This fall, millions of students returned to school on the nation’s largest mass transit fleet — the yellow school bus — amid the highest back-to-school diesel prices in U.S. history. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), national diesel prices exceeded an all-time August record average of $5.30 per gallon, while daily real-time data from AAA shows diesel prices continue to climb, reaching over $5.40 per gallon to close out the peak 2026 back-to-school week.

With nearly 90 percent of the country’s 480,000 school buses still running on diesel, districts that have diversified their fleets with cleaner alternatives are entering the school year far better protected from the squeeze of volatile fuel prices.

Propane autogas is the most widely deployed alternative fuel at scale, with tens of thousands of propane autogas buses operating in school districts, where fleets are experiencing much lower prices.

“When diesel goes up by two dollars a gallon and propane autogas only goes up about 15 cents, that’s a big difference,” Sam Corson, bus and automotive maintenance manager for Newport News Public Schools, said.

Corson’s experience stands in stark contrast to the broader national picture. A recent survey by AASA, ASBO and NAPT found that more than half of school districts are already over budget on fuel, including 14 percent that exceeded their fuel budgets by more than 20 percent. To compensate, two in five districts have consolidated bus routes or limited transportation capabilities.

Fleet diversification has proved vital for protecting transportation budgets, with propane autogas offering significantly greater savings and stability as a domestic, abundant fuel.

“While diesel prices swing by dollars per gallon, propane autogas moves by mere pennies,” Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) said. “Districts operating propane autogas buses have seen prices under a dollar a gallon when diesel topped five dollars. That stability preserves hundreds of thousands of dollars for the classroom.”

Real-World Examples of Financial Relief for Schools

Today, more than 24,000 propane buses serve 1,100 school districts across 49 states, offering practical emissions reductions without sacrificing daily operational flexibility.

“The biggest misconception is that cleaner transportation has to cost more,” Stutheit said. “Propane autogas fleets prove the exact opposite: dramatically lower fuel bills alongside significantly cleaner air.”

The real-world benefits of moving away from diesel are playing out in school districts from coast to coast, including Virginia’s Newport News Public Schools. Last year alone, the district saved approximately $439,000, achieving $2 million in total fuel savings over the last nine years for the 189 propane buses traveling more than 2.7 million miles per year.

“I’m grateful we weren’t in a situation where we had to recover funds from another part of the budget just to cover fuel,” Sam Corson said. “That could have sacrificed our ability to purchase new vehicles for our support fleet or taken away from what we use to purchase new school buses.”

Indiana’s Wa-Nee Community School Corporation also demonstrates the stark difference between diesel and propane autogas. Last year, the district paid an average of just $0.99 per gallon for propane autogas when local diesel prices reached $5.06 per gallon. Wa-Nee saves around $10,000 for every 30,000 miles driven with nearly half of its 56-bus fleet running on propane autogas. The Wa-Nee Community School Corporation’s fleet annually covers 450,000 miles for 2,500 students.

For Amy Rosa, Wa-Nee’s director of safety and transportation, those savings mean far more than just balancing a spreadsheet.

“Every year we save money so that our kids can continue in sports and music programs with no fees,” Rosa said. “That’s our goal — to continue reducing costs for our students and our taxpayers.”

Schools across the country are following suit to maintain transportation capabilities while making busing safer for students. Oregon’s Beaverton School District now projects annual savings between $400,000 and $500,000 after expanding its fleet to 65 propane buses. Meanwhile, Prince William County Public Schools, one of Virginia’s largest school systems, recently integrated its first 62 propane autogas buses, taking a major step toward fleet diversification and long-term budget stability.

Stability, Performance, and Future Compliance

Because propane autogas is domestically abundant, its pricing avoids the volatility tied to global crude oil markets. Transportation directors also favor propane autogas for practical operational reasons:

• Lower Maintenance: Avoids the complex, costly emissions aftertreatment systems required on modern diesel engines.
• Cold-Weather Reliability: Starts dependably in extreme winter temperatures.
• Regulatory Readiness: Propane autogas engines already exceed the upcoming 2027 EPA near-zero emissions standards, protecting districts from anticipated price hikes on future diesel technology.

What started as an investment in sustainability is delivering financial resilience. For districts balancing tight budgets with environmental stewardship, moving beyond diesel pays off.

Visit propane.com/school to learn how propane autogas can help your school district lower costs, maintain reliable transportation, and reduce emissions.

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

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. and PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – After a competitive review process, Transfinder Corporation is pleased to announce The School District of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania has selected Transfinder’s award-winning routing solution Routefinder PLUS to create the safest and most efficient routes for its students.

The School District of Philadelphia is the eighth largest school district in the United States. The district has a student enrollment of 198,405 who attend 330 different schools. As the district was looking for an integrated all-in-one technology platform that would avoid the need for multiple vendors and systems and provide a single source of information, Transfinder rose to the top of the list.

“The School District of Philadelphia is looking forward to this partnership with Transfinder,” said Thomas Marcucci, executive director of transportation at The School District of Philadelphia.

Marcucci outlined the goals the district has of its partnership with Transfinder.

“Our goal is to provide the safest, most reliable, most efficient and the best transportation possible for our stakeholders —students, parents, guardians and the entire school community,” he said. “Transfinder’s solutions and features will help us achieve that goal. We know that success comes through collaboration, and we are excited to work together with Transfinder in a true partnership to better serve our community.”

Transfinder President and CEO Antonio Civitella welcomed The School District of Philadelphia to the Transfinder family.

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

Transfinder’s AI assistant, Atlas, was just voted the Best Software/AI Solution by industry leaders.

With more than 2,500 school districts as clients in North America, Transfinder’s routing solutions are the industry leader, with one in three students riding buses utilizing Transfinder technology.

About Transfinder
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to school districts, bus contractors, police departments and adult care facilities. Transfinder, has been on Inc. magazine’s “fastest-growing company” list for 14 years. The software and hardware company has received numerous awards, including Best Software, Best Hardware, Best Green Technology and Best Safety Technology. In addition, Transfinder has repeatedly won Best Places to Work, Top Workplace and Best Companies to Work for accolades. Transfinder develops and supports routing and scheduling solutions for optimal transportation logistics. Transfinder also created the award-winning Patrolfinder policing technology to enhance law enforcement. For more information, visit www.transfinder.com.

The post The School District of Philadelphia (PA) Turns to Transfinder for Routing appeared first on School Transportation News.

Every day, your team sees things about student attendance, enrollment, and access that no one else in the district does. The challenge isn’t what your team knows — it’s that many districts don’t yet understand how central transportation is to their most pressing priorities: chronic absenteeism, enrollment decline, and service for the students who need the most reliable support.

Data from the 2026 State of School Transportation Report confirms that transportation plays a direct role in whether students show up, which school families choose, and if and how students experiencing homelessness or students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) get the transportation access the law requires. But most districts are still treating transportation as a logistics line item instead of a strategic asset.

In this webinar, we will explore key findings from the report including what the data shows, why it matters far beyond the transportation department, and how to make the case for transportation having a seat at the table for high-level district conversations.

What you’ll take away:

• New data on transportation-related absences: More than half of families surveyed say their child missed school at least once in the past year because of transportation — and most attendance systems aren’t flagging transportation as the cause.
• Evidence linking transportation to school choice and enrollment: What parents across the country told us about how transportation availability influences school choice, and what it means for districts trying to reverse enrollment decline.
• A clear picture of the McKinney-Vento response gap: What it’s costing vulnerable students when districts can’t meet the “without delay” standard for transportation for students experiencing homelessness
• A concrete first step for using transportation to impact attendance: Data shows that 75% of district administrators believe transportation affects attendance, but only 25% are formally tracking the relationship.
• Proof that transportation belongs at the leadership table: How to bring your data into district conversations on absenteeism, enrollment, and equity.

Brought to you by HopSkipDrive

 

REGISTER BELOW:

 

Presenters:

Angelo Grau
Transportation Supervisor
Mesquite ISD

President
North Texas Association of Pupil Transportation

Dustin Kress
General Manager
RouteWise AI

Former Chief of Staff for Operations
Denver Public Schools

Adam Gleicher
Director of Marketing
HopSkipDrive

The post (Free Webinar) Transportation: The Missing Link for Attendance, Enrollment, and Equity appeared first on School Transportation News.

LATHAM, N.Y. – With schools reopening statewide and as students head back to school, the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) is urging motorists to use extra caution around school buses and stop when they see the flashing red lights.

According to reports from school bus operators from across the state, NYAPT says the problem of illegally passing a school bus remains a major safety concern across the state. School bus operators indicate that motorists frequently ignore flashing red lights and thereby endanger those students getting on an off the bus.

A recent survey conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) indicated that 213,800 illegal passings occur each school day in the United States, endangering the children riding school buses.

“Our top priority is ensuring New York students travel to and from school safely every day, and motorists play a crucial role in that,” said NYAPT President John Spacht. “As schools reopen, we ask motorists to stay vigilant around children and always stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing.”

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

Penalties for a first-time offense include a fine from $250 to $400, five points on your license and the possibility of 30-days in jail. A second conviction within three-years will result in a $600 to $750 fine and up
to 180-days in jail; while three or more convictions will result in a fine from $750 to $1,000, mandatory revocation of your driver’s license, and up to 180 days in jail.

