Student transportation leaders and society at-large are being asked to rethink how they measure risk at the school bus stop, as a 50-state action plan emerging from a National School Bus Safety Summit late last year calls for a sharper focus on injuries and near-miss collisions caused by illegally passing motorists.

The summit, convened on Dec. 10 by BusPatrol along with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Safe Kids Worldwide, brought together school transportation officials, federal regulators, safety advocates and law enforcement represenatives to examine how often motorists violate school bus stop arms — and what that behavior is really doing to children beyond the worst-case fatalities that make headlines.

BusPatrol operates what is widely regarded as the largest school bus stop-arm camera enforcement network in the U.S. A company official stressed that despite access to a unique trove of video and citation data, independent safety authorities and government agencies must lead on defining the problem and setting policy.

“It’s important that it’s not just the vendors raising the flag,” Justin Meyers, BusPatrol’s president and chief strategy officer, told School Transportation News. “Independent safety authorities and governments need to make these assessments and do this research. We’ll participate to the extent we’re legally allowed, but this can’t be seen as just a company trying to make money.”

From Fatalities to the Full Spectrum of Harm

The National Action Plan for School Bus Safety authored by GHSA and released Tuesday at an event in Washington, D.C., includes 69 recommendations that seek to move the discussion beyond counting deaths to understanding the broader spectrum of harm and what school district, community, legislative and public safety stakeholders can do about it.

The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) was among the organizations in attendance at Tuesday’s action plan unveiling. Executive Director and CEO Molly McGee-Hewitt spoke alongside GHSA Executive Director Jonathon Adkins and other dignitaries. NAPT told members in an email Wednesday it is “proud and pleased” to be a part of the national discussion on curbing illegal passing.

Of particular interest to student transporters, NAPT noted the recommendations include urging governors to include school bus safety into their Triennial Highway Safety plans, encouraging school districts to implement school bus stop-arm enforcement programs and training school bus drivers to identify unsafe motorist behaviors.

The action plan recommendations include more serious treatment of illegal passing offenses by judges, increased speed limit enforcement in school zones, implementation of walking school buses, and improving post-crash care.

For years, national conversations have centered on the relatively small number of children killed at the bus stop each year. Historically, more than 1,200 children have died in loading and unloading zones, Meyers noted. According to the annual National School Bus Loading and Unloading Survey, which originated in 1970, most of those fatalities were reported in the first decades of the study based on police reports of school bus incidents. But in the decades since, the annual numbers have fallen to a handful a year, though school buses can be just as responsible for fatalities as illegally passing motorists are, if not more so.

Still, Meyers said that focusing on fatalities alone obscures the scale of risk. He pointed to the estimate by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) that 39 million illegal passes of school buses could occur annually. The national action plan noted that figure equates to each school bus in the U.S. being illegally passed once every three days.

“Forty million times a year someone illegally passes a school bus and creates a very dangerous environment for those kids,” Meyers said. “Most of the time, a child isn’t struck. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t harm.”

Blog: A Unique Gathering and a Cry for Help

Summit participants in December explored a largely unquantified middle ground between fatal crashes and clean stops: Non-fatal injuries that may never be captured in formal crash databases, and near-miss events that inflict lasting psychological trauma on students who narrowly avoid being hit — or witness shocking roadway incidents from inside the bus.
BusPatrol has videos from school bus clients that show a student slip in the roadway as a vehicle brakes inches from their face, or an illegally passing tanker truck runs off the road, flips and rolls over, showering the scene in debris.

“Those kids will forever associate getting on and off the bus with the moment they thought they might be killed,” Meyers said, adding that adults attending the summit recounted traumatic incidents from their own childhoods that still affect them decades later.

The action plan urges policymakers and industry leaders to recognize that these experiences are safety outcomes in their own right, even if they do not result in a recorded fatality or “serious injury” in traditional datasets.

Defining and Documenting Near Misses

If injuries are hard to count, near misses are even harder. Yet they are central to understanding risk and trauma.

Current national estimates of illegal passing rely heavily on NASDPTS’ annual one-day survey. Approximately 1,000 school bus drivers in three dozen states manually tallied illegal passes in a single day last spring, and NASDPTS extrapolated results for a figure that indicates how many illegal passes could be happening nationwide across a 180-day school year. That approach has proven useful for counting violations, but not for categorizing the severity of risk.

Meyers suggested adding a category for near-misses, a working definition of which could include any incident where a child or caregiver approaching or leaving the bus has their path impeded by a vehicle that should have stopped, including situations where the person must stop short, hurry or run, or physically jump or move out of the way.

He acknowledged that some stakeholders might prefer a narrower definition that focuses solely on more dramatic, evasive actions.

“The real trauma tends to come from the more extreme events,” he said. “A 7-year-old pausing safely at the end of their driveway while a car rolls by at 20 miles an hour is one thing. A child who slips and falls as a car skids to a stop inches from them is another.”

Options already being used or explored include leveraging onboard cameras and integrated analytics to automatically flag incidents, where a vehicle passes during loading or unloading with a child in the roadway or at the curb, and encouraging school districts to develop internal reporting processes for near-miss incidents, whether or not police or medical responders are involved.

Still, any expansion of data collection will have to navigate the same privacy and policy constraints that currently limit broader data sharing.

Related: STN EXPO East to Feature Illegal Passing Trends, Safety Recommendations
Related: WATCH: Michigan Association Releases Illegal Passing PSA for School Bus Safety Week
Related: (STN Podcast E290) Ideas, People & Solutions: Three-Pronged Approach to ‘Danger Zone’ Safety
Related: Combatting Illegal Passing with Awareness, Technology

Measuring Injuries: Who Owns Illegal Passing Data and Who Can Use It?

One of the central questions raised by the summit and the action plan is how to meaningfully track injuries linked to illegal passing at school bus stops.

Meyers said BusPatrol video cameras are installed on more than 40,000 buses nationwide, a number he added is growing by the month. The company estimates that about 10 percent of the national school bus fleet now operates with some form of stop-arm enforcement camera, including those provided by other vendors.

According to Meyers, 36 states currently have some form of law authorizing automated stop-arm enforcement, with more considering legislation. And several states are actively discussing enabling or expanding stop-arm enforcement authority.

Individual school districts and local agencies see their own violation and incident data. But BusPatrol and other vendors are in a unique position to perceive trends across jurisdictions. That does not mean they can simply publish a national injury and near-miss dataset.

“Each state and each community has their own rules and regulations around the data,” Meyers explained. “Some of it can be shared. In other places, it can’t. In New York, for example, there are significant limits on what can be shared and how.”

Privacy laws, public records rules, contract language and concerns around personally identifiable information all restrict the sharing and aggregation of footage and related records. The result, according to Meyers, is a patchwork.

The action plan effectively calls on federal and state authorities—including GHSA, the National Transportation Safety Board and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to lead efforts that would: Clarify how stop-arm cameras and incident data may be used for research and safety analysis, not only enforcement; encourage or authorize states to allow carefully structured data-sharing between vendors, school districts and central repositories; and develop consistent definitions and reporting protocols for bus stop injuries and related outcomes.

Meyers said BusPatrol would welcome participating in such efforts but emphasized that vendors alone should not define the narrative. Instead, the focus should be on solving the problem.

“All we’re really asking is for people to take an extra 15 seconds and stop for the bus,” he said. “They’re big, they’re yellow, they have flashing lights and stop signs. They’re meant to be seen. If we all respect that, we can eliminate a tremendous amount of trauma, injury and death.”

