Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

Bart Marksohn Announces Retirement from WE Transport

By: STN

PLAINVIEW, N.Y.- WE Transport today announced the retirement of Bart Marksohn, Chairman Emeritus, who has been an integral leader of this family-owned company for over 50 years. Marksohn’s last day will be April 1, 2025.

“Bart’s contributions to WE Transport have been invaluable to the development and success of this business for decades,” said Judith Crawford, CEO of Beacon Mobility. “Throughout Bart’s lifetime career in transportation, he has channeled his passion for transportation to introduce new technologies, provide reliable transportation to schools and communities, and expand the company’s footprint from a Long Island based carrier to serve Connecticut and New York City. We extend our deepest gratitude to Bart and wish him the very best in retirement.”

“My parents founded WE Transport in the late 1950’s with one vehicle and the vision of providing safe and reliable transportation services to Long Island families with special needs children, and it has been a privilege to spend my career supporting our family founded business to reach new heights and serve a growing number of students and communities,” said Bart Marksohn, Chairman Emeritus of WE Transport. “It is the dedicated employees and strong community we have built over the years that makes this company special, and I have no doubt that our wonderful culture will continue to make a positive impact.”

Bart Marksohn, son of WE Transport’s founding partners Walter and Edie Marksohn, started helping with the growing family business at an early age. Instead of spending his weekend on sporting fields, Bart could be found in the maintenance shop working on vehicles. He started out changing brakes and tires and making vehicle repairs and worked his way up to be head mechanic. As the business grew, Bart transitioned into a different leadership role to oversee fleet management, banking, insurance, safety, contracts, bidding, customer liaison, and real estate.

Along with his brother, Jerry, they pursued cutting edge technologies to incorporate into the business, and in the early nineties WE Transport became the first school bus company to utilize GPS tracking technology. Bart oversaw significant expansions for WE Transport, including the introduction of motor coaches and growing the school transportation vehicle fleet by thirty percent in just one year in 2003 In 2010, WE Transport landed a contract with Bridgeport Public Schools in Connecticut to further diversify the business.

Bart Marksohn continued, “Bridgeport was a challenge which was handled by our family of employees with real excitement. We had to hire over 300 employees and be up and running in 60 days and we pulled it off. This positive experience encouraged us to expand into new markets in New York City and Westchester, where we hired over 350 employees and 100 employees respectively to successfully expand operations and create a positive customer experience.”

Marksohn has received both state and national recognitions for his contributions to the industry. As the President and Chief Financial Officer of WE Transport, he was recognized as the 2018 New York School Bus Contractor of the Year at the New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA) 64th Annual Convention alongside his colleague, Carmen Tomeo, Chief Executive Officer of WE Transport. In 2024, Marksohn was inducted into the National Student Transportation Association (NSTA) Hall of Fame in recognition of his “long-standing team efforts on behalf of the student transportation industry.”

About WE Transport: WE Transport, Inc. is a group of companies referred to as “The WE Transport Family of Companies.” There are five operational companies within the group, operated by the same management team and function as a single entity. WE Transport strives to serve our customers safely, efficiently and cost-effectively. From hiring and safety, operations maintenance, customer service to IT, each step of the way, working as a team, each department is dedicated to going above and beyond industry standards.

The post Bart Marksohn Announces Retirement from WE Transport appeared first on School Transportation News.

April 2025

By: STN
Though she doesn’t have her CDL (this photo was staged for the magazine), Crystal Hill took the figurative steering wheel as superintendent of Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools in the summer of 2023 and hasn’t looked back.Cover design by Kimber Horne Photo courtesy of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Though she doesn’t have her CDL (this photo was staged for the magazine), Crystal Hill took the figurative steering wheel as superintendent of Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools in the summer of 2023 and hasn’t looked back.
Cover design by Kimber Horne
Photo courtesy of
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

The cover story this month features Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools superintendent Crystal Hill as she discusses what it takes to drive an entire district towards success. Read more about the new GM and VP of IC Bus as well as articles on technological upgrades, AI & predictive technology, benefits of using a third-party contractor plus more on the unclear future of electric school buses and clean energy funding.

Read the full April 2025 issue.

Cover Story

Breaking Barriers & Navigating Uncharted Territory
Crystal Hill, the superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, shares how she started her career in education, her perspective on the importance of student transportation, and the potential impacts of cuts in federal funding.

Features

Seeing Into The Future
AI and predictive technology hold many promises for student transportation professionals, especially those in charge of servicing school buses and ensuring optimum uptime.

The Steps To A Technology Upgrade
Upgrading technology comes with many questions such as staying with the same provider and looking at expanded features. Directors weigh in on the items and processes they value most.

Who, What, When, Where and Why?
While contracting operations isn’t for every school district, those that use third-party services discover the benefits of technology and safety equipment adoption, cost savings and vehicle variety.

Special Reports

Passing the Torch
Charles Chilton has big shoes to fill as the new GM and VP of IC Bus. But his experience as a school bus driver and engineer are proof he is more than up to the task.

Clean School Bus Program
School districts are left wading in the deep end of regulatory and funding uncertainty, especially when it comes to purchasing new electric school buses under the EPA’s Clean School Bus program.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Moving Target

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Building an Elite School Transportation Team

The post April 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

Support ‘Obscenely Fast’ as Indiana District Enhances Transportation with Transfinder Technology

By: STN

When East Noble School District’s transportation operation needed to make security updates, the district found itself in urgent need to move to Transfinder’s cloud-based Routefinder PLUS platform.

The move to PLUS was a game-changer for the Kendallville, Ind. District that serves some 4,000 students. Josh Buhro, the Kendallville, Ind district’s transportation director, set out to not only restore the district’s transportation operation but also significantly enhance its efficiency.

He accomplished both by implementing Transfinder’s Routefinder PLUS routing solution.

“We jumped in full steam ahead,” Buhro said.

A History of Transportation Technology at East Noble

Buhro has been in transportation for nearly a decade. When he first joined East Noble, the district was using (another company), a routing software he described as clunky and not user-friendly. Looking for an upgrade, East Noble had switched to Transfinder’s Routefinder Pro solution five years ago, which had been recommended by neighboring districts.

Then in 2024, the district moved to the award-winning Routefinder PLUS.

“There are districts around us who had moved to PLUS and had nothing but good things to say,” Buhro recalled. “They were implementing is and moving forward and I was maybe a little stubborn.”

He added, it was more of an “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it kind of thing. But looking back, I was scared of stuff. I shouldn’t have been scared. Ultimately, I think we’re in a better place now.”

During the move to Routefinder PLUS, Buhro and his team, including a newly hired transportation secretary who attended Transfinder University Livestream. This training proved invaluable, allowing them to quickly adapt to the new platform. The secretary, with no prior experience with Transfinder’s solutions, found PLUS to be highly intuitive, taking to it “like a fish to water,” Buhro said. “They said, ‘Josh, don’t be scared of it!’”