Additionally, many school buses in New York State are equipped with stop arm camera systems that record illegal passing. If a motorist passes a school bus equipped with a stop arm camera system, the vehicle owner faces a $250-$300 penalty.

“Illegally passing a bus is completely unacceptable and entirely preventable,” said David Christopher, NYAPT Executive Director. “School buses are statistically the safest way for children to get to school—and motorists need to help us keep them safe by always stopping when they see those red lights flashing.”

NYAPT is also advising parents and caregivers that New York, like much of the nation, continues to face school bus driver shortages. According to a recent survey, 55% of NYAPT members, which include school districts and private school bus contractors, report an immediate need to hire additional school bus drivers.

To help address these driver shortages, the Association encourages anyone seeking a rewarding parttime opportunity to apply. School bus driving offers flexible hours, competitive hourly wages, health benefits, and schedules that align with school holidays and breaks. Interested applicants should contact their local school district or private school bus contractor to learn more.

About NYAPT
The New York Association for Pupil Transportation (nyapt.org) is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting and representing school transportation professionals responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of more than 2.3 million school children across New York State.

The post New York Association for Pupil Transportation Urges Motorists to be Extra Careful as Schools Reopen appeared first on School Transportation News.

Even the most carefully designed route can diverge from reality once a school bus hits the road. That gap between planned and actual routing is one of the most underrecognized sources of inefficiency in school transportation. IT is also where data analytics come into play.

Craig Berndt, Geotab business segment manager of people transportation, noted GPS and post-route analysis, close this loop.

“When a transportation department can pull a daily report comparing planned mileage against odometer-confirmed actual mileage by route, by driver, and by day, they have a feedback mechanism that simply didn’t exist before telematics,” he said. “The goal isn’t to penalize drivers for deviations. Most deviations have legitimate causes. The goal is to make the routing software reflect reality, so the plan you’re managing against is accurate.”

Berndt noted that the most effective departments he works with treat this as a continuous process rather than an annual audit.

“They review variance reports weekly, push corrections back to the routing software monthly and build a culture where drivers report deviations because they know the data is used to improve routes, not to discipline them,” he said.

Ron Johnson, director of support operations for Indian Prairie School District #204 in Aurora, Illinois, noted his district’s use of Onscreen GPS software to review when and why drivers deviate from the planned route path.

“If a driver consistently takes an alternate path because it is safer or faster, the planned route path is updated,” he said. “If the deviation is inefficient, targeted driver coaching can correct it. This continuous feedback loop ensures that mileage reduction is achieved without compromising student safety or service reliability.”

Comparing planned versus actual routing allows the district to ensure that the actual route is as efficient as possible, said Jason Hibbard, supervisor of transportation for the Chenango Valley Central School District in Binghamton, New York.

“We regularly analyze our routes to minimize the amount of students having to cross the road at a stop,” he added. “We have adjusted stops when we find hazardous conditions, be it excessive cars passing through the reds, blind corners or just excessive traffic.”

Rich Casto, transportation supervisor for Jackson County Schools in West Virginia, noted analytics are helpful in viewing a planned route versus the actual route and accounting for unnecessary mileage.

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Related: Data & Routing Analytics for Fuel Efficiency
Related: Routing Analytics Matter for Fuel Efficiency, Experts Agree
Related: School Districts Look for Innovative Approaches to Recruiting and Training
Related: Watch: Michigan Association Releases Lomas Brown PSA for Back to School

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“Occasionally, there will be a situation where sometimes the analytics will have a route laid out that may or may not be possible for a larger vehicle,” Casto explained. “There are a lot of factors involved. Road conditions and clearance issues play in the equation. Sometimes not every produced path is a viable path for a bus.”

There is often a distinct gap between a route designed in a software environment and how it plays out in real life, noted Kathy Calkins, North Clackamas (Oregon) School District transportation director.

“Common disruptions include unexpected road construction, driver workarounds, shifting student addresses, and substitute drivers navigating unfamiliar areas,” she said. “To bridge this gap, we rely on a combination of GPS tracking, telematics and post-route analysis. Good communication from our community partners regarding construction before it starts, so that we can identify exactly where drivers are forced to detour. This allows our routers to update routes well in advance, without compromising student safety or service levels.”

The post Planned Versus Actual Routes and the Impact on Unnecessary Mileage appeared first on School Transportation News.

During the early morning and mid-to-late afternoon, the streets in big cities and small towns in rural communities are filled with big yellow school buses picking up and dropping off children and teenagers.

Most school districts struggle to find enough bus drivers to fully staff their routes on the opening day of school. Safety is the number one priority, and school districts insist that all drivers meet the highest standards in training, physical health and background checks.

Another problem that some districts are facing is that drivers have lost their temporary protected status (TPS) and can no longer work as school bus drivers. Often, candidates who have completed the training paid for by a school district will go to work for a trucking company or drive county transit buses, instead.

“We have always had a driver shortage and no school districts in Florida are pushing through candidates to drive buses. They all have to meet the same requirements and standards,” said Robert Manspeaker, director of transportation for the Florida Department of Education. “We have a lot of people who get the CDL license that is paid for drive a school bus for a short time and then go drive a truck.”

Becoming a school bus driver in Florida requires a lot of intense training, a minimum of 40 hours of instructional time and most districts require far more training and practice. Manspeaker said some prospective drivers may be required to put in as many as 160 hours of training before they ever drive a bus full of students.

The one exception to this is smaller buses that can carry up to 15 people, including the driver. These buses can be used to carry smaller athletic teams or academic and music groups to events. Also, they may be used to transport students who have special needs.

Efforts have been made in some districts to lessen the time a driver-candidate must wait to get approved for preliminary training by ensuring the trainee can get an initial appointment with the DMV in a day or two.

“There are no shortcuts and some districts require more than 40 hours of training. We must ensure that a driver can handle a large bus carrying many students. School districts recruit year-round,” said Manspeaker.

It is recommended that prospective school bus drivers begin the process of obtaining a Class B commercial driver’s license as soon as possible. Bus driver candidates must complete a demanding training program and meet all state requirements to be allowed to drive a school bus full of kids, according to Manspeaker.

Finding Driver Applicants is the First Hurdle

An effective recruiting and advertising campaign can be helpful in finding quality candidates. In one Florida county, the district placed signs on the school buses saying they were looking for drivers and this helped. Many districts have their transportation managers participate in job fairs and community events such as city festivals. A growing number of transportation managers are placing advertisements on social media to attract younger people, according to Manspeaker.

Driving school buses can be a demanding job and the training requirements are higher than many occupations. A candidate must have a driver’s license for five years and no major violations. Also, one must be willing to work with children and sometimes demanding parents and administrators.

Stephanie Rickard, who now works for the Florida Department of Education, remembers the challenges of finding enough bus drivers when she led the transportation department at Charlotte County Schools.

“I did everything to find bus drivers. I would go to job fairs and get creative in my efforts to find drivers. Once we did hire someone, it would take about two to three months to work with human resources to get the person trained and then complete all the paperwork and background checks to get them on the road,” said Rickard.

Orange County Public Schools serving the Orlando area is looking for about 150 new bus drivers. It has had success by getting the DMV to reserve slots.

Bill Wen, the district’s retiring director of transportation, said Orange County is lis running into similar problems finding qualified drivers. School started Aug 11.

In some cases, it means drivers will have to complete two routes a day. Efforts have been made to attract retired drivers who would like additional income or want to pursue a new career. The district has been able to shorten the time it takes to get appointments with the DMV by reserved slots, but all candidates must complete rigorous training that takes time, expalined to Wen.

“We have had meetings where we ask parents to take their kids to and from school if they are able to do so. We trying to get bus drivers into the training process as soon as possible,” he added.

Like all school bus operators, Wen knows he is competing against businesses and transportation companies that can pay better. Some people would rather pursue a career where they can work from home or only visit an office a few days a week. Another challenge is the split shift, where drivers are idle during the late morning but may have to work longer in the afternoon if there are delays at a school or traffic problems.

“We do offer a health plan, days off and we participate in the Florida pension system,” Wen noted.

To become school bus driver in the Fort Lauderdale area, one must take four tests before entering formal commercial driver’s license training sponsored by Broward County Public Schools.

Applicants there and nationwide must pass a series of CDL written knowledge tests, a U.S. DOT physical exam, practical skills tests, and state-required background screenings, according to Dr. Simone Clowers, the executive director of student transportation and fleet Services. She oversees daily yellow bus operations and routing and manages a fleet of more than 750 routes for the district.

Training begins with written tests at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The CDL general knowledge test covers traffic laws and safe vehicle operations. Applicants also take an air brakes test, a passenger endorsement test for transporting passengers and a school bus endorsement test focused on school-based safety, including danger zones and student loading procedures.

Next are practical skills and road tests. Before receiving the official license, applicants must complete three phases of vehicle and road testing. The pre-trip vehicle inspection shows that they can properly assess the bus’s safety and mechanical condition. Off-road maneuvers include turning and parking, followed by an on-road driving test to demonstrate they can navigate the bus under real traffic conditions.

Applicants must pass the U.S. DOT physical exam required to prove they are physically and mentally fit to operate the vehicle. In addition, the DOT dexterity test assesses physical ability to perform bus operator duties. A reflex test is administered by the school district. Drug and alcohol testing is mandatory.

