The second-generation Jouley represents a new era in electric school bus innovation from Thomas Built Buses. Building on the foundation of its predecessor, this latest model features cutting-edge advancements and improvements shaped by customer feedback, delivering enhanced efficiency, performance and serviceability. Once again, Thomas Built Buses redefines the standard for sustainable student transportation.

Leading the Way

Since its introduction in 2017, the Saf-T-Liner^® C2 Jouley^® has been built on the trusted foundation of the C2 bus, providing a dependable platform for electric school bus innovation. With the second-generation Jouley, Thomas Built Buses has reimagined that design to better meet the evolving needs of schools and districts. This updated model introduces features that minimize energy loss, reduce weight and enhance overall efficiency, delivering improved performance and serviceability for today’s transportation challenges.

Power Meets Innovation

At the heart of the second-generation Jouley is the 14Xe eAxle, manufactured by Accelera by Cummins. This integrated ePowertrain eliminates the traditional driveshaft and integrates essential power components into one source, making it simpler to service and maintain. Advanced engineering reduces complexity and allows technicians to perform efficient maintenance, helping to keep buses on the road and supporting school schedules.

Equally important, the 14Xe eAxle delivers power directly to the wheels, enhancing torque response, acceleration and maneuverability. The result is a smoother, more dynamic driving experience that bus drivers will immediately notice and appreciate—making every route not just easier to navigate, but more enjoyable to drive.

Double the Battery Voltage

With an 800-volt Proterra battery system, the second-generation Jouley offers twice the voltage of the original model. This increased power coupled with the 14Xe eAxle provides enhanced startability, gradeability and overall performance, making it ideal for diverse terrains and challenging conditions, from steep hills to extreme temperatures. The high-voltage system is also capable of supporting multiple onboard systems—like air conditioning, heating and more—without compromising performance.

Customer-Driven Design

The second-generation Jouley incorporates features tailored to the needs of drivers and technicians alike. The new 219-inch wheelbase option enhances maneuverability for tight spaces and service bays. A 12” x 12” floor access panel provides direct access to high-voltage components, saving technicians time and reducing risks involved with handling high voltage components.

The new liquid-crystal display (LCD) digital dashboard aligns with current automotive technology, providing drivers with intuitive controls, important diagnostics and operational data at a glance. Software-based updates also make it easy to implement future improvements without hardware adjustments, allowing the bus to further evolve with technology advancements. In addition to helping drivers operate the bus more safely and efficiently, Jouley Gen 2’s technology advancements help streamline diagnostics and repairs, enabling technicians to work more efficiently to get buses back on the road.

Safe, Efficient, Effective

The second-generation Jouley leads the way with innovations designed to meet the needs of today’s schools and set new standards for tomorrow. With clean, quiet operation and significant cost savings in maintenance and energy, this electric bus is ready to support districts as they transition to sustainable, zero-emission transportation.

Production of the second-generation Jouley is already underway, delivering the latest in electric performance, serviceability and reliability for both experienced electric bus operators and those new to electric transportation.

Explore how the second-generation Jouley can transform school transportation with Thomas Built Buses.

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

The post Next-gen Jouley: The Future of Electric School Buses appeared first on School Transportation News.

SEATTLE, Wash. – Zonar, a leader in commercial vehicle fleet health and safety, today announced the release of its next generation Zonar LD Telematics Control Unit (TCU), delivering more comprehensive and faster vehicle intelligence and security data to meet the broadening demands of fleets. With advanced telematics capabilities, faster installation, and expanded vehicle coverage, the new iteration empowers fleet operators to optimize operations while continuing to prioritize strengthening efficiency, safety, and performance.

Light-duty vehicles form the backbone of today’s vocational fleets and extend beyond into passenger vans for school districts and transit systems, field services and last-mile delivery vehicles. The Zonar LD TCU offers a plug-and-play telematics solution tailored to the unique needs of these vehicles. It continues to provide robust Zonar Ground Traffic Control reporting capabilities as its predecessor, including in-depth diagnostics to ensure vehicle health and safety.

Enhanced features introduce key improvements for a better user experience:

Faster installation: Calibrate and sync in as little as two minutes to get on the road faster.
Enhanced over-the-air updates: Receive device performance enhancements, including expanded vehicle, engine control module (ECM), odometer and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) coverage more quickly and efficiently.
Expanded vehicle coverage: Benefit from increased support for a broader range of vehicle models and types.
Towing detection: Gain visibility into towing events for added security and situational awareness.
Cold start event tracking: Detect soft or hard reboots to better identify device tampering to improve the security of fleet vehicles and technology assets.
“Demand for light-duty tracking and diagnostics capabilities continue to grow, particularly in field services, retail, grocery, package delivery, and passenger transport sectors,” said Greg Colvin, senior director of solutions engineering at Zonar. “Fleets need a solution that’s simple to install, easy to manage, and delivers complex vehicle data insights across the wide spectrum of light-duty fleet vehicles all in one platform. Our next generation light-duty TCU builds on the strengths of its predecessor and allows for a quicker deployment, more expansive vehicle support, faster insights, and more visibility than before.”

Today’s fleets require more flexible, non-traditional transportation options to meet the pressures of delivering offered services. School districts increasingly rely on smaller passenger vehicles to transport students to special programs and after-school activities, or to provide ride-share alternative transportation, but still need to track students and vehicle safety alongside their school bus fleet. Additionally, the surge in e-commerce has increased last-mile delivery needs, where distribution costs account for nearly half of supply chain expenses. With these diverse demands, fleets need a true plug-and-play solution with wide light-duty vehicle coverage and a universal platform that monitors vehicle health, location, and performance across all vehicle types—light, medium or heavy duty.

For more information on the Zonar LD TCU, visit:https://www.zonarsystems.com/zonarld

About Zonar:
Founded in 2001, Zonar has pioneered smart transportation mobility solutions for vocational, public sector/pupil, mass transit, and commercial trucking industries. The Zonar mission is to enhance the safety, performance, and success of its customer’s fleets by transforming the delivery of innovative insights for commercial fleets. Headquartered in Seattle, Zonar also operates a distribution center in West Chicago.