The Advantages of PLUS

One of the biggest surprises for Buhro and his team was how seamlessly PLUS integrated with other Transfinder tools the district uses, such as Tripfinder, the district’s field trip management solution, and Viewfinder, a solution that provides an overview of the district’s operation and student rider data.

“We love Tripfinder,” he said. “It allows us to manage our buses, our resources and our drivers. We’ve got some custom reports set up. Quite frankly, I don’t know how we would manage our extracurricular activity trips without the use of Tripfinder. It cuts out so much of that cumbersome sort of communication piece that used to have to take place by phone or email,” Buhro said.

He noted that one morning he had 36 extracurricular and field trips requests that he was able to quickly assign.

“It does it all for us, other than drive the bus,” Buhro said, “and that’s the part that’s easy for us to manage.”

Regarding the PLUS platform, Buhro described it as more user-friendly, efficient and responsive. He highlighted:

  • Ease of Use: Editing routes is easy. PLUS allows for simple, drag-and-drop modifications. “You just right-click and edit,” Buhro noted, highlighting how much more intuitive the system is.
  • Streamlined Communication: Tripfinder revolutionized how East Noble manages field trips, athletics and extracurricular activities. Requests are processed digitally, eliminating the cumbersome back-and-forth that used to take place via phone and email.
  • Transfinder Community: The online Transfinder Community portal provides a wealth of resources, including video tutorials and guides, which allows Buhro and his team to troubleshoot issues independently. “Anytime we’ve got a question, that’s the first place we go and there are usually videos in the library or trainings that have been done. Rarely, if ever, do we actually reach out to support.”
  • Enhanced Support: When direct support is needed, Transfinder’s response times were “obscenely fast,” often returning calls within minutes.

Buhro said the Transfinder team understands the need for speedy response times.

“Even three days before school started they need it was critical for us to have things up and running,” he said. ‘They put in the time to help us make things happen. We’re very grateful for all that support and input.”

A New Era for East Noble’s Transportation

In a district serving multiple schools, including a high school, middle school and five elementary schools, an efficient transportation system is crucial. The ability to quickly assign drivers, manage routes, and coordinate field trips is no small feat.

Thanks to Transfinder’s PLUS platform, East Noble has improved its transportation operation. What began as an urgent need has ultimately led to a stronger, more resilient system that better serves students, staff and the community.

“There are so many pieces of it that are just intuitive,” Buhro said.

As Buhro reflected on the transition, he expressed gratitude for the support and partnership from Transfinder. “We were very fortunate with the trainer we were assigned. They let us work at our own pace and answered every question we had.”

With a solid foundation in place and considering new tools in the future, East Noble School District is well-positioned for what’s around the bend.

Future Plans with Transfinder

With the great results from the move to PLUS, East Noble is now exploring additional Transfinder tools, such as the driver app Wayfinder, which offers turn-by-turn navigation and attendance, and the parent app Stopfinder, which provides information on bus location and two-way communication between parents and the transportation department. These tools could further assist the transportation operation in dealing with issues such as substitute drivers and last-minute route changes.

“Based on the success with that [PLUS] implementation, that’s what’s been the impetus for us to investigate Wayfinder and Stopfinder solutions for turn-by-turn directions and fleet tracking,” Buhro said.

Buhro emphasized the importance of ensuring these tools integrate smoothly with their existing processes.

“I need to make sure it’ll do everything we’re doing now—and do it better,” he said.

Buhro said he knows the Transfinder team will be there to help along the way.

“You guys did a beautiful job of easing concerns and getting us rolling with the new stuff,” he said.

To learn more about Routefinder PLUS or Transfinder’s suite of solutions, visit Transfinder.com, email getplus@transfinder.com or call 800-373-3609.

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

The post Support ‘Obscenely Fast’ as Indiana District Enhances Transportation with Transfinder Technology appeared first on School Transportation News.

(Free White Paper) How Schools Can Address Transportation Challenges with Live Look-In

By: STN

Ensuring student safety on school buses is a top priority for school districts, transportation directors, and parents. While traditional monitoring tools like GPS tracking and onboard cameras provide valuable data, they often fall short in addressing real-time safety concerns.

Live Look-In transforms school bus monitoring by allowing authorized administrators to access live video feeds instantly.

In this whitepaper, you will find out how Live Look-In:

  • Enhances emergency response
  • Supports better decision-making
  • Streamlines incident verification
  • Strengthens communication

INCLUDED: Case Study with Mooresville Graded School District

See how Live look-in is transforming school bus safety for transportation departments just like yours!

Download the full whitepaper to explore how Live Look-In is revolutionizing student transportation safety and learn about implementation considerations, funding options, and best practices for seamless adoption.

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

The post (Free White Paper) How Schools Can Address Transportation Challenges with Live Look-In appeared first on School Transportation News.

(STN Podcast E252) Onsite at STN EXPO East in Charlotte: School Bus Technology Interviews

During STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina, STN Publisher Tony Corpin caught up with several friends in the school bus supplier market and found out about their new and exciting products and developments.

Francisco Lagunas, general manager of the North American bus market for Cummins, provides updates on the highly anticipated new B7.2 diesel and Octane engines.

Mike Ippolito, chief operating officer for School Radio, covers the safety benefits of modernized two-way radio communications, including AI voice transcription of calls.

Steve Randazzo, chief growth officer for BusPatrol America, talks illegal passing reduction efforts including stop-arm camera enforcement solutions at no upfront cost to school districts.

Transportation Supervisor Todd Silverthorn and Assistant Transportation Supervisor Henry Mullen share about operations at Kettering City Schools, Ohio. They’re joined by John Daniels, vice president of marketing for technology partner Transfinder.

Plus, hear how attendees onsite are combating the school bus driver shortage.

Read more about the conversations at STN EXPO East.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

 

 

Message from Ride.

 

 

Interview with Buspatrol. 

 

Interview with Cummins. 

 

 

Interview with School Radio. 

 

 

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

The post (STN Podcast E252) Onsite at STN EXPO East in Charlotte: School Bus Technology Interviews appeared first on School Transportation News.

Durham School Services to Bring Renowned Safe, Reliable Service to Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

By: STN

PLAINFIELD, Ill. – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, is expanding its footprint in Illinois with a new three-year partnership with the Plainfield Community Consolidated School District (CCSD) 202 starting this August. The Company currently serves several communities throughout Illinois, which includes schools in Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, Kendall, McDonough, Sangamon, Christian, Jefferson, Franklin, Williamson, and Johnson counties.

Over the course of the next three years, Durham will service approximately 108 special education (SPED) routes for the school district. Buses will be equipped with the latest safety technology such as DriveCam and Zonar Fleet Management.