In Broward County, prospective bus drivers must complete about 40 hours of training over four to six weeks. The program includes classroom instruction and hands-on training. Much of the instruction is done on computers, but participants still must come to a classroom.

“We have found that the hardest part is understanding the vehicles. Those who study the material will do well, and we have a high pass rate,” said Clowers.

In addition, efforts are being made to improve student behavior. Drivers are taught to de-escalate tense situations among students. If a fight or problem happens, the driver must pull over and call the police. They cannot actively break up a fight between passengers.

While driving a school bus can be challenging, Clowers has found that it can be rewarding and over time drivers can develop positive relationships with students and their parents.

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Related: As New School Year Starts, Fall Conference Agendas Announced
Related: Officers to Ride California School Buses During Illegal Passing Enforcement Operation
Related: Ohio State Highway Patrol Urges Motorists to Prioritize School Bus Safety
Related: Data & Routing Analytics for Fuel Efficiency

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Clowers said she has about 100 openings and is recruiting through social media and community events. School bus drivers start at $21 an hour and are guaranteed 7.5 hours a day, five days a week. They often work longer, sometimes up to 12 hours a day, if there are delays at the school or if driving field or athletic trips.

In addition, the CDL training is paid for prospective drivers, and they receive full health insurance and a state pension after 30 years of work. After 30 years, they can participate in the DROP plan.
Even though Broward Schools continues to actively recruit more drivers and is always looking for qualified candidates, there are no shortcuts to becoming a certified school bus operator, Clowers added.

The State of Florida requires a minimum of 40 hours of training and Broward Schools goes beyond that requirement by providing additional training if necessary to ensure that drivers are fully prepared to safely transport students. Safety is the highest priority, and the district remains committed to maintaining rigorous training standards while working to recruit and retain qualified drivers, according to Clowers.

Hiring Armed Service Members

U.S. military veterans may be the answer to the challenge of finding qualified school bus drivers. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced the federal government is helping veterans to pursue transportation careers, and this includes obtaining a CDL to drive school buses by streamlining the path to getting a license.

The FMCSA’s Military Skills Test Waiver has helped more than 40,000 veterans skip the CDL road test. By temporarily expanding the application window to two years after veterans leave the military, veterans now have twice as long to fast-track their professional driving careers.

“While we expect most of these new entrant drivers to pursue trucking initially, we hope some will consider driving a motorcoach over time,” said United Motorcoach Association President and CEO Scott Michael.

Thirty-four states now participate in the “Even Exchange Program,” giving qualified military veterans access to FMCSA’s knowledge test waiver, according to a statement from UMA.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced an investment of more than $1.1 million in grant funding to help 26 schools and transportation providers in 19 Pennsylvania counties pay for the cost of training for more than 430 new school bus drivers. This includes CDL training, trainee wages, and testing and permit fees. This investment is funded through PennDOT’s School Bus Safety Grant Program to increase school bus safety for Pennsylvania’s students and communities, according to a statement from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

“With his latest budget, Gov. [Josh] Shapiro continues to make historic investments in education and our children’s future. Making sure we have enough qualified drivers to get students to and from school safely and reliably advances that investment,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.

The post School Districts Look for Innovative Approaches to Recruiting and Training appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. — More than three in four parents and guardians say a reliable ride to school makes their child more successful in the classroom, according to new national research released today by EverDriven, the nation’s alternative student transportation leader. The same study found the reverse is just as true: 77% of teachers say they lose instructional time to transportation every week, with 71% losing at least a full day a week to transportation-related lateness or absenteeism. Together, the findings point to a conclusion that reframes how districts might think about transportation entirely: it is not simply whether a ride exists that matters most, but whether that ride is consistent.

The research study, Transportation Consistency is a Lifeline for Students with Additional Needs, surveyed 812 U.S. parents and guardians, teachers, and district administrators. All respondents were connected to students with additional needs, a group that includes students on an IEP or 504 plan, students with medical fragility, students experiencing housing instability under the McKinney-Vento Act, students in foster care, students requiring out-of-district transportation, and students in afterschool or vocational programs.

Consistent Transportation’s Role in Student Success

Across every group surveyed, the same pattern emerged. Students with consistent transportation arrive prepared for the school day, resulting in better academic and social-emotional outcomes. Sixty-nine percent of parents and guardians said a reliable ride left their child noticeably calmer, a finding echoed independently by teachers and administrators describing the positive effect on student behavior and readiness to learn.

“When transportation is reliable, it becomes something students and families can count on to build their routine,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “This research confirms what we hear from districts and caregivers constantly: consistency is one of the clearest levers we have to help the students who need the most support succeed, both in the classroom and beyond. A reliable, on-time ride with the same driver improves caregiver trust, classroom stability for teachers, and attendance-based funding for districts.”

Transportation Reliability’s Financial Impact: From District Funding to Caregiver Careers

The research also found that transportation reliability shapes decisions well beyond the ride itself. Sixty-two percent of parents and guardians said transportation was a major or significant factor in their decisions about where to send their child to school, and district administrators independently reported seeing transportation reliability influence enrollment, transfers, and family trust. For districts where per-pupil funding follows enrollment, the findings suggest transportation reliability functions as a retention issue. The study also examined the operational and compliance pressures districts face when transportation is inconsistent, including its effect on legally required services for students with IEPs and McKinney-Vento protections.

For caregivers, more than half (55%) carried a financial cost tied to their child’s transportation including lost hours, lost wages, or a changed job. Several caregivers surveyed described transportation consistency as unlocking employment opportunities that previously weren’t possible. Angela, a caregiver in Florida, said: “There were certain jobs I couldn’t get because there was nobody else willing to take [my child’s transportation] on. It definitely opened up a lot for me. Now I’m not having to say, ‘I can’t apply for this job because of the hours, or that job because of the location.’”

Despite the clear benefits of consistency, the research found that many districts have not yet closed the gap between the students who qualify for this kind of support and the students actually receiving it. Only 13% of administrators surveyed said all of their qualifying students currently have transportation arranged, a gap the study frames as a meaningful opportunity for districts rather than a shortfall in effort, since the same administrators consistently rank specialized transportation among their top institutional priorities.

Research Methodology

This research combines an independent survey of 812 respondents, fielded in May and June 2026, with 15 in-depth interviews conducted by video with parents and guardians, teachers, and administrators across 10 states.

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

The post 76% Say Reliable Transportation Makes Child More Successful in School, Research Finds appeared first on School Transportation News.

Brigade Electronics showcased its latest bus safety technologies at STNEXPO West in Reno, introducing attendees to advanced AI pedestrian detection, mobile digital recording, AI dashboard solutions, 360-degree and passenger vision systems, and a new preventative solution designed to help protect students during loading and unloading.

This marked Brigade’s first participation in STNEXPO West, an informative and engaging event that brought together school transportation professionals focused on student safety. The expo’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired “Wonderland of Ideas” theme created a lively setting for conversations, demonstrations, and collaboration among attendees and exhibitors.

Edward Renna, Brigade Western Regional Business Development Manager, said, “STNEXPO West is an important event for Brigade. The energy and commitment of the attendees reflect the industry’s shared focus on student safety.”

Advanced bus safety technology introduced:

At the event, Brigade demonstrated a range of safety solutions, including advanced AI pedestrian detection technology, mobile digital recording, AI dashboard solutions, 360-degree camera systems, and passenger vision systems. The company also introduced its latest preventative solution focused on one of the most critical moments in student transportation: loading and unloading.

Although recent reporting indicates some progress in reducing incidents during student loading and unloading, the continued risk to students makes this an urgent area for innovation and improvement. The primary causes of these incidents according to NHTSA studies include:

· Students enter a bus driver’s blind spot while retrieving or carrying objects.

· Motorists illegally pass a stopped bus despite an activated stop arm.

· Students move through blind zones while crossing in front of or behind the vehicle, depending on the route and crossing path.

· Misinterpretation of a bus driver’s hand signal by another road user, creating confusion at the exact moment a student may begin crossing.

· Inattentive students during loading/unloading process.

Although stop-arm cameras have proven to be an effective enforcement and documentation tool, they do not fully address the primary causes of loading and unloading incidents.

Corey Heniser, Brigade Electronics Inc’s CEO, states “Presented with the issues, our engineering team was tasked with developing a truly preventative tool that would effectively warn the students and bus driver when a student was in danger. The result is a technology designed to go beyond recording and reporting by helping prevent incidents during the critical loading and unloading process.”

The new solution consists of a specialty radar, AI, and algorithms to detect time to collision between a student and the object moving towards them. When activated, the system monitors the detection zone, then provides an external audible and visual alert to those outside the bus of the danger when a moving vehicle is not slowing down and within 4 seconds of a probable collision. This gives the student or bus driver time to react to prevent the collision.

Brigade is currently beta testing this solution. Organizations interested in participating as real-world testers and providing feedback are encouraged to contact Teresa Prisbrey at Teresa.prisbrey@brigade-inc.com. Beta opportunities are limited and will be assigned in the order requests are received. Thank you to all the attendees that voted for our new safety solution and to the STNEXPO team for creating an event where ideas, education, and great times come together to keep our students safe.

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CINCINNATI, Ohio – As North America’s largest student transportation services provider, First Student enters the new school year with strong safety, technology, and operational performance. As millions of students prepare to head back to school, the company today announced key safety, technology, and operational milestones from the 2025-26 school year, highlighting measurable improvements that reinforce its commitment to providing the safest, most reliable transportation experience while helping students arrive ready to learn and achieve their full potential.