The post Zonar Unveils Next Generation Light Duty Telematics Control Unit for More Advanced Support Across a Broader Range of Vehicles appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Miami school bus driver is facing child abuse and child neglect chargers after being accused of assaulting a 6-year-old boy, reported CBS News.

According to the news report, Lazaro Treminio, 34, was taken into custody by Miami police following a traffic stop. Treminio faces various charges related to an alleged incident involving a child, reported on Nov. 21.

The incident reportedly occurred the day before, when Treminio, who was the boy’s school bus driver, allegedly pulled the child’s hair during an altercation with Treminio’s daughter on the school bus.

According to the article, the victim said Treminio told him to never touch his daughter, after the girl allegedly tried to fight him and the boy’s older sister intervened. The boy also reported previous incidents, including one where Treminio allegedly encouraged other children to bully him.

The boy’s 10-year-old sister reportedly confirmed his story and told local authorities that Treminio pulled her brother’s hair and instructed her not to tell their parents.

Police say via the article that Treminio waived his right to an attorney and agreed to speak with investigators. He was reportedly booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Related: Florida Paraprofessional Facing Child Abuse Charges
Related: Virginia School Bus Aide Arrested for Alleged Assault
Related: Florida School Bus Driver Arrested for Alleged Assault
Related: Wisconsin School Bus Driver Arrested

The post Florida School Bus Driver Faces Child Abuse Charges appeared first on School Transportation News.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Thomas Built Buses, a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America, today announced the launch of the second-generation Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley battery-electric school bus. As the second iteration of its flagship electric school bus, originally introduced in 2017, the Jouley incorporates customer-driven improvements and technological advancements to create a product that excels in efficiency, performance and serviceability.

Enhanced efficiency with the Accelera 14Xe eAxle

At the core of the second-generation Jouley is the 14Xe eAxle from Accelera by Cummins, the zero-emissions brand of Cummins Inc. This next-generation traction technology is backed by 25 years and one billion miles of real-world transportation experience. A compact, all-in-one power source, the 14Xe eAxle integrates the motor, two-speed transmission, disc brakes and rear-drive gear set into one package mounted on the rear axle. It removes the need for a traditional driveshaft, making the drivetrain lighter, more efficient and reducing complexity. This design, coupled with Accelera’s ELFA inverter, delivers power directly to the wheels, enhancing acceleration and torque for a smoother ride.

Optimized performance with the Accelera eAxle and the Proterra 800V Battery

The second-generation Jouley is equipped with an 800-volt Proterra battery system that improves startability, gradeability and acceleration. The higher voltage along with the eAxle makes it ideal for diverse terrains, including hills and mountains. This upgrade also supports the integration of additional components like air conditioning, heaters and other essential features without compromising performance.

Streamlined serviceability

The streamlined design of the eAxle simplifies maintenance by reducing the number of moving parts and centralizing major components, which leads to lower service costs and improved uptime for school districts.

The second-generation Jouley electric school bus also features a new 12-by-12-inch toe board floor access panel that allows direct access to high-voltage junction box connectors without removing the battery packs. Additionally, the body heating loop surge tank has been relocated to the left side of the bus, providing even easier access and further simplifying maintenance tasks. These enhancements are designed to streamline diagnostics and repairs, enabling technicians to work more efficiently and get buses back on the road even faster.

Continuing the legacy of electric school bus innovation

The second-generation Jouley offers a new 219-inch wheelbase, a highly requested feature by customers that accommodates up to 60 passengers. Accelera’s eAxle enables shorter wheelbase architectures, significantly improving the overall maneuverability of the vehicle and making the bus ideal for navigating tight spaces and fitting into service bays.

The new liquid-crystal display (LCD) digital dash aligns with current automotive technology, offering drivers a more advanced and intuitive interface. The LCD dash supports a wider range of visual information, including crucial diagnostics and operational data. The integration of more detailed information and animations compared to previous instrumentation makes it easier to operate the bus safely and efficiently. Future updates can be implemented through software alone, enabling Thomas Built to provide ongoing technological enhancements without hardware changes.

“We are proud to introduce the second generation of our Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, a product that reflects our commitment to innovation, meeting the evolving needs of our customers and driving the future of sustainable student transportation,” said T.J. Reed, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “With features that enhance efficiency, performance and serviceability, the new Jouley delivers unmatched value for both current electric bus operators and new adopters who are ready to embrace cleaner, smarter solutions.”

“Partnering with Thomas Built Buses to deliver the next-generation eAxle technology for the Jouley is an exciting step to decarbonize commercial transportation,” said Brian Wilson, general manager of eMobility for Accelera. “The 14Xe eAxle elevates expectations for performance, efficiency and serviceability, setting a new standard for the industry. School buses are an ideal application for electrification, and we are excited about the positive impact this innovation will have on communities and the environment.”

Production of the second-generation Jouley in the 219-inch wheelbase has already begun. Additional wheelbase options will be coming in 2025.

As the Electric Bus Authority, Thomas Built Buses continues to expand and optimize its lineup and service offerings, including infrastructure consulting. Learn more about the second generation of the Jouley electric school bus.

About Thomas Built Buses:
Founded in 1916, Thomas Built Buses is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America. Learn more at https://thomasbuiltbuses.com or at https://www.facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America LLC, a leading provider of comprehensive products and technologies for the commercial transportation industry. The company designs, engineers, manufactures and markets medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school buses, vehicle chassis and their associated technologies and components under the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Detroit brands. Daimler Truck North America is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.

The post Thomas Built Buses unveils next-gen electric school bus with second-generation Jouley appeared first on School Transportation News.

School bus operators and interested parties have five additional days to submit applications for the fourth iteration of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program rebate for 2024.

EPA announced Tuesday it extended the deadline from Jan. 9 to Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. Eastern, so it could be “responsive to stakeholder feedback.”

