National School Bus Safety Week is October 19 through 23, 2026, and Verra Mobility is providing a free toolkit with ready-to-use resources that schools, school districts, and community organizations can share this week and throughout the year. The milestone offers an opportunity for schools, transportation professionals, families, students, and drivers to reinforce the everyday actions that help keep children safe on and around school buses.

While illegal school bus passing is declining, too many children remain at risk. The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services estimates that 38.4 million illegal school bus passings occurred during the 2025-2026 school year, down from 39.3 million the previous year and 45.2 million two years earlier. The numbers represent an approximately 15% decline over two years.

Even with this improvement, drivers illegally pass stopped school buses an estimated 213,800 times on a typical school day. Parents and caregivers see the danger firsthand: 37% say they have witnessed an illegal school bus passing, and 33% have seen a near miss near a stopped school bus.

The toolkit makes it easier to share clear, consistent school bus safety information with families, staff, and the broader community. Resources include:

• Social media copy and graphics that raise awareness of illegal passing and safe driving around school buses.
• Educational content for websites, newsletters, and family communications.

Materials in the linked toolkit are Copyright 2026 Verra Mobility Corporation. All rights reserved. Schools, school boards, and non-profit organizations are licensed to copy, redistribute, reproduce, copy, and adapt materials in the toolkit for the sole purposes of safety messaging.

Download the 2026 National School Bus Safety Week Toolkit

Raising awareness is an important part of school bus safety, but it must be reinforced through the choices we make every day. Whether behind the wheel, accompanying a child to the bus stop, or riding the bus, everyone has a role in helping students travel safely. Keep these reminders in mind during National School Bus Safety Week and throughout the school year.

Drivers:

• Come to a complete stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights and extends its stop arm, as required by state law.
• Remain stopped until the red lights turn off, the stop arm retracts, and the bus begins moving.
• Slow down, stay alert, and eliminate distractions near school buses, bus stops, and school zones.

Parents and Caregivers:

• Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup.
  Teach children to wait at least 10 feet, or five giant steps, away from the road.
• Remind children never to walk behind a school bus and to wait for the bus driver’s signal before crossing.
• Tell children to alert the driver if they drop something near the bus instead of retrieving it themselves.

Students:

• Wait until the bus stops completely and the door opens before approaching.
  Stay where the bus driver can see you.
• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street.
• Cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus, never directly in front of or behind it.

Education is essential, but communities also need tools that reinforce traffic laws and hold dangerous drivers accountable. At Verra Mobility, we go beyond raising awareness; we prioritize making a lasting difference in communities. Our school bus stop arm technology not only holds violators accountable, but it also changes driver behavior.

Across Verra Mobility programs, 98% of drivers cited for illegally passing a stopped school bus did not repeat the offense. Programs also saw an average 67% decline in stop-arm citations from the beginning to the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

For more information on Verra Mobility’s school bus stop arm safety program, visit verramobility.com/government/school-bus-safety.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. —HopSkipDrive, the leader in safe, fast, and simple supplemental student transportation, today highlighted the ongoing work of its Safety Advisory Council (SAC), an independent group of experts who advise the company on the safety of riders, drivers, and clients. Since forming in May 2025, the council has met regularly, most recently at a hands-on, workshop-style session in Denver. That session produced a draft safety framework that sharpens HopSkipDrive policies and is moving into product development.

The council brings together specialists across child passenger safety, road safety, human trafficking prevention, K-12 mental health, and transportation consulting, alongside members with lived experience as crash survivors. Their guidance shapes work ranging from in-vehicle recording and rider verification to how HopSkipDrive supports students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), youth in foster care, and students experiencing homelessness.

“HopSkipDrive is built with students’ safety at the center of what we do. Safety is the reason we started the company, and having outside experts in the room has already changed how we build,” said Joanna McFarland, Co-Founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive.”We didn’t get to better rider verification, or the policy ground we’ve gained, without them. Their questions get us there faster than we ever could alone.”

Over a Year of Concrete Progress
Over the past year, HopSkipDrive has moved several council-informed initiatives from concept to practice, including:

● Ride Recording: In-App, part of CareEngine, captures audio and video on every eligible ride, encrypted and available to districts through RideIQ. CareDrivers never see the footage, and the program runs under a formal consent and retention framework.
● A council-informed push to strengthen rider verification beyond the traditional spoken code word, with new ways to confirm the right rider is getting into the right vehicle.
● Continued investment in structured rider and IEP data, replacing open-text notes with consistent, actionable detail so CareDrivers can better support each rider’s needs.
● Policy engagement that helps raise industry-wide screening and accountability standards while preserving specialized safeguards for child transportation, backed by continued monitoring of state and federal legislation that affects how districts get students to school safely.

“We’re in the room while frameworks are still being drafted, and that gives our feedback more weight than a sign-off at the end,” said Steve Nederveld, a former school-district director of mental health services and Safety Advisory Council member. “That’s a different kind of access, and it means the guidance actually lands somewhere.”

“What’s stood out to me this year is how early we were brought in — not after a policy or product is finalized, but while it’s still being shaped. In my work on youth safety and abuse prevention, I’ve seen how much stronger rider verification and behavior-support protocols become when that expertise is part of the conversation from the start. There’s real momentum here, and I’m looking forward to seeing it translate into even more concrete protections for kids. I honestly believe that HopSkipDrive’s thoughtful and comprehensive focus on rider safety should elevate the bar for all ride sharing,” said Shael Norris, Founding Executive Director of SafeBAE and Safety Advisory Council member.

A New Voice on the Safety Advisory Council
HopSkipDrive also welcomed Kyndra Webb of the National Safety Council, who brings expertise in child passenger safety, as the newest member of the Safety Advisory Council.
“My first HopSkipDrive Safety Advisory Council meeting was an engaging and mission-driven conversation focused on one shared goal: ensuring safe, inclusive transportation for every student, including those with specific transportation needs. I valued the collaborative dialogue and the opportunity for every council member to contribute to solutions that put student safety first,” said Webb.

What’s Ahead
Through the rest of the 2026-27 school year, HopSkipDrive and the council are developing a new framework for responding to rider behavior. The goal is that a behavior concern leads to added support rather than a lost ride, keeping students on the platform wherever it is safe to do so. The company is also expanding investment in tools that make it easier for riders who cannot easily advocate for themselves to report a concern.

The council’s role has shifted from advisory to structural. Its input is now built into how HopSkipDrive develops safety policy and product, and that shift will shape the next phase of the company’s safety work.

HopSkipDrive continues to arrange and coordinate rides for students with disabilities, youth in foster care, and students experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The company’s safety record across these rides is detailed in its annual Safety Report, and its investment in vetting, technology, and council-informed policy is designed to reduce risk at every stage of the ride.

About HopSkipDrive
HopSkipDrive is the leader in safe, fast, and simple supplemental student transportation. 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 14,500 schools across two dozen states, with over 2,000 school districts, government agencies, and nonprofit partners. Millions of rides across 130 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

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DENVER, Colo.- Diesel prices reached a record high this fall, and many school districts that built their budgets around last year’s fuel costs are now absorbing the difference. The U.S. average price of on-highway diesel peaked at $6.529 a gallon the week of Sept. 21 and stood at $6.199 the week of Oct. 5, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). That is about 69% above the 2025 average of $3.66.