Throughout the 2025-26 school year, First Student continued investing in its drivers, technology, and operations to further strengthen safety across its network of more than 48,000 vehicles operating from 530+ locations. These investments, combined with the continued expansion of the company’s proprietary HALO platform and AI-powered technology, delivered meaningful improvements in driver performance, operational visibility, and the overall student transportation experience.

“Every great school year begins with a ride. Our mission is to provide the safest, most reliable, and most efficient ride to school, so every student arrives ready to learn and achieve their full potential,” said John Kenning, CEO and President of First Student. “That mission guides every decision we make and is brought to life through our Values, especially our commitment to Care for Our Students and Set the Highest Standards. Every investment we make, from developing our people to advancing our proprietary HALO platform, reflects those commitments. The results we’re sharing today demonstrate what’s possible when you combine an unwavering focus on safety with a culture of continuous improvement and a determination to deliver the very best transportation experience for every student, every day.”

At the center of these investments is First Student’s proprietary HALO technology platform, which brings together advanced safety technology, enterprise applications, fleet health and preventative maintenance, driver tools and compliance, and communication channels, into one integrated transportation ecosystem. By allowing systems to interact with each other and providing a repository for data sharing across applications, HALO gives school districts and divisions greater visibility, improves operational performance and creates a safer, more connected transportation experience for students and families.

Working alongside Samsara (NYSE: IOT), First Student leveraged AI-powered safety deployments to achieve a 49% reduction in rolling stops and 45% decrease in inattentive driving1. First Student’s commitment to advancing safety through technology has also earned industry recognition, with David Perez, Vice President of Safety at First Student, named Technology Leader of the Year in Samsara’s 2026 Connected Operations Awards.

“Receiving Samsara’s Technology Leader of the Year award is an incredible honor, but it truly reflects the work of our entire First Student team,” said David Perez, Vice President of Safety at First Student. “Our mission is to provide the safest, most reliable ride to school, and technology helps us deliver on that promise every day. By pairing innovation with our deep commitment to safety and care for our students, we are setting a higher standard for student transportation and creating safer experiences for the communities we serve.”

The company’s commitment to student well-being is demonstrated through its proprietary First Serves behavioral support program, which bridges the gap between the classroom and the school bus by connecting experienced transportation professionals, educational and behavioral experts, school district leaders, and families. Designed specifically for the student transportation environment, First Serves empowers drivers with the skills and support to effectively manage student behavior and create a safer, more positive transportation experience for students, drivers, and the districts they serve.

“Before First Serves, I often felt frustrated and overwhelmed trying to manage challenging behaviors,” said Kathy Sands, First Student van driver for Berkshire Local School District. “This training gave me the tools to understand why behaviors happen and how to respond with empathy and confidence. The difference has been life-changing for my students and for me. My van is now calmer, my students are happier, and I truly love coming to work each day.”

First Student is setting the standard for electric student transportation and operates a large electric school bus fleet. During the 2025-26 school year, the company operated approximately 490 electric school buses, with more than 550 additional vehicles on order. Having logged more than 11.2 million electric miles, First Student continues to demonstrate how transportation at scale can accelerate innovation while delivering proven operational performance for school districts and divisions.

As students head back to school, families want confidence that their child’s ride will be safe, reliable and on time. First Student’s First View® parent tracking app now connects more than 300,000 parents through real-time bus and alternative vehicle tracking, estimated arrival times, and transportation updates. With a 4.8-star rating on the iOS Store and multilingual capabilities, First View helps strengthen communication between school districts and families while creating a more connected transportation experience.

These continued investments have earned recognition across both the transportation and technology industries. During the 2025-2026 school year, First Student was named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2026 list and received recognition from TIME Best Inventions, Fast Company Next Big Things in Tech, and the Edison Awards for the innovation and impact of its HALO technology platform. Together, these achievements reflect First Student’s continued commitment to helping school districts, families, and students start every school year with confidence.

About First Student
First Student, the leading student transportation provider in North America, safely transports millions of students across the U.S. and Canada each day. With a fleet of more than 48,000 vehicles and a workforce of highly trained drivers, the company partners with school districts, divisions, and boards to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient transportation solutions that families can depend on. Named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2026 list, First Student provides a range of transportation services, including special-needs transportation, routing and fleet management, vehicle electrification, maintenance services, and charter transportation. Through its proprietary HALO transportation technology platform, First Student integrates safety, operations, maintenance, workforce management and customer communications into one intelligent transportation ecosystem that is helping shape the future of student transportation.

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DATTCO, a leading school transportation provider, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of The Big Yellow Adventure, its children’s book created to help young students overcome anxiety and build confidence before riding the school bus for the first time. Since its launch, the book has become a trusted resource for parents, caregivers, schools and communities preparing children for one of the first big steps in their educational journey.

One Year of Impact
One year later, The Big Yellow Adventure continues to help children understand what to expect when they board a school bus for the first time. Through a warm, age-appropriate story, the book helps young riders manage first-day nerves, learn basic safety expectations and see the school bus as a welcoming part of their daily routine.

The response from families has been significant. To date, the book’s website has been visited by more than 14,000 people, and the book and related resources have been downloaded more than 4,000 times. For parents and caregivers, the book has become a practical way to start conversations about school bus safety, independence and confidence before the first day of school.

“When we created The Big Yellow Adventure, our goal was simple: help children feel more comfortable and confident the first time they ride the school bus,” said Kyle DeVivo, COO of DATTCO. “One year later, seeing how many families have used this resource tells us there was a real need. It gives parents a way to talk through the experience, answer questions and make that first bus ride feel less intimidating.”

Don DeVivo, CEO and President of DATTCO, added: “At DATTCO, school transportation is about more than safely getting students from home to school and back again. We are part of the communities we serve, and we believe that means looking for meaningful ways to support families beyond the bus ride itself. This book is a great example of how DATTCO goes above and beyond to serve children, parents, schools and the broader community.”

A Resource for Parents and Caregivers
The book was developed in collaboration with behavioral health professionals from OPTIMUS Healthcare, who reviewed the content for age-appropriateness and emotional impact. Written by Paul Mayer, children’s author and DATTCO’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, and illustrated by Nancy Ingenito, the book combines practical guidance with engaging visuals designed to help children feel prepared, reassured and ready for the school bus experience.

Designed for parents and caregivers to read aloud, The Big Yellow Adventure gives families a shared language for discussing what the first day of bus riding may feel like. It helps adults reassure children, explain the bus routine, reinforce safety expectations and turn uncertainty into confidence.

Going Above and Beyond for Communities
The success of The Big Yellow Adventure reflects DATTCO’s broader commitment to serving its communities beyond traditional school bus transportation. By creating and sharing a free educational resource, DATTCO is helping families prepare children emotionally and practically for a positive school transportation experience.

The free digital picture book and coloring book remain available through DATTCO’s website at www.dattcoschoolbus.com/the-big-yellow-adventure/. The resources are available in both English and Spanish, making them accessible to families across the communities DATTCO serves.

Supporting Families Before the First Ride
For many children, the first school bus ride is also one of their first experiences with independence. The Big Yellow Adventure helps make that transition easier by giving families a positive, approachable way to talk about new routines, new people and new responsibilities. The book reinforces DATTCO’s belief that a safe ride begins with trust, preparation and care.

About DATTCO
DATTCO has provided safe, reliable school transportation for decades, transporting more than 120,000 students daily. The company’s commitment to safety, reliability and community engagement has made it a trusted partner in education transportation. The Big Yellow Adventure reflects DATTCO’s dedication to student well-being and its commitment to supporting families beyond the bus ride. The book is available through DATTCO’s website at www.dattcoschoolbus.com/the-big-yellow-adventure/.

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- Zūm, a leader in modern student mobility, today announced it will celebrate the opening of its new Philadelphia operations center with a driver and family celebration and hiring event on Thursday, August 6, marking the next milestone in Zum’s continued investment in local drivers and its partnership with the School District of Philadelphia.

The event is designed for current and prospective school bus drivers, especially those with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and their families. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Zum’s local leadership team, hear from experienced drivers about their careers, tour the new school bus yard, participate in onsite interviews, and learn more about joining the Zum team. Families will enjoy free food, Kona Ice, bounce houses, face painting, and raffle prizes throughout the day.

The celebration marks the opening of Zum’s new Philadelphia operations center, a modern home base designed to support drivers with state-of-the-art facilities, training, and technology as the company prepares for the 2026–27 school year. It also represents the next chapter of Zūm’s previously announced investment in Philadelphia.

“When we announced our investment in Philadelphia, we made a commitment to local drivers, their families, and the School District of Philadelphia that we were here for the long term,” said Missy Lash, General Manager, Philadelphia at Zum. “Thursday’s celebration is about delivering on that promise. We are excited to welcome current and prospective drivers and their families to our new home, celebrate the people who make student mobility possible every day, and continue building a world-class team that will serve Philadelphia students for years to come.”

The new operations center reflects Zum’s driver-first approach to student mobility. Drivers benefit from modern facilities, digital tools, real-time communication, and technology that simplifies daily operations, reducing administrative burden and allowing them to focus on what matters most: serving students safely and reliably.

Every school day, thousands of Philadelphia students depend on reliable student mobility to access education. By combining technology, operational excellence, and investments in people, Zum is helping create a more reliable experience for students, families, school districts, and the drivers who serve them.

