After more than two decades of working with Transfinder’s Pro software, Frank Gunn, a seasoned transportation consultant at Greenburgh Central School District, made a pivotal decision that would reshape the district’s student transportation system.

Gunn, who initially joined Greenburgh for a 45-day consulting stint and has now been there for six years, led the district’s transition to Transfinder’s browser-based routing solution, Routefinder PLUS, and its companion tool, Viewfinder.

His story is one of trust, adaptability and a commitment to excellence in student transportation.

It’s also one of loyalty.

Gunn’s journey with Transfinder began long before his time at Greenburgh, a district located in Westchester County, about 30 miles north of New York City.

“I’m 20-plus years with you guys,” he said of his relationship with Transfinder. “I was a Pro user for the longest time,” he said, “and it really didn’t give me any problems.”

He admits he wasn’t eager to make the move to Routefinder PLUS.

“I’m 63 years old and things scare me that are new,” Gunn said. But he knew that Transfinder’s award-winning routing solution Routefinder PLUS was the future and recognized his own need to adapt.

“So, I said, ‘Let’s take the plunge.’” What made the decision easier to make was knowing “the customer service I’ve always known you guys to have.”

The move paid off. Gunn describes the transition as smooth and well-supported, thanks to Transfinder’s training team.

“They walked,” he said of the implementation team. “We didn’t run. They knew I was apprehensive, and we just went through it step by step. It was never a rush thing. That’s what made this the easiest.”

That’s a good message for anyone looking to move to Transfinder’s technology, whether moving from Pro to PLUS, manual routing or leaving one vendor to partner with Transfinder: Transfinder’s support and implementation teams come alongside clients and put them at ease.

As a one-man transportation department, Gunn handles everything from routing to communication with contractors. Greenburgh Central transports approximately 2,380 students, including 360 special education and private school students going to more than 70 schools.

With 85 vehicles and 78 drivers, the logistics are complex—but PLUS has made it manageable.

Gunn highlights several features of PLUS that have streamlined his workflow:

• Speed and Efficiency: “I think it’s faster,” Gunn said. “I like that I can open up two map grids at once and print right from right-clicking on the routes.”
• Bus Pass Integration: “I can grab a group of students and print bus passes right from a window.”
• Enhanced Graphics: “The circular stops and boundaries are more crisp.” It is easy to zoom into a location to look at specific bus stops.
• User-Friendly Interface: “It’s very user-friendly. Every time I turn around, there’s another thing I learn.”

One of the most impactful additions to Greenburgh’s transportation toolkit has been Viewfinder, which Gunn describes as a game-changer for contractor communication. The district contracts with Royal Coach Lines for 90 vehicles. Viewfinder allows Royal Coach to access the same routing data Gunn uses, enabling real-time responses to parent inquiries.

“If a parent calls the bus company, they have the exact same information I have at their fingertips,” Gunn said.

This transparency and accessibility have improved service and reduced confusion.

Looking ahead, Gunn is interested in expanding Greenburgh’s use of Transfinder technology. Gunn is enthusiastic about Stopfinder, Transfinder’s award-winning parent app.

“We have to walk before we run,” he said, acknowledging the importance of a phased approach.

Support from Transfinder has been a cornerstone of Gunn’s positive experience. “Support from Transfinder is second to none,” he said. “I’ve never had a bad dealing in over 20 years.” Noting even receiving calls at 5:30 in the morning to resolve issues.

“They treat you like family,” Gunn said. “That’s the easiest way to sum up Transfinder—from the top down.”

For districts considering the switch to PLUS, Gunn offers heartfelt advice: “If you’re a Pro client afraid to take the plunge to PLUS, I’m living proof it’s idiot-proof. It would be the best decision you ever made in your life,” he said, adding, other than marriage.”

Gunn’s story is more than a testimonial—it’s a blueprint for how thoughtful leadership, trusted partnerships and innovative technology can transform student transportation. At Greenburgh Central School District, Transfinder isn’t just a vendor—it’s part of the family.

“I’m not a client,” he said. “I’m part of your family.”

Take your plunge for improvement and work with the best software and safety product as voted by the industry multiple years running. To learn more about Transfinder technology and support, visit Transfinder.com, email getplus@transfinder.com or call 800-373-3609.

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

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This month’s issue features the 2025 Technology Superusers, transportation directors that are embracing technology to not only address today’s needs at their operations but also the future. Read articles about efficient routing, data security, student ridership verification, how new technology is going to affect school bus maintenance and AI usage, safety risks during the back to school season and more.

Check out the magazine for more details on the upcoming Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference, coming to Texas on Nov. 6-11.

Read the full September 2025 issue.

Cover Story

Future-Focused Technology
Transportation directors this month discuss why they embrace technology that helps their district not only address today’s needs but also tomorrow’s.

Features

Routing for Results
Besides getting students from Point A to Point B, experts share that creating efficient routes saves time as well as money.

Under Surveillance
No one wants to experience a data breach. Student transporters and industry vendors share the secrets to keeping data secure and accessed properly.

Special Reports

Transforming Student Ridership
Regardless of how districts choose to implement student ridership technology— RFID card, QR code, or barcodes—many agree that streamlining the process can improve student safety.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Feeling Super About Technology?

Thought Leader by Robert Pudlewski
School Bus Maintenance Process Recommendations Influenced by Technology

Thought Leader by Gaurav Sharda
Why AI in School Transportation Must Start with Empathy, Not Efficiency

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
School Zone: Safety Risks Surge

The post September 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

The post How concerned are you about the data security of your student transportation operations? appeared first on School Transportation News.

Choosing the right technology to manage student transportation can be overwhelming. Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading existing systems, the landscape is constantly evolving—and keeping up can be a challenge.

Safe Fleet’s School Bus Technology Buyer’s Guide makes it easier to choose the right solutions – step by step – so you can boost safety, cut costs, and make smarter decisions with confidence.

What you’ll Get Inside this Guide:

• What to look for in video, GPS, and safety systems
• How to match technology to your fleet’s needs
• Tips for choosing the right vendor and avoiding common pitfalls
• A checklist to help you prioritize and plan

From onboard safety to protecting students in the Danger Zone, this guide helps you invest in the right tools to keep students safe at every point of their journey.

Download the Buyer’s Guide now and take the first step toward smarter, safer school transportation.

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

The post (Free White Paper) Your Step-by-Step Guide to Smarter, Safer Student Transportation Technology appeared first on School Transportation News.