Durham School Services will be holding a hiring event for prospective school bus drivers and monitors from March 31 – April 4, 2025, from 9AM – 5PM in the Media Center of Plainfield East High School located at 12001 Naperville Rd, Plainfield, IL 60585. Walk-ins are welcome.

Through this new partnership, Durham School Services aims to also contribute to the positive growth and advancement of the Plainfield community by participating in and supporting local events through its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program.

Michael Peterson, Director of Transportation of Plainfield School District 202 shared, “Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 looks forward to the partnership with Durham School Services and level of service that our community expects.”

“We are delighted to be able to serve another community of students and families in Illinois through this new partnership with Plainfield School District 202,” said Janine Hilliard, Region Manager, Durham School Services. “Our team has been diligently preparing behind the scenes to ensure a successful school start-up. We look forward to living up to Durham’s 100+ year reputation of providing excellent service and delivering safe, reliable service to the students of Plainfield CCSD 202. Thank you again to the school district for giving us this opportunity and entrusting the safety of your students to us.”

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

The post Durham School Services to Bring Renowned Safe, Reliable Service to Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 appeared first on School Transportation News.

Fleetio Raises over $450 Million Series D and Acquires Auto Integrate to Create Customer-Centric One-Stop-Shop for Fleet Maintenance

By: STN

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Fleetio, a leading fleet optimization software platform, today announced the acquisition of Auto Integrate, the premier maintenance authorization platform, in a landmark deal establishing Fleetio as a preferred solution for fleet maintenance. The company announced simultaneously the successful closing of over $450 million to finance the acquisition, valuing the combined business at over $1.5 billion. The round was co-led by existing Fleetio investor Elephant and new investor Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives.

This strategic union creates a platform designed with customer-centricity to serve fleet operators of all sizes across North America. The combined entity will service over 8 million vehicles and process more than 13 million repair orders per year through its network of 110,000+ repair shops across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“This acquisition is transformative for our ability to equip customers with the simplest and most efficient solution for fleet maintenance and management,” said Jon Meachin, CEO of Fleetio. “By bringing together Fleetio’s comprehensive fleet optimization capabilities with Auto Integrate’s specialized maintenance authorization network, we’re creating a truly customer-focused, end-to-end solution that addresses the most critical pain points fleet operators face today.”

“From day one, our focus has been on one simple question: how can we create the most value for our customers?” said Fleetio Founder and Board Chair, Tony Summerville. “Bringing Fleetio and Auto Integrate together is a game-changer for both fleets and repair shops, ensuring a seamless, more connected maintenance experience. Whether a shop does a little or a lot of fleet business, this combination eliminates friction and makes it easier than ever for shops to work with more fleets.”

Auto Integrate’s software enables repair shops to electronically submit repair orders for approval, dramatically reducing vehicle downtime and improving operational efficiency. This capability will fully integrate with Fleetio’s comprehensive platform, creating a seamless experience for businesses managing complex maintenance operations.

“Our customers have consistently asked for a more integrated approach to maintenance management,” said Terry Bartlett, CEO of Auto Integrate, who will join Fleetio’s executive leadership team. “By joining forces with Fleetio, we’re able to deliver exactly what they need – a unified platform that eliminates communication barriers between fleet operators and repair facilities, and ultimately keeps vehicles on the road longer at lower costs.”

Fleetio is committed to substantial investments in research and development to further enhance Auto Integrate’s platform and to integrate its functionality within the Fleetio ecosystem. These investments will directly benefit existing Fleetio and Auto Integrate customers, including Fleet Management Companies (FMCs), rental car operators, repair shops, and other vendors, while expanding capabilities for Fleetio’s growing customer base.

“Jon, Tony, and Terry are brilliant business operators. Combining their two companies creates a vast dataset of maintenance operations that can unlock unique insights into fleet maintenance trends and predictive maintenance opportunities,” said Brendon Hardin, Vice President with Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives who is also joining the Board. “This isn’t just about growing the business – it’s about Fleetio’s unwavering commitment to customer success.”

“Fleetio’s strategic acquisition of Auto Integrate represents precisely the kind of transformative opportunity Elephant seeks to support, one that fundamentally elevates the customer experience by combining powerful, complementary technologies,” said Jeremiah Daly at Elephant. “We are excited to deepen our partnership with Fleetio as they continue to redefine what’s possible in fleet maintenance and proudly support their vision for a streamlined, end-to-end ecosystem that enhances operational efficiency for North America’s fleets.”

About Fleetio:
Fleetio, the leading fleet optimization platform, provides comprehensive solutions and resources to run, repair and optimize vehicles and assets, allowing fleets to gain control of what’s happening today, stay ahead of what’s coming tomorrow and confidently deliver results for their business. Founded in 2012, the company’s cloud-based platform and mobile app arm fleets with the tools they need to stay on top of preventive maintenance, extend the life of business assets, reduce downtime and maximize the utilization of service vehicles. Fleetio’s marketplace supports a vast maintenance provider network, enabling fleets to efficiently manage outsourced maintenance and repair. Fleetio powers more than 7,500 public and private fleets of all sizes in more than 100 countries across a wide array of industries.

About Elephant Partners:
Elephant is a venture capital firm focused on the enterprise software, consumer internet and mobile markets.

About Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs:
Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) is one of the leading investors in alternatives globally, with over $500 billion in assets and more than 30 years of experience. The business invests in the full spectrum of alternatives including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, sustainability, and hedge funds. Clients access these solutions through direct strategies, customized partnerships, and open-architecture programs.

The business is driven by a focus on partnership and shared success with its clients, seeking to deliver long-term investment performance drawing on its global network and deep expertise across industries and markets.

The alternative investments platform is part of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, which delivers investment and advisory services across public and private markets for the world’s leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals. Goldman Sachs has more than $3.1 trillion in assets under supervision globally as of December 31, 2024.

Since 2003, Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives has invested over $13 billion in companies led by visionary founders and CEOs. The team focuses on investments in growth stage and technology-driven companies spanning multiple industries, including enterprise technology, financial technology, consumer and healthcare.

The post Fleetio Raises over $450 Million Series D and Acquires Auto Integrate to Create Customer-Centric One-Stop-Shop for Fleet Maintenance appeared first on School Transportation News.

Thomas’ Reed Outlines Focus on Fuel, Power Options Based on Customer Duty Cycle

By: Ryan Gray

School bus manufacturing leadership has seen a flurry of activity over the past six months. True to form, Thomas Built Buses looked within the Daimler Truck North America family for its next president and CEO to succeed Kevin Bangston, who now leads Daimler Truck Financial Services. T.J. Reed got his start at Daimler Truck in September 1998 and has spent 19 years total with the company, and nearly another six years spent at Meritor heading its global electrification as well as front drive train businesses. He was tapped in October to lead Thomas.