“Our drivers are the heart of everything we do,” said Liz Sanchez, Executive Vice President of Student Mobility at Zum. “They are the first and last face many students see each school day, providing families with peace of mind and making access to education possible. As we grow in Philadelphia, we are investing in our drivers because they are the foundation of a stronger student mobility system.”

The driver and family celebration also serves as a hiring event for school bus drivers and monitors interested in joining the Zum team. Current drivers will share their experiences working at Zūm and discuss the company’s culture, growth opportunities, and technology-enabled approach to student mobility. Hiring managers will be available throughout the event to assist prospective employees with applications, interviews, and offer letters.

Zum now serves more than 6,500 schools across 18 states, helping school districts improve reliability, strengthen communication with families, and transform one of the nation’s largest public mobility systems through its AI-powered Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) platform.

Event Details

Zum Philadelphia Driver & Family Celebration and Hiring Event

Thursday, August 6, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Zum Philadelphia Operations Center
2502 Wheatsheaf Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19137

Current and prospective school bus drivers—especially those with a CDL—are encouraged to attend. Families are welcome.

Event Highlights

Grand opening of Zūm’s new Philadelphia operations center

Inside tours of the state of the art Zum buses

Meet the Zūm Philadelphia leadership team

Hear from veteran Zūm drivers about their experience, career growth, and what makes Zūm different

School bus driver and monitor hiring event with onsite interviews and applications

Free food and Kona Ice

Bounce houses and face painting for children

Raffle prizes for drivers and their families throughout the day

About Zum
Zum is modernizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the student mobility market, Zum is addressing a daily source of anxiety and disruption by providing a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Learn more at www.ridezum.com. Today, more than 6,500 schools in 18 states have relied on the Zum CMX system.

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CARTY in the United States, opening doors for further expansion into adjacent markets.

MACON, Ga. — Blue Bird Corporation (“Blue Bird”) (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, announced today its fiscal 2026 third quarter financial results.

“I am incredibly proud of our team in delivering another outstanding quarterly result,” said John Wyskiel, President & CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “The Blue Bird team continued to exceed expectations, improving operations, navigating tariffs, and expanding our leadership in alternative-powered buses. We delivered an exceptional Adj. EBITDA of $71M for the third fiscal quarter of 2026, including consolidated results from our recent Micro Bird acquisition.

“In our push to expand our leadership in alternative-powered school buses, we delivered 355 electric-powered buses this quarter. As of the end of the quarter, we had more than 770 EV buses in our firm order backlog, which supports our EV sales target for 2026.

“Additionally, we just announced a major collaboration agreement with Ford Motor Company to design, manufacture and sell the next generation F53/59 commercial stripped chassis. Blue Bird will integrate Ford’s next generation medium-duty gas powertrain into this new stripped chassis. As part of this arrangement, Blue Bird will also purchase the assets of Detroit Chassis LLC’s Detroit Plant. Detroit Chassis is the assembler of the current F53/59 stripped chassis. This transaction is anticipated to close early 2027, shortly after the current chassis ends production. Production of the next generation stripped chassis is planned to begin early 2028. This move is a significant component of our Long-Term Strategy, and will position us to be a growing player in the specialty vehicle/chassis market.”

FY2026 Guidance and Long-Term Outlook

“We are very pleased with our third quarter results, driven by excellent Blue Bird results as well as the integration of Micro Bird,” said Razvan Radulescu, CFO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Our business is in a very strong position and we continue to deliver ahead of the plan we have been messaging. With the record first nine months we have delivered, we are raising our full-year 2026 Adj. EBITDA guidance.

“The updated 2026 Guidance is Net Revenue at ~$1.75 Billion and Adj. EBITDA to ~$247 million. Additionally, we are raising our long-term profit outlook to include the recent announcement of our expanded Ford collaboration and purchase of Detroit Assembly Plant’s assets, towards a 2030+ long-term Adjusted EBITDA of $500+ million, or 15%+, on $3.3 billion in revenue. We are confident in our profitable growth plans.”

Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter Results

Net Sales

Net sales were $517.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $119.1 million, or 29.9%, compared to $398.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Micro Bird contributed $122.9 million of net sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2026. The $3.8 million, or 1.0%, decrease in net sales for the legacy Blue Bird operations is primarily due to a 7.2% decrease in units sold resulting from timing due to a customer mix change as we produced a large number of units for certain customers that we will recognize as revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 when the units are delivered to coincide with school resuming. Many of these units contributed to the significant increase in finished goods inventory at June 27, 2026. However, the decrease resulting from selling fewer units was partially offset by Bus customer and product mix changes and cumulative Bus price increases, including increases that were intended to mitigate the impact of increased procurement costs for certain of our imported inventory as a result of the imposition of tariffs beginning during the second half of fiscal 2025 and continuing into the first three quarters of fiscal 2026.

Bus sales increased $119.5 million, or 32.1%, for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2025, which included the $122.9 million of net sales that Micro Bird contributed during the third quarter of fiscal 2026. Bus sales for the legacy Blue Bird operations decreased $3.5 million, or 0.9%, reflecting a 7.2% decrease in unit bookings that was partially offset by a 6.7% increase in average sales price per unit. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, 2,290 legacy Blue Bird units booked compared to 2,467 units that booked during the same period in fiscal 2025. The increase in legacy Blue Bird unit price for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to the same period in fiscal 2025 was primarily due to customer and product mix changes as well as price increases implemented to offset increases in inventory costs.

Parts sales decreased $0.3 million, or 1.2%, for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2025. This small decrease is primarily attributed to slight variations due to product and channel mix that slightly exceeded price increases that were implemented to offset increases in inventory costs.

Gross Profit

Third quarter gross profit of $103.4 million represented an increase of $17.4 million from the third quarter of last year. The increase is primarily attributed to the acquisition of Micro Bird, which contributed $17.3 million of gross profit during the third quarter of fiscal 2026.

Net Income

Net income was $185.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $148.8 million from the third quarter of last year. Micro Bird contributed $7.4 million of net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2026. Among other smaller fluctuations, the increase in net income for legacy Blue Bird operations was largely driven by an increase of $136.8 million in other income (expense), net, which primarily consists of $4.5 million of pretax costs relating to the acquisition of the remaining 50% of the outstanding voting common stock of Micro Bird effective April 1, 2026 and a $160.5 million gain during the third quarter of fiscal 2026 resulting from remeasuring the value of the previously held 50% equity investment to its acquisition date fair value in connection with the Micro Bird acquisition, which was partially offset by a $19.6 million loss resulting from the settlement of the pension benefits earned by the majority of pension plan participants. Neither of these had corresponding gains/losses during the third quarter of fiscal 2025.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted net income of $45.0 million represented an increase of $6.3 million from the third quarter of last year. The increase was primarily driven by $148.8 million increase in Net Income, discussed above, when adjusting for the impact of certain expenses and gains that are excluded in calculating Adjusted Net Income, including share-based compensation, Micro Bird acquisition costs, gain from Micro Bird Acquisition, and pension plan settlement loss, discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $71.4 million, which was an increase of $12.9 million compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Micro Bird contributed $16.5 million of Adjusted EBITDA during the third quarter of fiscal 2026. The $3.6 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA for the legacy Blue Bird operations primarily relates to the (i) $1.2 million increase in equity in net loss of non-consolidated affiliates and (ii) $3.0 million decrease in Micro Bird total interest expense, net; income tax expense or benefit; depreciation expense and amortization expense that is included in calculating Adjusted EBITDA, both during the third quarter of fiscal 2026 when compared with corresponding period in fiscal 2025.

Year-to-Date Fiscal 2026 Results

Net Sales

Net sales were $1,202.9 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2026, an increase of $132.1 million, or 12.3%, compared to $1,070.7 million for the nine months ended June 28, 2025. Micro Bird contributed $122.9 million of net sales during the nine months ended June 27, 2026. The $9.2 million, or 0.9%, increase in net sales for the legacy Blue Bird operations is primarily due to Bus customer and product mix changes and cumulative Bus price increases, including increases that were intended to mitigate the impact of increased procurement costs for certain of our imported inventory as a result of the imposition of tariffs beginning during the second half of fiscal 2025 and continuing into the first three quarters of fiscal 2026. The legacy Blue Bird Bus increases described above were partially offset by a decrease in Bus units sold resulting from timing due to a customer mix change as we produced a large number of units for certain customers that we will recognize as revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 when the units are delivered to coincide with school resuming. Many of these units contributed to the significant increase in finished goods inventory at June 27, 2026.

Bus sales increased $131.3 million, or 13.2%, for the nine months ended June 27, 2026 compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2025, which included the $122.9 million of net sales that Micro Bird contributed during the nine months ended June 27, 2026. Bus sales for the legacy Blue Bird operations increased $8.4 million, or 0.8%, reflecting a 5.7% increase in average sales price per unit that was partially offset by a 4.6% decrease in units booked. The increase in unit price for the first nine months of fiscal 2026 compared to the same period in fiscal 2025 was primarily due to customer and product mix changes as well as price increases implemented to offset increases in inventory costs. This increase was partially offset by the impact of booking 6,573 units in the nine months ended June 27, 2026 compared with 6,892 units during the same period in fiscal 2025.