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

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

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

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

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

WASHINGTON – As the new school year gets underway, the majority of students will rely on buses powered by internal combustion engines, according to the Engine Technology Forum (ETF). The following statement is attributable to Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of ETF:

“Based on our estimates, over 85% of the approximately 540,000 school buses on the road today are powered by diesel engines. Small percentages run on gasoline and propane.

“Nearly three-quarters of the diesel buses in operation today are the newest generation models equipped with the most advanced emissions control systems, including selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and particulate filters. Together, these technologies virtually eliminate emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

“Today’s advanced diesel technology achieves near-zero emissions and has an unmatched combination of features that make it the technology of choice for school bus fleets. These include lower cost, greater reliability and durability, ease and access to fueling, nationwide parts and servicing networks, all-weather performance, suitability for irregular routes and contracted busing services, resale value, and the ability to utilize renewable, low carbon fuels.

“School districts recognize that there are many ways to boost their sustainability in addition to electrification. The most accessible and available option is by switching their fleet from diesel to biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels that reduce carbon and other emissions by 50 to 75%. These fuels can be used in any new or existing diesel bus and stored and dispensed without modifications to existing systems. The outlook for these fuels in the U.S. is growing dramatically. In 2024, the U.S. was on pace to surpass 5 billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel consumption for the first time according to Clean Fuels Alliance America.

“Considerable public and philanthropic funding has driven the adoption of electric school buses over the last few years. According to the World Resources Institute, there are now more than 5,100 electric school buses serving students in the U.S. Electric buses offer some school bus fleets another viable option for sustainably transporting students.

“Equally important in understanding sustainability choices is knowing the source of electricity used to charge the buses. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), nationwide, 43.1% of electricity is generated from natural gas, 16.2% coal, 16.6% nuclear, and 21.4% renewable sources (wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal).

“From the classroom to the bus depot, school districts are confronting a myriad of challenges with limited budgets. In many districts shortages of qualified school bus drivers are the main concern confronting fleet managers. Federal and other funding streams that facilitate electric buses and required infrastructure are uncertain or less available, complicating the adoption of these new technologies. That’s one reason we expect diesel-powered buses to remain the top choice for school districts nationwide for years to come.

“Getting the most bang from their transportation buck is the challenge facing every fleet manager. Regardless of the sustainability approach, whether electrification or use of renewable fuels and new diesel buses, retiring older buses and maximizing the number of students transported by newer, cleaner buses should be a top priority. New buses offer many safety features that all students, not just a select few, should benefit from.”

About the Engine Technology Forum
Founded on the principles of fact-based education, science, outreach and collaboration, the Engine Technology Forum is dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of the benefits of advanced engines and the fuels that they use, as well as how these contribute to a sustainable future. Sign up for our digital newsletter and connect with us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The post Back to School: Advanced Internal Combustion Engines are a Sustainable Solution for Pupil Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

Julie Greene says she didn’t originally picture herself as a school bus driver, but after almost 30 years, she wouldn’t trade her career for anything.

Beacon Mobility announced Greene as its Driver of the Year at the contractor’s “SOAR” Leadership Summit in July. Greene drives for Salter Transportation, a transportation company that has been part of the Beacon Mobility family since 2021. She transports students attending the Pentucket Regional School District, which serves Groveland, Merrimack and West Newsbury, Massachusetts. Lytx, a video management and fleet telematics company, also recognized Green as its Driver of the Year in the Transit/Motor Coach Driver category in March.

“Greene’s recognition was based on her exemplary 2024 driving performance, including detailed telematics and video data that showed consistently safe maneuvering, zero speed violations, and an absence of risky driving behaviors. Judges also considered her impressive mileage record, absence of law enforcement citations, and positive contributions to the community,” stated a press release from Beacon Mobility.

Beacon Mobility also congratulated Greene in a social media post saying, “This award represents the highest level of excellence, and Julie embodies it in every mile she drives. With unwavering dedication, professionalism, and care, she has set the standard for what it means to live our mission and values.”

“Her perfect safety record speaks volumes, but so does the way her students light up when they see her,” continued Maryann Kocur, vice president of operations at Salter Transportation.

Beacon Mobility CEO Judith Crawford echoed the sentiment. “Her professionalism, compassion, and remarkable record set the standard for excellence across our entire organization,” she added. “We are proud to have her on our team and thrilled to see her recognized with such a prestigious honor.”

Greene told STN she had no idea she would be recognized with the Beacon Mobility Driver of the Year award before her name was announced.

“I’m honored, humbled, and proud to represent school bus drivers across the country because I really feel like we do something special every day. It gets me emotional, but I work with so many solid drivers that really have the best interests of the children and what it means to get we have to be recognized nationally as a school bus driver. It’s just, I continue to be overwhelmed, and I’m still processing it.”

Greene was a young mother working as supervisor at an insurance company when an unexpected medical circumstance took her out of that field. With a newborn and a 3-year-old at home, she began reevaluating her new life situation and balancing work with childcare. A friend suggested she try driving a school bus to allow for more time with her children.

Greene stated that her first impression of a yellow school bus was that it seemed too daunting to drive but she told herself, “You know you can do this, and it will work out great.”

Twenty-six years later, people ask her about retiring, but as she said in her acceptance speech at the award ceremony, “It’s always been more than a job, it moves my soul. The connection I have in my community, with the kids that I transport has been a privilege and an honor.”

Greene said that she has been able to live and work transporting students in the same area of Massachusetts for her whole career. As the district’s transportation contract moved to different bus companies she would move to the new company and has been with Salter Transportation for 10 years.

She said she loves the community connection, adding that she’s had students on her route who invite her to birthday parties, sporting and music events, or talk to her about their plans for college.

“It’s a lot of personal connection in the time frame that we drive, which I think is surprising to a lot of people, but we really are involved in the students’ lives, and it definitely fulfills a purpose,” said Greene. “I know exactly why I’m doing what I’m doing and how important it is…we learn a lot about these kids, and we care about them the same way I care about mine.”

Greene shared fond memories of young students telling her about the first time they learned to tie their shoes or wanting to practice their beginning reading skills on the bus ride. She shared that she has noticed how students gravitate to empathy and compassion, traits as a mother she also shares with her students. She also said that she was motivated to continue as driver by a “strong sense of pride and purpose” to be transporting students to their education.