EverDriven, a category leader in Modern Student Transportation, is showing how a routine route review can turn fuel volatility into a measurable budget opportunity for districts. Consider an example of a district operating 120 daily bus routes with an average route length of 35 miles per day round trip. This calculation uses the following baseline:

• Bus fuel economy of 6 miles per gallon, typical for a diesel school bus.
• Diesel at $6.199 per gallon, the EIA national average for the week of Oct. 5, 2026.
• A 10% reduction in routes by right-sizing service to actual daily ridership.

Consolidating routes by 10% alone could reduce annual diesel fuel costs by more than $78,000 annually:

• 10% of 120 routes = 12 routes consolidated.12 routes x 35 miles = 420 fewer miles driven per day.420 miles / 6 mpg =
• 70 gallons of diesel saved per day.70 gallons x $6.199 =
• $433.93 saved per school day. $433.93 x 180 school days = $78,107.40 in annual diesel savings.

District transportation leaders looking to calculate their own diesel savings from route consolidation can use EverDriven’s Diesel Savings Calculator, available at https://www.everdriven.com/resources/blog/diesel-route-savings-calculator

“This scenario counts fuel only. Running fewer routes also reduces tire wear, maintenance, and driver salary and overtime, so the full return for a district would likely be higher,” said Greg Jackson, General Manager of Consolidated Routing Services at EverDriven. “Because each mile optimized saves a fixed amount of fuel, the value of a leaner route plan rises with fuel prices. When prices ease, the efficiency carries forward into every future budget cycle.”

Route consolidation matches the number of routes a district runs to the number of students riding each day. Enrollment patterns have shifted in many communities, and route plans built for past ridership often go years without a full review. A well-planned consolidation keeps every eligible student on a route.

Districts that have adopted this model have seen route costs decrease by up to 15%, along with measurable improvements in on-time performance and reduced ride times for students with additional needs. Consolidated Routing Services complements EverDriven’s Alternative Student Transportation offering, which serves students that fixed routes cannot efficiently reach.

About EverDriven
EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in routing and transporting students across all ranges 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 38 states, the company completed more than 2.1 million successful trips in the 2025–26 school year. 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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ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Blue Bird Corporation (Blue Bird), a technology leader and innovator of school buses, is expanding its existing footprint in Peach County. The company plans to invest an estimated $300 million in a new manufacturing facility in Fort Valley, creating 375 new jobs over the next three years.

“For nearly 100 years, Blue Bird has been an incredible part of Georgia’s story, and now that story will continue to be written for years to come,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We are proud when our long-time partners can grow and adapt to changing markets right here in the Peach State, and this expansion is the latest example that our pro-business environment is fostering sustained success for our business partners. I want to congratulate Blue Bird, Fort Valley, and Peach County on this announcement and their continued prosperity.”

Blue Bird school buses are available in a wide range of options and configurations to meet the diverse needs of school districts worldwide. The company has set industry standards through innovative design, engineering excellence, and advanced manufacturing capabilities, and currently supports more than 1,900 employees in Georgia.

“Georgia is where Blue Bird was born, and it has been our home for nearly 100 years. Every bus that rolls out of our plant carries the pride of the people across Middle Georgia who build it,” said John Wyskiel, President and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Our new facility in Fort Valley is our way of investing back into the community where we will continue to build more of the safe, dependable buses that school districts rely on, so we can keep getting children to school safely for the next hundred years.”

Blue Bird will convert a former manufacturing site for diesel-powered motorhomes at 401 Wanderlodge Way in Fort Valley into a new facility to build buses of all powertrains. The new, 1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility will produce Type C school buses, including diesel, gasoline, propane, and electric-powered models. Construction is expected to begin in Q1 2027. The company will be hiring for manufacturing, operations, and technician roles. To learn more about Blue Bird, including where interested individuals can apply for jobs, visit www.blue-bird.com/careers.

“For generations, Fort Valley has helped Blue Bird move America forward. Today, Blue Bird is helping Fort Valley move toward a new century of possibilities,” said Fort Valley Mayor Shakeena B. Reeves. “May the next 100 years be defined not only by the buses we manufacture, but by the families we strengthen, the opportunities we create, and the future we build together.”

“Peach County is proud to be home to Blue Bird, and this massive $300 million expansion and creation of 375 new jobs is a monumental win for our entire community,” said Commissioner Roy Lewis, Peach County Board of Commissioners. “This investment underscores the strength of our local workforce and our collaborative partnership with state and local leaders. We look forward to seeing Blue Bird continue to thrive right here in Fort Valley.”

Regional Project Manager Candice Scott represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with the Development Authority of Peach County and Georgia Quick Start.

“Since 1927, Blue Bird has been one of Georgia’s longest-standing automotive manufacturers, evolving with the industry while continuing to grow in Fort Valley and Middle Georgia,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “For nearly 100 years, families across America have placed their trust in Blue Bird every school day, entrusting these buses to safely carry their children to and from school. It’s remarkable to see that legacy continuing to create jobs and opportunity in a rural Georgia community, and to see Blue Bird continuing to invest and grow in the place it has called home for generations. Congratulations to Blue Bird on its upcoming centennial and to our local partners in Fort Valley and Peach County who have helped make this remarkable legacy possible.”

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Their dedicated team members design, engineer, and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is a proven leader in low-and-zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric-powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

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WARRENVILLE, Ill. – Summit School Services has introduced Catalyst, its connected, flexible approach to safe, reliable student transportation that combines proven technology, real-time data, transportation expertise, consistent fleet standards, and accountability into one integrated solution. Through the utilization of Catalyst’s technology stack, district partners and families can expect an elevated level of service and transportation experience that is more visible, informed, and proactive – providing an amplified level of confidence and peace of mind every school day.

Catalyst is Summit’s answer to defining a new, transformative chapter in student transportation, one that reduces unreliability and uncertainty and connects its advanced, smart technology to its teams, districts, and parents/guardians for service they can count on and trust. The creation of Catalyst is also a symbol of Summit’s century-long commitment to safe, dependable student transportation and a strong demonstration of its determination in setting higher standards for safety and service.

“Delivering safe, reliable transportation to the districts and families we serve is, and will always be, our priority,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Summit School Services. “Catalyst opens a world of opportunities that further supports safety and reliability. It changes student transportation by delivering more visibility, elevated safety, and better technology for school districts, families, and the teams serving our students, so that everyone involved can have a shared peace of mind and assurance that students are in the best, capable hands and on safe, dependable buses. Through Catalyst, we are truly setting a new standard in the way districts and families can trust and rely on student transportation and transforming how successfully our teams operate. It’s revolutionary, and it has been really inspiring to see all the hard work my teams have put into bringing Catalyst to life.”

As part of its connected approach, Catalyst powers each technology within its system to share information and communicate seamlessly, in real-time, across its operations and into the hands of not only our team members, but also the districts and families we serve, enabling greater efficiency, effectiveness, and proactivity. Districts can also integrate Catalyst’s technology solutions into their existing platforms, giving them the flexibility to customize technology solutions to their district’s needs.

In depth, for districts, families, and our transportation teams, Catalyst’s technology stack provides:

Advanced, Proactive Safety

• State-of-the-art smart dash cameras to inform drivers in real-time of potential risks, adding an extra layer of protection for not only our students, but also pedestrians and fellow motorists.
• Driving behavior monitoring to allow for greater, proactive coaching opportunities, which means driving patterns and habits can be anticipated and addressed early on – fostering safer driving behaviors.