Parts sales increased $0.8 million, or 1.0%, for the nine months ended June 27, 2026 compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2025. This increase is primarily attributed to price increases that were implemented to offset increases in inventory costs as well as higher fulfillment volumes and slight variations due to product and channel mix.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the nine months ended June 27, 2026 was $245.3 million, an increase of $28.2 million compared with the same period in the prior year. Micro Bird contributed $17.3 million of gross profit during the nine months ended June 27, 2026. Gross profit for legacy Blue Bird operations was primarily driven by the $9.2 million increase in net sales.

Net Income

Net income was $245.3 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2026, which was a $154.1 million increase from the same period in the prior year. Micro Bird contributed $7.4 million of net income during the nine months ended June 27, 2026. Among other smaller fluctuations, the increase in net income for legacy Blue Bird operations was largely driven by an increase of $130.4 million in other income (expense), net, which primarily consists of $7.2 million of pretax costs relating to the acquisition of the remaining 50% of the outstanding voting common stock of Micro Bird effective April 1, 2026 and a $160.5 million gain during the third quarter of fiscal 2026 resulting from remeasuring the value of the previously held 50% equity investment to its acquisition date fair value in connection with the Micro Bird acquisition, which was partially offset by a $19.6 million loss resulting from the settlement of the pension benefits earned by the majority of pension plan participants. Neither of these had corresponding gains/losses during the nine months ended June 28, 2025.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted net income for the nine months ended June 27, 2026 was $110.0 million, an increase of $9.2 million compared with the same period last year, primarily due to the $154.1 million increase in net income, discussed above, when adjusting for the impact of certain expenses and gains that are excluded in calculating Adjusted Net Income, including share-based compensation, Micro Bird acquisition costs, gain from Micro Bird Acquisition, and pension plan settlement loss, discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $172.3 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2026, an increase of $18.8 million compared with the same period in the prior year. Micro Bird contributed $16.5 million of Adjusted EBITDA during the nine months ended June 27, 2026. The $2.3 million increase in Adjusted EBITDA for the legacy Blue Bird operations primarily relates to the $11.7 million increase in gross profit, when adjusted for the impact of expenses that are excluded in calculating Adjusted EBITDA, as outlined in the revenue and cost of goods sold discussions above, that was partially offset by the (i) $6.4 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, when adjusting for the impact of expenses that are excluded in calculating Adjusted EBITDA, and (ii) $3.4 million decrease in other income, net, when adjusted for the impact of income and expense amounts that are excluded in calculating Adjusted EBITDA as discussed above, all during the nine months ended June 27, 2026 compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2025.

About Blue Bird Corporation

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

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WARRENVILLE, Ill. – Summit School Services is proud to introduce James (Jim) Wojciechowski Jr. as its new senior vice president of safety. Jim will lead the safety team in advancing comprehensive safety strategies, programs, policies, and training initiatives, while providing strategic direction to drive effective implementation, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance across the Company.

As an experienced safety professional, Jim brings with him an extensive career in safety leadership and has a proven track record of success in steering measurable improvements in safety performance and operational excellence. Prior to joining Summit, Jim served as the Senior Vice President of Safety and Industrial Engineering at RATP Dev USA, where he advanced crucial core business processes through his leadership and implementation of enterprise-wide safety initiatives. He also served in similar capacities at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and Amtrak, overseeing and developing effective safety systems and programs, and is a proud military veteran, which he cites as the key reason for his interest in joining the student transportation industry, sharing the following:

“I experienced a great sense of purpose when I served in the military. I feel that same exact sense of purpose when it comes to student transportation because our mission is about more than providing a ride; we are serving communities.”

Regarding stepping into his new role at Summit, Jim looks forward to the rewarding nature of the industry and working collaboratively across departments to continuously expand and advance the company’s safety processes and initiatives – helping to ensure we provide safe, reliable student transportation that communities trust and families depend on.

“I feel a profound sense of purpose as I join Summit as its safety leader,” said Jim Wojciechowski Jr., Senior Vice President of Safety, Summit School Services. “We specialize in transporting our children, the future of our country. This comes with a responsibility and commitment that must never waiver. I look forward to contributing to our thriving business by ensuring we are never satisfied with the status quo and systematically analyzing, identifying, and acting to mitigate safety risks proactively and effectively.”

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Jim to Summit School Services,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Summit School Services. “It is an honor to work with a military veteran who possesses a deep sense of duty and high regard for safety. Since joining, Jim has taken the time to meet with our teams, learn about their work, and see firsthand the dedication they bring to serving students every day during his trips to our local bus facilities. His leadership and expertise in enhancing safety management systems and fostering proactive, accountable safety cultures will undoubtedly further strengthen our organization and support our continued growth. I look forward to Jim’s leadership and the positive impacts he will make not only for Summit, but also for our students, the communities we serve, and the student transportation industry as a whole.”

About Summit School Services
Summit School Services sets the standard for safe, reliable student transportation across North America. As the parent organization to trusted local operators including Durham School Services, Stock Transportation, and Petermann Bus, Summit supports over 360 school districts. Driven by our five values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Communities, and Culture, we deliver transportation that works consistently, reliably, and without disruption.

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To little fanfare earlier this year, Summit School Services became the rebranded name of the company that operates Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, Stock Transportation and other local student transportation brands across North America. The head of the school bus contractor group says the new identity is designed to better reflect its focus on operational consistency, safety, accountability and long-term partnerships with school districts.

School Transportation News spoke with Tim Wertner, CEO of Summit School Services, about what prompted the rebrand following the company’s acquisition last July by Mobico Group, how customers have responded, ongoing investments in technology and operations, and how the company is navigating rising costs, alternative fuels, driver labor pressures and evolving transportation models.

STN: What necessitated the name/branding change?

Wertner: The transition to Summit School Services reflects the evolution of our organization and a more focused approach to serving school districts and communities.
The Summit name represents our commitment to reaching the highest standard in student transportation through operational excellence, accountability and continuous improvement. As our organization has grown, we saw an opportunity to create greater alignment across our operating companies. We felt it was necessary to define that and reinforce the values that matter most to our customers: Safety, reliability and long-term partnership.

While the name is new, the foundation of our business remains the same. The local teams, relationships and service our customers depend on every day are unchanged. What Summit School Services brings is greater consistency, stronger operational support, investment in people, fleet, and technology, and a shared commitment to delivering dependable transportation outcomes for the communities we serve.

In short, our rebrand reflects a clearer expression of how we intend to serve our customers and how we will continue raising the standard for student transportation.

STN: What new updates can you share since the introduction of Summit School Services?

Wertner: Most recently, we unveiled the next phase of our new identity, our mission, vision and values. These were introduced in late spring, and we are proud to carry them with us on our new climb up. I encourage you to take a look at the introductory video we shared on our LinkedIn page as it provides a clear visual representation and explanation of our commitments going forward for both Summit and our local operating brands, which I think is probably one of the most important distinctions to make.

In short, Summit has introduced greater consistency in operational standards, accountability and support across our organization. Our overarching role is to equip
our local operating brands (such as Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, and Stock Transportation) with the tools, technology and resources they need to deliver on their commitment to providing safe, reliable transportation for the communities they serve.

STN: How about developments related to operations? What can we expect in the near future from Summit and its operating brands?
Wertner: Since introducing Summit School Services, our focus has been on building the systems, standards and infrastructure that help our operating brands deliver
an even higher level of service.

Over the next 12 months, we plan to invest more than $5 million across our organization to strengthen technology, fleet capabilities and operational support. One example is the rollout of new GPS technology across our fleet, a multi-year initiative that will enhance
visibility, efficiency and service reliability. Today, 92 percent of our operating locations utilize route optimization technology, helping improve on-time performance and operational efficiency across our network.

Safety continues to be at the center of everything we do. Our buses are equipped with smart camera technology, and drivers complete comprehensive daily vehicle inspections that include more than 60 safety checkpoints before a bus goes into service.

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we’re just getting started. These investments are laying the foundation for continued innovation, stronger performance and an even better experience for our school district partners, students and families.

STN: What have customer reactions been so far? Any new business development?
Wertner: Customer feedback has been very encouraging. The most common questions we receive are whether the Summit transition will affect local operations, contracts, or day-to-day service. Our answer is simple: No.

What we’ve found is that customers value the local relationships they’ve built over time, and they want reassurance that those relationships will remain intact. They also want to understand what benefits Summit brings. That’s where the conversation becomes exciting.

Our local operating brands remain unchanged and continue to serve their communities under the trusted brands customers know today. The same local teams, routes and service commitments remain in place. Summit’s role is to strengthen those operations, not replace them.

For school districts, that means the benefits of a strong national platform combined with the responsiveness of a local partner. They gain greater operational consistency, proven safety standards, financial stability, transparent communication, and access to resources that help drive continuous improvement.

From a business development perspective, the Summit School Services brand has helped us tell a clearer story about who we are and how we operate. Prospective customers increasingly recognize the value of a model that combines local expertise with the scale,
resources, and operational discipline needed to deliver reliable transportation services over the long term.

STN: Two years ago, you told us electric school bus purchase cost was the biggest challenge to adoption. Cost has only increased but so have the purchase costs of diesel and gasoline, and those respective fuel prices have risen, too. What is Summit’s perspective on the current business case for electric school buses, especially with the Clean School Bus Program returning? Other fuels such as propane and renewable diesel?