All told about $965 million is available to public school districts, tribal governments, school bus contractors, OEMs, electrification-as-a-service providers, and nonprofit school transportation associations. For this rebate, EPA increased the number of low- and zero-emissions school buses that could be funded, from 25 to 50. The rebates will also fund up to $375,000 for an electric school bus, up to $45,000 for a CNG bus, and up to $30,000 for a propane bus.

Additional funding includes up to $20,000 per bus for ADA-compliant buses equipped with wheelchair lifts, and up to $20,000 per bus for increased shipping costs for school districts located in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Priority is given to high-need school districts and low-income areas, rural school districts identified with NCES locale code “43-Rural: Remote,” Bureau of Indian Education-funded school districts, and school districts receiving basic support payments for children residing on Indian land.

Prioritized applicants receive preference in the selection process and a higher rebate value per bus.

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Related: EPA Awards Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program Funds Nationwide
Related: Fourth Funding Opportunity for EPA Clean School Bus Program Opens
Related: Inspector General Report Cites Inefficiencies in EPA Clean School Bus Program

The post EPA Extends 2024 Clean School Bus Program Rebate Application Deadline appeared first on School Transportation News.

The stnonline.com website was abuzz in 2024. Learn what news reports student transporters were most interested in and hear Tony and Ryan’s analysis on what the school bus industry can learn about safety and training from the tragic and noteworthy moments.

Read more at stnonline.com/news.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

 

 

Message from Thomas Built Buses.

 

 

Message from Zonar.

 

Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube.

The post (STN Podcast E241) 2024 in Review: Top STN Online News Articles appeared first on School Transportation News.

An Indiana school bus driver was charged with driving while intoxicated after students on her bus reported her driving erratically, reported New York Post.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sept. 20, when 28-year-old Kayla Pier was transporting 32 students from La Porte Middle School to Riley Elementary School.

La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said via the article, that during the drive some of the students reported Pier for her driving behavior and mannerisms.

According to the news report the school’s transportation director, who was not identified in this writing, intercepted the bus and removed the driver, who resigned later that day.

However, the criminal investigation was reportedly not launched until more than a month later, when school officials passed along results from a toxicology test. It was not immediately clear why the test was carried out by the school rather than the authorities.

According to the article, Pier faces charges of operating while intoxicated and neglecting a dependent. The sheriff’s office reportedly commended the courages students aboard the bus who reported the behaviors of their driver. Their actions may have prevented a tragedy from happening.

Pier turned herself into police custody last week and was booked into La Porte County Jail. She was released on bond reported authorities.

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Related: Massachusetts School Van Driver Faces DUI, Child Endangerment Charges
Related: Missouri School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI
Related: North Carolina School Bus Driver Charged with DUI
Related: School Bus Driver Could Face Over 20 Years in Prison for DWI

The post Indiana School Bus Driver Charged With DWI appeared first on School Transportation News.

A 19-year-old woman from Minnesota is facing dozens of charges in connection with school bus crash that sent 12 students to the hospital, reported CBS News.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sept. 12, when a school bus transporting 22 students to Cherry School in Iron, was hit by a vehicle that blew a stop sign at Townline Road and County Road 5. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 19-year-old Svea Snickers.

Snickers reportedly drove through intersection, hit the bus, and caused it to roll into a ditch. The driver of the bus, who was not identified, told local news reporters he knew immediately it would be a bad crash but did not have time to respond in any meaningful way to avoid the collision.

The bus driver, 12 students and Snickers were reportedly hospitalized amid the crash. Nine other students were injured but did not need to be hospitalized. The student injuries ranged from lacerations and abrasions to concussions, contusions, fractures and more.

Authorities confirmed that while searching Snickers’ phone, investigators found she had used it while driving about two minutes before officers responded to the crash and just seconds before a 911 call was initiated. Investigators also learned the car was reportedly going between 48 and 53 mph just before the crash and Sickers did not brake before impact.

As of Dec. 26, Snickers is reportedly charged with five felony counts of criminal vehicular operations, 17 gross misdemeanors count of the same and two misdemeanor traffic offenses. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Related: Minnesota School Bus Crashes into Corn Field Due to Driver Passing Out
Related: Minnesota School Bus Driver Arrested for Alleged DUI
Related: Florida School Bus Crashes After Motorist Runs Stop Sign
Related: Michigan School Bus Driver Charged in Fatal Crash

The post Minnesota Teen Faces Charges in Connection to School Bus Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

Q’STRAINT, the worldwide leader in Wheelchair Passenger Safety Solutions, is synonymous with safety. Securement is one element of traveling that passengers rarely consider, simply because it’s expected. But that was not always true for mobility passengers in school buses or even public transit. For over 35 years, Q’STRAINT has developed technology that addresses the questions and concerns of securement for mobility passengers.

Today, Q’STRAINT’s trailblazing technology is used every day, all over the world and has become the gold standard in wheelchair securement; and the benefits of their most recent technologies extend to not just to passengers, but to drivers and transportation companies as well.

Q’STRAINT believes that all mobility passengers deserve access to the same level of safety as those around them. From research and development to engineering and support, Q’STRAINT provides innovative solutions that makes safety accessible. Q’STRAINT’s products have transformed the way mobility passengers travel by simplifying and speeding up the securement process, providing passenger independence and decreasing dwell times. They work on-site and hands-on with real mobility riders, drivers, maintenance directors and transit properties to improve and iterate on new products.

Q’STRAINT’s ‘promise’ is to Make Safety Accessible for All, and this promise extends into all areas of operation and influence: Quality, Testing, Standards, Training, Products, and Beyond.

But technology alone is never enough. Q’STRAINT continues to be at the forefront of defining and establishing securement regulations worldwide. They also work with global standards groups to ensure that safety becomes accessible for wheelchair passengers in every country — guaranteeing the highest levels of safety for all.

Innovative Technology: Taking the guesswork out of securement

Q’STRAINT ONE is an all-in-one wheelchair securement station that replaces the many parts and obstacles of traditional 4-point securement with a simplified single platform system.