She added she has always viewed driving a school bus as more than a job and that the majority of drivers are doing much more than driving. She recalled the excitement on her students’ faces as they returned to bus routes after schools reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic. She related how she hadn’t even taken her first sick day until after COVID-19 and how concerned students were when she was not in the driver’s seat for a few days. That commitment to consistency has built a strong foundation of trust and respect with her students and their families, she commented.

In her almost three decades as a driver, Greene said that she personally feels that while the role of a school bus driver is still underestimated by some, she has seen an increase in awareness and respect.

“It’s far different today, where we’re respected … we’re important in our communities. I feel that every day, I feel that from my workplace, with my coworkers,” shared Greene.

She summed up her advice to other drivers with two phrases that she said influence how she approaches interactions with the students on her bus. The first is “In a world where you can be anything, be kind,” and the second is from Dr. Seuss: “Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter, don’t mind.”

The latter saying is posted in her bus to remind the students that the bus is safe place for “whoever you are today, or tomorrow, or any second. You put your foot on that bus, you’re accepted.”

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Related: Kentucky School Bus Driver Keeps Students Fed During Summer
Related: California School Bus Driver Teaches Lessons of Compassion Through Music
Related: Guiding Hands: New York School Bus Driver Supports Young Rider Through Her Anxiety

The post Beacon Mobility Driver of Year Shares Passion for Student Service, Connection appeared first on School Transportation News.

Bibb County School District in central Georgia transports more than 10,000 students and maintains a fleet of 200 school buses. Every one of them is equipped with GPS hardware and onboard tablets that track vehicle location and metrics used to improve driver safety, engine idle time and on-time performance.

Telematics communicates data remotely to monitor and manage school bus assets. School bus fleet operators, like those at Bibb County, have been using telematics to manage vehicle locations, arrival and departure data, route optimization, student accountability and other important metrics and data. Increasingly, it is also measuring driver performance and school bus operational performance.

Mike Grandy is a solutions consultant manager with Plano, Texas based Tyler Technologies, a provider of integrated software and technology services for school buses, including those in Bibb County.

“Maintenance software does more than just track what’s going wrong. It helps you get ahead of problems before they cost you time and money,” said Grandy. “By pulling data from your fleet’s onboard systems, it can recommend exactly what needs attention and when.”

Grandy explained that telematics watch for engine fault codes in real time like overheating, misfires or diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) issues. When something serious pops up, it flags it right away so technicians can fix it before it leads to a breakdown or inspection failure. He explained Tyler’s system is not time-driven maintenance, but rather condition-based. Instead of relying on the calendar, the software looks at how much each vehicle is being driven and how it’s being used. It then recommends things like oil changes, brake service, or filter replacements based on real wear, not guesswork.

For example, by watching voltage levels and how the battery performs during startups, the system can spot signs of trouble early. If it sees that a battery isn’t holding a charge, it’ll send an alert before a driver gets stuck with a dead one, explained Grandy.

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Related: Read fleet management and maintenance articles in the August edition of School Transportation News magazine.

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Charles Kriete, president and CEO of Zonar Systems, commented that the most frequent issues diagnostics tracked on school buses are emissions system faults, battery and electrical faults, cooling system alerts, fuel system faults and transmission faults.

“By surfacing these issues as they happen, we give maintenance teams the ability to address problems before they lead to roadside breakdowns or missed routes,” he said, adding one large school district reduced its road breakdowns by 27 percent in one year with Zonar FaultIQ.

Samsara’s platform is used for both condition-based maintenance and time-directed maintenance, said Mayank Nayar, the company’s principal product manager.

“Condition-based maintenance is where telematics truly excels,” he added. “However, we also see fleets using time-based maintenance for maintenance items like washing vehicles. Our platform helps manage schedules, send automated reminders and generate work orders, ensuring all routine checks are completed. This combined approach provides school bus fleets with a comprehensive maintenance strategy.”

Traditional and legacy means of maintenance management often entailed laborious documentation – on paper or entered manually. This demands time and effort to write everything and risks having critical information misread or mislabeled.

“Data shows that maintenance teams spend more than half of their time on paperwork and other manual tasks—not on the essential ‘wrench time’ needed to keep fleets healthy,” said Nayar. “The two most important elements of asset maintenance and repairs are preventative maintenance and visibility. With Samsara, school bus fleets have access to a variety of AI-powered preventative maintenance tools to keep their vehicles safe and in-service.”

Samsara recently released a new feature for drivers that helps simplify the vehicle inspection process by automatically converting inspection notes from voice to text. In turn, Nayar said managers can ensure reports are properly completed by viewing drivers walking around the buses and documenting the duration of the inspection and quality of the report photos.

It also flags diagnostic fault codes enriched with AI, alerting maintenance teams to potential issues like an engine or sensor problem often before a driver even notices. This allows for proactive fixes, avoiding disruptive roadside breakdowns and financial penalties.

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Related: GPS Trackit Acquires Zonar in ‘Significant Step Forward’ for Fleet Management
Related: Bandwidth Can Play Critical Role at School Bus Charging Infrastructure Locations
Related: Mobile to Spike Telematics Market By 2022, Study Says
Related: Telematics Firm Continental Acquires Majority Stake in Zonar

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Integrating with Route Planning and GPS Metrics

CalAmp provides connected intelligence solutions for school bus fleet operators, primarily focusing on tracking, monitoring and protecting mobile assets. Adam Ortlieb, the company’s senior product marketing manager, said many telematics customers use are maintenance management capabilities in conjunction with other functions such as routing and route planning.

“Typical use cases include performing vehicle inspections, generating and managing work orders, and capturing engine diagnostics information, malfunction indicator light alerts, and related data,” explained Ortlieb. “Typical recommendations generally center around likely malfunctions and steps drivers, and maintenance staff can take to manage current state, as well as performance related issues, potential safety issues and preventative maintenance.”

Meanwhile, Zach Moren, the sales engineering lead at Transfinder, noted that about 22 percent of their clients who use Transfinder routing software also use the company’s maintenance software. However, he noted that well below 50 percent of school districts are using fleet maintenance in general.

He noted that in terms of route planning, which reduces miles, the separate benefits of fleet maintenance are the cost differences between having a breakdown on a road versus inspections that catch issues and maintaining upkept vehicles.

He added that with the integration of AI, Transfinder is compiling data from each of its customers on students and ridership as well as vehicle mileage and age. “The two benefits of that is creating more efficient routes, but on the fleet side, it’s helping fleet managers move to predictive maintenance.

