in transporting students to their first day of school safely, on time, and ready to learn. The Durham team transports 7,500 students and runs 64 routes for the school district.

Durham and Coppell ISD have been partners since 2017 and have built a mutually supportive, trusting partnership over the course of the past eight years. Beyond providing transportation services, the Coppell Durham team is also a committed community partner. Throughout the years, the Durham team has participated in the community’s holiday parade as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program and is also a member of the Coppell Chamber of Commerce.

Sid Grant, Chief Operations Officer for the Coppell Independent School District, shared, “The first day and week of student transportation provided by Durham School Services was the smoothest and most operationally efficient start-up I have ever witnessed in my twenty plus years of working with student transportation. Durham’s General Manager, Jake Sutton, and his team, did amazing work developing bus routes, routing each student, communicating to parents, and training the drivers in preparation for the first day of school. Their efforts and attention to every detail ensured the safe and successful transportation of 7,500 students.”

“Our team here in Coppell has worked extremely hard to ensure we started the school year successfully,” said Jake Sutton, General Manager, Durham School Services. “I could not be prouder of the office staff, maintenance team, drivers, and monitors for delivering the best start up in decades. Thank you, team, for being the premier team in the business, and thank you to Coppell ISD for recognizing the team’s efforts and being a phenomenal, supportive partner.”

If you’d like to be part of the Durham team in Coppell or another location, we encourage you to search and apply for available opportunities at www.durhamschoolservices.com/career/.

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 Coppell Independent School District Commends Durham School Services for “Smoothest and Most Efficient” School Start Up appeared first on School Transportation News.