The post Action Plan Puts National Spotlight on Hidden Toll of Illegal Passing appeared first on School Transportation News.

Porsche is marking 75 years in Australia with a quartet of bespoke models inspired by some of the country’s most recognizable landscapes. Consider it both a birthday celebration and a (costly) reminder that Porsche’s customization department can turn just about any idea into paint, leather, and expensive options.

Debuting at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend, the collection spans the Panamera, Taycan, Macan, and Cayenne, highlighting the customization possibilities offered by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and the Sonderwunsch program.

More: When Porsche’s New EV Concept Gets Dirty, It Needs A Deckhand, Not A Detailer

Interestingly, these are far from being strictly one-off specials. Customers can actually recreate the same specifications through Porsche’s official configurator, assuming they are willing to spend enough time clicking through options and, of course, paying for them.

Go North With The Panamera

The first model is based on the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, finished with a livery inspired by the rainforests of Queensland and the Northern Territory. The exterior wears Emerald Green Metallic paint, paired with Neodyme 21-inch wheels and bright Acid Green accents on the brake calipers and hybrid emblems.

More: Porsche’s Panamera Is Crushing The Taycan EV, Now The 2028MY Wants To Squeeze Harder

Inside, the Club leather upholstery comes in Espresso with Night Green stitching, Neodyme accents, and Eucalyptus wood trim. The sedan also receives illuminated scuff plates with “Go North” lettering, a matching key, and 75th anniversary floor mats. For added practicality, it is also fitted with the optional Porsche Performance roof box, just in case the rainforest theme inspires an actual road trip.

Go East With The Taycan

The second model is based on the electric Taycan 4S Cross Turismo. Drawing inspiration from the surf culture of Australia’s Pacific coast, places like Noosa, Byron Bay, Newcastle, and Sydney, it wears an Ipanema Blue Metallic finish. The high gloss black 21-inch alloy wheels feature Crayon aero blades meant to evoke coral formations, while the Glacier Iceblue daytime running lights mirror the irises of the Pacific Blue Eye fish.

More: Porsche’s Most Extreme Taycan Yet Exists For A Very Personal Reason

The beach theme continues inside the cabin, where a mix of Black and Crayon leather echoes what Porsche describes as “the warm sands and shade of Australia’s eastern beaches.” References to the sea show up in the Dark Night Blue leather seat inserts and the Speed Blue stitching. The EV is also fitted with a panoramic roof featuring Variable Light Control, aluminum roof rails, a bespoke key, and illuminated scuff plates.

Go West With The Cayenne

The first SUV of the group is based on the V8-powered Cayenne S and draws inspiration from the vast open spaces of Western Australia’s Outback, terrain that dates back around 4.4 billion years. The exterior is finished in Ipanema Brown Metallic, paired with white decals and silk gloss black 22-inch alloy wheels.

More: Porsche’s Mega SUV Drops EV Plan For V8 Power And An Audi Link

The model is fitted with the optional Off-Road package, which adds rock rails, skid plates, extra underbody protection, and even a compass mounted on the dashboard, presumably for when the road disappears altogether. It also gets aluminum roof rails carrying a roof box.

Inside, Black leather is paired with Bordeaux Red inserts meant to echo indigenous rock formations. Like the other special editions, it also receives unique floor mats, keys, and illuminated scuff plates.

Go South With The Macan

The final car in the set is the fully electric Macan 4S, styled as a tribute to the southern coastlines of Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. Its Gold Bronze Metallic paint is meant to mirror the cliffs along the Great Ocean Road, while the 22-inch RS Spyder wheels, finished in Vesuvius Grey, nod to the region’s rugged stone formations.

More: A 92-Year-Old Bought His First Porsche, Now He’s Already Planning His Second

The electric SUV also gets the Off-Road Design package, which brings Vesuvius Grey skid plates into the mix. Glacier Blue accents appear in the Matrix LED headlights and along the taillight strip. Inside, the cabin references South Australia’s volcanic landscapes with Black and Chalk Beige leather, punctuated by orange highlights across the seat centers, seatbelts, door cards, and dashboard.

Curiously, Porsche Australia’s 75th anniversary collection arrives without a 911. Still, when the theme revolves around the four cardinal directions, the math rather limits your options.

Porsche Australia

For much of the past three years, it has often seemed as though BYD could do no wrong. The company steadily launched new models, expanded its lineup, and watched its sales climb at an impressive pace. However, the start of 2026 has been alarmingly slower, allowing fellow Chinese automaker Geely to pull ahead.

Through the first two months of this year, BYD has sold 400,241 vehicles, down 36 percent from the year prior. Of these, 190,190 vehicles were sold in February, a drop of 9.5 percent from the past month, due in large part to the Lunar New Year holiday, but it was also a 41 percent drop compared to the same month last year.

Apparently, shrinking tax breaks and a dip in buyer confidence are starting to cool the market. Plenty of shoppers are opting to wait it out, holding off to see what new models land and whether government trade in schemes become clearer before committing their cash.

Read: A Chinese Brand Just Knocked Ford Out Of The Global Top Six

While BYD is facing some struggles at home, it continues to gain popularity in foreign markets. In February alone, it exported 100,600 of its new energy vehicles, consisting of EVs and plug-in hybrids. Include January in those figures, and BYD has exported 201,082 vehicles.

Competitors Step Up

While BYD is facing growing pains, several other Chinese automakers are enjoying the opposite problem. Through the first two months of 2026, Stellantis partner Leapmotor’s sales have climbed 19 percent to 60,126 units. Xiaomi’s EV division is up 48 percent year over year to more than 59,000 units. Zeekr has posted an 84 percent surge across January and February, while Nio deliveries have jumped 77 percent, according to CNBC.

Geely is also having a particularly strong run. So far this year, it has delivered roughly 76,000 more vehicles than BYD. That is notable because it marks the first time Geely has outsold BYD for at least two consecutive months since 2022. While Geely currently leads within China, it trails slightly in overseas markets, exporting 181,891 vehicles so far this year.

According to Bloomberg, BYD chief executive Wang Chuanfu acknowledged the growing pressure back in December. He said rival automakers had begun closing the technological gap that once gave BYD a clear edge, something that now appears to be showing up in the sales figures.

The VW Group began selling its EA211 engine in 2011, offering it in both three- and four-cylinder forms across a wide range of models. Over the years, it has powered familiar names such as the VW Golf, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, VW T-Roc, Audi Q2, and Seat Leon.

Now the company has updated and adapted this long-running engine for an entirely new role, serving as the range-extender in its first extended-range electric vehicle in China, the ID. Era 9X.

Read: VW Built A Bigger ID SUV Than The X7 And You Can’t Have It

VW presented its new flagship SUV, co-developed with SAIC, earlier this year. At the time, we knew it would use a range-extender powertrain, but few technical details were available. Earlier this month, VW confirmed that the ID. Era 9X uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged EA211 engine, although several notable revisions have been made to prepare it for this application.

What’s Different?

For example, the updated engine now includes a new variable-geometry turbocharger to seamlessly adjust airflow, depending on the driving conditions. VW has also improved thermal efficiency and reduced emissions, while also installing a water-cooled intercooler for cooler intake temperatures. The upgraded engine is being built in China.

EREVs are enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment, though VW was not always enthusiastic about the concept. Six years ago, VW China executives described EREVs as “very environmentally unfriendly.”