Elevated, Timely Visibility

• Mobile bus tracking and notifications for timely updates on route changes and near real-time bus locations that are communicated consistently to parents, districts, and transportation teams to provide immediate peace of mind and transparency.
• Real-time visibility into enroute buses and direct access to on-board footage to allow for clearer communication, clarity, and prompt accountability when districts and local teams need it most.

Smarter, Efficient Performance

• Vehicle telematics to identify emerging maintenance care needs in advance – minimizing disruption risks and ensuring efficient vehicle performance.
• Route optimization powered by real-time GPS and geofencing and automated scheduling to maximize route efficiency and performance.

“What Summit has is a collection of best-in-class systems for operations, maintenance, safety, and scheduling,” said Adam Silbernagel, Senior Vice President of Information Technology, Summit School Services. “And what Catalyst does is bring all of those systems together to operate in a way that makes each and every ride more visible so that school districts can focus on safely getting their kids to and from school, and parents can wake up in the morning and not have to wonder if or when their student’s bus will arrive. Student transportation should work consistently, safely, reliably, and without disruptions to those who count on it, and that’s exactly what Catalyst delivers.”

To learn more about Catalyst, follow Summit School Service’s LinkedIn page and also visit Summit School Service’s website, which features a video series about Catalyst, highlighting its benefits, capabilities, and a few customer testimonials.

About Summit School Services

Summit School Services sets the standard for safe, reliable student transportation across North America. As the parent organization to trusted local operators including Durham School Services, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, Summit supports over 5,500 schools. Powered by Catalyst, a connected technology ecosystem, and guided by five core values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Community, and Culture, Summit delivers student transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

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REDWOOD CITY, Calif., — Zūm, a leader in student mobility, is recognizing National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 19-23) by announcing an update to its driver training curriculum designed to support the safety, well-being and individual needs of all students and recognizing drivers with outstanding safety records.

“Safety is more than what happens while the bus is moving. It starts before a driver leaves the yard and continues through every pickup, ride and drop-off,” said Ritu Narayan, founder and CEO of Zum. “School bus drivers are the heart of our operation and the ‘everyday heroes’ we depend on to deliver our children to school safely and set them up for a successful day of learning.”

‘Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes’
This week Zum is honoring drivers with celebrations at its bus yards nationwide and by acknowledging drivers who set the standard for safety. The theme of this year’s events is “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes.”

Zum also announced an expansion of its SPED Safe driver training course that now requires all drivers to complete a training module devoted to “Supporting Students with Autism on the Bus.” Developed with industry-leading safety experts as well as Zum’s in-house team of state-certified trainers, SPED Safe equips drivers with evidence-based strategies to support the safety, well-being, and individual needs of all students, including students with disabilities.

Zum drivers receive comprehensive training that meets or exceeds county and state requirements, along with real-time feedback on their driving performance. Zum requires drivers to follow strict safety protocols, including completing a Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) before and after each trip. Each driver also has a GPS-enabled tablet that provides real-time route updates, information about individual student needs and easy-to-use incident reporting tools.

‍Zum CMX: Prioritizing Student Safety
Zum also enables student safety through its AI-powered Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) platform. Zum CMX connects routing, dispatch, drivers, schools, families, safety and operations in real time, helping districts improve reliability, optimize resources and provide families with greater visibility.

Zum CMX enables transportation systems to move from uncertainty and disruption to coordinated, predictable execution — keeping student safety at the forefront.

• • Real-time visibility: Zum CMX provides real-time, map-based ride tracking, AI-powered arrival time estimates, and rider verification for every trip. This shared visibility reduces uncertainty, ensures that all stakeholders have access to the same information and enables coordinated action across the system.
  • Reliability driven by AI coordination: Zum CMX coordinates routing, dispatch, and execution based on real-time conditions. AI-powered systems are designed to continuously update routes, identify emerging issues such as road closures or traffic, and resolve disruptions before they cascade. Instead of reactive problem-solving, transportation teams can proactively manage their systems to improve reliability and reduce delays.
  • Transparency for families: The Zum App allows parents to see real-time information about vehicle location and their child’s pickup or dropoff status, along with a profile of their child’s driver, to give them peace of mind every step of the way.

“At Zum, student safety is our highest priority, before, during and after every ride,” said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum. “We believe the school bus is the on-ramp to learning. By providing safe, reliable student mobility, we help students access education and start their school day on the right foot, while giving families greater transparency and peace of mind throughout their child’s journey to and from school.”

Today, Zum supports more than 7,500 schools across 19 states. To learn more about how Zum is leading the nation in redefining student mobility, visit www.ridezum.com.

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TRENTON, N.J. — National School Bus Safety Week (NSBSW), Oct. 19-23, 2026, is a week that serves as a reminder that every school day, millions of students rely on the yellow school bus to get them safely to and from school, making it the largest form of mass transit in North America, while remaining the safest form of student transportation. However, illegal passing of stopped school buses and distracted driving continue to pose serious risks to students as they travel to and from school.

Each year, the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) proudly participates in NSBSW, and we recognize the dedication of school bus drivers, bus monitors, transportation staff, teachers and students in their ongoing efforts to ensure the iconic yellow school bus remains the safest mode of transportation to and from school each and every year.

NSTA members are invited to participate and spread the message of NSBSW across our communities and sharing the social media graphics provided, by clicking here. We encourage you to download the graphics and add your company’s logo when you share them on your social media platforms.

Additionally, NSTA is encouraging members to continue to share the Public Service Announcement (PSA) featuring former NFL standout Lomas Brown. The PSA reminds motorists to slow down, stay alert around school buses, and obey the laws designed to protect students. His message is simple and powerful: “When The Red Lights Are Flashing, No Passing.”

There is no expiration date on the use of these materials, allowing you to continue promoting this important safety message throughout the 2026-27 school year.

Finally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed school bus safety marketing materials. To view and download NHTSA’s school bus safety campaign material, please click here.

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SMITHVILLE, MO – Durham School Services and its partner of three years, the Smithville School District, celebrated a remarkably successful start to the new school year, driven by the Durham team’s steadfast dedication, sense of duty, and close collaboration with the district to ensure students are transported to school safely and reliably each day.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with how incredibly well this new school year started, thanks to Andre and his team,” said Justin Collins, Executive Director of Operations, Smithville School District, referring to Durham General Manager Andre Richman.

Justin continued, “Working together with Andre and his team is always a phenomenal experience. They fully understand the level of dedication and responsibility that we expect from them, and they never miss the mark. Durham continues to deliver on its commitment to safe, reliable service. We truly appreciate all the hard work they’ve done behind the scenes this past summer to set our students, staff, and community up for success on day one, and we thank them for being an exceptional partner.”

To prepare for the start of school, Durham and the district worked collaboratively and leveraged their learned successes from previous years to plan for the 2026-2027 school year. From aligning on priorities and expectations to maintaining open communication and engaging in comprehensive safety and operational training, Durham and the district worked hand-in-hand every step of the way, focused on their shared commitment to student safety.

Samsara, the advanced safety and fleet management technology installed across Durham’s bus fleet, also played a significant role in the team’s successful start to the school year. By utilizing Samsara’s state-of-the-art smart cameras and software, the team gained real-time visibility into fleet operations, safety performance, and vehicle tracking while conducting their dry runs. Leveraging these insights, the team was able to proactively identify driving trends, provide targeted coaching, and develop weekly competency-based trainings to strengthen and hone drivers’ skills before the first day of school.

