Vehicle to-grid charging, while still in relatively early phases, is gaining traction across the school bus industry in both the U.S. and Canada.

The promise of V2G technology was frequently discussed in the early days of electric school bus adoption. However, few operations have been successful in giving power back to the grid at levels first promised, with only a handful of projects making headlines.

One such example is from The Mobility House, which announced a “successful implementation” of a V2G charging system at Fremont Unified School District near San Francisco, California. The company has several V2G projects around the U.S., including in New York and Massachusetts, that follow the same scalable approach.

“We were confident in our approach because of our deep experience in implementing V2G projects worldwide, and in school bus fleet electrification here in the U.S.,” said Alex Macharia, VGI program manager at The Mobility House North America. “It was important to establish trust in the technology and in us as an organization from our first conversations with [Director of Transportation Ernest Epley and Fremont]. Ultimately, we found that we were closely aligned on the mission to go beyond electrification by enabling clean reliable transportation that serves the Fremont USD student body while also improving grid resilience to benefit the community.”

Macharia noted that like all V2G projects, the one with Fremont required careful coordination and planning with utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to obtain service expansion and interconnection. One of the recurring challenges with V2G, he said, is the functional compatibility between the vehicle, charger and charge management system, or CMS.

The CMS system at Fremont is developed by The Mobility House. According to a press release, ChargePilot manages daily smart charging of the buses, which the fleet operator can view can via an online dashboard. The market aggregation platform receives notifications from PG&E of an upcoming load reduction event via OpenADR, (a communication standard for utilities to provide control commands to distributed energy resources such as batteries and solar inverters) and suggests optimal charging schedules based on the event and time-of-use electricity prices, the release adds.

ChargePilot also adjusts charging optimization for the bus fleet to discharge power to reduce site load during the emergency event, while continuing to ensure vehicle readiness for departure on their next route, noted The Mobility House.

“We have come a long way in developing standardization within the technical interfaces, and this project will be showcasing methods of V2G deployment using open standards, which will resolve some of the complexity,” Macharia said, adding that the Fremont project is currently deployed under the PG&E Emergency Load Reduction Program with insights expected toward the end of next year.

By then, The Mobility House expects to have a full season of ELRP data.

“Program participants are compensated based on how much energy (kWh) or demand (kW) is reduced as compared to a baseline,” he continued, explaining that other partners included the World Resources Institute, Center for Transportation and the Environment, and Polara. “Thirty to 60 hours of events will be called per season (May to October). Events are one to five hours long called between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.”

Fremont remains in the first phase of the project, with phase two expected to come online this fall. That phase will include the use of six bidirectional chargers.

“As more bidirectional vehicles and chargers come to market, and more utilities begin to offer V2G programs in their territories, The Mobility House will be at the forefront of deploying commercial and residential V2G solutions,” Macharia said.

Meanwhile, Fremont’s Epley said the decision to move toward V2G was driven by both sustainability goals and operational efficiency.

“We wanted to do more than just adopt electric buses. We wanted to maximize their value,” he said. “V2G technology allows us not only to reduce emissions and provide students with a cleaner ride, but also to turn our fleet into a flexible energy resource for the community. That dual purpose, educational and environmental impact paired with fiscal responsibility, was central to our choice.”

He noted that he is not an engineer or utility expert and is instead a “bus driver in a suit who happens to now lead transportation.” Because a project of this size is outside of his area of expertise, Epley said it is important to lean on partners such as PG&E and The Mobility House.

The companies, he added, handled the complex utility upgrades and charger integration, while he was able to continue to focus on daily operations.

“It was about mutual trust. They respected our school mission, and I trusted their technical know-how,” he said. “That’s how we made sure the infrastructure rollout matched our existing buses.

Epley said there were many practical and technical questions to answer. Among them, how would V2G impact battery life? What does the interconnection process look like with the utility? What are the financial models for energy export and savings?

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“The Mobility House brought expertise in energy management, while PG&E provided clarity on grid requirements and tariffs. Together, they demystified the process and gave us the confidence to move forward, knowing the technology was both viable and beneficial long-term,” he added.

It’s too early to track financial outcomes, he said, but by discharging energy back to the grid during peak demand periods and charging during off-peak times, Fremont projects a reduction of net charging costs.

“Just as important, the technology is helping us flatten our energy demand curve, which benefits both the district and the grid,” Epley said, adding that the district’s vision is to scale in a deliberate and sustainable way.