Q’STRAINT ONE gets back to basics by making securement simple and straightforward with visible indicators, audible feedback, and push button operation, allowing operators to proceed with confidence even with even the most difficult mobility devices.

The system helps reduce liability by standardizing securement procedures and training as across fleets by having everyone follow the same process. The all-in-one design reduces the guesswork associated with properly anchoring securements into the vehicle floor, as well as alleviating concerns about missing parts and storing system components.

Finally, Q’STRAINT ONE is the only vehicle integrated wheelchair securement solution that has been fully crash tested to meet all current ADA standards. It’s a single approach to safety that makes every securement a simple process.

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

The post Q’Straint: Leading innovation appeared first on School Transportation News.

The first issue of 2025 highlights transporting students with special needs and disabilities. Read more about considerations of using non-yellow school bus vehicles, handling student behavior advice from TSD Conference speakers, how transportation can utilize Medicaid reimbursement, how to create a transportation plan for students with special needs and more! Also check out the 2024 TSD Conference Recap.

Read the full January 2025 issue.

Cover Story

Atypical Student Transportation
Using non-school bus vehicles such as vans is nothing new but never so widespread, especially to address increasing rates of students being classified with disabilities and who are experiencing homelessness. Cost savings can be had, but at what price for safety?

Features

It’s All About Communication
TSD Conference attendees learn from experts on what students with disabilities are really saying when exhibiting behaviors on school buses.

Hurricane Response
Student transporters discuss how their operations were pressed into action by Hurricanes Helene and Milton as well as the lessons they learned for the next big storm.

Special Report

School Districts Use Data, Routing For Medicaid Reimbursements
Technology can make the paperwork of tracking Medicaid-eligible transportation services well worth the exercise. But there is much more to the process.

TSD Conference Recap
See some of the action from the industry’s premier event for the transportation of students with disabilities and special needs. Read more about sessions throughout the magazine.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Handle With Care

Thought Leader by Pete Meslin
Celebrate Accomplishments When Transporting Students With Disabilities

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Strategies for Attracting And Retaining Staff

The post January 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

How much control do you want over your fleet? The low price for a GPS-only, untethered fleet tracking solution may look shiny. But limited technologies pass their limitations on to you. Know what you’re getting (or missing).

Find out more about tracking your fleet with a tethered solution that features an OEM-grade TCU versus using a more limited, untethered option that isn’t designed for deeper, fleetwide visibility.

Download this complimentary white paper to learn about the differences between tethered and untethered fleet tracking solutions. And what they offer.

• Find out which offers upfront savings and which offers greater, longer-term savings across more of your operation.
• Compare their differences side by side, including reliability, accuracy, data types and technical designs.
• Understand the types of vehicle data each option pulls and doesn’t pull, and how they impact your level of visibility.
• Learn more about reducing costs, enhancing compliance and maintaining greater vehicle health with data pulled directly from the vehicle.
• Find out why OEMs trust premium, tethered telematics solutions that feature a TCU over untethered fleet tracking solutions that don’t.

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

The post (Free White Paper) GPS-only vs. TCU Telematics: The Difference Runs Fleet Deep appeared first on School Transportation News.

It was like a movie scene. Corrin Reynolds, transportation manager at San Jose USD in California, was chatting with a colleague at Tyler Technologies’ Connect conference when someone approached him with an idea: What if we could integrate a ride-share service with your student transportation software? Reynolds said, “Put that in my contract.”

Connecting Student Transportation Solutions

San Jose USD was already using an alternative transportation solution and Tyler’s Student Transportation software, and Reynolds immediately saw the potential of connecting those solutions to better serve students and increase efficiency. Unfortunately, their existing alternative transportation provider wasn’t interested. “They balked at the idea that we would be able to see some of the information in their system,” said Reynolds. But, to him, that information sharing was a benefit.

Connections like these are the purpose of Tyler Technologies’ Onboard Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) network. It’s a one-stop data exchange that uses Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to bridge the silos of information between transportation technology providers, empowering transportation managers with more customization and flexibility to support their communities’ needs.

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To learn more about Tyler Technologies’ Onboard iPaaS and the network of integrators, register for their upcoming vendor panel discussion.

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Partners With a Shared Goal

ADROIT, an Onboard iPaaS integrator and a company with roots in special needs transportation, specializes in the ride-share style alternative transportation that San Jose USD requires to best meet the needs of its students.

“For trips where it doesn’t make sense to send a bus, such as McKinney Vento students who need to travel well outside the district or students with special needs or IEPs who don’t do well in a school bus environment, we use a car service to get those kids to and from school,” said Reynolds.

The district switched to ADROIT for alternative transportation, and they’ve started to connect it with the data from their Tyler Student Transportation software through Onboard iPaaS.

“The ADROIT drivers have the same comprehensive information our bus drivers would have, including the routes built in Student Transportation and the students’ information. And we get information back from them, such as incident reports,” he said. Sharing this information between their solutions helps the San Jose USD transportation department keep their routes efficient and their reporting up to date. But it’s only the beginning of Reynolds’ vision of what’s possible with deeper integrations.

Looking Ahead to Seamless Connections

The San Jose USD transportation department is looking forward to more data from ADROIT flowing into their Tyler Student Transportation system to help increase efficiency.

“We want to look at AVL data and the planned versus actual run times to see where we can make improvements,” Reynolds said. Centralizing this information alongside their school bus data will help the district see the full picture of their transportation operation and keep it running smoothly.

Reynolds is also eager to see ADROIT’s data in the district’s Student Transportation software to improve transparency. “We’re working toward having information from their drivers import into our GPS system so we can see where the vehicle is, make sure they’re going where they need to go, and getting there on time.”

As the integrations progress, the students’ information and assigned runs will match up seamlessly to provide real-time updates on student pick-ups and drop-offs. “That’s the benefit I saw right away when I first heard the idea,” he said. “I want to be able to track our kids and take care of our kids. That’s what we’re here for.”

To learn more about Tyler’s Onboard iPaaS and the network of integrators, register for their upcoming virtual panel discussion.