“I can’t stress enough how great my team is, and I credit the success of the new year all to them. Their commitment to the role they play in providing students access to a well-deserved education is truly admirable, and our 100 percent driver retention rate is evidence of that,” said Andre Richman, General Manager, Durham School Services. “I could not ask for a better team. They always arrive at work prepared, understand what is expected of them, and genuinely strive to ensure that families and the district can trust that their students are in good hands. They’re simply amazing. There’s no other way to put it.”

Now in the third year of its partnership with the Smithville School District, Durham looks forward to continuing to cultivate the strong, trusted relationship it has fostered with the district through their shared commitment to providing exceptional service and care that families can depend on. Durham also prides itself on the role it plays in the Smithville community beyond student transportation. Reflecting its commitment to their community, the Smithville Durham team proudly supports local events like the annual homecoming parade and the popular Touch a Bus events throughout the area.

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NEW YORK, NY — The New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) announced today that they will be holding Operation Safe Stop events around the state. The annual event helps promote school bus safety and educates the public about the dangers of illegally passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights.

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

This year’s Operation Safe Stop takes place Wednesday, October 21, 2026. It is a cooperative educational and enforcement project supported by NYAPT along with the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the New York State Education Department, the New York State School Bus Contractors Association, New York State Bus Distributors Association, the student transportation industry and state, county, city, and local law enforcement agencies.

“The illegal passing of stopped school buses is one of the major safety issues that our school bus drivers and students face on the ride to and from school daily,” said John Spacht, President of NYAPT. “We ask the public to avoid distractions while driving, be aware that school buses are on our roadways, and to stop when they see the red lights flashing on a school bus. A child’s life depends on motorists to drive carefully and do the right thing and stop for the bus.”

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

NYAPT Operation Safe Stop Committee Chair, Jasen Hibbart, Chenango Valley Central School District, urges motorists to look out for our children, “Our children shouldn’t have to worry about motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus. Slow down and watch for school buses and children. Stop when you see the red lights.”

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

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

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

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

The list below represents NYAPT chapters that are holding Operation Safe Stop Day public awareness events across the state on October 21, 2026.

Capital Region: Shaker Road/Loudonville
Fire Department 550 Albany Shaker Road
9:30 AM
Contact: Jerry Keenan

Rochester Area: Henrietta Fire Station #6
60 Erie Station Road Henrietta, NY
9:30 AM
Contact: David Richardson

Central New York Area: Lafayette Central School District
Transportation Department 5955 US 20 Lafayette, NY
10:30 AM
Contact: Christine Finch

Buffalo Area: Springville Central School District Transportation Department
369 North Street Springville, NY
10:30 AM
Contact: Eric Nagel

Suffolk County: Patchogue-Medford School District
Saxton Middle School 121 Saxton Street Patchogue, NY
11:00 AM
Contact: John Ryan

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Between driver’s ignoring stop arm cameras, bus drivers unable to see students outside of the bus, and inattentive students, the Kansas State Department of Educated estimates there are over 13,000 injuries in school-bus related incidents involving students, pedestrians, and vehicles.

In this presentation, we will discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly moving from concept to a practical safety tool for student transportation safety. AI-powered safety systems can help detect pedestrians and objects around vehicles, alert drivers to risky behaviors, and trigger real-time responses to specific safety events.

This presentation explores how AI is being used today to improve school bus safety, what technologies are most ready for adoption, and which applications may be further out. Attendees will learn implementation best practices, key considerations for evaluating solutions, and how evolving industry expectations and regulations may shape future fleet safety decisions.

Brought to you by Brigade Electronics

 

REGISTER BELOW:

 

Presenters:

Corey Heniser
CEO
Brigade Electronics

Corey Heniser is CEO of Brigade Electronics, Inc., bringing 30 years of experience focused on vehicle safety for on-road and off-road applications. His career began with municipal fleet technologies for safer winter road maintenance, then expanded into hydraulic braking systems and radar-based collision avoidance for major OEMs and international distributors. In 2009, Brigade invited Corey to help grow its North American business. Now in his 16th year with Brigade, he continues to introduce safety technologies for commercial fleets while contributing to ANSI standards, collaborating with OSHA, and supporting Vision Zero and Together for Safer Roads initiatives.

Jeff Schweitzer
National Sales Manager
Brigade Electronics

Jeff Schweitzer is a sales and business development leader with more than a decade of experience driving growth for Brigade Electronics Inc. As National Sales Manager, he leads U.S. sales teams, develops national accounts, and supports forecasting, budgeting, and quota planning. His work has expanded Brigade’s presence across the United States and Mexico while strengthening relationships with distributors, OEMs, body builders, and fleet operators. Jeff has helped grow Brigade’s vehicle safety solutions, including radar, alarms, camera systems, proximity sensors, and recorders. He brings multi-industry experience and a customer-focused approach to building strategic relationships and supporting commercial vehicle safety nationwide.

Steven Wenger
OEM Business Development Manager
Brigade Electronics Group Plc

Steven Wenger is a business development and engineering leader with extensive experience delivering technology solutions for OEMs, commercial vehicle manufacturers, fleets, and upfitters. He currently serves as OEM Business Development Manager at Brigade Electronics Group Plc, where he builds strategic partnerships and helps customers identify practical solutions for the commercial vehicle market.

Drawing on a background in project engineering, direct sales, strategic partnerships, and fleet applications, Steven connects technical capabilities with real-world customer needs. His work is focused on developing strong relationships and scalable solutions that support safer, smarter, and more seamlessly integrated vehicles.

The post (Free Webinar) Understanding AI’s Role in Improving Student Transportation Safety appeared first on School Transportation News.

Follow the adventures of Calvin, an anxious but dutiful bus driver, and his sentient and safety-conscious school bus named Christina. The short story follows Calvin’s route adventures while highlighting very real circumstances that drivers face and underscoring the importance of student transportation safety. Find group discussion prompts at the end of each article. The story advisor is Fredrick Tottenham, student safety specialist with Irving ISD in Texas.

“Alright, girl, I’m going to need your help with this one,” I whisper to the dash. My stomach twists. Why does confronting teenagers make me such a nervous wreck?

The students are all aboard, absorbed in social media feeds and the latest high school gossip—everyone except Thomas and Stephen, who can barely hold their heads up. I swallow the lump in my throat and ignore the curious stares as I make my way toward them.

“Hey, Mr. Calvin. See somethin’ you like?” Thomas slurs.

“With glasses that thick, I’m sure he does!” Stephen shouts.

The bus erupts in laughter, and suddenly I’m back in ninth-grade English, fourth period, with Ms. Fannin. She had called on me to read from the lesson, and for one brief, shining moment, I thought I was impressing the prom queen. Then Bentley—the class clown—snatched my glasses from my face, slipped them on, and joked that the lenses were as thick as a fishbowl. He earned detention and the laughter of the entire class. I earned a nickname: Cal the Clown Fish.

“Alright, guys,” I say, forcing confidence into my voice, “What’s going on? More importantly, have you been drinking anything you shouldn’t be drinking?”

The boys trade a quick glance, silently agreeing to keep up the act. Thomas drops his head into his hands while Stephen crosses his arms and turns toward the window. I give them one last chance to come clean. When neither responds, I warn them that my next step will be to contact the authorities. Still, neither one moves.

I return to the front of the bus, pick up the radio, and call Dispatch.

“Route 7568 to Dispatch.”

“Dispatch here. Go ahead, Route 7568.”

“I have a code 9-32.”

“10-4, 7568. Call Dispatch directly for further assistance.”

I call Dispatch directly, and Ms. Debbie answers.