“Could your system say, hey, for the month of September, this is how many inspections we expect you to do. Vehicles are going to come in 27 times. You have the right parts, you have the right staff, things like that on hand, that could start to help you and give you a heads up,” he said of use cases, adding that already the technology helps with telematics such as temperature readings, parts and labor usage and time requirements. “And there’s a lot of information that we could start recommending on. These are how many parts you’re going to use this year.”

He continued, noting that with tariffs, costs are going to go up. “If I know about how many parts I need to use for the entire year, and I could buy it today rather than six months from now, it could be really, really beneficial,” he said.

Predictive maintenance could also help with inventory, as fleet managers might not want to keep a ton of supply on hand.

How fast could school bus operators move to predictive maintenance? Zonar’s Kriete said a five- to seven-year timeline is realistic for widespread adoption. Success, he added, depends on high-quality ECM data from a majority of the fleet.

“We’re already piloting predictive analytics in mixed-fleet environments, but industry-wide use will require consistent data capture across bus models and years,” he added.

Preventive maintenance measures remain a key attribute of the telematics software with CalAmp. But another use of the telematic software is to track driver performance and behavior to determine if driving behavior is out of order or having an influence on maintenance, safety and bus performance issues.

“Managing driver behavior is a crucial proactive step in preventative maintenance that can be overlooked,” said Ortlieb. “The CalAmp K-12 system, for example, automatically captures and consolidates speeding, aggressive driving, and idling data, and presents it in a scoring framework that simplifies coaching and supports reward systems. The direct result is helping transportation departments to minimize unnecessary wear-and-tear on tires and brakes and bypassing expensive repairs, downtime, accidents, and other potential safety issues.”

By consolidating accurate details such as odometer, engine hours, fault codes, lamp status, and battery data, Orlieb said the transportation management system streamlines manual data collection, eliminates human error and better informs planning and troubleshooting.
Grandy at Tyler added that an integrated fleet maintenance system provides many practical advantages, especially when trying to keep things running smoothly across a busy operation.

“It ties directly into your routing, GPS and vehicle data. You get a full picture of how each vehicle is being used and what it needs, all in one place,” he continued. “You can set up automated maintenance schedules based on real mileage or engine hours, not just guesswork. Plus, you can easily track work orders, parts and labor costs without juggling spreadsheets or paper logs. (Technicians) spend less time reacting and more time planning. Scheduling services and inspections becomes a lot more efficient, which helps reduce downtime and keeps your vehicles on the road.”

The beauty of integration with different telemetric parameters such as routing and vehicle maintenance is that each vehicle has a complete service history right at maintenance professionals’ fingertips, simplifying compliance, reporting and budgeting.

Grandy said that advanced fleet software should be comprehensive and “helps you stay ahead, cut out the chaos and keep your fleet running at its best.”

Taylor Ekbatani and Ryan Gray contributed to this report. 

The post Under the Hood: School Bus ‘Smart’ Telematics Driving Fleet Improvements appeared first on School Transportation News.

A disturbing incident on an Orleans Parish school bus in Louisiana has left a longtime school bus monitor hospitalized with multiple injuries after she was allegedly attacked by a high school student and the student’s mother, reported News Channel 10.

The incident reportedly occurred Aug. 21 and was caught on video, involving a McDonogh 35 High School student and her mother physically assaulting school bus monitor Tamika Jackson. The footage aired by News Channel 10 indicates the mother striking Jackson and then her daughter joining the violent altercation.

Jackson’s husband, Johnny Jackson told reporters his wife was transported to the emergency room with severe injuries, including bite marks on her face and thumbs, scratches and a deep gash across her face.

“They pulled her hair out. They bit her in her face, on her lips, on her thumbs,” he said.

Images shown by News Channel 10 support his descriptions of the injuries.

According to the article, Johnny Jackson said the confrontation began after his wife instructed the student not to sit in the last two rows of the bus, an area she suspected students had been using inappropriately, potentially to perform lewd acts. The student, who was not identified in this writing, allegedly called her mother, who then boarded the bus at confronted Jackson, resulting in the violent assault.

Despite her injuries and being on duty at the time, Jackson was reportedly issued a Municipal Court summons by the New Orleans Police Department for disturbing the peace.

Her husband expressed outrage, saying, “It’s insane knowing my wife was at work when this happened, and yet she’s being treated like she was part of a fight.”

NOPD has not filed a police report at this time, citing a lack of video evidence. Officers reportedly told the family they are treating the matter as a “routine fight” until the footage is reviewed.

In response to the incident, InspireNOLA Charter Schools, which oversees McDonogh 35, stated it is conducting an active investigation and emphasized that the safety of students and staff is a top priority. Community members and staff have called for a thorough investigation and accountability following the attack.

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Related: South Carolina Parent Runs School Bus Off Road After Alleged Child Assault
Related: Virginia School Bus Aide Arrested for Alleged Assault
Related: Arizona School Bus Driver Assaulted, Student’s Mother Charged
Related: Texas Student Accused of Assaulting Officers and Attemping to Start School Bus

The post School Bus Monitor Hospitalized After Violent Attack by Student, Parent appeared first on School Transportation News.

New research published by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Carleton University finds that the U.S. could see an estimated $1.6 billion in societal benefits every year by using electric school buses.

This first-of-its-kind data released Wednesday accounts for the cost of using diesel-burning school buses as compared to using electric school buses, measured by two metrics: Health impacts and climate effects. WRI stated that by “comparing these costs at the local level, the data provides annual societal benefit figures in dollar terms for every county in the contiguous U.S.”

People in every state would experience positive benefits from ESBs, the research suggests, but it would be most pronounced in countries operating the oldest-burning school buses, and in communities with higher proportions of people of color and in countries with larger populations and dense, urban areas.

Still, the research indicates New York, California, Florida and Texas are poised to benefit the most from ESBs. However, nearly every county nationwide stands to benefit by using electric school buses, with the study finding more than $509,000 in average annual benefits per county and some counties seeing more than $30 million in societal benefits each year. Annual benefits vary by county based on school bus fleet size, population density, electricity fuel type mix, and age of the current diesel fleet.

“For years, communities in New York have experienced outsized impacts of diesel pollution,” commented Matt Berlin, CEO of New York City School Bus Umbrella Services. “As this new data from WRI proves, school bus electrification makes sense for New Yorkers. Investing in electric school buses means making the bus ride for kids and bus attendants and drivers on the bus quieter and healthier. Beyond the bus itself, reducing pollution near schools and in the communities where we all live means we all enjoy these benefits.”