“It feels like five, six years already, and that’s been a good thing,” he told School Transportation News last month. “Early on, I had my first trade shows. I was blown away [by] how the entire industry was really on the same page, not only the camaraderie and the spirit of working together [but] on a common mission. But it was OE’s, suppliers, districts, contractors really just loving what they do and being passionate about school buses. That’s rubbed off. And you can’t help but feel that when you’re in High Point at Thomas.”

Thomas would not comment on potential tariff impact, but the American Trucking Associations’ outlook is a potential price increases of up to $35,000 for a heavy-duty truck, granted those are made in Mexico whereas Thomas is not.

Meanwhile, Reed said employees are “pumping out” high-quality school buses every single day and benefitting from increased investment to accomplish the job. In July, the manufacturer announced its new Saf-T-Liner HDX2 school bus and moving production to the C2 SafT-Liner plant in Archdale, North Carolina, for increased efficiency and quality.

He also discussed the HDX2 as well as efficiency improvements to the second-generation Jouley electric school bus, the continued role of diesel, and more.

The following transcript was edited for clarity and space.

STN: Talk about why Thomas chose the Accelera e-axle to power the latest Jouley.

TJ Reed: I think the biggest thing, Ryan, and when you look at it, I would say the technical concept or the promise of an e-axle is you’re not only increasing performance from an efficiency perspective, you’re lowering the weight, you’re improving packaging. It’s ideally suited for school bus, even a last mile item. If you think about it, you’re taking a lot of components that are inside the frame rails that add a lot of weight, and you’re basically collapsing it down inside the housing of a carrier. And you got your traditional axle, you’ve got your motor and your transmission all in a compact space, and
that frees up a lot of room for batteries to be placed in between the rails, and you can shorten the wheelbase. That had been some of the challenges with the early generations. You were pretty restricted on the variation of the product. And as we know, school buses are pretty custom. So, this just opens up a lot of flexibility. And the other great thing is this continued maturity of components. The product’s been out in the market for a while, been operating in a heavy-truck configuration. We know it’ll live in the life cycle and certainly Cummins/Accelera is a great partner. They have a lot of resources and know-how. All those things come together. It could be just a much better experience for the districts and the bus operators. Just another step in the progression. This is great to see it come to market now.

STN: We have seen some electric school bus market consolidation recently. What is Thomas’ perspective on ramping up production to meet demand? How is Thomas positioning itself to meet that demand?

Reed: It’s a long-term play. As we like to say, we’re leading with the long view. At the end of day, school bus is the ideal duty cycle when you got majority of ranges under 100 miles a day. You’ve got overnight charging in the depot. You’ve got a lot of stop and go for regenerative braking. It’s ideally set so that it is specific to school buses. But you know, part of Daimler, globally we serve markets all around the world and want to lead in this space. With that, we work with a lot of different partners, from battery partners, drive systems, accessories, financial services. It’s a significant investment for our dealers as well. [Daimler has] continued to invest, like in the Greenlane [charging station joint venture]. Those things take time to put in place, and you don’t make investments on short-term plays. This is a long-term play, and this is an area that we think is going to be not only the right thing to do for our environment, for our communities, but it’s going to be the right long-term play for our customers from an efficiency and certainly from a health and community perspective, especially on school buses.

That’s why it’s important we have what I would call our core business based upon internal combustion engines. That generates the cash flow that allows us to invest in a lot of this technology. We’ve got, I would say, that very phased approach, where we install, we learn, we adapt, we perfect, we continue to move forward. That’s not only just with us, that’s with our customers, as we learn how to put these new vehicles in applications that they hadn’t been in before. We’ve been doing internal combustion engines for over 100 years, and that was always changing and evolving. So, there’s nothing different here. But it’s nice, too, from a Daimler perspective, we have the global toolbox, that know-how. There are components and systems that we can use that work for us in a school bus application, some that don’t. So, we have that optionality to really work with a lot of different partners, including ourselves. That gives us a lot of capability.

STN: We’ll get back to diesel in a moment. Obviously, range is a challenge with electric school buses. But infrastructure has been named by many as the biggest challenge to adoption and scalability. Does that continue to be the number one obstacle? Are there others?

Reed: We have a kind of famous calculation that we always talk about in the marketplace. You’ve got to have infrastructure readiness. You’ve got to have a vehicle that’s ready. Then, you’ve got to have basically the economics from a TCO of operation. If any one of those factors is zero, the calculation is zero. And certainly, we’re still in the very early days of infrastructure. So, for us to get to the point where we’re going to start to scale and see higher volumes, we’ve got to have infrastructure certainly coming in at a much greater pace. That’s not just only for school buses, that’s commercial vehicles, that’s passenger cars, that’s everything, in general. I think that theme hasn’t changed. We’ve seen investment, we’ve seen partnerships, but those need to continue to scale up. Then the second part of the equation is, we ’ve got the vehicles. They’re ready. They’re performing in the market today, and they’re getting better and better every day. And as they do that, that’s going to increase volume. As volume increases, that’s going to start to bring the cost down to help with the TCO parity. All those three things need to line up, and infrastructure remains the biggest challenge, not just in the school bus industry but really across the board.

STN: What role has the EPA Clean School Bus Program played in terms of pricing electric school buses compared to supply chain congestion?

Reed: There’s certainly circular logic when it comes to supply and demand in how that impacts costs. I would say this, from a technology development what we’re looking to do in our longterm plans [is] for component systems that drive down costs, that are getting, I would say better performance, more range. The reality is, in the near-term, those are still very low volume systems, and you know that at the end day that battery-electric
vehicles will be significantly more expensive than internal combustion engines from a
scale perspective. There was the [viewpoint] that battery cell cost was going to start to come down, and then you really saw the supply chain crunch… I would say commodities that go into battery development spiked. So, prices went up. We were dealing with that. And now, too, it is absolutely true in these early days [that] funding is critically important to kind of drive the early development of those early adopters. And as that either steps down or is removed, then the cost obviously goes up, and that then kind of lowers volume. I wouldn’t say it’s going to stop our progress, but it will certainly have an impact and slow it. But again, we see it as a long-term view, that it’s not an if, it’s a when. Now that one, I can’t tell you, but it’s still a situation where we probably got to have the infrastructure coming back in. There’s got to be some level of subsidies for that. In the meantime, we’re all working in unison to bring better technology to market at a lower cost, so that takes time to do, collectively.

STN: We’ve also seen an industry trend toward bigger electric school buses. Do you have any plans that you’re willing to talk about as to an eventual electric HDX2?

Reed: I’ll foreshadow this. Some great news is coming. But what I would tell you is we absolutely see the need in the market. We absolutely see the need in our product portfolio, and we have some great solutions, so stay tuned.