“Hi, Mr. Calvin. I’m relieved Sasha is safe and the police have cleared the area. You reported an emergency over the radio. Is that correct?”

“Yes. Thank you, Ms. Debbie. And, uh, I have a problem on my bus.”

I rub the back of my neck and glance toward Thomas and Stephen while I explain what’s happening. Ms. Debbie listens carefully, then says she’ll contact an administrator at Townsend High and notify the authorities.

I sigh and glance back at the boys. They have no idea how much trouble they’re in.

Then Christina’s dash pings:

CANS

A moment later, it pings again:

BACKPACKS

How could Christina possibly know what was inside their bags? Then again, she seems to notice everything. Which is ridiculous, of course—Christina doesn’t have eyes. Or does she?

A sharp knock strikes the folding doors. An officer reaches for the exterior handle and pulls it hard. The doors fold outward with a screech, and two officers climb aboard, their boots thudding against the steps. Christina shifts beneath their weight as a wave of hot, humid air rolls through the doorway, carrying the scent of sunbaked pavement. Around me, the students’ chatter fades row by row until the bus falls silent.

“Hello, sir. I’m Officer Wilmer and this is my partner, Officer Hutchins. We were dispatched by request of Ervens ISD on a report of public intoxication of a student.”

I introduce myself to the officers and tell them that the students are hiding booze in their backpacks. When Thomas and Stephen hear this, they both aggressively object.

“You ain’t even looked in my bag, Mr. Calvin,” Stephen protests. “You don’t know what’s in there!”

“Is that right? Well, open your backpacks and let us look inside,” Officer Hutchins demands.

The officers motion for the boys to hand over their backpacks and then begin searching them. It doesn’t take long. From the bags, they pull a mix of empty and unopened beer cans. With the evidence in plain sight, the officers order Thomas and Stephen to stand and escort them off the bus.

With their heads hanging, the boys sober up to the reality of what they’ve done. They may face suspension from transportation, suspension from school, and whatever charges may result from their actions. I thank the officers and close the doors behind them while the rest of the students whisper and stare out the windows as Thomas and Stephen are led to the patrol vehicle.

“Alright, everyone, I think we’ve all learned a lesson here, haven’t we? Let’s take our seats and put on our seat belts,” I say, feeling a bit more confident.

I hear the students shuffle into their seats and hear their seat belts click into place.

Click.

Click.

Click.

The familiar sound echoes through Christina’s cabin. I glance into the student mirror, scanning the rows of seated students, and every belt I can see appears secure.

Satisfied, I turn forward, fasten my seat belt, and push in the parking brake, ready to put Christina in gear. Before I can pull away, Christina’s dash pings, as if she knows exactly what I’m thinking:

NOT SO FAST

I glance back into the student mirror, adjust it, and spot a student near the rear. She glares at me with her arms folded, her seat belt hanging at her side. I signal for her to fasten her seatbelt, but she only scoffs.

What a route.

In one afternoon, I’ve faced more than enough: The false but still terrifying alarm of an active shooter at Sasha’s workplace, my own near-miss in safety at the crosswalk, and two inebriated students being escorted off the bus by the authorities. Now, after all that, one student is refusing to fasten her seat belt. For her safety, I know I can’t move the bus. I run both hands through my hair, remove my glasses, and rub my eyes and face.

Some days, transporting students is simple. Other days, it feels impossibly complicated. Right now, I can’t tell if I’m driving a bus or clinging to the front seat of a roller coaster, bracing for every twist, turn, and unexpected drop.

Christina’s dash chirps once more:

BUCKLE UP.

Ask Your Team:
What signs might indicate that a student is under the influence of alcohol or another substance, and how would you work with Dispatch to keep all students safe?

---

Next Stop:
Episode 4
Click It or Risk It! – Seatbelt Safety: Ensure every student is buckled up before the bus moves.

Previous Stop: Episode 2
The Yellow Brick Line

---

© 2026 Gabrielle Marie Kelley. Calvin & Christina: Where Safety Takes the Wheel and all associated characters, concepts, and illustrations are the intellectual property of Gabrielle Marie Kelley, office manager for the Irving Independent School District transportation department. Published with permission through School Transportation News.

The post Episode 3: Sip, Sip, No Way! appeared first on School Transportation News.

In 2023, 1.4 million students experienced housing instability, and nearly half were chronically absent. The McKinney-Vento Act helps students keep a steady school routine. A fast, consistent transportation plan is what makes that support work in practice.

The McKinney-Vento Resources Pack gives district leaders, McKinney-Vento liaisons, transportation directors, and student services teams three ready-to-use templates:

• Intake and Best-Interest Worksheet: Documents eligibility, school of origin, and transportation mode, with a 48-hour start target when feasible.
• Placement-to-Ride Checklist: Maps each step from notification to confirmed ride, including a week-one attendance check.
• Family “What to Expect” One-Pager: Tells caregivers and families about pickup windows and who to call, including after hours.

Your team can use these tools to reduce missed days, communicate clearly with families, and keep clean audit trails.

Download the free pack and set up a 48-hour response today.

Fill out the form below and then check your email to get the resources pack.

The post (Free White Paper) McKinney-Vento Resources Pack appeared first on School Transportation News.

When the School District of Philadelphia began searching for a new transportation technology partner, leaders were looking for much more than a replacement for their existing routing software. They wanted a comprehensive platform capable of improving operational efficiency, increasing visibility and ultimately enhancing service for thousands of students and families across one of the nation’s largest school transportation systems.

After a competitive selection process, Philadelphia chose Transfinder. The decision was driven by a combination of technology, proven experience and a shared commitment to student transportation excellence.

The search began when the district learned that its previous provider, Compass, was exiting the school transportation business.

All-in-one Solution Sought

“We needed to identify another company for our routing for our school transportation,” said Executive Director of Transportation Tom Marcucci. “We wanted to ensure that we identified an all-in-one software solution so we didn’t have to navigate multiple platforms.” Transfinder’s all-in-one solution includes Routefinder PLUS as well as Transfinder’s parent app, Stopfinder and driver app Wayfinder.

Philadelphia is among the largest districts in the country with a student enrollment of 198,405 who attend 330 different schools. It was critically important to get it right. The district issued a formal RFP and evaluated several vendors before selecting Transfinder.

“Through our internal committee, we went through our process. Transfinder was the successful candidate based on our selection process,” Marcucci said.

For Marcucci, who spent more than three decades in mass transit leadership before joining the district, visibility and real-time information were critical differentiators.

“My background is mass transit,” he explained. “I had the capability to see every vehicle on the street, where they are, by driver number, bus number and route number. I was surprised that we did not have that capability within the school district.”

That was prior to Transfinder.

Transfinder’s ability to provide GPS integration, parent communication tools and real-time transportation visibility helped separate it from the competition.

“So the parent app, GPS location, all that information went into our decision and was one of the main reasons why Transfinder separated themselves from the rest,” Marcucci said. “In 2026, if I can pick up my phone and order a pizza through my phone and an app, why can’t we do the same with transportation?”

Transfinder Makes it Easy to Transition From Another Platform

The district also valued Transfinder’s long history and reputation within the industry. Compass itself recommended Transfinder as a proven platform with successful transitions at other school districts.

“Transfinder did come highly recommended,” Marcucci said. “Our partners from Compass said that Transfinder had been successful with previous school districts in integrating and transitioning from whatever platform they had.”