WRI stated that the research is among the first to “model and quantify the county-level health and climate impacts of using electric school buses instead of aging diesel-burning school buses.”

When looking at the the factors of population health and climate change, the research notes that about 90 percent of the nearly half-million school buses operating in the U.S. run on diesel fuel and the harmful pollutants in diesel can cause respiratory illness, cognitive impairment and cancer, as recognized by the World Health Organization.

ESBs, however, produce zero tailpipe emissions and have the lowest greenhouse gas footprint of any school bus type at the national level, even when accounting for emissions from the associated electricity generation, the research claims. It examines the effects of diesel-burning school buses in operation, as well as the production and distribution of the fuel used.

The health impacts of diesel-burning school buses were estimated by determining the excess mortality associated with exposure to PM2.5, despite federal regulations over the past 15 years that have reduced diesel emissions by approximately 90 percent. The impacts were calculated into dollar figures based on a sociological metric that reportedly looks at how much society is willing to pay for small reductions to the risk of dying from health conditions that may be caused by environmental pollution. The sociological metric is referred to as the Value of a Statistical Life.

Meanwhile, the climate impacts of diesel-burning school buses were measured by calculating the Social Cost of Carbon, an established metric for the societal damage from extreme heat, sea level rise, food insecurity and other impacts of climate change, from these buses’ carbon dioxide emissions. The study notes that because health impacts were measured only by excess mortality from PM2.5, there are likely more health benefits of electric school buses that aren’t captured in this data, including reduced exposure to ozone pollutants, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.

Further Studies Needed

 

A technical note acknowledges several research limitations in addition to only studying excess mortality of PM2.5 and recommends additional environmental analysis and higher resolution modeling in urban areas. The study does not address environmental justice or equity benefits of ESBs and disparities in air pollution based on race, ethnicity or income, the latter which the researchers said could reveal additional ESB benefits for marginalized communities. The research also makes assumptions about brake and tire-wear emissions and relies on “not yet mature” ESB operational parameters and emissions based on data from 2020 that does not account for changes in fleet composition changes, vehicle standards and the electricity grid. Additionally, benefits per ton remain consistent between 2016 and 2020 and “may not fully capture changes in atmospheric composition or emissions.”

Once the costs of diesel school bus impacts were determined, the research calculated the same types of impacts for ESBs, including electricity generation, and compared them to that of diesel to provide a dollar figure from each county.

Brian Zepka, research manager for WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative said the research used a new modeling approach to trace air pollution back to its source, “allowing us to directly attribute which health impacts stem from diesel-burning school buses. While other approaches start with the air pollution source and estimate its impact, this approach, developed in peer-reviewed research funded by the Health Effects Institute, starts with the health impacts, like early deaths from air pollution, and traces that pollution back to its source—in this case, school buses.”
WRI noted the research “uses state-of-the-art models and county-level data to more specifically estimate where electric school buses would provide the most health and climate benefits through reduced emissions. It doesn’t look at the cost to own or operate different types of school buses, instead examining the impact on society from the use of the buses.”

Sue Gander, director of WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative, said the new research shows “undeniably” that ESBs give kids a cleaner ride to school.

“In every region of the country, North, South, East and West, communities stand to see real, significant benefits from the cleaner air and reduced emissions of electric school buses. And as this research demonstrates, everybody wins when kids get to school on a clean ride, to the tune of $1.6 billion dollars every year in health and climate benefits nationwide,” she said. “Given the outsize benefits of electrifying the most polluting diesel-burning school bus fleets, and the concentration of those buses in low income areas and areas with more people of color, this data reinforces the need to ensure that those most impacted by diesel exhaust pollution are among the first to benefit from electric school buses.”

The 10 percent of diesel-burning school buses that are the most polluting are responsible for nearly 50 percent of the total health impacts of diesel-burning school buses nationwide, the research notes. Breaking that down by per-mile health impacts from diesel school buses, while varying, results to under $10 to nearly $4,000 per 1,000 miles driven, depending on the school bus age and operating location.

While the research only focused on PM2.5-related premature mortality as the primary health end point, diesel-burning school buses also emit large amounts of NOx, which contribute to ozone formation and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure—both are linked to asthma, morbidity and additional premature deaths.

The research does not include the additional health effects or impacts of other diesel pollutants. WRI stated the research is likely underestimating the total benefits of electrification. Incorporating NOx-related outcomes in the future could show greater contrasts between diesel and electric.

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Related: California Doubles Down on Zero-Emission Vehicles with Renewed Affordability, Adoption Priorities
Related: Safety Concerns of the Electric Grid?
Related: Report Highlights Shift in Federal Policy from EVs to Conventional Fuels

The post WRI Research Highlights Monetary Health Benefits of Electric School Buses appeared first on School Transportation News.

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

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

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

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

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

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, for more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve.

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CAMPBELL, Calif. CLEVELAND, Ohio, – ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of EV charging solutions, together with intelligent power management company Eaton, today announced an ultrafast charging architecture with end-to-end power infrastructure for public charging and fleets. ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton, is a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capable solution that delivers up to 600kW of power for passenger EVs and can provide megawatt charging for heavy-duty commercial applications.

The innovative integration of ChargePoint’s Express chargers with Eaton’s end-to-end electrical solutions delivers a powerful solution to overcome grid constraints, addressing the challenge of how to cost-effectively scale charging for the growing number of EVs entering service. By leveraging Eaton’s Everything as a Grid approach and integrated V2G capabilities, the system can seamlessly synchronize onsite renewables, energy storage and vehicle batteries with local energy markets to help fleets significantly reduce fueling costs. When deployed at scale with participating utilities, the joint architecture can even help balance the electric grid.

“The new ChargePoint Express architecture, and particularly the Express Grid variant, will take DC fast charging to levels of performance and cost not previously imagined. This latest technological breakthrough further demonstrates our commitment to deliver innovation,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint. “Combined with Eaton’s end-to-end grid capabilities, ChargePoint is delivering solutions to help EVs win on pure economics, regardless of tax incentives or government support.”

“Accelerating electrification at scale hinges on industry-changing technology from trusted manufacturers that can be deployed faster while achieving new levels of reliability and efficiency at a significantly lower cost,” said Paul Ryan, vice president and general manager of energy transition at Eaton. “Our partnership with ChargePoint is an accelerator for innovation in electrification, with novel technology today and into the future that makes going electric the smart choice.”