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

The post How A California District Integrates Alternative Transportation to Serve Every Student appeared first on School Transportation News.

White Township Consolidated School District, a rural pre-K through 8th-grade school district located in Belvidere, New Jersey, a small town dating back to 1825 with a current population of 2,532.

The district has long grappled with the challenges of managing transportation across a geographically expansive and sparsely populated district. With approximately 400 students, the school requires efficient systems to ensure that every child is safely transported to and from school.

Most students are transported because the roads are too dangerous for walkers.

“They can’t walk to our school and usually all our buses need to pick them up door side,” said Ingrid Scott, the district’s transportation coordinator.

Recently, the district upgraded their routing solution to Transfinder’s award-winning Routefinder PLUS solution. Scott, who’s been in her position since 2018, describes the move to Routefinder PLUS as being transformative for the district’s transportation management noting how user-friendly PLUS is.

Adapting Technology for Rural Needs

In a district characterized by winding roads and dispersed households, transportation logistics are particularly demanding. Many students live in areas without precise address points, making it difficult to accurately place them on bus routes. Prior to the move to Routefinder PLUS, Scott relied heavily on manual adjustments, often cross-referencing maps to pinpoint student locations.

Going with Routefinder PLUS introduced new mapping tools that significantly enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of route planning. PLUS, with new maps, made all the difference. The upgraded system has streamlined the process, reducing the reliance on manual corrections.

Streamlining Processes with Routefinder PLUS

One of the most notable strengths of Routefinder PLUS has been the system’s ability to handle student transitions seamlessly. When 8th graders rollover to Belvidere High School, located in a neighboring town about five miles away, they are easily assigned to new routes.

“I didn’t have to redo stuff, which was a big help,” Scott said. “They show up on the high school buses as long as they’re geocoded in the right spot,” Scott noted. This automation saves valuable time and ensures greater accuracy, particularly during the busy school opening season.

“Everything worked great,” Scott said, regarding using PLUS for the first time at the start of the school year. “I had a smooth opening. Everything worked well.”

The enhanced functionality of Routefinder PLUS has also reduced manual labor in other areas. Previously, Scott would send parents postcards with their children’s bus stop and pickup times—a process that was both time-consuming and prone to delays. Now, she can email this information in a matter of seconds. “It was probably a three-second task to let them all know what their bus time was for their child,” Scott said. “It was great.”

Overcoming Initial Hesitations

Although the migration to Routefinder PLUS was initially daunting, the transition was well-supported by the company’s customer service and training resources. Scott described the training sessions as thorough and easy to follow, with the added benefit of recorded sessions for future reference. “I was scared to death when I first did it,” she admitted, but praised the support she received throughout the process.

For districts considering a similar upgrade, Scott advises against delaying the decision. “It was a great transition,” she said. “I probably should have done it sooner.”

Simplifying State Reporting (DRTRS)

In New Jersey, school districts are required to submit detailed transportation data for state reporting, the District Report of Transported Resident Students, known simply as DRTRS. It is a critical report for receiving state aid.

“We can’t have mistakes,” she said. Scott said the migration to Routefinder PLUS has made the DRTRS process significantly more efficient for White Township Consolidated School District.

“Transfinder knows all the information that’s required for the report,” Scott explained. “Transfinder’s been doing this for a long time, so they know.” By ensuring that the necessary data is correctly entered into the system, Scott can generate the required reports with just the touch of a button. This automation has eliminated much of the manual data entry previously required, allowing Scott to focus on other responsibilities.

Supporting a Multi-Role Administrator

Scott’s role extends far beyond transportation management. As the superintendent’s secretary, she juggles numerous administrative tasks, leaving little time for extensive system management. The simplicity and efficiency of Routefinder PLUS have been essential in enabling her to manage transportation effectively while balancing her other duties.

The district also benefits from the collaborative approach between Scott and their contracted bus company. Once routes are created, the company reviews them and provides feedback based on their on-the-ground knowledge, ensuring optimal routes for safety and efficiency.

The Rural Advantage

White Township Consolidated School District’s rural setting presents unique challenges, from long bus routes to winding, narrow roads. Transfinder’s Routefinder PLUS has proven to be a critical tool in addressing these challenges, particularly with features that prevent students from having to cross dangerous roads.

By ensuring door-side pickups and accommodating the region’s topography, the system enhances safety while maintaining efficiency. “Some of our roads are curvy, and you can’t see,” Scott explained. “To have somebody crossing is sometimes dangerous, especially for the little kids.”

Looking Ahead

With a successful migration behind her and a smooth school opening in place, Scott is optimistic about the future of transportation management in her district. While she acknowledges that there is always room for improvement, she is confident in the tools and support provided by Transfinder.

For other districts considering the transition to Transfinder’s Routefinder PLUS, Scott’s experience serves as a compelling case study.

“I was scared to death when I first did it,” she said. Then, when attending her trainings, her comfort level increased. “It was wonderful. Everyone has been so helpful.”

Scott raved about the support and training she has received.

“It was a great transition,” she said. “It’s totally worth my not having to spend as much time on certain things. The sooner you make the move, the sooner you’ll see the benefits.”

Learn more at transfinder.com.

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

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Find the latest vehicle production data and budget reports, industry trends, and contact information for state, national and federal agencies, manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers.

Read the full 2025 Buyer’s Guide.

Data & Statistics
School Bus OEM Production Data
Industry Purchasing Trends
2025 School Bus Engine, Electric Drivetrain & Transmission Specifications

Organizations and Associations
State and Province Directory
National Associations
Federal Agencies

Bus OEM’s and Dealers

Components and Service Suppliers

Companies by Category
Company Listings

Publisher’s Commentary

The post Buyer’s Guide 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

During 2024, articles relating to illegal passing and school bus crashes were among the most popular web articles viewed by readers.

Three out of the 10 most-viewed articles reported on students being struck by vehicles, including school buses.

The following countdown of news articles indicates the date of publishing and reader views, according to Google Analytics reports.