Wertner: Two years ago, upfront purchase cost was the primary challenge to electric school bus adoption, and that remains a significant consideration today. While diesel and gasoline bus costs and fuel prices have also increased, electric buses still require a higher initial investment and supporting charging infrastructure.

That said, the business case has evolved. Electric school buses are viewed through a broader lens that includes total cost of ownership, route profile, infrastructure readiness, maintenance, energy costs, and available funding programs.

The return of the EPA Clean School Bus Program and other state programs are important because programs like this help bridge the upfront cost gap and expand deployment opportunities where the operational fit is strong.

We also believe the industry will continue to utilize multiple technologies. Electric buses are a strong solution in the right operating environment, while fuels such as propane and renewable diesel can also play an important role depending on fleet needs, infrastructure
availability and regional conditions.

Ultimately, our focus is deploying the right technology for the right application while maintaining safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation for students.

STN: Labor costs also continue to rise, and Summit, like its competitors, remain pressured by driver union strikes or the threat of them. How does Summit navigate this ongoing environment amid rising capital and operational costs that can conflict with decreasing school district budgets?

Wertner: The rising operational costs coupled with decreasing school district budgets have definitely been a difficult challenge that we’ve been trying to navigate with our customers during contract negotiations. We’ve had to really take a step back to look at our transportation plans holistically while also drilling down to the details to identify new
ways we can address operational costs without compromising on safety and quality. Looking for efficiencies in both routing and vehicle types so that bus size matches ridership levels is one example, as well as building in protection for driver wages in the contract and having districts provide fuel can also help reduce pressures on cost.

Conversations with customers regarding investment in driver wages are generally easier to have as there is a mutual understanding and respect for the important role drivers play in having safe and dependable service. However, with the additional pressures of insurance and new vehicle costs, tariffs, inflation, and more that have arisen since the initial wage pressure began, the pressure on both contractors and customers have increased again, this time even more significantly.

We continue to work diligently, creatively and collaboratively with our customers to resourcefully maneuver through and address these challenges the best we can while maintaining the same level of service excellence.

STN: Meanwhile, alternative student transportation models and options only expand, yet Summit to date has not entered this submarket. Why is this?

Wertner: Alternative transportation is not a separate conversation from student transportation anymore; it’s increasingly part of the overall mobility solution districts need and a submarket we are currently involved in and continue to pursue and expand on based on the needs of our customers.

Alternative transportation is a highly specialized, evolving submarket that requires much more detailed considerations, comprehensive planning and thoughtful execution. With this in mind, we’ve taken a conservative but deliberate approach to engage in this submarket
based on our customers’ needs. By growing conservatively and in step with customer demand, we can refine our approach, continue to build and strengthen expertise, and deliver strong, long-term outcomes for customers, students and the communities we serve.

Our focus remains on providing high-quality service and our involvement in alternative transportation will continue to expand accordingly guided by need, informed by experience, and grounded in our commitment to delivering exceptional service.

STN: Do you have anything else you’d like to share?

Wertner: I’d encourage anyone interested in learning more about Summit School Services to visit our newly launched website at summitllc.com. The site provides a comprehensive overview of our organization, our operating model, the services we provide, and our commitment to delivering safe, reliable transportation for school districts and communities across North America.

This is truly an exciting time for Summit. Over the past year, we’ve focused on strengthening our organization through investments in technology, operational excellence, safety standards, and support for our local operating companies.

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and we’re even more excited about what’s ahead. We look forward to continuing to partner with school districts, families, and communities as we work to raise the standard in student transportation. For the latest company news and updates, we also invite people to connect with Summit and our operating brands on LinkedIn. We have plenty of peaks to reach on this new climb of ours, so we hope you’ll continue to follow along.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the July 2026 issue of School Transportation News.

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Related: Q&A: Cybersecurity in Student Transportation: Why It Matters, Where It’s Headed
Related: (STN Podcast E299) Meeting Needs: Answering Questions on Alternative Student Transportation
Related: Summit School Services Leads the Way with Full Fleet Implementation of Samsara Safety Technology
Related: Technology Webinar Tackles the School Bus Driver Shortage

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A driver suffered a medical emergency while transporting students and had to be rushed to the hospital.

The situation could have caused major disruptions and delays.

Not so for Norman Public Schools (Okla.) students and transportation officials. The transportation team was able to act immediately. Using Transfinder’s technology, staff reassigned student stops to another driver and seamlessly updated routing information in real time. The replacement driver picked up the students and completed the route with only a minimal delay.

“We got them home on time,” recalled David Chandler, assistant director of transportation at the Oklahoma school district. “They were maybe three minutes late getting home.”

Chander said Transfinder’s suite of solutions helped the district adjust to a real-world emergency in real-time, demonstrating the value of having technology that can adapt in seconds.

That ability to respond quickly has become increasingly important in an era when transportation departments must do more with fewer resources. Technology also helps make substitute drivers more successful, especially when they are covering unfamiliar routes.

Chandler there’s a simple way to describe the district’s relationship with Transfinder.

“We have all the finders,” he says with a laugh.

It’s a phrase that has become something of a running joke within the department, but it also reflects how deeply Transfinder’s technology has become integrated into every aspect of Norman Public Schools’ transportation operation. From routing and maintenance to driver workflows and parent communication, Chandler and his team rely on a comprehensive suite of Transfinder solutions to keep thousands of students moving safely and efficiently every day.

Norman Public Schools is no small operation. The district operates about 105 buses, runs nearly 80 routes and transports between 6,000 and 7,000 students daily. As one of Oklahoma’s largest school districts, the transportation team faces the same challenges confronting school systems nationwide: driver shortages, route efficiency, communication demands, safety concerns and the constant need to adapt to unexpected situations.

Transfinder has been a critical partner to help the district meet those challenges. For Norman Public Schools, Transfinder is much more than a software provider.

Norman Public Schools has Transfinder’s award-winning Routefinder PLUS, parent app Stopfinder, driver app Wayfinder, field trip management tool Tripfinder, fleet maintenance and inventory management solution Servicefinder, Infofinder i for school bus stop information and Viewfinder, which gives authorized district officials critical transportation information.

“We’ve integrated all of the products of Transfinder into our transportation department,” he said.

When Chandler arrived at Norman Public Schools four years ago, many drivers still relied on paper route sheets. Today, Wayfinder’s turn-by-turn navigation helps drivers confidently navigate routes while ensuring they follow the district’s carefully designed transportation plans. Drivers who were initially hesitant about new technology quickly became supporters once they experienced the benefits firsthand.

“We were able to let them see and test it out,” Chandler says. Drivers soon discovered that the tablets provided clear directions and simplified route coverage for substitutes.

“I just put the tablet on the route, turn the speakers up, and it tells me turn by turn,” Chandler said.

Beyond routing, Servicefinder has helped to modernize vehicle maintenance and repair tracking. The platform enables mechanics, supervisors and administrators to work from the same information, creating greater visibility throughout the maintenance process. Repairs can be assigned, tracked and documented in one system while costs are monitored along the way.

Chandler was a strong advocate for bringing maintenance operations back under the Transfinder umbrella.

“I love everything under one umbrella,” he says.

Even technicians who were initially reluctant to adopt the system have become champions after seeing the platform’s improvements and capabilities.

Meanwhile, Stopfinder has transformed communication with families. Parents can receive transportation information, monitor bus activity and communicate directly with the transportation department. Norman has aggressively promoted the platform through QR codes, district communications and outreach efforts to ensure families understand the value of staying connected.

Parents have embraced the technology, even using it to notify transportation staff when their child won’t be riding.

“They can message us through Stopfinder, and it comes straight to us,” Chandler explains.

Yet despite the technology, Chandler says one factor consistently sets Transfinder apart: customer service.

Whether his team has questions, needs training or encounters a challenge, Transfinder’s support team is readily available. Chandler credits the company’s willingness to jump on calls, conduct virtual meetings and walk users through issues step by step as a major reason for the partnership’s success.

“The customer service has been paramount. It’s been top notch,” Chandler says. “They’re answering our questions. They’ll say, ‘Let’s jump on a Zoom call.’ They’ll walk you step by step. That’s what we really love.”

For a transportation department responsible for safely serving thousands of students every day, that level of support matters.

After seeing how the solutions work together across routing, navigation, maintenance, inspections and parent communications, Chandler has become one of Transfinder’s strongest advocates.

“I’m really impressed with all of their products,” he says. “I really like all the products that Transfinder has.”

And in Norman Public Schools, having “all the finders” means having the tools, partnership and support needed to keep transportation running smoothly, no matter what challenges come down the road.

Why Transfinder Is a Critical Partner to Norman Public Schools

• All-in-One Transportation Solution
  “We have all the finders.” Norman relies on Transfinder across routing, maintenance, inspections, navigation and communications.
• Ready for Any Challenge
  When emergencies happen, Transfinder helps staff reroute students and keep service running with minimal disruption.
• Drivers Go with Confidence
  Turn-by-turn navigation helps both regular and substitute drivers stay on route and on schedule.
• Smarter Fleet Management
  Servicefinder gives the team real-time visibility into repairs, maintenance and costs.
• Support That Sets the Standard
  Top-notch customer service, hands-on training and responsive support make Transfinder a true partner.
• Better Connections with Parents
  Stopfinder keeps families informed and provides direct communication with transportation staff.