STN: Daimler Trucks North American recently added investment into Detroit Diesel, and the California Air Resources Board ceased seeking additional federal waivers to fully implement its Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule for heavy-duty trucks. How do these developments impact the school bus market?

Reed: The Detroit Diesel investment, that’s more for our heavy-duty products, more on the truck side. Everything that we do on the school bus is medium range. That’s Cummins, our partner there. When you look at that, just in terms of diesel, we believe you need all types because the applications are so vast, that the use cases are so different that you need a lot of different technologies to drive to zero emissions. Diesel has a critical role to play. And you’re right, with a lot of investment not only by us in our proprietary engines but our partners from Cummins and our competitors as well, it is continuing to lower emissions. You’ve got GHG phase three that will be coming in 2027. There’s additional tailpipe reductions. All those are being engineered into our buses now. I mean significantly lower NOx and particulate matter, even over the last 10 years. These are much cleaner running engines today. There are requirements, yes, for the ACT rule, where in some states, in order to be able to sell internal combustion engines, you have to have a certain number of battery electric. But that’s been, I would say, one of the success stories of the Clean School Bus Program. It’s seeded enough diesel capability or opportunity in some of these states, we haven’t had an issue with that. Diesel is going to continue to play a role as well as other modes of propulsion. We’re invested in all.

STN: And in terms of gasoline or octane, Thomas is also coming out with an option provided by Cummins in 2026 or 2027.

Reed: We’re making investments across different modes of propulsion, different emissions technologies. You’ve got to have answers for all your customers, no matter what their duty cycle is. And octane, you know, gasoline will play a big role for that. We’re excited about that as well.

STN: Thank you

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the March 2025 issue of School Transportation News.


Related: (STN Podcast E251) Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses
Related: The Tricky Part About Electric School Buses: Planning and Paying For the ‘Fueling’ Infrastructure
Related: Are you forecasting to purchase more diesel school buses this upcoming cycle than previously planned?
Related: Future of Electric School Bus Funding Remains Unknown, Warns Expert

The post Thomas’ Reed Outlines Focus on Fuel, Power Options Based on Customer Duty Cycle appeared first on School Transportation News.

Gallery: Ride & Drive Caps Day of Technology Demos, Green Energy Panels

CONCORD, N.C. — Both Bus Technology Summit and Green Bus Summit sessions and demonstrations were held throughout Sunday, beginning with addresses from Nicole Portee, associate superintendent of operations at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, and Charles Kriete, president and CEO of Zonar.

Supplier representatives and student transporters led live demos and informative panels on various topics of green energy and modern technology.

Conference sessions were also held on transporting students with disabilities, shop management, the “Danger Zone” at school bus stops, routing for school startup, and the leadership challenge.

Dinner and drinks were served during that evening’s Bus Technology Summit/Green Bus Summit Technology Demonstration and Green Bus Ride & Drive Experience at the world renowned Charlotte Motor Speedway.

1 of 91
Nicole Portee, associate superintendent for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, welcomes the audience to begin Sunday's learning
STN Publisher and President Tony Corpin addresses the audience.
Zonar President and CEO Charles Kriete discusses technology's role in student transportation.
Joe Annotti, the VP of incentives for TRC Clean Transportation Solutions, speaks on the future of green school bus funding at STN EXPO East on March 23, 2025.
Joe Annotti, the VP of incentives for TRC Clean Transportation Solutions, speaks on the future of green school bus funding at STN EXPO East on March 23, 2025.
Joe Annotti, the VP of incentives for TRC Clean Transportation Solutions, speaks on the future of green school bus funding at STN EXPO East on March 23, 2025.
Jim Ellis, director of transportation for Henrico County Schools in Virginia, discusses transition to a paperless operations.
Alexandra Robinson, left, and Sue Shutrump share the Top 10 things to know when transporting students with disabilities.
Consultant Derek Graham facilitates a session on understanding and training for the "Danger Zone" at school bus stops.
Danger Zone panelists, from left, Shay Coates of Newport News Public Schools in VIrginia, Laura Hill of Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida, and school bus safety trainer Dick Fischer.
Electrical engineer and consultant Ewan Pritchard, Ph.D., discusses the intricacies of the RFP process of working with electrification-as-a-service providers.
Alexandra Robinson, left, and Nicole Portee offer a leadership challenge to attendees.
Greg Jackson of School Bus Logistics leads a panel on the role routing plays on school startup.
Andrew Grasty, center, of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee talks during the "Effective School Start Planning Strategies panel. He is flanked by Jim Ellis of Henrico County Public Schools in Virginia, left, and Dana Rosen of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in Texas.

Photos by Vince Rios Creative & STN staff. 

The post Gallery: Ride & Drive Caps Day of Technology Demos, Green Energy Panels appeared first on School Transportation News.

Bus Technology Summit Session Advocates for Integrated Tech Platform

CONCORD, N.C. – A lunch and learn session shared Transfinder’s integrated software and hardware tools and resources to help transportation departments efficiently deal with both daily routines and intermittent challenges.

Zachary Moren, manager of enablement and engineering for session sponsor Transfinder, noted that technology isn’t a magical solution apart from careful integration, process and workflows. “Our company helps one in three students get to school safer every day,” he stated.

He shared that Transfinder focuses on a unified platform and instantaneous information updates. This, he said helps districts serve their stakeholders — families and district administration — in a more efficient way.

The process begins with onboarding student registrations, which he said he’s seen starts with Google forms at many districts. Transfinder’s integrated registration process allows parental input, feeds the information into a student record, and adds it into the routing software, if applicable.

The anchor of it all is a robust routing application, which for Transfinder is its Routefinder Plus. Moren explained that marrying this with bus GPS and student ridership data tightens things up and builds trust in the system. That information can then be confidently shared through parent apps to reduce calls to the office.

For their part, parent apps should be more than a GPS bus tracker, Moren said. They should provide transparent information on their child’s journey to and from school every day.

School bus driver input is a crucial piece of the puzzle, Moren declared. To eliminate handwritten notes on route sheets, automatically updating data accessed via tablets helps make drivers’ jobs easier and improve on-time performance. Tablets also allow drivers to easily create alerts on road hazards or routing errors.

Moren said he’s seen many districts start implementing student ridership data on special needs buses before rolling it out fleet-wide. They may first implement manual student check-in before RFID cards. Either way, he said, with Transfinder, this information is instantly shared with district administrators who can give parents answers on student location.

“Worse than sharing no information is sharing bad information,” he remarked.

When a bus breaks down, Moren said, dispatch can use Transfinder software to see exactly who is on the bus at the time and send notifications to impacted families.

