Leadership takes the front page in this month’s issue as the school year rolls on and student transportation leaders tackle a variety of challenges to keep services running smoothly. Hear from the 2025 Top Transportation Team award winners on building strong workplace culture, find what keeps directors in their current roles and learn more about purchasing trends for transportation related technology. Read blogs on the power of influential leadership, prioritizing professional development and more.

Find the preview for the upcoming Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference to learn more about the speakers, topics and events coming to Texas on Nov. 6-11.

Read the full October 2025 issue.

Cover Story

Rite of Passage
Students have gone back to school around the nation, and transportation directors share the challenges and solutions to keeping the school bus wheels going “round and round.”

Features

Small Moments, Big Impacts
Culture is the special sauce that drives the Top Transportation Teams award presented at STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada.

Purchasing Trends Fluctuate
With the new school year underway, school districts share their most wanted purchase items and the expected benefits of each new product or technology.

Special Reports

Follow the ‘Golden’ Brick Road
Department culture and administrative support are leading factors for keeping transportation leaders in their current role or prompting them to look elsewhere.

TSD Conference Preview

Feedback
Online
Transportation Director Salaries by U.S. Region
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Giving Birth to Proper Leadership

Thought Leader by Rosalyn Vann-Jackson
Leading from the Front (Without Just Taking A Walk)

Thought Leader by Linda Bluth
Alternative School Transportation: A Roadmap for Decision- Making for Children with Disabilities and Special Needs

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Prioritize Your Professional Growth

The post October 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) today reported results for the second quarter of 2025.

“We delivered strong second quarter results, driven by record profitability in our Power Systems and Distribution segments,” said Jennifer Rumsey, Chair and CEO. “Our employees’ resilience and commitment continue to power our success in a dynamic environment. We see a contrast across our markets with robust demand for power generation equipment supported by clear secular drivers, and our more economically sensitive markets, such as truck, where end-user confidence has declined. This contrast will become even more pronounced in the second half of the year as North America truck build rates decline sharply, starting in the third quarter. Aftermarket demand for parts and service remains stable.”

Second quarter revenues of $8.6 billion decreased 2 percent from the same quarter in 2024. Sales in North America declined 6 percent, and international revenues increased 5 pecent due to higher demand in Europe and China.

Net income attributable to Cummins in the second quarter was $890 million, or $6.43 per diluted share, compared to $726 million, or $5.26 per diluted share, in 2024.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in the second quarter were $1.6 billion, or 18.4 percent of sales, compared to $1.3 billion, or 15.3 percent of sales, a year ago.

2025 Outlook

Due to continued economic uncertainty, the company will not be reinstating a full-year outlook for revenue or profitability at this time.

“Our diversified portfolio, disciplined cost management and strong execution have enabled us to navigate recent industry challenges,” said Rumsey. “However, persistent economic and regulatory uncertainty continues to impact a number of our key markets and cloud our near-term outlook for both business and market performance. We remain focused on delivering for our customers and look forward to providing additional clarity as this uncertainty subsides.”

Second Quarter 2025 Highlights

Cummins announced an increase in the quarterly common stock cash dividend from $1.82 to $2.00 per share. The company has increased the quarterly dividend to shareholders for 16 consecutive years.

Cummins launched the new 17-liter engine platform generator, expanding on the success of the acclaimed Centum Series generator sets. Producing up to 1 megawatt of power, the S17 Centum genset was developed to produce a large power output within a compact footprint to meet the growing demands of power in urban environments. The new genset is designed to support a wide range of critical market segments such as commercial properties, healthcare facilities and water treatment plants.

Jennifer Rumsey was named one of Barron’s Top CEOs of 2025. Jennifer was recognized for her visionary leadership and commitment to innovation and sustainability. The annual list features 26 leaders whose deft guidance has put their companies in a stronger competitive position.

Second Quarter 2025 Detail (all comparisons to same period in 2024):

Engine Segment

• Sales – $2.9 billion, down 8 percent
• Segment EBITDA – $400 million, or 13.8 percent of sales, compared to $445 million, or 14.1 percent of sales

Revenues decreased 8 percent in North America and 7 percent in international markets due to lower on-highway demand in the United States and Mexico.

Components Segment

• Sales – $2.7 billion, down 9 percent
• Segment EBITDA – $397 million, or 14.7 percent of sales, compared to $406 million, or 13.6 percent of sales

Revenues in North America decreased by 15% and international sales were flat primarily due to lower on-highway demand in the United States.
Distribution Segment

• Sales – $3.0 billion, up 7 percent
• Segment EBITDA – $445 million, or 14.6 percent of sales, compared to $314 million, or 11.1 percent of sales

Revenues in North America increased 9 percent and international sales increased by 4% primarily due to increased demand for power generation products in the United States.
Power Systems Segment

• Sales – $1.9 billion, up 19%
• Segment EBITDA – $430 million, or 22.8% of sales, compared to $301 million, or 18.9% of sales

Revenues in North America increased 23% and international sales increased 16% driven primarily by increased power generation demand, particularly for the data center and mission critical markets.

Accelera Segment

• Sales – $105 million, down 5 percent
• Segment EBITDA loss – $100 million, compared to $117 million

Revenues decreased due to lower electrolyzer installations. The company remains committed to pacing and focusing our zero emissions investments on the most promising paths in order to ensure we are set up for long-term success as part of our Destination Zero strategy. These continued investments contributed to the EBITDA losses.
About Cummins Inc.