As reported by CarNewsChina, shortly after announcing production of the new EA211 range-extender, Li Auto’s social media director reminded VW of this statement, writing on social media, “Congratulations to Volkswagen for successfully mass-producing a technology that is ‘outdated, very environmentally unfriendly, and had little development potential’ in just 6 years!”

The tension dates to September 2020, when Volkswagen China CEO Stephan Wöllenstein criticized gasoline-powered range-extenders as environmentally unfriendly. Around the same time, the company’s China R&D chief, Wiedmann, described the technology as outdated with limited long-term potential.

The Juicy Details

The VW ID. Era 9X is slightly longer, a touch narrower, and has a marginally shorter wheelbase than a BMW X7. It is one of several China-only Volkswagen models that could likely find an audience elsewhere if it were ever sold internationally.

In addition to the EA211 range-extender, the base model features a rear-mounted electric motor producing 295 hp and a 51.1 kWh LFP battery. This setup delivers an all-electric driving range of up to 166 miles (267 km). A version with a larger 65.2 kWh battery and up to 211 miles (340 km) of electric range will also be offered, along with a rear-wheel-drive twin-motor variant producing 510 hp.

Mercedes-AMG has pulled the covers off the interior of its upcoming electric super-sedan. The next-generation AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is effectively the production version of last year’s AMG GT XX concept, aimed at the Porsche Taycan and the growing pack of high-performance EVs trying to redefine what a fast four-door should be.

Unlike the symmetrical hyperscreen layouts used across the regular EQ lineup and the latest S-Class, the AMG’s center console is angled toward the driver. A 14-inch infotainment display dominates the layout, leaning just enough in the driver’s direction to remind you this is supposed to be the sporty one. That screen works alongside a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, with an optional 14-inch display available for the passenger.

More: Mercedes Teases A Flood Of New Models Coming Soon

Mercedes says the operating logic is “balanced,” blending haptic buttons, touchscreen inputs, and voice control. In practice, though, it seems AMG didn’t fully buy into the recent return to physical controls that several rivals have started embracing. The most obvious casualty is the climate system, which remains buried inside the MBUX infotainment menus

AMG-specific touches include illuminated climate vents styled to resemble jet engines, a flat-bottom steering wheel with carbon accents and haptic feedback, optional AMG Performance seats, and a metal-like wing element stretching across the center console.

Also: Mercedes Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop With Massive Screens

You also get three chunky rotary controllers on the center tunnel. Apparently, even in the EV age, AMG still believes drivers should have something physical to fiddle with.

Those dials tie directly into the car’s driving dynamics. Response Control adjusts the behavior of the e-motors and accelerator pedal, Agility Control tweaks cornering characteristics, and Traction Control offers nine stages of intervention through the new AMG Race Engineer system. The driver can also jump straight to key functions using two steering wheel buttons that feature their own LCD displays.

Smart Glass Roof Party Trick

One of the more eye-catching tech features is the Sky Control panoramic glass roof, which can switch between transparent and opaque states. At night, it can also project AMG emblems or racing stripes across the glass, matched to the colors of the ambient lighting system.

More: Mercedes Design Boss Admits “Screens Aren’t Luxury” And The Software’s Not Great Either

Up front, practicality gets a small but noticeable boost with illuminated cup holders and dual wireless charging trays. In the back, Mercedes promises “generous legroom, pleasant headroom, and a naturally comfortable knee angle,” all aimed at making longer journeys a bit less taxing. The standard layout is a four-seater, although buyers will also be able to opt for a five-seat configuration.

Coming Soon

The full reveal of the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is expected this spring, with deliveries scheduled to begin later in the year. The high-performance EV will also become the first production model to ride on Mercedes-AMG’s dedicated AMG.EA platform, which is being developed specifically for future electric performance cars.

More: AMG Hyper EV Circles The Globe In Seven Days And Smashes 25 Records

The concept version arrived with some properly serious numbers. It used three axial-flux motors producing a combined 1,341 hp (1,000 kW / 1,360 PS), complete with synthetic V8 sound. The battery pack also featured Formula 1-derived cooling technology and ultra-fast charging capability, allowing it to add 249 miles (400 km) of range in just five minutes

Mercedes-AMG

The Mercedes A-Class looks to be sticking around for the foreseeable future, just not in its current guise. Despite initial speculation that the model was going to be culled, as Benz tries to consolidate its offerings, a replacement for the existing model may very well come to fruition, albeit as an EV.

Although plans haven’t yet been announced, in an interview with Design Director Robert Lesnik Auto Express gleaned info that the new hatchback will probably arrive towards the end of the decade as an EV.

Current expectations suggest the next-generation model could debut around 2029, after the existing A-Class completes an extended production run expected to last until 2028.

More: Mercedes CEO Suggests They May Drop Some Entry-Level Models

The current A-Class debuted all the way back in 2018, making the model well overdue for a refresh by the time the new generation rolls around.

EV Architecture

In order meet the needs of the next-generation A-Class, Mercedes intends to transfer the production of the current A-Class to the Hungary plant in the next year. Lesnik claimed the production line wouldn’t require a significant revision to meet the specific requirements of the new MMA (Modular Mercedes Architecture) platform. Mercedes focuses on expanding the versatility of the MMA platform to give next-gen EV technology, innovative design, and cost efficiency.

The MMA platform grants the company the flexibility to fit the same all-electric powertrain and hybrid unit as in the CLA model, underpinning the next-generation A-class. Mercedes developed this hybrid system to meet the stringent Euro 7 emissions standards to be implemented by 2027.

When Mercedes first outlined its compact MMA lineup in 2023, it planned four models including the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA, and GLB. Lesnik indicated that an electric A-Class would effectively become a fifth model in that family.

A-Class, Not An EQA

Mercedes has decided its somewhat confusing decision to separate its EV models under their own “EQ” brand wasn’t the best way forward. Which is why the A-Class name is likely to remain in place of the EQA.

Lesnik also confirmed that the A-Class will remain stylish, with a “cab-back” approach, as opposed to the original upright shape adopted by the A-Class of the 90s. The design is also expected to avoid the streamlined styling seen on models like the EQE and EQS, instead following the CLA’s longer-hood proportions and more traditional hatchback profile.

When Francis Wang ’21, MEng ’22 first joined the MIT Edgerton Center’s Solar Electric Vehicle Team (SEVT), his approach to engineering projects was “to focus my energy and attention on a tidy problem with neat boundaries that I could completely control.”

“But on Solar Car, I realized it takes a very different mindset to manage a substantial project with many moving pieces. It takes engineering leadership,” he recalls.

Wang was determined to strengthen his leadership skills. When he became Solar Car captain, he applied and was accepted into the Gordon Engineering Leadership (GEL) Program.

GEL’s courses and hands-on labs equip students with capabilities they need to lead and contribute to complex, real-world engineering challenges. The one- or two-year program for juniors and seniors complements MIT’s technical education, teaching teamwork, leadership, and communication skills in an engineering context. GEL students also benefit from personalized coaching, mentoring, industry networking, and career support throughout their professional lives.

“Before GEL, I saw the leadership parts of my role as a necessary evil to get to the actual interesting parts, which was the engineering,” says Wang. “The GEL Program gave me an understanding of how engineering leadership is crucial, because in the real world any project worth working on is larger than the scope of an individual engineer.”

In GEL he improved capabilities such as decision-making, taking initiative, and negotiating. He became a more effective SEVT team captain, able to navigate the challenges of taking an engineering project from concept to completion.