For bus or driver replacements, he said Transfinder’s integrated resource substitution systems tie bus inspections to parent apps for more accurate information on things like bus numbers, also eliminating the need for staff to enter data twice.

Moren noted that field trips and fleet maintenance are other areas he’s observing which districts want to bring together into the larger technology stack to improve information sharing and resource utilization.

With data dashboards being important to transportation departments to share with district administration, Moren confirmed that Transfinder’s platform allows customizable comparisons and analysis to be made.


Related: Transfinder Scores Hat Trick with STN EXPO Innovation Choice Awards
Related: Combatting Illegal Passing with Awareness, Technology
Related: Transportation Coordinator Uses Technology to Drive Student and District Success
Related: WATCH: STN EXPO Reno 2024 Live Stream – Top Transportation Teams
Related: TSD Panelists Empower Student Transportation with Technology


He shared the story of Springfield Public Schools in Oregon, which had to fire 11 drivers and still cover all 55 routes. Staff used Transfinder’s Trip Absorption feature to consolidate routes and less than a week later sent updated information to parents.

Bo Bowman, the new transportation director for Benton Community Schools in Indiana, said he wouldn’t have been able to open the 2024-2025 school year without Transfinder. Instead of making 1,100 phone calls, he pushed relevant information out to parents via the app.

Sharing accurate information builds trust with parents while inaccurate information negatively affects that trust, Moren noted. School bus drivers should also be able to safely be rerouted back on track after a wrong turn or road obstruction. Laramie County School District #1 in Wyoming uses parent app Stopfinder paired with driver app Wayfinder to help solve these issues.

Customer service is crucial as well. “Technology [implementation] is a partnership with a company that is either able to be there for you or not,” Moren noted.

During the Q&A portion of the session, Moren clarified that Transfinder’s tablets aren’t required for use of its bus inspection software Servicefinder, which can be accessed via a QR code scanned by a driver’s personal cellphone or other device.

Transfinder’s systems can accommodate split custody or other multiple-home family situations, he confirmed.

Scenario-based routing is available so distinctions can be made for am vs. pm routes, yellow buses vs. activity buses, areas that can flood, and more. Moren established that zones and reports can be set up to track buses that are driven into places they are not supposed to go.

1 of 15
Ink Factory artist illustrates the discussion during the Transfinder presented session on technology adoption at STN EXPO East Bus Technology Summit on March, 23, 2005.
Supplier representatives and student transporters led live demos and informative panels on various topics of green energy and modern technology. Photo by Vince Rios Creative
Supplier representatives and student transporters led live demos and informative panels on various topics of green energy and modern technology.

Photos by Vince Rios Creative

The post Bus Technology Summit Session Advocates for Integrated Tech Platform appeared first on School Transportation News.

Zonar CEO Kriete Reminds Student Transporters of the Business They’re In

CONCORD, N.C. – Charles Kriete, Zonar president and CEO, gave a variation of a TED Talk by sharing how technology solutions are a key part of helping student transporters carry out their mission of student service.

While student transporters may think they’re in the school bus business, there’s more to it, Kriete said during Sunday morning’s CEO Talk. He pointed out the pitfalls of such shortsighted thinking, illustrated by the replacement of ice providers by refrigerators and of Blockbuster by Netflix.

“We’re not in the bus business, we’re in the business of access to education,” he said.

Technology is a big part of that, he continued. He noted that education funding is uncertain as of late, necessitating that student transporters continue doing more with less.

Kriete quoted from a recent survey, in which STN readers identified their top five areas of interest: driver behavior and retention, student behavior, fleet safety management, student tracking and parent communication, and preventive maintenance. He then shared examples of how technology can help each area.

While showing the audience a picture of a yellow school bus, he stated, “At Zonar we don’t think of this as a bus, we think of it as a rolling data hub.” Telematics, driver dash cameras, verified inspection, child check alarms, predictive maintenance, driver tablets, tire pressure monitoring, emergency exits, stop arm systems, and student ridership technology work together to bring form the hub.

Echoing the day’s opening message given by Nicole Portee, associate superintendent of operations at nearby Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, Kriete explained why it’s crucial to see various aspects of school bus operation, the district’s educational system, and governmental funding and mandates as one interconnected ecosystem which affect, and are affected by, each other.

“It’s easy to fix one problem and create another,” he cautioned. This, he said, is why Zonar offers various aspects of harmonious technology.

Kriete shared that half the school buses in the U.S. are on track to be equipped with fleet management technology by 2028, signaling a massive shift toward data-driven decision making. The present is a good time to get started on this goal if a district hasn’t already.

“Every day your team brings their best. Will your technology?” questioned a video he showed.

1 of 6
Photo by Vince Rios Creative
Zonar President and CEO Charles Kriete discusses technology's role in student transportation.

Photos by Vince Rios Creative


Related: STN EXPO East Offers Sports Lessons for Transportation Leadership
Related: Gallery: Intensive Training at STN EXPO East
Related: (STN Podcast E251) Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses
Related: Security Expert Discusses How to Understand Violent Triggers at STN EXPO East

The post Zonar CEO Kriete Reminds Student Transporters of the Business They’re In appeared first on School Transportation News.

Data: The Power Behind Streamlined Fleet Management

By: STN

As weeks passed, the Midwestern district’s fleet management duties escalated. So much so that Tim, the transportation director, hired bus drivers to pull hard drives after hours and assist with other tasks. There simply weren’t enough hours in the day, and fleet demands stressed Tim’s typically upbeat team.

The trend soon changed thanks to REI’s wireless, automated ARMOR™ Software Suite. The district integrated the cloud-based data powerhouse to streamline fleet management for Tim’s team and help reduce expenses.

Let’s review its features – the same features that could help reduce your duties and costs too.

Actions

Tim accessed this feature to assign permissions, parameters, thresholds and automated procedures for all ARMOR functions. Most noteworthy: He set up the automatic download of event videos from fleet DVRs which eliminated drivers’ help in pulling hard drives.

Diagnostics

Once Tim configured ARMOR’s settings, the Diagnostics feature’s data showed that all engines and bus camera systems worked properly.* In addition, the vehicle logs and automated status updates helped the team:

  • Detect problems early to mitigate/prevent major repairs
  • Anticipate/correct issues before dispatching vehicles
  • Monitor the video systems on the vehicles en route
  • Gauge fuel efficiency, battery voltages, odometer readings and mechanical problems

Diagnostics made it possible for them to solve problems quickly, saving time and potential maintenance costs.

AutoPilot

An archive for downloaded surveillance videos and data, the team often accessed AutoPilot to review events and email the password-protected videos to others. This feature’s search tool also made it incredibly easy to find videos, saving the team hours of time (see image at top).

Dashboard

The team frequently checked Dashboard to monitor data about active vehicles, their locations, frequency of events and server storage space. With this feature at your disposal, you too could monitor fleet efficiency and safety remotely to save time and keep costs down.