Eaton will custom engineer each Express configuration with comprehensive power infrastructure delivered site-ready with the option of a skid-mounted solution to expedite installation, reduce equipment requirements, and simplify connection to the grid and distributed energy resources (DERs). Eaton also plans to commercialize solid-state transformer technology in the next year through its recent acquisition of Resilient Power Systems Inc. to support DC applications in the EV market and beyond.

The ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton, will debut at the RE+ trade show in Las Vegas in Booth #V8071. Express solutions are available to order for select customers in North America and Europe, with deliveries beginning in the second half of 2026. Learn more here. To learn more about the ChargePoint Express line of EV chargers, please visit https://info.chargepoint.com/dc-architecture.html.

About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc.
ChargePoint has established itself as the leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging innovation since its inception in 2007, long before EVs became widely available. The company provides comprehensive solutions tailored to the entire EV ecosystem, from the grid to the dashboard of the vehicle. The company serves EV drivers, charging station owners, vehicle manufacturers, and similar types of stakeholders. With a commitment to accessibility and reliability, ChargePoint’s extensive portfolio of software, hardware, and services ensures a seamless charging experience for drivers across North America and Europe. ChargePoint empowers every driver in need of charging access, connecting them to over 1.25 million charging ports worldwide. ChargePoint has facilitated the powering of more than 16 billion electric miles, underscoring its dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and electrifying the future of transportation. For further information, please visit the ChargePoint pressroom or the ChargePoint Investor Relations site. For media inquiries, contact the ChargePoint press office.

About Eaton:
Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing and expanding needs of our stakeholders. With revenues of nearly $25 billion in 2024, the company serves customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

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Editor’s note — This article has been updated from an original version that failed to detail the federal and state requirements for motorcoach inspections.

A motorcoach crash near Wawayanda, New York, that killed two adults and injured dozens of students two years ago underscores the critical importance of tire inspection and preventive maintenance.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its final report this summer, concluding that a catastrophic failure of the left-front steer tire on a 2014 Prevost motorcoach caused the Sept. 21, 2023 crash. Investigators determined the failure resulted from prolonged tire under-inflation, prior impact damage, and eventual tread-and-belt separation. The bus veered sharply, breached a cable barrier and rolled into a ravine.

The motorcoach was carrying 40 high school students, three adult chaperones, and a 59-year-old driver en route to a band camp. Two chaperones were ejected and killed, the driver was seriously injured, 14 passengers sustained serious injuries, and 27 others were treated for minor injuries.

The Farmingdale Union Free School District, which chartered the motorcoach for its marching band trip, said the loss continues to reverberate across the community. Superintendent Paul Defendini described the tragedy as “unimaginable” for students, families and faculty, noting the emotional scars remain long after the wreckage was cleared.

While the crash involved a commercial motorcoach, the findings carry urgent lessons for school transportation.

Comparing School Buses & Motoroaches

 

School buses meet strict construction standards for crashworthiness regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and undergo stringent inspections required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and each state Department of Transportation — daily driver walk-arounds, preventive maintenance cycles, and recurring school district, bus company and state inspections.

 

School buses are largely exempted from most other FMCSA regulations though school bus drivers are held to the same drug and alcohol testing and medical review requirements.

 

But FMCSA requires motorcoaches not only have annual inspections but also that companies perform pre- and post-trip inspections and state and federal law enforcement officials performing en-route, destination and random inspections. Many states also include motorcoaches in commercial vehicle inspections, and school districts may subject contracted motorcoach companies to their own vehicle and driver inspection, noted Ken Presley, vice president of legislative affairs, industry relations, and the chief operating officer for the United Motorcoach Association.

 

While federal and varying state rules also focus on motorcoach driver hours-of-service and electronic data logging requirements, the vehicles don’t have to meet the same federal construction and crashworthiness standards as school buses, though they do meet federal roof-crush standards, have advanced glazing to remain intact and prevent intrusion in a crash, and must be equipped emergency exits and with lap/shoulder seatbelts. And motorcoach drivers don’t need the school bus “S” endorsement.

“This case underscores why school administrators and contractors should be paying attention to motorcoach inspection protocols, not just their yellow bus fleets,” said Bob Pudlewski, a longtime maintenance consultant and STN’s technical editor. “When a district hires a motorcoach for a trip, it’s still their students on board. Tire safety, driver checks and maintenance records all matter.”

NTSB has repeatedly flagged tire safety risks over the past decade, issuing recommendations to strengthen preventive maintenance across the passenger carrier industry. In past cases, under-inflation, aging tires and improper load ratings have contributed to deadly crashes.

In the case of Wawayanda, New York, investigators stressed that under-inflated and damaged tires are at high risk of sudden failure. The agency urged operators to adopt Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) or at minimum establish rigorous manual gauge checks to supplement visual inspections. It also reiterated the lifesaving value of lap/shoulder belts, noting that ejection remains a leading cause of death in rollovers.

“Tires that are inadequate or damaged pose an immediate risk to passengers and everyone else on the road,” Pudlewski said.

A Patchwork of State Requirements

Motorcoach oversight varies widely across states. Some jurisdictions mandate annual safety inspections, while others require semiannual checks or rely heavily on operator self-reporting. Federal regulations compel motor carriers to maintain preventive maintenance logs, but enforcement depends on state and local agencies, which may not always keep pace with operating cycles.

“Periodic regulatory agency inspections are not frequent enough to keep up with real-world operating cycles,” Pudlewski explained. “That’s why agencies require preventive maintenance checks conducted by owners, along with condition reports from drivers. Tires that are inadequate or damaged pose an immediate risk to passengers and everyone else on the road.”

Tires remain the single point of contact between a heavy vehicle and the road. A failure — whether from under-inflation, aging, or improper installation — can instantly compromise steering and stability. Pudlewski emphasized that operators must take ownership of this responsibility, outlining the following best practices for both school buses and motorcoaches:

• Check air pressure: Over- or under-inflated tires affect performance and safety. Consider TPMS or implement a scheduled tire inspection program using calibrated gauges.
• Measure tread depth: Document during every preventive maintenance cycle. Minimum: 4/32 inch on steer tires and 2/32 inch on rear tires.
• Rotate tires: Every 5,000 miles to even out wear.
• Torque wheel lugs: Follow OEM torque guidelines and sequences.
• Maintain alignment: Improper alignment accelerates wear and stresses tires as though under constant cornering.