10. Arizona School Bus Driver Assaulted, Student’s Mother Charged
(WR, Published on April 24, 2024)

A mother in Arizona was charged with aggravated assault after hitting her daughter’s school bus driver. A video of the incident shows the mother yelling and assaulting the driver. Other parents who were at the bus stop stated that the women complained the bus driver had not stopped in the right location. The woman faced a single count of felony aggravated assault on a school employee.

9. Truck Driver Admitted Cocaine Use Before Fatal Texas School Bus Crash
(News, Published on March 28, 2024)

The driver of a concrete truck that caused a fatal school bus crash in Texas admitted to taking cocaine on three hours of sleep before the incident. The incident resulted in the death of pre-kindergarten student Ulises Rodriguez Montoya. Dash cam footage from the school district showed the incident was caused by the concrete truck veering across the center line and colliding with the bus.

8. 11-year-old Charged in Maine School Bus Incident
(WR, Published on Sept. 25, 2024)

An 11-year-old from Maine was facing charges of terrorizing after authorities were forced to evacuate a school bus due to a threat with a suspicious device. Students had reported witnessing another student showing and talking about a suspicious device and immediately the Maine state police and bomb squad were called. Authorities later confirmed that the suspicious device found in the sixth grader’s home was not an explosive.

7. Blue Bird Announces Standard Lap/Shoulder Seatbelts on All School Buses
(News, Published June 13, 2024)

School bus manufacturer Blue Bird made history as the first OEM to announce lap/shoulder seatbelts as standard safety technology in all its vehicles. Blue Bird, in partnership with IMMI, will begin equipping new school buses with three-point seatbelts for all student passengers.

The company also announced the implementation of other safety improvements such as high-intensity LED lighting on the outside and inside of the bus, high-resolution front and rear cameras, lighted stop-arms and school bus signs, and strobe lights. More standard equipment Blue Bird is touting as the industry’s first technology is the introduction of 4Front, a steering wheel deployed airbag to protect the head and torso of school bus drivers during a crash.

6. Minnesota School Bus Driver Arrested for Alleged DUI
(WR, Published on Sept. 6, 2024)

A Minnesota school bus driver was arrested after he was accused of driving his bus while intoxicated with students on board. The 44-year-old man allegedly blew double the legal limit when tested. He was arrested by authorities for suspicion of second-degree DWI. The incident was under investigation.

5. School Bus Driver, 3 Children Killed in Illinois School Bus Crash
(News, Published on March 12, 2024)

A school bus crash with a semi-trailer in Illinois resulted in five fatalities, three of which were children. The semi-truck driver and the school bus driver were also killed in the crash. Amid the crash, both vehicles were engulfed in flames.

 

4. Georgia Students Left on School Bus for Hours
(WR, Published on Aug. 19, 2024).

Two Dutchtown Elementary School students were left inside their school bus for hours after they fell asleep. One of the children’s aunt demanded the district recheck the bus after her niece was nowhere to be found after the child was supposed to be dropped off. A driver later showed up with two children who had been left behind on the school bus.

3. New York State Amends School Bus Camera Law Following Court Rulings
(News, Published on May 7, 2024)

An update on the New York State stop-arm camera law closes a loophole that previously let motorists off the hook despite being caught on a camera passing a stopped school bus. Now, the law originally passed in 2019 allowing stop-arm cameras on school buses reportedly includes a “rebuttable presumption” that the vehicle being passed is a school bus and meets all requirements of being such a vehicle. The school bus must have a valid inspection certification, which is required for every New York state school bus, to meet all requirements.

2. 9-year-old Boy Struck by SUV While Waiting for School Bus
(WR, Published on Sept. 9, 2024)

A 9-year-old boy in Florida was seriously injured after being struck by an SUV while waiting for his school bus. Several children had boarded the bus at the time of the incident. The boy was airlifted to a local hospital and then referred to a children’s hospital with several road rash scrapes across his body.

1. Ohio Child Struck by Vehicle While Getting Off School Bus
(WR, Published on May 9, 2024)

A three-way crash in Ohio resulted in a 12-year-old student being struck after exiting his school bus. The child was reportedly thrown through the air, landed in a yard and was flown to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in an unknown condition. Police said neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to play a role in the crash.

The post Top 10 Most Popular STN Web Articles of 2024 appeared first on School Transportation News.

First Student employees in Wichita, Kansas, loaded gifts onto school buses to deliver to Wichita Public Schools students and families in need, reported KNS News.

According to local news reports, bus drivers and staff had collected donations to benefit nearly 30 students. The drivers identified children they see on their daily routes whose families may be struggling this season. First Student employees loaded three school buses to deliver the gifts collected.

One mother whose kids received gifts told local news reporters she was glad hers were selected to set a good example.

Toys, clothing and other items were reportedly among the items delivered.

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Related: Gallery: Student Transporters Celebrate Holiday Season
Related: Massachusetts School District to Host “Stuff-A-Bus” Event for Holiday Toy Drive
Related: Colorado Parents Raise Money for Holiday Surprises for School Bus Drivers
Related: New Incentives in Place to Keep Illinois School Bus Drivers Working During Holidays

The post Kansas School Bus Drivers Deliver Christmas Gifts appeared first on School Transportation News.

Ahead of President Donald Trump returning to the Oval Office and his promise to “drill, baby, drill,” school districts nationwide indicated they weren’t completely sold on electric school buses.

That is one conclusion that could be made after school bus manufacturers reported only 26 more electric school buses were manufactured despite year three of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Program and a 145-percent increase in electric manufacturing the previous year.

It should be noted that school bus manufacturers have only so much current capacity at their factories for electric school buses despite recent new plants opening over the past year. However, one of those, Lion Electric’s plant in Joliet, Illinois, was closed at least temporarily at the end of 2024. At this report, it remained to be seen how long the struggling Canadian manufacturer would remain in business as it sought further extensions of credit lines as well as potential purchaser.