Today, Philadelphia is actively implementing Routefinder PLUS, with plans to expand into additional solutions in future phases. The district and Transfinder meet regularly to ensure progress remains on track.

“We have an implementation project plan that we have shared,” Marcucci said. “Our analysts started early training with Transfinder’s project manager and trainer coordinator. It morphed into both online virtual training and on-site training as well.”

The project represents a significant undertaking. Philadelphia’s transportation operation serves traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, nonpublic schools and specialized transportation programs across the region. Transportation includes yellow buses, vans, taxis, public transit partnerships and parent reimbursement programs.

Despite the size and complexity of the operation, Marcucci said the implementation has been making steady progress.

“Thus far, everything’s going well,” he said. “We have ongoing trainings. We’re using Routefinder PLUS right now. We’re progressing toward our goal.”

Technology Leads to Improved Customer Service

Looking ahead, Philadelphia sees technology as a catalyst for improved customer service. One major objective is giving parents direct access to transportation information through mobile technology.

“What I’m looking for is a streamlined process,” Marcucci said. “A parent can then look up, ‘Where is my student?’ Because we know five minutes may seem like a lifetime when you’re a dad, a mom or a guardian.”

Rather than making phone calls, parents will be able to receive real-time updates and monitor transportation information through the parent app Stopfinder.

“Instead of having to pick up the phone and call the district or call a vendor, I can look right on that app and say, ‘Okay, I see where they are,'” he said.

Marcucci expects these improvements will reduce call volumes, improve customer service and create operational efficiencies throughout the department.

“It’ll make us more efficient in our response time with answering calls and responding to parents and guardians,” he said. “We’re looking at improving not only on-time performance, but a reduction in call volume and improving our overall customer service.”

The district is also excited about the role emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can play in supporting employees. Transfinder recently received the Best Software/AI Innovation Award for its AI agent Atlas.

“That AI feature allows you to just type in and ask, ‘How do I do X, Y, Z?’ and it’ll give you suggestions,” Marcucci said. “You’re always going to need people, but resources have to be shifted to where they’re needed more.”

Ultimately, however, the mission remains unchanged.

“The real results come in the end when we are live and we’re into it,” Marcucci said. “Ultimately, are we transporting safely, effectively and efficiently where everything is seamless and transportation becomes an afterthought in the most positive way?”

That focus on students is why Philadelphia believes the partnership with Transfinder can help achieve its long-term goals.

“The school district is looking forward to its partnership with Transfinder,” Marcucci said. “We’re looking forward to providing the most efficient, the best, the safest and the most reliable transportation to our stakeholders, our student population, parents and guardians.” He added, “Never lose sight of the fact that it’s always about the safety, the transporting and the efficiency for our most precious asset, which is our children.”

For Philadelphia, Transfinder is more than a software implementation. It is an investment in a future where technology, communication and transportation work together seamlessly to better serve students, families and the community.

Transfinder President and CEO Antonio Civitella said The School District of Philadelphia’s selection of Transfinder’s solutions comes at the perfect time, as the company continues to innovate and better serve its clients.

“The Transfinder team has worked closely with the district to meet and exceed its objectives,” Civitella said. “We take The School District of Philadelphia’s trust—or the trust of any district—very seriously. Philadelphia is choosing Transfinder at an ideal time, when our solutions are more innovative and user-friendly than ever. With our award-winning AI tool, Atlas, and industry-leading support, the City of Brotherly Love is in good hands with Transfinder.”

Key Takeaways

• Sought an all-in-one solution: Philadelphia selected Transfinder after a competitive RFP process because district leaders wanted a single platform rather than multiple disconnected systems.
• Real-time visibility was a game changer: GPS tracking, vehicle visibility, and parent-facing technology were major factors in the district’s decision.
• Built on proven experience: Transfinder’s nearly four decades of school transportation expertise and successful transition history provided confidence during the vendor selection process. Plus, its previous provider recommended Transfinder.
• Serving one of the nation’s most complex operations: The district coordinates transportation for public, charter, private and nonpublic schools along with specialized transportation services and public transit programs.
• Phase One: Master routing: The immediate goal is to successfully implement Routefinder PLUS before expanding into additional Transfinder solutions.
• Future focus: Parent communication: District leaders expect parent-facing tools to provide real-time bus information, reduce phone calls and improve customer service.
• Data-driven efficiency: Long-term goals include improving on-time performance, reducing inquiry volume and reallocating staff resources to higher-value customer service activities.
• Embracing AI: Philadelphia sees Transfinder’s AI tools as a way to help employees learn the system faster, improve productivity and support better decision-making.
• Student safety remains the mission: “Never lose sight of the fact that it’s always about the safety, the transporting and the efficiency for our most precious asset, which is our children.” — Tom Marcucci.

To learn more about Transfinder’s solutions and how it can help your district become more efficient, visit transfinder.com/solutions, email solutions@transfinder.com or call 800-373-3609.

The post Philadelphia Chooses Transfinder to Power the Future of Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

The post Should taxpayer-funded school transportation be provided to students who choose to attend a private or independently operated school? appeared first on School Transportation News.

Parents spend years teaching their children safe riding habits. It starts with properly installed car seats and buckled harnesses. Then come booster seats, reminders to sit correctly, and eventually that familiar phrase every parent has said at least once: “Make sure your seat belt is on!”

By the time many students board a school bus for the first time, safety has already become part of their daily routine.

That’s why more transportation leaders are beginning to look at student safety as a journey rather than a series of separate stages. A child doesn’t stop being a child passenger when they step off the family vehicle and onto a school bus. That expectation of protection follows them.

School buses have earned their reputation as one of the safest ways for students to travel. At the same time, the transportation industry has never stopped looking for ways to improve. Every generation has benefited from new research, new technology, and a better understanding of how to protect passengers in a crash.

The evolution of seat belts is a good example.

Years ago, lap belts were common throughout the automotive industry. Over time, manufacturers moved to lap-shoulder belts as research demonstrated the value of restraining both the upper and lower body. Today, lap-shoulder belts are standard equipment in passenger vehicles, and most parents wouldn’t think twice about expecting them in the vehicle carrying their family.

That shift is also influencing how child safety restraints are evaluated. Under FMVSS 213b, car seats will be tested using lap-shoulder belts rather than lap belts. The goal is to better reflect how children actually ride in vehicles and ensure safety products perform as intended in real-world conditions.

While the regulation itself focuses on child safety restraint systems, it points to a broader trend. Expectations around child passenger safety continue to move forward.

For school districts that transport preschool students or children who require specialized safety restraints, that trend may have practical implications. As manufacturers increasingly design and certify products around lap-shoulder belt systems, transportation departments will need to pay close attention to compatibility requirements and future fleet needs. Decisions being made today in the child restraint market could influence transportation operations for years to come.

In many ways, this is nothing new for pupil transportation. The industry has a long history of adapting and improving. The goal has always been the same: find opportunities to make an already safe ride even safer.

Of course, transportation directors are balancing much more than safety initiatives alone. Driver shortages, tight budgets, fleet maintenance, routing challenges, and increasing expectations from parents can quickly consume the day.

Yet many districts are also taking time to think about what comes next. How will fleet decisions made today support students five or ten years from now? How will changing safety expectations influence equipment choices? What can districts do now to prepare rather than react later?

For a growing number of transportation leaders, lap-shoulder belts are part of that conversation. The discussion isn’t simply about meeting a requirement. It’s about creating consistency in how we think about occupant protection across a child’s entire transportation experience. When students are taught to buckle up in family vehicles, ride in child restraints designed around lap-shoulder belts and then encounter similar safety principles in other transportation environments, the message becomes clear and consistent.