Liability for School Districts

The Farmingdale tragedy also raises questions of liability for school districts when contracting with outside carriers. While federal law requires motorcoach operators to meet safety and insurance standards, parents may still hold districts accountable if oversight is perceived as lacking.

Legal experts warn that failure to vet an operator’s maintenance records or safety ratings could expose districts to criticism or even liability. Transparency, safety audits and clear documentation may help build trust with parents and mitigate risk.

“The school bus industry has long led the way in preventive safety,” Pudlewski said. “Extending that same culture of vigilance to motorcoach trips is essential. At the end of the day, parents don’t distinguish between bus types—they just expect their children to get home safely.”

In the wake of the crash, New York lawmakers passed Assembly Bill A8557, requiring seatbelts on all charter buses and mandating their use. The law, which took effect in April, also increases penalties for noncompliance. State leaders say the measure is aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries in future crashes. Meanwhile, New York has required “seat safety belts” on school buses since 1987. The law does not specify if those seatbelts should be the two-point lap belt or three-point lap/shoulder belt variety.

The NTSB’s report shows how a single under-inflated tire can cascade into tragedy. For school leaders, maintenance directors, and contractors alike, diligence is not optional, concluded Pudlewski.

“Tires are the sole point of contact between a vehicle and the road,” Pudlewski added. “Their proper care isn’t optional—it’s essential for student safety.”

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Related: FMCSA Recommends Seat Belt Use on Motorcoaches
Related: NHTSA Announces Final Rule Requiring Seat Belts on Motorcoaches
Related: NASDPTS Posts Motorcoach Safety Resources on Website

The post Updated: Fatal Motorcoach Crash During Band Trip Raises School Bus Safety Lessons appeared first on School Transportation News.

Warren City Schools in Ohio kicked off the new academic year with a spirited community celebration at Courthouse Square. While the atmosphere was upbeat, school officials took the opportunity to address a pressing challenge facing the district; a shortage of school bus drivers, reported WKBN 27.

“Our goal is to have a lot of positive energy and to kick school off in a very positive light,” said Superintendent Steve Chiaro via the article, who praised the strong turnout and community support.

But behind the celebration lies a logistical concern. John Lacy, executive director of business operations for Warren City Schools, stated the district is “barely covering routes” and urgently needs more drivers to avoid double routes and delays.

To attract applicants, the district showcased a school bus during the event and shared details about the position. Bus drivers in Warren earn approximately $24 an hour, receive full benefits, and work year-round, not just during the school year. The district also fully covers the cost of CDL training for new drivers.

“We’re doing everything we can to recruit,” said Lacy via the article. “People are often surprised at how good the pay and benefits are.”

The district said it remains hopeful that community outreach and incentives will help ease the shortage. In the meantime, Superintendent Chiaro reportedly emphasized the importance of community involvement in supporting student success.

“Because we can’t do it alone,” Chiaro said. “We need every aspect of assistance in helping our kids along the way.”

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Related: Ohio-Based Training Program Equips School Bus Drivers to Handle Active Threats
Related: Indiana School District Hosts “Hop on and Hire” Bus Driver Career Day Amid Shortages
Related: Ohio School Bus Drivers Attend Life-Saving Emergency Training
Related: Arizona School District Increases Bus Driver Pay to Help with Shortage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Related: (STN Podcast E265) Onsite at STN EXPO West: Innovations & Partnerships for School Transportation Success
Related: STN EXPO East Sessions Focus on Fire Safety, Partnerships with First Responders
Related: Not So Fast: Technology Eyes Speed Reduction in School Buses
Related: Arkansas District Uses Technology to Save Money and Time

The post Transportation Software Company TransAct Rebrands to Pathwise appeared first on School Transportation News.

The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) announced the recipients of its Annual Awards Program, given to individuals in student transportation who had outstanding achievements in the industry.

The Distinguished Service Award will be awarded to Stephanie Walker, director of transportation for Habersham County Schools in Georgia. Walker has been serving as director at the district since 2021 and is also vice president of the Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation. She currently has her certified director of pupil transportation (CDPT) and certified in special needs transportation (CSNT) delineations from NAPT. Walker was recognized by School Transportation News as an industry “Rising Superstar” in 2019.

Denny Coughlin is also a Distinguished Service Award honoree this year. Coughlin was the fleet manager at Minneapolis Public Schools for over 30 years and currently owns the School Bus Training Company. He is a familiar face at the STN EXPO and TSD conferences, presenting educational sessions or leading hands-on training.

The Continuing Education Award sponsored by Thomas Built Buses goes to Michelle Summers, assistant director of transportation at Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Texas as of July 2025. She previously held the same position at Friendswood Independent School District also in Texas. Summers has experience working as a special needs supervisor as well as a routing supervisor prior to her assistant director role.

Sherri Zulick was chosen to receive the IC Bus School Bus Driver Training & Safety Award. She has been with Maine School Administrative District 06 since 2017 and was nominated for an STN Rising Superstar award in 2019 by Transportation Coordinator Sarah Marean. Marean said in her nomination that Zulick has been a strong addition to the team and worked to bring the district’s driver training program up to entry level driver training (ELDT) standards and has been successful in her efforts to assist new transportation employees in obtaining their CDL.

Special Needs Route Supervisor Katherine Michael is the winner of the Special Needs Transportation Award sponsored by Q’Straint/Sure-Lok. Michael is currently at Fayette County Schools in Georgia.

Finally, the Heroism Award sponsored by Blue Bird is being given to Spartanburg District 6 bus driver Crystal Foster and bus monitor Joclyn Johnson. Foster and Johnson made news headlines earlier this year when they saved three children from a house fire while driving their route and were praised for bravery and quick thinking.

The awards will be presented at the NAPT ACTS Annual Awards Presentation on Saturday, Nov. 1 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Related: Robinson Named Sole 2025 Inductee into NAPT Hall of Fame
Related: NAPT Hall of Famer Donn Remembered for ‘Crucial Role’ Played in Industry
Related: Esteemed Figures in School Transportation Awarded NAPT’s Highest Honor

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Tony and Ryan discuss regulatory updates, the importance of vendor partnerships, a sensationalized incident involving a Texas school bus, and this year’s Garage Stars.

Charles Chilton, vice president and general manager of IC Bus, discusses his engineering and school bus driver background, navigating the uncertain clean bus market, and supporting IC Bus customers.