Previously, school bus OEMs have commented that they would each eventually need to achieve an annual output of at least 2,500 electric school buses, a figure widely considered to be necessary for for eventual market saturation. A bet made was that further EPA emissions regulations would phase out diesel.

But the political winds can change fast. While it remained to be seen what would happen to EPA’s Phase 3 GHG emissions regulations set to go into effect in 2027 under Trump, Daimler Truck North America in December announced a new $285 million capital investment into Detroit Diesel’s manufacturing campus in Michigan.

Diesel, indeed, continued to reign supreme as the fuel of choice, so shows the magazine’s annual survey of 10 school bus OEMs for the production cycle of Nov. 1, 2023, to Oct. 31, 2024, accounting for 22,889 school bus units manufactured. Gasoline came in second at 10,404 units. But 7,947 of those were Type A school buses with chassis provided by Ford or GM. Another 434 units not counted to that total were MFSABs.

Overall, the OEMs reported that school bus production decreased by over 2 percent during the 2023-2024 cycle, compared to the 17-plus percent increase in school bus output reported for 2022-2023. The slight dip in total numbers came in at 37,624 units, 2,928 of which were electric school buses.

Already the market share leader in propane, Blue Bird minimally benefited last year by competitors IC Bus and Thomas Built Buses no longer having an option to offer school districts and bus companies. Still, propane increased by 144 units to 1,958. Cummins announced last year it would not bring a propane version of its fuel agnostic engine to market, though it will offer gasoline starting next year. The survey data does not reflect any mass migration from one manufacturer to another in search of a propane option or to its gasoline relative.

Meanwhile, there was a significant jump in Type A production, as output spiked by 25 percent year-over year to 8,538 vehicles. One reason school districts embraced Type A over the past year could be the ongoing trend of finding a work-around to a lack of CDL school bus drivers. It could also reflect an easing of previous cutaway chassis shortages.

Overall, Type Cs continued to be the most specified school bus at 26,098 units, but that represented an over 10 percent decrease from 2022-2023 numbers. Type D increased 3,004 units from the previous figure of 2,601.

Editor’s Note:  Reprinted from the School Transportation News 2025 Buyer’s Guide.

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Related: Update: Lion Electric Defaults on Credit Repayment, Says It is Avoiding Bankruptcy
Related: Electric School Bus Manufacturing Included in Nearly $2B Federal Energy Grant
Related: (STN Podcast E149) Don’t Discount Diesel: EV Nuances & School Bus Energy Choices

The post Electric School Bus Production Remains Flat, Mirrors Overall Data appeared first on School Transportation News.

It was a packed year for School Transportation News magazine. Tony and Ryan review the top article in each monthly issue and what student transporters have to say about their operations and challenges.

Read more at stnonline.com/digital-editions.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

 

 

Message from Thomas Built Buses.

 

 

Message from Zonar.

 

Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube.

The post (STN Podcast E240) 2024 in Review: Top STN Magazine Articles appeared first on School Transportation News.

Electric school buses and mitigating school bus related incidents were among the most popular articles in School Transportation News magazine during 2024.

2024’s round-up recognized nurturing positive student behavior in “Effective Management Strategies” (January), “What’s Your School Bus Driver Salary” (July), “Breakdown of the RFP Process” (March) and Transportation Director of the Year (November), which went to Craig Beaver, who has been in the student transportation industry for 25 years.

Meanwhile, school districts nationwide are still struggling with a lack of school bus drivers to cover all routes, while transportation professionals continue to promote solutions, effective management strategies, and safety for students in and out of school buses. Additionally, professionals are continuously looking for better routing alternatives, technology integration to training, and encouraging participation in training and creating emergency evacuation plans to mitigate risks in case of emergencies.

STN is reporting on the top-viewed story of each monthly magazine edition.

The following news articles are organized by month of publishing.

January – Nurturing Positive Student Behavior – Effective Management Strategies (TL)
The article focuses on the importance of student behavior management and how it is crucial for ensuring safe and enjoyable transportation to all students. The first step provided to manage student behavior is to establish clear expectations, which can include rules regarding noise levels, seat assignments, bullying prevention and reporting, and appropriate usage of language. Additionally, other approaches to foster positive student behaviors on school buses include developing behavior guidelines that can not only be communicated to students but to parents as well. Lastly, various steps are provided for successful student management. These steps are: clear expectations and rules, positive reinforcement, managing negative student behavior, communication and partnership, training and support, and education and awareness.

February – Investing in the People
“While technological solutions are constantly evolving to protect children at school bus stops, proper training of all stakeholders should take precedent.” The article addresses the amount of responsibility school bus drivers have and  emphasizes the importance of proper training. Denny Coughlin, president of School Bus Training Company, shared the importance of training school bus drivers particularly in school bus loading and unloading practices. Coughlin added how crucial it is the need to train students and parents on what to do at bus stops. Additionally, he explained that a school bus driver must always be in charge at the stops, instructing the children on when they should and should not cross. Furthermore, Coughlin stated that school bus safety training of students should start at the beginning of the school year. Wayne Reese, a transportation and logistic administrator for Cache County and Logan School District in Utah also shared thoughts on school transportation and shared how loading and unloading training available has greatly improved since he started in the industry 38 years ago. Lastly, even though new technology is helping supplement the duties of a school bus driver, it should never replace training.

March – Breakdown of the RFP Process
The article recounts the process transportation departments go through when purchasing buses, working with a contractor or buying transportation technology. Subsequently, it explains the use of a Request for Proposal or Request for Procurement (RFP), or Request for Information (RFI). Various transportation professionals shared their input on RFPs and RFIs. For instance, Rosalyn Vann-Jackson, chief support service officer for Broken Arrow Public Schools, shared that it is essential for an RFP to meet your operation’s goals and needs. She also emphasized the importance of data-driven decisions. Meanwhile, Robert Feinberg, transportation director for Deer Creek School District in Oklahoma stated that, while he was looking for vans, SUVs and cars to add to his fleet, the efficiency of the process depends on taking the time to make sure the RFP exactly outlines the district’s needs. Ultimately, the article highlights that while each RFP process will look different based on the district and fleet size, state regulations, infrastructure needs and technology, best practices can greatly aid student transportation professionals in creating a request that will get there exactly what they need in the timeframe required.