Families notice those investments. Whether it’s upgraded vehicle technology, enhanced driver training, or lap-shoulder belt implementation, each step reinforces a district’s commitment to student safety.

As expectations continue to evolve, transportation leaders have an opportunity to focus on something bigger than any single product, policy, or regulation: creating a seamless safety journey for every student.

Learn here how school districts across the country are preparing for the future of student safety through lap-shoulder belt implementation that supports students, drivers, and families alike.

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

The post Bridging the Safety Journey: From Car Seats to School Bus Seating appeared first on School Transportation News.

AVON, Ohio – The Bowling Green, Kentucky, manufacturing operation of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix) has received the Governor’s Safety and Health Award, which provides special recognition for outstanding safety and health performance. The award is administered by KYSAFE, part of Kentucky’s Division of OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) Education and Training.

A representative of the state traveled to the Bowling Green facility on Aug. 26 to present the award. Plant leadership led the representative on a tour of the site and gave out snow cones to all employees.

The Governor’s Safety and Health Award is given to employers and their employees, who together have achieved the minimum required number of hours worked without experiencing a lost-time injury or illness at their establishment. The required number of hours depends on the number of employees. Bendix’s 795,508 hours without a lost-time injury exceeds the 750,000 hours required for the employee range of 251-375.

Bendix met the award’s other criteria as well: The establishment must also be free of any egregious safety or health violations for a period of 24 months beginning with the date of issuance of the citation and any pending discrimination complaint or any uncorrected or contested serious violations.

“We’re pleased that our safety efforts in Bowling Green have earned the respected distinction of a Governor’s Safety and Health Award,” said Ed Casper, Bendix safety and security director. “Everybody at the plant shares in this recognition. A strong safety culture doesn’t happen by chance – it’s built through everyday actions.”

The Bowling Green manufacturing operation, which opened in 2007, employs more than 300 people and produces the full lineup of commercially available Bendix brand foundation drum and air disc brake solutions.

About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of Knorr-Bremse, develops and supplies leading-edge active safety technologies, energy management solutions, and air brake charging and control systems and components under the Bendix brand name for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles throughout North America. An industry pioneer, Bendix is driven to deliver the best solutions for improved vehicle safety, performance, and overall operating cost. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at brake-school.com. And to learn more about career opportunities at Bendix, visit careers.knorr-bremse.com/.

The post Bendix’s Bowling Green, Kentucky, Manufacturing Plant Earns Governor’s Safety and Health Award appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. – Today EverDriven, the nation’s modern student transportation leader, announced expanded language support for its RideAware mobile app for iOS and Android. Caregivers and authorized school staff can now use RideAware in nine languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Vietnamese, Dari, Amharic, Nepali, and Somali. The expansion gives more families the ability to track their student’s ride in real time, view driver and vehicle information, receive pickup and dropoff notifications, and manage trip changes, all in their native language.

RideAware syncs ride information securely across caregivers, districts, and drivers servicing EverDriven trips into a single view of the student journey. With this update, that same visibility now reaches families who speak seven additional languages, reflecting the growing linguistic diversity of the districts EverDriven serves.

“Families expect 360-degree visibility into EverDriven student experience in their native language,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “Language should never be the reason a caregiver feels left out of their child’s transportation experience. Expanding RideAware to these languages means more families have confidence in what they are seeing on their phone, and that is what makes consistent, reliable transportation possible.”

RideAware: Now Available in Nine Languages

RideAware gives caregivers and authorized school staff real-time visibility into a student’s ride. New users are automatically greeted in their device’s default language when one of the nine supported languages is detected, and existing users can switch languages at any time under Settings.

To protect student privacy and safety, only authorized adults can access trip information in RideAware. In any of the nine supported languages, caregivers and school staff can:

Track Rides with Confidence: Follow a student’s ride as it happens in real time, with driver and vehicle information available directly from a phone.

Make Updates with Ease: Modify or cancel a trip when a student is sick or plans change, with updates available up to two hours before pickup.

Choose Their Preferred Language: Select from nine supported languages under Settings, with the app defaulting to a device’s language setting automatically.

Receive Pickup and Dropoff Notifications: Schools get notifications when a student is picked up, reducing calls to drivers, uncertain ETAs, and unnecessary coordination efforts.

Expanding language access supports EverDriven’s broader commitment to reaching every student who needs a reliable ride, particularly in districts serving large multilingual caregiver and student populations. When caregivers can fully understand pickup times, driver information, and trip changes, they spend less time calling schools or drivers for clarification, and more time trusting that their student will arrive safe, calm, and ready to learn.

About EverDriven
EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in routing and transporting students with a range of needs, from everyday support to the most complex circumstances, including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other students with additional needs. Serving more than 800 districts across 38 states, the company completed more than 2.1 million successful trips in the 2025–26 school year. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Expands RideAware App to Nine Languages, Deepening Access for Caregivers and Families appeared first on School Transportation News.

MEDIA, Pa. – Through one of its operating companies, Krise Transportation, American Student Transportation Partners, Inc. (“ASTP”), a portfolio company of CVC DIF, announces the acquisition of AJ Myers and Sons, a leading provider of student transportation in western Pennsylvania.

“For over 75 years AJ Myers and Sons has built a strong reputation in western Pennsylvania, and we’re proud to welcome their team to the Krise/ASTP family,” said Tod Eskra, President & CEO of ASTP.

Jason Dobry, President of Krise Transportation said “We are honored to welcome AJ Myers and Sons to the Krise/ASTP family. AJ Myers has earned the trust and respect of the communities it serves through its commitment to safety, reliable service and strong relationships with its employees, school district partners and local communities. We recognize the responsibility that comes with this acquisition and are committed to being thoughtful stewards of the AJ Myers legacy while providing for the company’s continued success.”

Since 1950, AJ Myers has successfully served the student transportation needs of communities in western Pennsylvania.

“As we considered the next chapter for AJ Myers and Sons, it was important to find a partner that shared our commitment to our employees, school district partners, students, parents and communities.” Said Jordan Myers, Vice President of AJ Myers and Sons. “ASTP and Krise Transportation respects the values that have defined AJ Myers and Sons while bringing the resources and capabilities to support its continued growth. I am confident this partnership will create new opportunities for our team and is positioned to deliver safe, dependable service for many years to come.”

Established in 2021, ASTP is driving the future of student transportation by focusing on customers, safety, embracing technology, and leading with a people-first approach. The company refers to its team members as “HEROES” and has built contemporary and digitally enabled marketing, recruiting, and training programs. ASTP seeks to deliver great service, every day, to families, students, and business partners. The company’s network of leading operators currently serves more than 110,000 students daily.

About American Student Transportation: Partners
American Student Transportation Partners (ASTP) is a national student transportation platform built around strong local operators working together to strengthen student transportation through investment and innovation. The result is student transportation that stays rooted in the communities they serve, delivered by drivers invested in the students’ safety and well-being. ASTP’s platform of companies, including Krise Transportation in Pennsylvania and Assisted Student Transportation in Kansas and Missouri safely transports over 110,000 students daily.

Learn more about American Student Transportation Partners.

About Krise Transportation: Krise Transportation, Inc., a leader in Pennsylvania for safe and reliable student transportation, holds a single vision of being the student transportation provider of choice for education partners in Pennsylvania. Krise’s mission is to create and maintain reliable, efficient, and safe transportation programs. Krise Transportation is built on the principle that every child deserves equal access to education. The Krise team brings this principle to life through comprehensive student transportation programs, providing the labor, training, equipment, and operational expertise our school districts deserve.