Insight

Suppose you want to track vehicles in real time, request event video from a specific location or view event hotspots. ARMOR Insight is your source. Tim’s team frequently viewed the mapped routes, vehicle speed graphs and other useful data to locate and solve problems in a timely manner.*

StopArm

StopArm’s data made it easier for the team to find, review and manage violation videos. Having supporting data, license plate images and video in one place also expedited their reporting process. StopArm could save hours of work for your team too.

Work smarter, not harder on fleet management. Let ARMOR Software Suite’s automated data collection and reporting features do much of the legwork for you. Contact us today for more info!

*Additional hardware required.

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

The post Data: The Power Behind Streamlined Fleet Management appeared first on School Transportation News.

PERC Announces Joel Stutheit as Senior Manager of Autogas Business Development

By: STN

RICHMOND, Va. — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has hired Joel Stutheit as senior manager of business development for its on-road market portfolio.

In his new role, Stutheit will be responsible for growing propane autogas market share for on-highway light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles. He will be focused on the implementation of strategic market plans that support research and development of innovative technologies, product launches, maintenance and growth in existing market segments, as well as new market expansion opportunities.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Joel to the team and we’re looking forward to him making a big impact for our mission,” said Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of PERC. “Not only does Joel bring invaluable expertise to our organization, but he also has first-hand experience adopting propane autogas and knows what fleet managers are looking for when evaluating alternative fuels.” Prior to joining PERC, Stutheit spent over 20 years in the education sector, serving in assistant principal roles at several schools and then as director of Bethel School District in Spanaway, Washington. As director, Stutheit led a variety of projects and operations, including overseeing an $18 million annual budget. He established the district’s propane autogas school bus program, procuring $2.5 million of buses yearly with the assistance of grants he helped secure. The program earned statewide recognition for its cost savings and progress toward clean energy goals. Stutheit holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Washington University as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership from Heritage University.

About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com

The post PERC Announces Joel Stutheit as Senior Manager of Autogas Business Development appeared first on School Transportation News.

Prospective UW-Madison grad students lose funding offers amid federal cuts

Students enrolled in science Ph.D programs are typically paid and have their tuition covered. But with current federal funding uncertainties driven by the Trump administration, faculty scientists said they now have limited funds to offer students.

The post Prospective UW-Madison grad students lose funding offers amid federal cuts appeared first on WPR.

(STN Podcast E251) Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses

Analysis on NAPT‘s new three-point, lap-shoulder seatbelt recommendation, the New York City Department of Education’s large technology RFP, and hands-on school bus emergency training in Texas.

Participate in more discussions about safety and technology at STN EXPO Charlotte and STN EXPO Reno, which both include the Bus Technology Summit and the Green Bus Summit.

“We’re not looking for a buyer, we’re looking for a partner.” Jason Yan, vice president of sales at RIDE Mobility, discusses how battery safety and development enhances electric school bus operation and range.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

 

 

Conversation with Ride.

 

 

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

The post (STN Podcast E251) Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses appeared first on School Transportation News.

EverDriven Rolls Out Camera Solution to 55 School Districts Across the U.S.

By: STN

DENVER, Colo. – EverDriven, the leader in Alternative Student Transportation, has implemented its innovative Camera Solution within 55 school districts across 12 states since the system’s recent launch in September 2024. This nationwide rollout in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas underscores the continued demand for advanced safety technology in the student transportation industry.

The EverDriven Camera Solution securely stores high-resolution recordings for 30 days, providing extended access to both audio and high-resolution video. Capturing footage from inside the vehicle as well as exterior dashboard views of its surroundings, this solution offers a comprehensive record of each trip. All recordings are password-protected, encrypted, and accessible only to authorized personnel, ensuring maximum data protection, confidentiality, and secure review of footage while upholding student privacy.

“As a district that values student safety above all, the EverDriven Camera Solution is a game-changer for us. It ensures the safety and accountability of every ride,” said Trace Tolby, Student Transportation Director at Gilbert Public Schools in Arizona. “The transparency it provides has strengthened our relationship with EverDriven and they’ll be transporting more students for us as a result.”

The EverDriven Camera Solution is a key component of the company’s suite of cutting-edge technology tools designed to increase transparency for all stakeholders. Together, the EverDriven Camera Solution, the VIP app for parents and school staff, and the innovative District Portal solidify EverDriven’s commitment to advancing visibility in student transportation.

“Safety is at the core of everything we do at EverDriven,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “Since we launched the Camera Solution six months ago, we’ve quickly introduced this technology to districts around the country, setting a new standard for accountability in our industry. The demand underscores the critical need for advanced monitoring solutions, and as the largest Alternative Student Transportation company in the U.S. with operations in 34 states, we are committed to continually raising the bar because all students deserve a safe, secure, and reliable ride to school.”

Beyond the EverDriven Camera Solution, EverDriven prioritizes transparency to provide parents, guardians, and school staff with industry-leading visibility. The VIP app delivers driver information, estimated arrival times, and real-time trip updates through GPS technology. To protect sensitive student data, staff access is geofenced to school grounds, ensuring security while streamlining the pick-up and drop-off process.

EverDriven also provides school districts with a seamless way to manage student transportation through its innovative District Portal. Districts can conveniently request transportation, specifying schedules, pick-up and drop-off locations, and required safety equipment—all tailored to meet individual needs. This centralized platform simplifies operations and improves transparency, giving districts greater control and visibility over their transportation services.

To learn more about EverDriven and the technology solutions it provides to districts, parents/guardians, and school staff, visit https://www.everdriven.com/technology/.

About EverDriven:
With nearly 700 school district contracts and over 28,000 students served last year alone, EverDriven is the leader in safe and technology-enabled Alternative Student Transportation. Leveraging proprietary routing technology and customized transportation services, the company has been instrumental in addressing driver shortages, reducing chronic absenteeism, accommodating varying bell times, and serving unique student needs related to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, special needs, ESSA, hard-to-serve trips, and out-of-district placements. For more information, visit www.everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Rolls Out Camera Solution to 55 School Districts Across the U.S. appeared first on School Transportation News.

How Outperformers Optimize Resources

In the hectic, fast-paced world of school transportation, performing with excellence isn’t just a feigning, casual interest—it’s a necessity. An obligation. The daily mission of safely and efficiently transporting students requires the optimization of every resource available: mental clarity, physical energy and emotional resilience. These three components are the building blocks for peak performance, and when they’re aligned, you’ll know you’re bringing your “A game” to the field of play of school transportation…as well as life.

Here’s how outperformers optimize these three key resources:

Mental Resource Optimization: Clarity and Focus
As motivational speaker and author Tony Robbins says, “Where your focus goes, energy flows.” Mental sharpness is non-negotiable in school transportation. From route planning to handling last-minute changes, cognitive overload and poor decision making can lead to errors and unnecessary stress.

