NEWBURY, Mass. – Beacon Mobility, a national leader in student transportation services, is pleased to congratulate Julie Greene of Salter Transportation on being named Lytx’s Driver of the Year in the Transit / Motor Coach (Drivers) category.

A school bus driver in the New England area for 26 years, Greene has earned a reputation as one of the safest and most respected drivers in the Salter family. She has maintained a flawless safety record with zero preventable accidents, logged countless miles on the road, and missed only three days of work in more than two decades of service.

“Julie’s dedication to her students and her craft is truly extraordinary,” said Maryann Kocur, Vice President of Operations, Salter Transportation. “For more than 26 years, she has shown up—day in and day out—with an unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and care. Her perfect safety record speaks volumes, but so does the way her students light up when they see her.”

Greene’s commitment extends far beyond the driver’s seat. Students often bring her handmade cards and drawings, small gestures that reflect the trust and warmth she’s built over the years. “In my 26 years as a school bus driver, it’s always been more than just a job—it moves my soul,” said Julie Greene, First-Place Winner, Transit / Motor Coach (Drivers). “The connection I share with my community and with the kids I transport has been both a privilege and an honor. We carry the most precious cargo, we are needed, and we make a difference in a child’s life every day. I know the importance of my role, and I take it to heart every single day.”

The Lytx Driver of the Year Award honors drivers who demonstrate exceptional safety, skill, and service. Greene’s recognition was based on her exemplary 2024 driving performance, including detailed telematics and video data that showed consistently safe maneuvering, zero speed violations, and an absence of risky driving behaviors. Judges also considered her impressive mileage record, absence of law enforcement citations, and positive contributions to the community.

“At Beacon Mobility, our mission is to ensure every passenger reaches their destination safely and with dignity and Julie embodies that mission in every way,” said Judith Crawford, CEO of Beacon Mobility. “Her professionalism, compassion, and remarkable record set the standard for excellence across our entire organization. We are proud to have her on our team and thrilled to see her recognized with such a prestigious honor.”

About Beacon Mobility: Beacon Mobility, a people-focused, values-driven organization, continues to grow its national footprint while staying true to its core purpose: providing mobility without limits. With 29 local brands operating in 25 states, Beacon is united in its commitment to transporting people to live, learn, and achieve.

Their goal is their north star: to provide the best people transportation experience, because every ride matters. Guided by their values We Care, We Collaborate, We Do The Right Thing, and We Have Fun Beacon’s experienced and compassionate team delivers customized transportation solutions that empower communities and elevate lives.

The post Beacon Mobility Celebrates Julie Greene of Salter Transportation as Lytx’ 2025 Driver of the Year (Transit / Motor Coach—Drivers) appeared first on School Transportation News.

Meet the 2025 Innovator of the Year, Gaurav Sharda! As the chief technology officer of Beacon Mobility, Sharda is approaching innovation with a people-focused and technology based mindset to create positive outcomes for the industry. Read more about Sharda’s story as well as contracting focused features on the future of AI, safety in alternative transportation, NCST resolutions, and guidance for non-yellow school bus transportation.

Read the full July 2025 issue.

Cover Story

‘Here to Serve’ People With Technology
Gaurav Sharda of Beacon Mobility, STN’s Innovator of the Year, focuses on developing AI-based and people-principled technology designed to make easier the jobs of transportation end-users.

Features

Ensuring Student Safety, No Matter the Vehicle
Alternative transportation vehicles are ingrained in student transportation operations, as the recent National Congress on School Transportation proved. Several service providers weigh in on how they are meeting recommended safety measures.

Leadership Perspectives on the Future of AI
Executives with the leading school bus contractors in North America discuss their thoughts on artificial intelligence and the impact on their operations as well as the students, parents and school districts they serve.

Special Reports

Does Safety Save Money?
With insurance costs skyrocketing, technology like video cameras and telematics combined with driver training are tools to help student transporters mitigate their liability.

Q&A: Historic Endeavor
Tyler Bryan, the National Congress on School Transportation alternative transportation committee chair, discusses the importance of the newest addition to national specifications and procedures and breaks down the process for creating the proposals from scratch.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Securing Industry Wins

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Smart Buses, Smarter Outcomes

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AKRON, Ohio – Beacon Mobility, a national leader in student transportation services, today announced the official launch of Beacon Connect, the industry’s first fully integrated communications platform designed specifically for school transportation professionals. The new platform marks a significant step forward in improving transparency, safety, and coordination across districts, families, and transportation providers.

Beacon Connect was developed by Beacon Mobility’s technology team in response to long-standing communication challenges in the student transportation space. Drawing from cross-industry practices and ongoing user feedback, the platform provides a streamlined, user-centric experience for families, drivers, dispatchers, and school officials.

“Beacon Connect reflects our commitment to improving the daily transportation experience for the communities we serve,” said Judith Crawford, CEO of Beacon Mobility. “By focusing on accessibility, real-time communication, and operational insight, this platform helps schools and families stay connected and informed.”

VIDEO: Learn More About Beacon Connect

Key Features of Beacon Connect:

Live and Historical Vehicle Tracking
The newest and most anticipated feature, this tool gives families and school staff real-time visibility into bus locations during active routes. Parents can view exactly where their child’s bus is at any moment, helping reduce uncertainty and improve peace of mind. Historical trip data also supports operational reviews and allows schools to track past bus activity for greater accountability.

Beacon Connect Family App
Offers parents an intuitive interface with real-time alerts and seamless trip tracking.

Digital Routing Requests
Enables families to submit route changes digitally, improving efficiency and responsiveness.

Secure Video Access
Allows for request-based access to onboard video recordings to support safety and incident review.

Incident Reporting & Safety Tools
Drivers can quickly log issues while dispatchers receive live fleet updates to improve awareness and response times.

Two-Way Communication
Real-time messaging between dispatch, drivers, and school staff improves coordination and reliability.

Beacon Connect has already earned support from school districts currently utilizing the technology, including the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District in Massachusetts:

“The new online portal for communication works very well for office referrals and video requests,” said Kathleen Taylor, Principal, Ashburnham – Westminster Regional School District. “The turn around this year for video requests has been greatly improved.”

“Beacon Connect has improved the timeliness of Incident Reports and Routing Requests on the bus side.” Heather Dupont, Executive Assistant to the Director of Pupil Services Ashburnham – Westminster Regional School District.

Beacon Connect was developed under the leadership of Chief Technology Officer Gaurav Sharda and a multidisciplinary team committed to advancing innovation in mobility services. “We wanted to build more than just a technology product,” said Sharda. “We wanted a platform that reflects the values and needs of the communities we serve.”

The platform sets a new standard for communication in student transportation and reinforces Beacon Mobility’s position as a forward-looking technology partner for school districts nationwide.

About Beacon Mobility: Beacon Mobility is a growing family of transportation companies committed to serving the diverse needs of their customers. Now operating 28 local brands in 26 states, their experienced, compassionate, and dedicated team takes pride in their ability to create customized, mobility-based solutions that empower people to get where they need to go. To learn more, visit: https://gobeacon.com/

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