“It was often the case that the challenges I faced on Solar Car were not solely technical, involving aspects of communication, coordination, and negotiation. From GEL, I had the framework and the language to approach them,” says Wang.

Each year, 30-40 Edgerton students are accepted into the GEL Program. They come from a variety of teams and clubs including Arcturus, Assistive Technology Club, ChemE Club, Combat Robotics Club, Design Build Fly (DBF), Design for America, Electric Vehicle Team, Engineers Without Borders, First Nations Launch, MIT Electronics Research Society (MITERS), Motorsports, Robotics Team, Rocket Team, and Solar Electric Vehicle Team (SEVT).

“MIT’s best engineering students have GEL training and authentic project management experience with our competition teams,” says Professor J. Kim Vandiver, director of the Edgerton Center.

Edgerton project teams are entirely student-run organizations responsible for all levels of project and team management including fundraising, recruiting, designing, testing, risk mitigation, and project validation. The most successful teams have skilled leaders.

“Many of the excellent Edgerton project team students admitted to GEL are team or sub-team leaders who credit their GEL experience, particularly the experiential learning component, with improving their leadership skills,” says Leo McGonagle, executive director of GEL.

“It’s a win-win-win. GEL gets hard-working, motivated Edgerton Program students who are intent on self-development and improvement. Edgerton project teams often perform better with leaders who are GEL-trained. And the students gain leadership, teamwork, and communication abilities that they can use beyond their project team — in their capstones, course projects, internships, and jobs after MIT,” says McGonagle.

The overlapping connection between GEL and Edgerton truly becomes obvious when students begin to take ownership of project milestones.

“When you become the leader of a technical project, no one gives you a roadmap to team success,” says senior Hailey Polson, former captain of First Nations Launch team. “Technical expertise is not enough to leverage the talent and skills of an entire team or the ability to coordinate a multifaceted project; that’s where the tools, skills, and leadership theory I learned in GEL helped me bridge the gap between knowing how to accomplish our goals and actually leading my team successfully.”

Faris Elnager ’25 served as testing lead on the Motorsports team, which designs, manufactures, and competes with a formula-style electric race car every year.

“Making tough decisions was something that I learned in GEL. On Motorsports, I had to make high-stakes decisions about testing time that affected how we performed at a competition,” he says.

He found that GEL’s weekly Engineering Leadership Labs were a way to test for himself specific leadership capabilities that he could use to improve his Motorsports team.

“One of the most useful skills from GEL was evaluating your stakeholders and learning how to balance their needs. I remember thinking, we’re doing this right now in the [GEL] lab, and then we’re going back to the [Edgerton] shop to do this for real!” says Elnager. “It’s like a positive feedback loop. GEL labs make you better on project teams, and project teams make you better in GEL.”

Now a startup co-founder, Elnager says that the communication skills that he learned through Motorsports and GEL have been critical to his company’s early success. “You can build the best tech in the world. If you can’t pitch it to people, you’re never going to raise any money. Being able to explain a technical project to anyone, whether they're an investor or someone in your industry, is something that’s incredibly valuable.”

Adrienne Lai ’25 served as both mechanical lead and then captain of the Solar Electric Vehicle Team. She recalls how her GEL training would kick in on race day.

“It’s quite tricky to be captain of a build team, because there’s no adult to tell you what to do. You have to figure it all out for yourself. When you’re competing, it can be very chaotic. You are trying to maximize a score by driving more miles, but that comes with a trade-off of spending energy or ending the day in a more rural area, or with less sun, so there are a lot of trade-offs to consider. Sometimes someone just has to make a decision. I was very comfortable doing that because I had learned how to take initiative, which is one of the GEL capabilities,” she says.

Now a course assistant in GEL, Lai helps design scenarios that enable GEL students to become better and more resilient leaders. She particularly enjoys playing the role of an uncooperative supplier.

“We close our store randomly. We don’t have what they need. We won’t tell them what we have,” she laughs. “Students get very frustrated. They think that we’re just being mean. But from a real-world perspective, that is all very true. It simulates unpredictability, which is important not just in a job, but in life.”

The value of the engineering leadership skills learned in GEL and honed on Edgerton project teams carries forward into industry, graduate studies, and entrepreneurial ventures.

“GEL preparation, coupled with authentic project management on a competition team, prepares MIT students for great careers in industry,” says Vandiver.

Henry Smith ’25 says he still relies on skills such as negotiation, communication, and understanding stakeholder needs that he used when he was a Motorsports mechanical lead.

“I was doing high-level management, planning, and organization on the team. Being in the GEL Program really increased my value for the team and helped me be prepared to enter the job field. When I graduated, I wasn’t worried about being ready or not. It was a definite yes,” says Smith.

As project teams continue to address ambitious engineering challenges, the synergy between Edgerton and the Gordon Engineering Leadership (GEL) Program ensures that as students graduate, they’re prepared to not only become strong technical contributors, but confident leaders prepared to tackle complex engineering problems in the real world.

Two boys, 12 and 15 years old, were taken into custody after allegedly stealing a school bus in New York and crashing into a residential home early on Feb. 26, reported CBS 6.

According to the news report, the school bus theft originated at the Amazing Grace Transportation lot at approximately 6 a.m. on Feb. 27. The bus was then driven to a nearby home, where it crashed.

Despite some property damage, emergency responders confirmed that no residents inside the home were injured. Residents in the neighborhood reported hearing the crash and expressed relief that no one was hurt, though many were shaken by the early morning disruption.

Investigators said the two juveniles fled the scene on foot after the crash but were located nearby and detained by police officers.

Both boys face charges that include criminal possession of stolen property and criminal mischief, authorities said. Because of their ages, the case will likely progress through family court proceedings rather than the adult criminal justice system.

Officials have not released additional details regarding the motive behind the school bus theft or whether the suspects have legal representation. The investigation remains active as law enforcement continues to piece together how juveniles accessed the bus managed to drive it off the transportation company lot.

Related: Teen Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends with School Bus Crash
Related: Stolen School Bus Driven Nearly 40 Miles Before Being Abandoned
Related: Stolen School Bus Chased into Indiana Cornfield
Related: Alabama Stolen School Bus Found, Man Charged

The post School Bus Theft Results in Crash, Arrest of Two Juveniles appeared first on School Transportation News.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. and CLEVELAND, Ohio –Transfinder Corporation is pleased to announce Cleveland Metropolitan School District in Ohio has selected Transfinder’s award-winning solution Tripfinder to manage its field trips.

The district spans nearly 80 miles and serves 35,000 students attending more than 100 schools from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

Transfinder President and CEO Antonio Civitella welcomed Cleveland Metropolitan School District to the Transfinder family.

“We are so happy to have Cleveland Metropolitan School District as a client.” Civitella said. “Large and small districts alike benefit from having this powerful tool that has Artificial Intelligence Optimization embedded in it. Because it is highly customizable, districts like Cleveland Metropolitan can tailor their experience to their individual needs.”

About Transfinder:
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to municipalities, school districts and adult care facilities. Transfinder, has been on Inc. magazine’s “fastest-growing company” list for 13 years. The software and hardware company has received numerous awards, including Best Software, Best Hardware and Best Safety Technology. In addition, Transfinder has repeatedly won Best Places to Work, Top Workplace and Best Companies to Work for accolades. Transfinder develops and supports routing and scheduling solutions for optimal transportation logistics. Transfinder also created the award-winning Patrolfinder policing technology to assist law enforcement. For more information, visit www.transfinder.com

The post Cleveland Metropolitan SD Picks Transfinder appeared first on School Transportation News.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. and GLASFORD, Ill. – Transfinder Corporation is pleased to announce Illini Bluffs District #327 in Illinois has selected Transfinder’s award-winning routing solution Routefinder PLUS to create the safest and most efficient routes for its students.