Learn more about Krise Transportation.

About CVC DIF: CVC DIF is the infrastructure strategy of CVC, a leading global private markets manager. CVC DIF manages approximately $28.5 billion in assets and invests in critical infrastructure sectors, including transportation, energy transition, digital infrastructure and utilities. With deep sector expertise, operational capabilities and long-term capital, CVC DIF partners with businesses that provide essential services and have strong potential for sustainable growth.

Learn more about CVC DI

The post American Student Transportation Partners Expands in Western Pennsylvania Through AJ Myers and Sons Acquisition appeared first on School Transportation News.

Your district’s bus cameras capture footage from every route every day, quietly building a record of what happens inside and around your buses. If you’ve focused your vendor selection on picture quality, camera placement, and ease-of-use features, there’s a good chance you have overlooked a critical question: how well is that footage protected?

The Onboard Storage Security Gap

When something happens on a bus, whether it’s a bullying complaint, a driver dispute, or an accident, the video footage is often the only objective account of what occurred. That’s why the system capturing it needs real safeguards built in from the start, not only to ensure the footage exists, but to protect it once it does.

If your current system still relies on someone physically accessing a bus to manually remove a card or drive it, you’re exposed to significant risk. That storage device could end up lost or damaged. The footage may never have been recorded properly in the first place, and you might not discover that until you need it.

Many modern system setups now store footage on a mobile Digital Video Recorder (DVR) on the bus first, then move it to a secure cloud platform where your team can pull up an incident without needing physical access to the vehicle.

Ask whether your system is capable of:

• Remote System Health Monitoring
  Catch a failed camera or a recording issue before an incident happens
• Locked Physical Storage
  A DVR unit that’s physically locked down, so footage can’t be pulled by just anyone with access to the bus
• Role-Based Software Permissions
  Only approved staff can view, share, or download footage
• Audit Logs
  Documenting who accessed which recording, when, and any sharing or downloading activity

Audit logs are the most overlooked of the four during procurement and can sometimes be the most important after an incident. If a parent or school administrator asks how footage was handled, you want a clear, documented answer, not one you’re piecing together after the fact.

Hardware Must Be Part of Your Security Plan

Buses subject onboard equipment to constant vibration, temperature swings, and daily wear from transporting students five days a week. But durability isn’t the only reason that mounting and camera choices are important. A camera that protrudes out into the cabin is also easier to grab, twist out of position, or cover.

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 222, the regulation governing school bus passenger seating and crash protection, establishes a “head impact zone” inside the bus. Many states build on that by requiring that interior equipment be located outside that zone, have no sharp edges or projections, and be placed in a manner unlikely to cause student injury. Cameras that sit flush with the ceiling, rather than protruding into the cabin, are more likely to meet those requirements and more resistant to tampering.

This is a detail that rarely factors into early vendor conversations, yet it can influence how dependable your system stays for years into its service life.

Security Doesn’t Stop at the Interior

If your approach to bus video security only covers what happens inside the bus, you’re missing part of the picture. Stop-arm cameras that capture plates of vehicles passing illegally, along with forward- and side-facing exterior cameras, need the same protection as interior footage: controlled access, tamper resistance, and a record of who has accessed each file. A system that’s locked down inside but loosely managed outside still leaves you exposed.

It All Comes Back to Trust

Two factors determine whether your video system delivers when it matters: whether you can trust the footage will be there when you need it, and whether it holds up to scrutiny from parents, administrators, or law enforcement.

A system that protects footage from loss or tampering, and documents who accessed it and when, addresses both. You’re not just more likely to have the footage. You’re in a far stronger position if it’s ever questioned, whether that’s a bullying complaint, a question about a driver, or documentation following an accident.

That’s the standard worth holding your video solution to. Capturing what happened isn’t enough on its own. The footage needs to be there when needed, with safeguards in place to protect it for as long as it’s needed.

Learn more at www.provisionsolutions.com. 

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

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CUMBERLAND, R.I. – From coast to coast, Durham School Services is helping students start the school year strong. Now, the spotlight turns to the East Coast, where the company recently celebrated another successful start-up alongside its longtime partner of 21 years, the Cumberland School Department.

In preparation for the first day of school, Durham’s team and the Cumberland School Department dotted every i and crossed every t. From start-up meetings to safety training and driver refresher courses, these standard procedures were completed flawlessly. While this preparation played a significant role in last month’s success, the true credit, according to Mark Dumont, General Manager, Durham School Services, is “the relationship we’ve built on open communication, collaboration, and our shared commitment to student safety.”

As an important Company value, safety is, without a doubt, the star that guides all of the Durham team’s operating decisions, and this is also true for the Cumberland School Department.

“I work very closely with Durham’s General Manager, Mark, and speak to him frequently,” Tracy Walton, Transportation Coordinator, Cumberland School Department. “We approach everything collaboratively with safety top of mind. This allows us to provide our students and their families with not only the utmost care, but also efficient, effective transportation. I think this year’s start-up was a perfect example of what this type of partnership can achieve.”

With deep-rooted experience in student transportation dating back to 1917, Durham has helped define best practices in the industry and maintains the keys to service excellence, including proactive communication, teamwork, and elevated safety standards, which have established the Company as a premier transportation provider. By leveraging that century of experience, Durham has continuously implemented effective operations and built long-standing partnerships, like the one with the Cumberland School Department.

“A strong start does not happen by accident. It takes lots of planning, communication, partnership, and a shared commitment to the well-being of the students and families we serve,” said Mark Dumont, General Manager, Durham School Services. “By communicating early and frequently, reviewing the details together, and responding promptly when adjustments are needed, we help ensure that the district stays informed and, in turn, build a greater level of trust with district leaders and the families that depend on us. I am beyond pleased with what my team has accomplished together with the Cumberland School Department and look forward to continuing Durham’s legacy of providing excellent service.”

“I am very proud of the partnership we have established with Durham School Services and the safe, steadfast service we have been able to provide to our students and community. From their drivers, monitors, and staff to the leadership team, Steve, Francisco, and Mark, Durham has shown nothing but the highest regard for ensuring our students are well taken care of and above all, safe while in their care. This commitment, coupled with proactive problem-solving and continuous communication, is why we have enjoyed such success all these years,” said Dr. Philip Thornton, Superintendent of Schools, Cumberland School Department. “I couldn’t ask for a better transportation partner for our district, so thank you, Durham, for all that you do to protect our students’ access to safe, reliable transportation.”

Beyond day-to-day transportation, Durham is also a proud community partner. The team often supports local Touch-a-Truck and Ride-Along events, bringing an iconic yellow bus for children to explore and ride on before the new school year begins. The team has also donated buses to transport children throughout the community for seasonal events and activities such as Halloween celebrations. These efforts and more give Durham the opportunity to build stronger ties with the community and remain the trusted provider the Cumberland School Department and its families have depended on for more than 20 years.

About Durham School Services
As a premier transportation provider, Durham School Services provides safe, reliable student transportation that communities trust and families depend on. With operational discipline, local commitment, proven safety standards, and clear accountability, we bring deep expertise to every route we operate. Driven by our five values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Communities, and Culture, we deliver transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

The post Cumberland School Department and Durham School Services Celebrate a Safe, Reliable Start to the New School Year appeared first on School Transportation News.