Cummins Inc., a global power solutions leader, is comprised of five business segments – Engine, Components, Distribution, Power Systems and Accelera by Cummins – supported by our global manufacturing and extensive service and support network, skilled workforce and vast technological expertise. Cummins is committed to its Destination Zero strategy, which is grounded in the company’s commitment to sustainability and helping its customers successfully navigate the energy transition with its broad portfolio of products. The products range from advanced diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, valvetrain technologies, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, axles, drivelines, brakes, suspension systems, electric power generation systems, electrified power systems with innovative components and subsystems, including battery, fuel cell and electric power technologies and hydrogen production technologies. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 69,600 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $3.9 billion on sales of $34.1 billion in 2024. See how Cummins is powering a world that’s always on by accessing news releases and more information at https://www.cummins.com.

The post Cummins Announces Q3 Financials, Notes Declining Truck End-User Confidence appeared first on School Transportation News.

While the immediate future remains uncertain on federal emissions regulations and funding, school bus OEMs say they are prepared with varied solutions going forward to meet the needs of every customer, no matter the fuel or where they operate.

That was the key takeaway from a July 13 panel at STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada. The OEM representatives on stage were Francisco Lagunas, general manager of North America Bus for Cummins; Jim Crowcroft, general sales manager for Thomas Built Buses; Katie Stok, product marketing and commercial readiness for IC Bus; Frank Girardot, the PR, marketing and government relations leader at RIDE; and Brad Beauchamp, EV product segment leader for Blue Bird. The session attempted to provide some clarity to the ever-changing funding and fuel landscape.

“The only certainty is that everything is so uncertain,” Lagunas punctuated during the “The Engines & Emissions Pathway Forward” session, facilitated by School Transportation News Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray.

Lagunas added that Cummins is seeing an increased demand in diesel, confirming that the new B6.7 octane engine will be available in January. Though, he noted that investments in electric batteries and drive systems have not slowed down. Accelera, the zero-emissions division of Cummins, is a member of a joint venture with Daimler Truck North America and Paccar to create a U.S.-based battery cell manufacturer, Amplify Cell Technologies.

Crowcroft agreed, adding that one year has made a huge difference in industry focus. Several of the same panelists sat on a similar panel last year at STN EXPO, where he said EV was the focus of the industry.

“Now, it’s been a complete 180 [degree turn] this year,” he shared, adding that the industry has spent too much time talking about EVs and not enough time talking about the other offerings.

This year has been about being diverse, being nimble and ready to adapt to change when necessary. “What is the most practical plan?” he asked, noting that diesel technology has advanced and EV fatigue is setting in.

He shared that Thomas is not telling customers what fuel or energy type to use but instead empowering them to choose what works best for their fleets. Noting the Trump administration’s relaxation of a federal push for zero-emission vehicles, Crowcroft said there has been a sigh of relief from customers for not feeling like they have to purchase electric school buses.

He noted that with all the changes and technologies, it puts more pressure on the OEMs to keep up. He said Thomas is committed to investing in quality, citing that ahead of the 2027 GHG Phase 3 regulations targeting lower NOx (the EPA currently has it on hold pending a proposal to remove GHG regulations), school districts might want to pre-buy within the next 12 months to avoid cost increases tied to the new technology.

Beauchamp said Blue Bird has always focused on a fuel-agnostic path for its customers, and the company plans on continuing with propane being a low emission source. While he said Blue Bird had yet to see EV order cancellations as of last month, he anticipates those orders will flatten. Regardless, Blue Bird is committed to EV, noting an $80 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy last year (and double that amount in company matching funds) to build a new Type D electric school bus plant.

He noted that while the supply chain has improved coming out of COVID-19, “We’re not out of the words on it, yet,” he said.

Related: Electric School Bus Manufacturing Included in Nearly $2B Federal Energy Grant

Stok noted that the industry conversation should not be about low costs but having a supplier that delivers good quality on time. She noted that, like the other OEMs, EV is still very much part of the IC Bus product portfolio, as is diesel. However, she said the change in federal regulations will usher in changing order preferences across the industry, noting that IC is reintroducing its own gasoline school bus with the upcoming Cummins engine.

For the remainder of 2025, she said IC Bus is on track to have the highest production output from its Tulsa, Oklahoma plant. Communication is key right now, she added, and the manufacturer is working with its dealer network to listen to the customers and continue to improve.

Meanwhile, Girardot said it’s too early to predict what the future holds but BYD electric school bus company RIDE believes it holds a promise to furthering the deployment of EVs and enhancing the capabilities of vehicle to grid technology. He noted that V2G holds value and is something that communities need to consider. He highlighted success stories of V2G, such as in the Oakland Unified School District in California.

Girardot added that technician training on electric school buses is a must.

Additionally, RIDE announced a range extension on its blade battery, which took home the Best Green Technology, as judged by attendees at the STN EXPO West Trade Show Innovation Awards. Girardot added RIDE, too, received a competitive grant to expand its manufacturing facility.

Related: Transfinder, RIDE Win Big with STN EXPO Innovation Awards
Related: Another $200M Now Available for Electric School Buses in New York
Related: EPA Provides Update on Clean School Bus Program

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