Located in Glaston, Illini Bluffs transports 70 percent of its student body to one of three school buildings and covers 174,000 miles each year.

In addition to PLUS, Illini Bluffs purchased the parent app Stopfinder and Viewfinder, which gives users a bird’s eye view of the district’s transportation operation.

Transfinder President and CEO Antonio Civitella welcomed Illini Bluffs to the Transfinder family.

“We are so happy to have Illini Bluffs as a client.” Civitella said. “Large and small districts alike benefit from having this powerful tool that has Artificial Intelligence Optimization embedded in it. Because it is highly customizable, districts like Illini Bluffs can tailor their experience to their individual needs.”

About Transfinder:
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to municipalities, school districts and adult care facilities. Transfinder, has been on Inc. magazine’s “fastest-growing company” list for 13 years. The software and hardware company has received numerous awards, including Best Software, Best Hardware and Best Safety Technology. In addition, Transfinder has repeatedly won Best Places to Work, Top Workplace and Best Companies to Work for accolades. Transfinder develops and supports routing and scheduling solutions for optimal transportation logistics. Transfinder also created the award-winning Patrolfinder policing technology to assist law enforcement. For more information, visit www.transfinder.com

The post Illini Bluffs SD #327 (IL) Picks Transfinder appeared first on School Transportation News.

Police arrested and charged a candidate for the Johnston County Board of Commissioners in connection with a hit-and-run crash involving a school bus in Four Oaks, North Carolina, reported WRAL News.

Chad Stewart allegedly failed to slow down and crashed into the back of a stopped school bus last Thursday. Authorities charged Stewart with failure to stop for a stopped school bus, hit-and-run resulting in property damage, and failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision. He was arrested Friday.

Seven students from Johnston County Early College and Johnston County Career and Technical Leadership Academy school bus passengers at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported.

Stewart is running for the District 3 seat on the Johnston County Board of Commissioners in the upcoming Republican primary. He previously served on the board from 2013 to 2021, including terms as chairman and vice chairman.

A judge issued Stewart a $20,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 10.

Related: New York School Bus Driver Charged After Fatal Hit and Run
Related: North Carolina Registered Sex Offender Arrested After Trespassing on School Bus
Related: Washington School Bus Driver Fatally Injured During Crash
Related: North Carolina Student in Custody for Bringing Gun on School Bus

The post North Carolina County Commissioner Candidate Charged in School Bus Hit-and-Run appeared first on School Transportation News.

RAM Mounts, a global leader in rugged mounting and docking solutions, is proud to highlight its partnership with Tyler Technologies, a trusted provider of technology solutions for schools and public sector organizations nationwide. Together, RAM Mounts and Tyler Technologies support student transportation teams by pairing powerful software with durable mounting solutions, helping Samsung enterprise-grade tablets perform reliably in demanding, everyday environments.

Tyler Technologies’ student transportation solutions are designed to help school districts plan routes, manage fleets, and improve communication with tools that support safety, efficiency, and visibility across operations. These platforms rely on mobile devices inside buses and other support vehicles, where tablets must remain secure, readable, and easy to access throughout the school day. RAM Mounts complements these deployments with rugged, vibration-damping mounting solutions that help protect devices while keeping screens properly positioned for drivers and staff.

RAM Mounts’ adjustable mounting systems allow districts to position tablets for optimal visibility without obstructing sightlines, supporting safer operation by helping drivers keep their attention on the road. With a focus on durability and long-term performance, RAM® Mounts help transform consumer-grade tablets into vehicle-ready tools that can withstand vibration, temperature changes, and daily use across the school year and beyond.

By combining Tyler Technologies’ deep experience in public sector and student transportation software with the proven device mounting and protection ecosystem from RAM, districts gain flexibility in how they deploy technology across fleets of all sizes. This pairing supports a wide range of use cases, without locking teams into proprietary hardware or limiting future device choices.

Together, RAM Mounts and Tyler Technologies help school transportation departments modernize operations with solutions designed to adapt, endure, and scale, supporting safer routes, more reliable technology, and better outcomes for students and communities alike.

For more information about Tyler Technologies’ student transportation solutions, visit https://www.tylertech.com/products/student-transportation.

To learn more about RAM Mounts and its rugged mounting solutions, visit www.rammount.com.

About Tyler Technologies
Tyler Technologies partners with government and schools to deliver technology solutions that support safe, efficient, and connected communities. With decades of public sector experience and an exclusive focus on serving government and education organizations, Tyler Technologies provides software and services that power critical operations and help clients build safer, more vibrant communities through integrity-driven innovation. Learn more at www.tylertech.com.

About RAM Mounts
RAM Mounts designs and manufactures rugged mounting systems engineered to perform in the most demanding commercial and industrial environments. From fleet vehicles and warehouses to healthcare facilities, manufacturing floors, and field operations, RAM Mounts delivers secure, reliable device mounting that keeps teams productive and equipment protected.

Built in the USA and backed by decades of engineering expertise, RAM Mounts solutions are trusted by enterprises, system integrators, and OEM partners worldwide. Our modular, vibration-damping designs support a wide range of devices and mounting configurations, enabling scalable deployments across diverse use cases and industries.

With a focus on durability, flexibility, and long-term value, RAM Mounts helps organizations standardize device mounting, reduce downtime, and extend the life of critical hardware, whether deploying a single workstation or outfitting thousands of vehicles and facilities. Learn more at www.rammount.com.

The post RAM Mounts Partners with Tyler Technologies to Support Smarter, More Durable Onboard Student Transportation Technology appeared first on School Transportation News.

Each year, School Transportation News gathers photos and videos from school districts and transportation companies across the U.S. that document how they celebrated Love the Bus Month. This year, we asked student transportation leaders about the impact of recognizing the importance of yellow school buses and showing appreciation to the individuals who transport students safely every day.

We uncovered a variety of Love the Bus celebrations ranging from highlighting student transportation staff on social media, catered events for transportation department, goodie bags for school bus drivers and special events with a Valentine’s Day flair.

Prosper Independent School District (Texas)

Teri Mapengo, director of transportation at Prosper Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, shared how multiple fun events showed the transportation department staff how much they are valued.

“We focus on meaningful and creative ways to celebrate our team and reinforce that they are truly seen and appreciated,” Mapengo explained. “This year, we hosted Puppy Wellness Days to bring moments of joy and stress relief, served pancakes and sausage after morning routes, partnered with Raising Cane’s ‘Love Bus’ to surprise staff with swag and gave bus beanies to every employee.”

The pictures were worth a thousand words, showing the happiness the furry visitors brought to the staff. Transfinder recognized Mapengo last summer at the STN EXPO West conference leading one of the industry’s Top Transportation Teams, so she has a long-standing history of creating meaningful connections with her team. She continued that the district’s Love the Bus celebrations continued with a superintendent ride-along that allowed for personal recognition and relationship building with the school bus drivers.