Read more about OEMs.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

 

Conversation with IC Bus.

 

 

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 E271) A Lot of Uncertainty: IC Bus VP & GM Discusses What Customers Need to Know appeared first on School Transportation News.

Attendees at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference this fall will have access to a variety of hands-on training, geared toward working with students with special needs.

Alongside dozens of educational sessions and four inspiring keynotes, attendees have several opportunities to practice their skills and learn from expert instructors on how to safely transport students with disabilities and preschoolers as well as effectively manage the equipment used on routes.

Kicking off the conference on Friday, Nov. 7 is the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) Child Passenger Safety on School Buses National Training, an all-day class on the proper use of child safety restraint systems on school buses, with a concentration on preschool-aged children and children with disabilities.

Also on Friday, the three-hour Mastering Wheelchair & Occupant Training Certification Class feature instructors from AMF-Bruns of America. This class will teach the proper safety techniques on using occupant securements, understanding the WC-18 and WC-19 standards, wheelchair anchorage and how to correctly secure and deboard students, all with real equipment they can practice on.

On Sunday, Nov. 11, the Hands-on School Bus Evacuation for Students with Special Needs & Preschoolers will take place at Prosper Independent School District. Attendees will first review best safety practices and emergency evacuation protocol in an instructional classroom setting. They will then go outside to practice rescue skills on a school bus filled with theatre smoke. Class participants will have a time limit to rescue the “students” represented by training dolls.

There will also be a roadeo competition sponsored.by Q’Straint/Sure-Lok on Sat. Nov. 8 at Prosper ISD and an interactive sign American Sign Language training with instructors from the Texas School of the Deaf to close the conference on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Stay tuned for more updates at tsdconference.com.

The TSD Conference will be held Nov. 6-11 at the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel and Convention Center. Register by Oct. 3 to save $100 on main conference registration with the Early Bird Discount.

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Related: TSD Conference Topics Plan to Cover Unique Aspects of Transporting Students
Related: TSD Keynote Speaker Looks to Reveal Power of Praise in Student Transportation
Related: Ride and Drive, Technology Product Demos Return to Texas in November

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A 13-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run crash moments after stepping off a school bus in the south Las Vegas Valley, reported Fox 5.

The incident happened Aug. 20 just before 4:30 p.m. Las Vegas Metro Police said the article that the teen had just exited a school bus and was crossing the street when he was hit by a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Yarla Valeriano-Perez.

Police added Valeriano-Perez initially fled the scene, abandoning her vehicle nearby. She later returned and cooperated with investigators. Impairment was not believed to be a factor in the crash.

Authorities reportedly confirmed that the school bus had its lights flashing at the time, signaling that children were being dropped off. Witnesses reported seeing the teen thrown approximately eight feet into the air upon impact.

Valeriano-Perez was reportedly taken into custody and now faces multiple charges, including felony hit-and-run and reckless driving, along with a misdemeanor count for illegally passing a school bus displaying active signals.

According to the news report, she appeared in court last Thursday, where prosecutors emphasized the severity of the incident, noting that she failed to stop despite visible school bus warnings. Her defense attorneys asked the court for leniency as she has no prior criminal record.

The judge reportedly set bail at $300,000 with a condition that she be prohibited from driving. Valeriano-Perez was scheduled to appear in court again on Tuesday.

The teen’s current condition has not been publicly disclosed, but police described his injuries as “substantial.” The investigation is ongoing.

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Related: 9-Year-old Hit, Killed by School Bus in Canada
Related: Missouri Child Hit by Pickup Truck While Getting Off School Bus
Related: 5-Year-Old Hit by Car While Running to Catch School Bus in Utah
Related: Student Hit, Killed at Wisconsin School Bus Stop

The post Teen Hospitalized After Hit-and-Run Crash in South Las Vegas, Motorist Faces Felony Charge appeared first on School Transportation News.

Just days into the new school year, Fulton County Schools in Georgia has already dismissed or accepted the resignation of multiple bus drivers found in violation of the school district’s strict student safety protocols, reported WSBTV News.

Since the academic year began on Aug. 4, three drivers reportedly were removed from duty or stepped down after failing to follow district policy regarding the drop-off of young students. These incidents involved children in pre-K through first grade being let off the school bus without a parent or approved guardian present, a violation a long-standing safety rule.

An internal email obtained by local news reporters revealed that a total of seven drivers had been lost within seven days, according to the district’s transportation coordinator. The email underscores the urgency with which the district is addressing these violations.

Fulton County Schools maintains what it calls a “zero-tolerance approach” to the safety of its youngest school bus riders. District rules reportedly specify that students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade must be met at the bus stop by a parent or guardian or be accompanied by an older sibling in second grade or above. For students in special education programs, individualized transportation plans dictate their drop-off procedures.

“There is no excuse for failing to follow this standard,” said the district via the article. “Drivers are trained on this requirement when they are hired, it is reinforced by management throughout the year, and it was a key part of all back-to-school transportation trainings last month. We provide the training, support and student management strategies to make it happen.”

The district added via the news report that the vast majority of its nearly 800 bus drivers follow these expectations every day, and that it remains committed to hiring and retaining only those who demonstrate a strong commitment to student safety.

“This isn’t just a part-time job or simply transporting children,” said parent Lola Green to local news reporters. “It’s a serious responsibility. Families are trusting these drivers with what matters most to them.”

Green, who reportedly withdrew her son from the school system this year, described a troubling incident last year involving her son, who has autism. Despite his individualized education plan requiring a guardian to be present at the drop-off, she said the bus driver released him without anyone there to receive him. Doorbell camera footage showed the child arriving alone at their home.

“Anything could have happened to him,” Green said. Following her complaint, the district removed that driver from her son’s route.

The email from the transportation coordinator to local news reporters also noted that the recent driver dismissals occurred across both the northern and southern parts of the district, not concentrated in one area.

While Green said she’s encouraged by the district’s swift response, she believes it’s just one step in a larger process. “Do the work to make sure they’re hiring people who are going to meet the needs of the children and the families they serve,” she said.

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Related: What’s the 411 on Stop-Arm Violations?
Related: Ohio Bill Seeks School Bus Illegal Passing Fine Increase, Safety Fund
Related: Rhode Island School Bus Driver, Safety Monitors Fired for Leaving Student in Bus
Related: School Bus Driver Fired After Skipping Students’ Stops in Alabama

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