April – Lessons Learned
Operations discuss rolling out electric school buses secured with Clean School Bus Program (CSBP) funds. More electric school buses hit the road this winter thanks to the first round of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus Program funding. This program promises $5 billion between fiscal years 2022 and 2026 to fund approximately 5,000 clean and zero-emissions buses across 600 school districts. One of these districts is Chickasaw County School District in Mississippi, which received $4.345 million in rebates, $220,000 for 11 chargers and the rest for 11 Jouley electric buses from Thomas Built Buses. Electric buses now make up more than one-third of the district’s total fleet of 28 buses. Meanwhile, another small school district, Caney Valley School in Kansas, used a $790,000 rebate to purchase two electric buses and a 60-kW dual port charger that can power both vehicles at once if needed. The article highlights how the CSBP is a great way for districts to take a step into electrifying their fleets.

May – In Case of an Emergency
For the past 30 years, School Transportation News has reported on a wide spectrum of student transportation-related incidents including school bus crashes, weapons and aggressive behavior on board the bus, fire and illegal passing, to name a few. This article explains that, while different factors can contribute to any of the previously mentioned situations, training and protocols exist for school districts to implement, in order to best prepare their transportation staff for effective and safe incident management. Lastly, the article highlights the importance of detailed planning, frequent training, collaboration with first responders, and communication response protocols, to prepare transportation departments in the event of any school bus-related incident.

June – Anyone Can Achieve a Greener Fleet
Many are quick to dismiss the idea of going electric due to different challenges they may face, such as their district being too small or routes being too long. This article highlights the experiences of transportation experts who share how no project should be dismissed simply because of preconceived notions. Kenni Jean Schrader from Three Rivers Community Schools in Michigan shared that ”there are going to be some instances where going 100 percent EV may not be the best idea for you. But if you can look at the challenge and problem solve that, rather than just saying, ‘No, I can’t, you’re going to open up a lot more opportunities.” Various school districts have taken the electric route, some larger like Monongalia County School District in West Virginia, Los Angeles Unified School District and other smaller districts. Nevertheless, this does not mean going fully electric today may be an option for certain districts, or that the process will be easy. However, it’s about being open to the idea that there are ways to incorporate zero emissions into a district’s bus fleets.

July – Trends: What’s Your School Bus Driver Salary? + What’s Your Solution?
School Transportation News surveyed 209 school districts in the contiguous 48 states to determine average starting and maximum school bus driver hour wages. A chart breaks up the data by region. In this article, transportation directors nationwide shared their input on what they perceive as contributing to the ongoing driver shortage and how to best promote the job. Is the answer more pay? That seemed to be the case prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, times are changing and people in general are also valuing culture, safety and time. One director of transportation summed it up well when stating that more and more districts are trying to look at ways to improve morale and offer more thank-you bonuses to assist in recruitment.

August – What’s Driving Electric School Buses?
This article focuses on important distinctions in vehicle components that have been brought about by the movement toward electric vehicles. There are some primary differences between internal combustion engines and electric vehicles, including the battery packs powering the vehicle, followed by the replacement of the engine and traditional transmission with electric drivetrains. The article also highlights the advantages and downfalls of multiple battery options, technology and performance. Ultimately, as noted by Darren Liu, Accelera’s executive director of battery, while electric vehicle technology matures, the current variety in approaches is understandable and regardless of the technology used in an individual component, the performance of the overall system is what matters most to a school district.

September – Accounted For?
School bus loading and unloading has historically been a safety risk for many students, leading to injuries and death. While numbers have decreased over the decades, experts point out one incident is one too many. This article highlights how technology integrated into training can help school bus drivers detect students at school bus stops as well as those who remain on board after routes end.  Motorists illegally passing school buses is a big factor that contributes to these tragedies.  Weather and road conditions can also influence and even suspend bus routes. A lack of drivers can create other safety concerns. Consultant Dick Fisher noted that school districts are responding by making students walk further to a bus stop to save time and crossing the roadway before the bus arrives. Kaitlynne Monaghan, Child Check Mate business development and inside sales manager, stated that the peak times when incidents occur are around afternoon pickups, at the start of the school year, holidays and daylight saving time. Transportation professionals have suggested various student detection solutions to help mitigate these risks.

October – Changing, Correcting Bell Times Can Have Positive Effect on Routing
There may be no perfect solution when it comes to routing. As can be painfully clear to all concerned, the narrow timeframes for morning and afternoon operations leave little margin for error. At the same time, requirements such as serving students with special needs plus school bus driver shortages add even higher degrees of difficulty. This article highlights how changing bell times has brought greater efficiency to the routing process for some school districts. Additionally, with special needs populations, which pose their own set of challenges, restructuring bell time can be a plus. Whether it is an effort to improve overall routing or enhance services to students with special needs, the process requires a cooperative approach as well as a measure of thick skin. The article presents steps for addressing changing bell times and acknowledges that districts may face challenges in attempting to do so.

November – Going Big
This article features Transportation Director of the Year Craig Beaver as he shares lessons learned from Oregon’s largest electric school bus deployment yet. After starting his transportation career with a trucking company, Beaver joined Grossmont High School District in San Diego, California, where he spent 15 years as director of transportation before retiring. Beaver saw a job available at Beaverton School District near Portland, Oregon, where he is currently employed, decided to move with his family and the rest is history, as they say. One of Beaver’s claims to fame – and the reason he was selected as this year’s Transportation Director of the Year – is his willingness to share information with his peers. Every month he publishes data on his alternative fuel and energy buses, reflecting reduction in emissions, performance and vehicle costs. Beaver is going on his 40th year working in transportation, in one form or another. It’s his 25th year working in student transportation. In addition, Beaver noted his continued goal is to educate himself as much as possible.

The post 2024 STN Magazine Top Articles appeared first on School Transportation News.