“Love the Bus Month matters because transportation is built on people, relationships and trust. Our teams show up before sunrise, in every kind of weather, carrying the responsibility of safely transporting what matters most—our students. Much of their work happens quietly behind the scenes, and this month gives us the opportunity to pause and recognize the heart behind the wheel,” she added. “Recognition reminds our drivers, monitors, mechanics, and support staff that their work has a lasting impact on students, families, and the entire school community,” said Mapengo. “While February gives us a dedicated time to celebrate, appreciation must be part of our culture year-round. When people feel valued, they feel connected to the mission—and that connection strengthens morale, safety, service, and retention.”

Mapengo summed up her advice to other directors. “Recognition doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to be genuine. Celebrate your people publicly, involve your community and find ways to reflect your team’s unique culture” she recommended. ”Most importantly, make appreciation a habit, not just a moment. When transportation teams feel valued, it strengthens morale, builds pride and positively impacts the students and communities we serve.”

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Buncombe County School District (North Carolina)

Jeremy Stowe, director of transportation at Buncombe County Schools in North Carolina, spoke last year at STN EXPO East in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina about how his transportation department stepped up to assist emergency services after Hurricane Helene. Stowe’s maintenance team was recognized as a 2025 Garage Star because of these efforts. This year, the students showed their appreciation by washing district school buses as a “tangible way to say thank you,” shared Stowe.

Stowe shared why Love the Bus Month matters. “Student transportation is often the first and last interaction a child has with our school system each day. Our drivers set the tone. They provide safety, stability and often encouragement before a student even walks into a classroom,” he commented. “Recognizing these drivers reinforces that their work is not just operational, it is relational and critical to our daily operations.”

He continued,“Year-long recognition is just as important. Drivers operate in all weather conditions, manage student behavior on a moving vehicle, and carry tremendous responsibility. When we intentionally celebrate them, we strengthen morale, keep drivers, and a positive tone to the culture of our entire district.”

Buncombe also highlights their transportation department’s work on social media regularly, especially noted Stowe, during weather events that require extra safety efforts from the staff. He also shared that members of the local Board of Education did ride-alongs on the school buses, “as another visible manner of recognizing all our drivers do for our district.”

Stowe said his advice to other school districts looking to thank and recognize their student transportation departments is to make recognition personal and visible., “Everyone wants to be told ‘Thank You’, you are important to what we do. Say it and show it. Invite everyone to participate (Principals, Teachers, Students, PTO’s, and Board Members). Post stories publicly. Deliver handwritten notes. Small gestures matter when they are sincere and consistent. Transportation professionals don’t do the work for recognition and they deserve all the recognition they can get.”

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Laramie County School District #1 (Wyoming)

Kathleen Larsen, a transportation supervisor at Laramie County School District #1 in Wyoming, shared a unique perspective on the importance of her transportation department as she is a parent of two students who ride her district’s school buses.

Jenn Simpson, another transportation supervisor at Laramie, reached out to School Transportation News with a submission that was shared by a school bus driver who works under Larsen. Simpson shared that Laramie County recognizes Love the Bus by engaging with the transportation department to ask why they “Love the Bus.” School bus driver Fabiola “Faby” Andujo was the first to respond.

She came to Laramie after obtaining her CDL through Climb Wyoming, a program that works with single mothers to provide job training, including certifications and assisting with job placement. Simpson said she is currently on medical leave and wanted to share her reasons why she loves her job.

Andujo showed her passion for her vital role. “I love my bus and I miss it because every student is a treasure to their family. We carry the most valuable cargo. Each student is a story whose ending we don’t know yet. Maybe they’ll become a new bus driver, a lawyer, a teacher, a police officer, a soldier, an engineer, an architect, a doctor, a nurse, a singer, an actor, a judge, a governor, a mayor, or even the next president in a few years,” she shared. “That’s why we drive carefully and make sure they arrive at their destination safely. Every smile in the morning, a good morning, a thank you is the best payment I can receive. I love my bus because it’s safe, and new stories are created every day. I want to tell you that I miss each and every one of you, and I feel very grateful for the opportunity to belong to this department.

“I am truly blessed. I’m doing my best in my recovery so I can return and continue taking the students to school and, in the afternoons, to their bus stops. I also miss taking field trips because I’ve gotten to see new places,” she continued “Thanks also to the mechanics who keep the buses running. I miss everyone, but especially my students and my teaching assistant. That’s why I love my bus because it’s safe, it’s big and it can take me to many places. Lots of love, Faby, I miss my bus 101.”

Larsen said that watching her children walk out the front door to ride the school bus each morning reinforces the impact of student transportation in children’s lives.

“To me, the school bus is the ultimate act of trust…That trust matters deeply to me, and it’s something I think about constantly. I try to lead this department with a parent’s heart, guided by the belief that every child on every route deserves the same care, patience, and warmth I want for my own girls,” explained Larsen.

“That’s exactly why celebrating Love the Bus Month matters,” she continued. “When we take time to recognize our drivers, TAs, mechanics, shop staff, dispatchers, coordinators, or trainers, we’re not just checking a box. We’re acknowledging the heart, effort and care they bring to this work. It’s a reminder that they aren’t just operating a vehicle — they are shaping experiences and building trust with kids every day. More than a thank you, this recognition helps our entire community better understand what this job truly involves. It reminds our staff that they aren’t working in isolation at the bus garage but are a vital part of the school family. When we celebrate the bus, we celebrate the peace of mind we give to parents and the safe, welcoming environment we create for students. Most of all, we honor the people who show up day after day — snow or shine — to make sure our kids get where they need to go and have the opportunity to learn and succeed.”

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Watauga County Schools (North Carolina)

Another school district in a more rural area of North Carolina made sure to recognize the dedication of their transportation team, as shared by Janet Tanner, the district’s transportation director.

“In Watauga County, our school bus drivers are more than employees — they are family. As a small rural mountain county in Western North Carolina, relationships matter deeply to us. Love the Bus month allows our school system and community to express gratitude for the individuals who safely transport our students each day,” she said.

Watauga County Schools’ Love the Bus celebrations included tokens of appreciation from the district and kind words from the community.

“Each year, we present our drivers with a token of appreciation. This year, every driver received a fleece jacket embroidered with our Watauga Bus emblem — a visible symbol of pride and unity. Our entire transportation department participated in personally delivering the jackets, which helps build relationships between drivers and staff. In addition, our Communications Director Bailey Little collected and shared heartfelt notes from parents and students across our social media platforms. These messages highlighted the kindness, dependability and care our drivers show daily.”

Just as the other directors noted, Tanner shared that Love the Bus celebrations don’t and should not be relegated to merely the month of February.

“Our commitment to appreciation extends well beyond the one month,” said Tanner. “Prior to the start of school, we host a back-to-school meeting, where drivers receive critical safety training, policy updates and procedural guidance. With the generous support from our vendors, we also provide lunch and door prizes, creating a welcoming and celebratory atmosphere. This event ensures drivers feel both prepared and valued,” she said

She continued, “Throughout the school year, have your department staff make visits to drivers before or after their routes, bring them small treats or simply tell them how much they are appreciated. These personal touches reinforce a culture of recognition and respect.”

She also noted that the district regularly posts “Driver Spotlights” on social media to connect the drivers behind the wheel with the local community saying that these outreaches “foster pride among drivers and strengthen the connection between families and the transportation team.

“In Watauga County, appreciation is not a single event—it is a culture,” she added. “We are committed to honoring them not just during Love the Bus month, but throughout the entire year.”

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Related: Gallery: Recap Love the Bus Month 2026
Related: WATCH: West Virginia Highlights School Bus Inspection for Love the Bus Month
Related: Update: Love the Bus Month Underway, NAPT Seeks Recognition Year-Round

The post Transportation Leaders Share How to ‘Love the Bus,’ Why It Matters appeared first on School Transportation News.