To learn more about the STN Expo 2026 Innovation Choice Awards: award-winning Best Hardware, Best Software, Best Safety Technology, and Best Green Technology leveraged by Norman Public Schools, visit www.transfinder.com, email solutions@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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School bus rooftop snow and ice removal is about more than legal compliance, it’s about keeping students, drivers and the public safe while keeping transportation operations running on schedule.

Many school transportation departments recognize the benefits of automated rooftop snow removal. The challenge is justifying the investment.

Between labor costs, overtime, delayed routes, staffing shortages, employee safety and equipment utilization, the true cost of manual snow removal isn’t always easy to quantify.

In this webinar, Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite experts and a transportation customer break down the operational and financial costs of manual rooftop snow and ice removal and show you how to evaluate the return on investment of automation.

You’ll leave with practical ROI tools, real-world insights and the data you need to build a stronger business case for automated rooftop snow removal within your organization.

Brought to you by Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite

 

REGISTER BELOW:

 

Featured Transportation Director:

Daniel Boyea
Assistant Director of Transportation
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (RCS) Central School District, New York

A 25-year industry veteran, Daniel oversees operation and maintenance of a 53-bus fleet with a dedicated team of 60 transportation professionals. In previous roles, he maintained a fleet of 217 school buses and managed a team of 13 mechanics. Daniel has served as President of the Capital Chapter of the New York Head Mechanics Association for the past six years, training mechanics across the region. He’s a certified School Bus Driver Instructor and a 19-A Certified Examiner. Daniel has been featured twice in School Transportation News magazine, including as their Garage Star in August 2021.

More Speakers:

Fin Livingston
Director of Product Management for Exterior Solutions
Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite

Fin’s deep expertise in rooftop snow removal automation, fleet safety and operational productivity has helped customers for more than 30 years. He leads Rite-Hite’s development of solutions designed to improve safety and performance in transportation, logistics, and fleet and school bus operations. Fin entrusted his four children to school bus operators for the entirety of their education, giving him a profound personal appreciation for safe, reliable student transportation.

 

Mike Shelton
Business Development Manager for Exterior Solutions
Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite

Mike helps transportation and fleet operators get the most out of their equipment. With his passion for customer success and automated solutions, he collaborates with industry experts to take your snow removal capabilities further. Mike’s experience in industrial safety gives him opportunities to partner with customers to identify equipment, technology and data solutions to improve safety, productivity and operational efficiency.

 

Jackie Germer
Inside Sales Representative
Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite

Jackie helps school bus and truck fleet operators across North America improve winter safety, productivity and operational efficiency. For the past decade, she’s been a driving force in fostering the Scraper Systems customer network, working directly with transportation directors, fleet managers, contractors and operators to get their insights and advocate for solutions to their challenges. Jackie’s passion is born of the practical, on-the-ground considerations of Scraper Systems customers to improve safety, reduce labor demands and maintain winter readiness.

The post (Free Webinar) School Bus Rooftop Snow Removal: ROI Tools to Help Decide Which Method is Right for You appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. -EverDriven, the leader in Alternative Student Transportation, reflected on a defining year for the company and the districts, caregivers, and students it serves. Between May 2025 and May 2026, EverDriven completed more than 2.1 million student trips across 35.1 million miles in 38 states— growth fueled by districts nationwide turning to modern, flexible transportation solutions for students with complex needs.

“When you put the student at the center of the model, you build something that works for caregivers, students, and districts alike,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “We’ve stayed true to this goal for 20 years, and it still guides every decision as we grow. This year, we added new states to our network, yet our growth has never come at the cost of the safety standards, technology, and operational rigor that districts have come to count on. Scale only matters if the ride feels personal for every student.”

Raising the Bar on Safety and Service
Safety remained the foundation of EverDriven’s work throughout the year. According to the EverDriven 2026 Safety and Operations Report, the company maintained its strong safety and consistency track record across its network, with more than 83.6% of rides for students with disabilitiescompleted by the same driver. EverDriven’s standards are maintained through rigorous driver education, ongoing safety reviews, and its AI-powered camera solution deployed across one in two trips nationwide.

In February 2026, EverDriven launched its SafeOps Council to set a new standard for safety and operational excellence across student transportation. And earlier in the year, the company unveiled its 360-degree Student Experience, giving districts and families real-time visibility into every ride, reinforcing the trust districts place in EverDriven for the students who need it most.

“Districts trust us with their most vulnerable students, and that responsibility shapes every decision we make,” said Megan Von Wald, Chief Operations Officer at EverDriven. “Our safety record doesn’t happen by chance; it’s the result of the rigorous standards we meet and exceed across the industry, and a team committed to getting it right for every route, every day.”

A Modern, Effortless Experience Through Technology
EverDriven spent the year building a more connected, modern, technology-powered experience for everyone touched by student transportation. In October 2025, the company partnered with Google to bring best-in-class navigation to its driver app, giving drivers clearer, more reliable routes. In March 2026, EverDriven launched Consolidated Routing Services, an industry-first solution that unifies routing across yellow buses, vans, and alternative transportation using a mix of human expertise and routing intelligence.

That momentum continued into June, with the launch of TripCentral, EverDriven’s new district-facing transportation management hub that gives transportation teams real-time visibility and a modern interface to plan, update, and analyze services across every school. The same month, EverDriven partnered with Pathwise to bring expert general education routing solutions to districts nationwide, extending its technology partner ecosystem for routing services and supporting the full scope of a district’s transportation needs.

Together, these investments reflect a goal of making transportation planning modern and effortless for districts managing complex logistics, families counting on a safe ride, and drivers navigating routes.

Honoring District Leadership
In 2025, EverDriven also launched its inaugural Modern Student Transportation Awards, recognizing school district leaders nationwide who are embracing modern tools, inclusive practices, and a commitment to safety and accessibility in student transportation. The winners were honored at the 2025 TSD Conference in Dallas, Texas, spotlighting the creativity and care district leaders bring to getting students to school every day.

Supporting Students and Families Beyond the Ride
EverDriven’s commitment to the communities it serves extended beyond transportation. Through its Driving Access Forward initiative, the company awarded $20,000 in total funding to 30 schools and districts, helping remove barriers to education for students and families facing housing instability and other essential needs.

To learn more about EverDriven and its modern transportation solutions, visit EverDriven.com.

About EverDriven
EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in routing and transporting students across all ranges of needs, from everyday support to the most complex circumstances, including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other high-need populations. Serving more than 800 districts across 38 states, the company completed over 2 million successful trips last year. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

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DENVER, Colo. – EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced that nominations are now open for the 2026 Modern Student Transportation Awards. The industry awards program, in its second year, celebrates school district leaders that go above and beyond to make sure every child has a safe, reliable way to get to school each day.

The Modern Student Transportation Awards offer a national showcase for the people solving some of the toughest challenges in student transportation, from rebuilding systems after natural disasters to using technology to improve attendance from vulnerable, high-mobility populations.

“Last year’s honorees exemplified what’s possible when district leaders combine compassion with a modern approach,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “This program exists to make sure that the important work these individuals do every single day doesn’t go unnoticed. We are excited to hear this year’s stories.”

Nominations are open now through October 9, 2026 at info.everdriven.com/modern-student-transportation-awards-2026. Winners will be announced in early November 2026.

A Track Record to Build On

Last year’s inaugural Awards drew nominations from across the country, ultimately recognizing four winners:

Jeremy Stowe of Buncombe County Schools (NC), who stood up a new transportation system for more than 1,200 students displaced by Hurricane Helene. Earl Kent III of Denver Public Schools (CO), recognized for his use of technology and empathy to support students facing housing instability;
Kayla Denaco of Lewiston Public Schools (ME), who digitized her district’s transportation operations; and Quanika Dukes-Spruill of Newark Public Schools (NJ), honored for modernizing routing and vendor management in New Jersey’s largest district.

Recognizing Leadership Across Four Categories

Consistent with last year, nominations can be submitted across four categories:

Safety and Reliability Award – Recognizing innovative practices that improve the safety and reliability of student transportation.
Equity in Education Accessibility Award – Honoring flexible, scalable transportation solutions that support diverse student populations.
Top Innovator Award – Celebrating visionary leadership and the use of cutting-edge technology, including AI, to modernize student transportation.
Humanitarian Award – Highlighting powerful examples of human care and kindness where empathy and service redefine what it means to get students to school.

What Winners Receive
This year’s winners will each receive:

A $2,500 college scholarship for a student in their district who qualifies under the McKinney-Vento Act or receives special education services.
A full conference pass to the industry conference of their choice in 2027 (up to $600 in value, subject to approval).
Media spotlight and recognition across EverDriven’s digital channels and national/local press.
A custom-engraved crystal trophy.

Judging Panel

Nominations will be evaluated by a panel of judges from across the student transportation and education industries, including:

Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven; Barbara Duffield, Executive Director of SchoolHouse Connection; and Glenna Wright-Gallo, VP of Policy at Everway.

Districts, colleagues, and community members are encouraged to submit nominations, and individuals may be nominated in more than one category. Full eligibility details and the Terms and Conditions are available at info.everdriven.com/modern-student-transportation-awards-2026.

About EverDriven
EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in routing and transporting students across all ranges of needs — from everyday support to the most complex circumstances — including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other high-need populations. Serving more than 800 districts across 38 states, the company completed over 2 million successful trips last year. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

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