Focus on the intersection:
Outperformers channel their mental focus on the intersection of the “Things That Matter + Things They Can Control.”

The Venn diagram, below, appears to be common sense, but it’s not always common practice. Focus too much on outcomes outside of your control and your mental resources are drained by stress, fear, worry and anxiety (“I’m really nervous about the results from this new process.”) It’s giving too much weight to what might happen instead of what you’re doing. It’s okay to visit there, but you don’t want to live there.

On the other hand, if you focus too much on tasks that aren’t impactful, you’ll feel mentally overwhelmed and frustrated (“I have too much to do and not enough time to do it.”) Try trimming your lengthy to-do list into a limited strategic priorities list. Then, watch what happens to your mental bandwidth.

Savor the small wins:
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Especially when we’re faced with complex or daunting tasks, it can be human nature to mentally disengage. Usually, this is because the enormity of the situation engulfs us, and we feel like we’re never going to get to the other side. It makes it hard to start and even harder to sustain.

The above image is from my book, “Outperform The Norm: Daily Execution. Extraordinary Results.” The remedy is to separate the tall “ladder” into smaller rungs, steps, milestones, benchmarks, wins, etc. When you do this, you’ll instantly become more mentally motivated. As you start making progress, you’ll not just focus on how much farther you have to go; you’ll also be empowered by focusing on how far you’ve come!

Mindfulness breaks:
We can all benefit from slowing down to speed up. Specifically, find time in your daily routine for mindfulness breaks where you consciously slow down your breathing (and, in turn, your mind). This allows you to speed up your mental game later.

Try taking two breaks throughout the day—ideally around times that are most stressful—and focus on nothing other than breathing in through your nose for a count of four (your shoulders should not come up when you do this!), then breathing out through your mouth for a count of four. Do 10-15 breathing cycles and you’ll feel calmer and mentally refreshed afterwards.

Physical Resource Optimization: Energy is Everything
As I was writing this article, I was recovering from a 10-day cold. I was saddled with a cough, congestion, aches, sore throat, fever And a SEVERE lack of energy. Have you been there? When you don’t have energy, doesn’t everything—including basic, day-to-day tasks— feel much, much harder? This is where a lot of Americans exist. Not necessarily in sickness, but in a depleted state of energy. And in a field with early mornings and long hours, optimization is impossible without physical vitality.

Prioritize sleep:
Sleep is our greatest source of energy renewal and quality matters more than quantity. One of the best ways to ensure a higher quality of sleep is to employ the 3-2-1 method:
• 3 hours before bed: Avoid caffeine and alcohol
• 2 hours before bed: Finish eating
• 1 hour before bed: Stop screen time (phone, iPad, etc.)
A golden rule for all mental, physical and emotional optimization is to focus on progress, not perfection. Are you always going to stop screen time exactly an hour before bed. Probably not. But can you make progress from where you are now? Absolutely. That progress will lead to more energy and better sleep.

Movement is medicine:
Quality movement / exercise is the greatest performance-enhancer on the planet. Nothing else replicates the benefits we get from moving our body:
Exercise doesn’t have to be a one-hour bootcamp. Any movement matters—it can be a 10-minute stretch in the morning or a 20-minute walk over lunch. These things add up. Small wins become big wins over time.

Fuel your body, nourish your brain:
Most people don’t link what they put into their body and how it impacts the way they think, feel and perform. It does. And instead of worrying about the totality of going on a “diet,” simply strive to make a healthy choice for breakfast (a piece of fruit and glass of water, for example). Behavioral researchers call this a “micro-commitment” and you’ll be committed to making more healthy choices for the rest of the day.

Emotional Resource Optimization: Resilience and Connection
The emotional component of school transportation is often overlooked, but it’s arguably one of the most important areas for optimization. Handling student behavior, navigating parent concerns and thriving through change requires emotional resilience and connection.

Remember what you DO:
If we met for a cup of coffee and I asked what you do, you’d probably say that you work in school transportation efficiently. What are the consequences if you don’t show up and perform with excellence? Far too often this gets lost in the day-to-day craziness of
our lives. The challenges, struggles and conflicts tax our emotions and cloud our connection to the good we do. Remember the students you serve. It matters. You matter!

Be elastic:
There is a common misconception about resilience (or “mental toughness,” as it’s called in athletics). Resilience does NOT mean that you’re impervious to emotional letdown, anger and doubt, and bulletproof to any adversity that comes your way.

Emotional resilience means you’re elastic, like a balloon. If something doesn’t go your way, how long does it take you to “bounce back into shape” (the definition of resilience)? Optimization comes from lessening the time of experiencing negative emotions, recognizing they aren’t benefiting you and consciously choosing to move onto something better.

Leverage your reference points:
Have you ever been faced with a challenging situation where you couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel? Or you doubted getting to the finish line at the end of the “race?”
We all have. Reference points are emotionally challenging events in your life that you’ve faced and overcome. The Norm looks at these times and discounts them, wondering why they had to go through it.

Outperformers see it differently. They look at these events as growth experiences that taught something about their own courage and fortitude. These situations, then, become reference points, giving a reservoir of emotional strength and internal belief with which to fight future battles—for you and for your team.

Your Call to Action
Imagine a school transportation department where dispatchers are mentally sharp, school bus drivers are energized, and leaders foster a connected, emotionally resilient environment. The impact goes beyond operational efficiency—it creates a culture of peak performance that benefits students, parents and the entire community.

But mental, physical and emotional optimization aren’t a one-time effort. It’s a daily commitment. Start by identifying ONE area where you or your team can make a small but meaningful improvement. Then, apply “speed of implementation,” where you take an action step as fast as possible toward this commitment. Remember—progress, not perfection! Keep outperforming!

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the March 2025 issue of School Transportation News.


Scott Welle, author and speaker, will give his keynote session at STN EXPO East
Scott Welle, author and speaker, will give his keynote session at STN EXPO East

Scott Welle is a sports psychologist, author, keynote speaker and trainer. This month at STN EXPO East in Concord, North Carolina, he shares with TD Summit participants how exceptional leaders inspire others. He also provides his “Outperform the Norm” message to all conference attendees with a keynote on March 24. Learn more at stnexpo.com/east and scottwelle.com.


Related: STN EXPO East Keynote Speaker Brings Dynamic Performance Strategies to North Carolina
Related: School Start Times and the Impact on Teen Mental Health
Related: Time Well Spent
Related: (STN Podcast E218) Onsite at STN EXPO Reno 2024: Coming Together for Safety, Technology & Clean Energy

The post How Outperformers Optimize Resources appeared first on School Transportation News.

❌