Technology is a helpful option for school district transportation departments looking to improve efficiency and cut costs, a transportation coordinator shared during a recent webinar.

Bryan Mitchell, marketing director for Transit Technologies, reviewed current challenges related to on-time student transportation plagued by slashed budgets, driver shortages and increasing parent demands.

Rome City Schools in Georgia was facing a costly and inefficient payroll process, he said. With more than 100 transportation staff members relying on paper-based timesheets, including multi-colored paper for different shifts, Mitchell explained that the monthly task of preparing payroll was a logistical nightmare.

By using ByteCurve digital time clocks and payroll software, the district realized $30,000 in monthly labor cost savings totaling about $300,000 annually, even after wage increases. Jonathan Agenten, director of sales for ByteCurve, explained that the savings came from shaving a few minutes off each driver’s paid hours due to more accurate data collection. Christina Buffington, transportation coordinator for Rome City Schools, confirmed that no driver experienced a significant wage loss.

Buffington shared that the previous paper time sheet method would take up to a month to add up hours and verify before finalizing. She confirmed that the ByteCurve digital process has reduced the time it takes to complete the process and allows management to verify drivers’ route completion via GPS. Payroll errors were nearly eliminated and 10 hours were saved per week in driver communications and payroll reconciliation.

“It’s the work that drives the day – it’s the work that drives the pay,” quipped Agenten.

He reviewed the way ByteCurve streamlines and improves communication between the normally siloed transportation segments of routing, payroll and GPS tracking. The system provides a digital clock-in experience for drivers, an airport terminal-like dashboard emphasizing delayed or canceled routes that require staff attention, a real-time bus location view and the ability to automatically calculate complex pay scenarios based on district policies.

Mitchell and Agenten reviewed the rugged and reliable Vehicle Camera Systems and Driver-Facing Cameras offered by Vestige, a sister company to ByteCurve via parent company Transit Technologies. AI-Powered Safety Solutions include a Driver Monitoring System to detect drowsiness, distraction, smoking, and phone use as well as Advanced Driver Assistance System alerts for forward collision, lane departure and pedestrian detection.

Transit Technologies also offers FASTER maintenance software which it says was “purpose built to match how fleets operate, not how companies think they do,” and can save 10-15 hours per week with automated reports and real-time dashboards.

Also recently added to the Transit Technologies family of companies was field trip management software provider busHive.

Mitchell spoke to the company’s goal of offering an integrated tech stack to meet all of a school district’s transportation needs.

These technologies are beneficial as they discover savings and efficiencies in fuel and payroll, which are the two biggest expenses in transportation, noted STN Publisher Tony Corpin.

Agenten emphasized the “white glove” treatment offered by ByteCurve in initially setting up the systems to fulfill the needs of each individual district. From Rome City Schools, both Buffington and Director of Transportation Elander Graham praised the customer service experience.

Watch the webinar and visit bytecurve.com to learn more.

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

The post Payroll Technology Saves Georgia School District Thousands of Dollars appeared first on School Transportation News.

Does your team know exactly where each school bus goes every day? The gap between planned routes and real-world activity often reveals inefficiencies, detours, unapproved stop changes, and safety risks that quietly add up over time. Before you know it, operational efficiency and reliability aren’t what they were.

In this webinar, Katrina Falk, who oversees Transportation Routing and Training Compliance at Madison Consolidated Schools, shares how her district used their fleet data and routing software to conduct route audits, comparing planned versus actual performance. Through real-world examples, hear how they turned those insights into measurable improvements to optimize operations, reduce risk, and improve routing accuracy without adding to their workload.

Katrina will also share the route audit process she refined as a director and router, using real scenarios that illustrate how actual versus planned insights helped them address challenges nearly every operation faces: ongoing driver shortages, budget constraints, administrative demands to streamline, and the need for greater fleet visibility. You’ll walk away with a practical framework for conducting route audits, as well as insights into how real-world fleet visibility supports accurate routing, reduced risk, and operational accountability.

Learn how fleet data can reveal efficiencies, improve safety, and support more effective decision-making. Bring your questions and share your experiences during an interactive conversation about improving routing processes districtwide.

Brought to you by Zonar

REGISTER BELOW:

Presenters:

Katrina Falk
Transportation Routing and Training Compliance
Madison Consolidated Schools

Katrina has worked within the Pupil Transportation Industry for 25 years, having started as a School Bus Driver at 18-years-old. As a previous Zonar Gold All Star Award Winner, she has a keen interest in Routing, Fleet Management, Fleet Optimization, and Telematics.

She was previously Director of Transportation for Fayette County Schools (IN) and Shelby Eastern Schools (IN) and is now fulfilling a newly-created role at Madison Consolidated Schools (IN) that concentrates solely on Routing and Training Compliance.

She has professional certifications as a Certified Pupil Transportation Specialist, Certified Supervisor of Pupil Transportation, and Transfinder Routefinder Pro and PLUS Certification.

Bryant Maxey
Product Marketing Manager
Zonar

Bryant Maxey has been with the Zonar team for over 9 years and currently serves as the Product Marketing Manager, where he currently leads various go-to-market strategies and product launches at Zonar. Bryant started his career in the customer support department, where he was the Tier III escalation for Zonar’s tablet solutions. He has also performed many onsite and virtual training courses to Zonar’s customer base.

The post (Free Webinar) Route Reality Check: Turning Planned into Actual Efficiencies appeared first on School Transportation News.

BYD has a new flagship SUV, and it’s called the Great Tang. The name may sound a little unusual, but underneath sits the Chinese giant’s latest electric platform, built to take on high-end rivals like the Zeekr 9X and IM LS9, along with more familiar names from Europe and Asia such as the Volvo EX90 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

More: BYD Says Its New Battery Can Recharge As Fast As Filling Up Your Gas Tank

First previewed by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology earlier this year and now revealed in full, the Great Tang is bigger than even the Denza B8. It stretches to 5,302 mm (208.7 inches) in length, measures 1,999 mm (78.7 inches) across, stands up to 1,800 mm (70.8 inches) tall, and rides on a generous 3,130 mm (123.2-inch) wheelbase. The SUV also forms part of BYD’s new premium Dynasty series of models.

Design-wise, it looks quite smart, particularly with the two-tone red-and-silver paint scheme it was presented with. The front end shares similarities with existing BYD models, complete with a flowing light bar, a black lower grille, and vertical headlamps neatly integrated into the fascia.

Class-Leading EV Tech

But the real story isn’t the styling. It’s the technology lurking underneath. The Great Tang rides on BYD’s new Super e platform and uses the company’s second-generation Blade battery. According to BYD, those cells can charge from 10 percent to 97 percent in just nine minutes, provided you plug into one of its new 1,500 kW charging stations. The SUV also runs a 1000-volt electrical architecture, which helps make those charging claims possible.

There’s still no word on the size of the SUV’s battery pack, but BYD has confirmed a few key drivetrain details. A single-motor version will be offered with either 402 hp or 496 hp. If that sounds a bit restrained for something this large, there is also a dual-motor setup delivering 784 hp.

Even so, the numbers that matter most for a family-sized electric barge are the range figures. Despite weighing as much as 2,970 kg (6,547 lbs), BYD claims the rear-motor version can travel up to 590 miles (950 km) on the CLTC cycle. Opt for the punchier dual-motor model and the figure drops slightly to around 528 miles (850 km) on a charge. Still, for something this big, that is not exactly a short leash.

A glance inside reveals a 2+2+3 seating layout and pretty much every luxury extra you’d expect in a flagship family hauler. The dashboard is dominated by a large central infotainment display, joined by separate screens for the driver and front passenger. You also get wireless phone chargers, a built-in fridge, and a fold-down screen in the ceiling to keep rear passengers entertained on longer trips.

In China, prices are expected to start just above 400,000 yuan, which works out to roughly $58,000.

Maserati finds itself in a tricky spot within the Stellantis empire after shifting just 7,900 cars in 2025. That is fewer than Ferrari managed, which is not the sort of comparison you want showing up in the sales charts.

Even so, despite several future product cancellations, Maserati is still pressing on. Our spy photographers have spotted lightly camouflaged prototypes of the GranTurismo Trofeo and GranCabrio Folgore out winter testing, hinting that a facelift is already in the works.

More: This Might Be The Biggest Discount Any Luxury EV Has Ever Seen

The prototypes reveal a revised front bumper with larger air intakes and a fresh grille design. The rest of the bodywork remains uncovered, but the GranCabrio Folgore also sports a camouflaged rear diffuser. Another small but interesting detail is the clear taillights on the GranTurismo Trofeo test car.

Baldauf, SH Proshots

While we did not get to see the interior, Maserati likely has limited room in the budget for substantial updates. Any cabin revisions could therefore be confined to new trim options or minor specification tweaks.

These changes suggest the grand tourers may receive a similar treatment to the MCPURA, effectively a facelifted MC20 supercar with updated styling cues and carryover mechanical components.

Personalization Is The Key

The current GranTurismo and GranCabrio were introduced in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Production was recently moved from Turin to Maserati’s headquarters in Modena, alongside the MC20 lineup.

Sales have been modest, to say the least, with Maserati leaning heavily on custom colors and interior configurations curated through the BottegaFuoriserie personalization program to attract buyers. eedless to say, it’s not working out particularly well.

Last year, the Italian brand rolled out the Meccanica Lirica specials, complete with a reworked exhaust designed to give the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 Nettuno a more expressive voice. Not an easy assignment, considering it had to step in for the wonderfully noisy V8 from the previous generation. Whether that exhaust setup will appear on the facelifted models is still unclear, though it would hardly be a surprise.

More: Maserati Doesn’t Think You Need A V8 To Sound Glorious

Maserati has not set a debut date for the updated GranTurismo and GranCabrio twins, but chances are they will arrive for the 2027 model year, aiming to rejuvenate customer interest. As hinted at by the spy shots, the same improvements will be applied to the V6-powered (Modena, Trofeo) and fully electric (Folgore) variants.

Maserati has not announced a debut date for the updated GranTurismo and GranCabrio twins. A 2027 arrival seems possible as the brand looks for a gentle nudge in customer interest. Judging by the spy shots, the same updates should apply across the range, covering the V6-powered Modena and Trofeo versions as well as the fully electric Folgore variants.

SH Proshots

Lexus has finally taken one of its most familiar cars fully electric, and the pricing might surprise you. The redesigned MY26 ES lineup now includes hybrid and battery electric versions, with the entry-level EV being the most affordable in the range, sneaking below the $50k mark.

That makes the new ES one of the more accessible luxury EV sedans on the market, at least on paper. The base electric model starts at $48,795 for the front-wheel-drive ES 350e Premium trim, which gets you a meager 220 hp (223 PS / 165 kW) and a zero-to-60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.7 seconds. Go for the snazzier 350e Luxury trim, and the price jumps to $57,195.

More: Lexus Let The ES Go Bland, Modellista Tries To Bring It Back

For buyers who want a little more punch, Lexus is also offering the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive ES 500e. That version starts at $51,795 in Premium form and climbs to $60,195 for the Luxury trim, both models delivering 338 hp (343 PS / 252 kW) and a more appealing 5.4-second sprint time.

Short Range Or Shorter Range?

The decider for many potential buyers could be the difference in the distances the two can travel before needing to find a charger. Neither has impressively long legs, but the 350e’s estimated 300-mile (484 km) range looks a lot more useful than the 500e’s 250 miles (254 km).

Hybrid Costs Extra

If you’re really bothered by range anxiety, though, you might want to consider an ES that fuses electric power with a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder gas engine. A combined 243 hp (246 PS) hauls the ES 350h Premium to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds in $50,995 front-drive form, and 7.2 seconds in $1,400-pricier all-wheel-drive guise. There’s no Luxury upgrade available for the hybrids, but stepping up to Premium+ inflates the sticker by $4,800.

Radical Redesign

Compared with the old ES, the new one is more than 6 inches (150 mm) longer, rides on a new platform, and has a fresh, edgier look. Inside, a 14-inch touchscreen sits at the center of the dashboard and works alongside a digital gauge display, while new ambient lighting and bamboo-inspired trim aim to make the cabin feel more lounge than cockpit.

Previous ES models for the US were built at the Lexus plant in Kentucky, but the new-generation cars will all be imports from Japan, Toyota having opted to end production of the sedan in America.

Lexus ES pricing

*Prices include $1,295 destination and delivery charges.

Thought the Xiaomi SU7 looked a little too much like a Porsche Taycan? Apparently that was just the warm-up act. Fellow Chinese carmaker SAIC has now pushed the idea of “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” a step further, revealing an electric sedan and Shooting Brake that, from most angles, could easily have Porsche fans doing a double take.

Developed under the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) and led by Huawei, the SAIC Z7 was teased earlier this year and has finally been shown in full. Several key details remain under wraps, but pricing is expected to land between 250,000 and 350,000 yuan ($36,200 – $50,700).

That is slightly higher than some early estimates suggested, though still a long way from Taycan money. Porsche’s electric sedan currently starts at 918,000 yuan (equal to around $133,000 at current rates).

Read: China’s $28K Taycan Clone Is Coming Whether Porsche Likes It Or Not

Viewed from the front, both the sedan and Shooting Brake models look somewhat distinctive, with sharp LED headlights and a black lower grille. But cast your eyes beyond the front fenders, and the similarities to the Taycan are impossible to ignore. The shape of the doors, the roofline, the wing mirrors, and the door handles look like they’ve been ripped straight from a Porsche parts catalog.

The resemblance becomes even more obvious when you walk around to the rear. Much like the Taycan, the Z7 features a full-width LED light bar with an intricate lighting signature. The tailgate design also looks remarkably similar to Porsche’s electric sedan.

And then there is the Shooting Brake. Its overall shape and side profile track very closely with the Taycan Sport Turismo, to the point where the silhouette alone could cause a moment of confusion.

Perhaps in a direct shot at the Xiaomi SU7, the Z7 has also been showcased in a bright shade of pink with black wheels and matching pink outer rims. As fate would have it, the Xiaomi SU7 15th Anniversary Edition presented in early 2025 had an identical finish.

Only a handful of interior images have been released so far. They reveal a thin digital instrument cluster, a large central infotainment display, and an additional screen for the passenger. In other words, the sort of setup that has become standard fare across many modern Chinese EVs.

There are also two wireless charging pads and a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, rounding out a cabin that feels very much in line with current trends.

Technical specifications for the Z7 have not yet been confirmed. However, Chinese media reports suggest the EV could arrive with 80 kWh and 100 kWh battery packs, along with both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. More concrete details are expected to be released in the next few weeks.