The next two electric school buses and additional chargers are scheduled for 2026.

“Even as funding landscapes shift, we’re positioning [Fremont] to demonstrate that electric school buses are not just a pilot project, but a long-term operational norm,” he said. “The integration aligns with our district’s sustainability plan: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering operating costs and setting an example for students on how innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.”

Epley shared the response from the community and parents has been overwhelmingly positive, with parents appreciating that their children are riding in buses that are cleaner, quieter and healthier for the community.

“Neighbors see us contributing to local grid stability rather than just drawing power” he said. “And students themselves are excited to see their school district at the forefront of clean technology. It becomes a teaching moment. That community support reinforces that we’re not just upgrading buses, we’re helping shape a more sustainable future for Fremont, California.”

Elsewhere, Tucson Electric Power is launching a V2G project this fall. And Fuse Power launched the first V2G electric school bus project in Canada. “Fuse is supplying power back to the grid during peak hours from parked electric trucks and buses. This milestone marks a major step forward in the future of vehicle-to-grid innovation,” according to a company Linkedin post.

The post Strides in Vehicle to Grid Technology Continue appeared first on School Transportation News.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -Netradyne, a global leader in AI-powered fleet safety and performance solutions, today announced the launch of the Driver•i D-810. Built to deliver peak safety and efficiency in fleet operations, the D-810 is the first platform to combine 360 AI capabilities with edge intelligence across up to eight cameras. Extending Netradyne’s leadership in fleet safety and performance, the D-810 gives fleets greater visibility into driver behavior and vehicle activity, enabling smarter decision-making and proactive risk management.

With 360° video visibility and collision management, the D-810 strengthens Netradyne’s approach to overcoming the challenges of modern fleet operations—with an integrated platform for fleet operations that enables safety, fuel efficiency, compliance, and vehicle health management.

“At Netradyne, our mission has always been to push the boundaries of what’s possible in fleet safety and performance,” said Avneesh Agrawal, CEO and co-founder of Netradyne. “With the launch of the Driver•i D-810 product, we’re not only advancing innovation through edge intelligence technologies and 360 AI solutions, but we’re also setting a new standard for how fleets can operate safer, smarter, and more efficiently. This launch reflects our commitment to giving drivers the confidence they need, managers the visibility they demand, and the industry a future built on intelligent, comprehensive fleet solutions.”

Next generation of visibility and confidence on the road.

The Driver•i D-810 introduces a new generation of design and driver support. Dual- and quad-lens windshield cameras are over 80% smaller than previous models, reducing obstruction while preserving AI accuracy. A powerful processing hub supports multiple configurations, giving fleets the scalability they need. For drivers, an optional in-cab monitor streams blind spot views during turns, lane changes, and reversing. Paired with automated AI audio alerts, the system functions as a real-time co-pilot—building safer habits and greater confidence behind the wheel.

From real-time alerts to data protection, edge intelligence delivers.

Advanced edge processing delivers instant AI analysis without relying on cloud connectivity, ensuring critical safety alerts are continuously operational, while reducing bandwidth costs and protecting sensitive fleet data with on-device intelligence. This powerful on-device processing means fleets can maintain peak safety performance even in areas with poor connectivity, while sensitive video data remains secure within the vehicle. The result is faster response times, lower operational costs, and enhanced data privacy—giving fleet managers the confidence that their safety systems work reliably anywhere their drivers travel.

Minimum blind spots, maximum safety.

Powered by the D-810, Driver•i 360 AI delivers real-time, edge-based intelligence across up to eight cameras, eliminating blind spots around the cab, sides, rear, and trailer without relying on the cloud. This complete visibility gives drivers confidence through blind spot alerts, real-time recognition, and in-cab coaching. Managers gain instant, searchable video evidence to simplify reviews and investigations, while also benefiting from stronger safety culture, reduced litigation risk, and measurable operational savings.

“The Driver•i D-810 brings together years of AI advancement into a single, fleet-ready platform that delivers real-time intelligence at the edge,” said David Julian, CTO and co-founder of Netradyne. “At the same time, it’s designed to protect our customers’ existing Driver•i investments, following Netradyne’s roadmap that enables current devices to adopt new capabilities and benefit from ongoing innovation without replacement. This approach balances continuous innovation with long-term value for every fleet Netradyne serves.”

About Netradyne
Netradyne provides AI-powered technologies for fleet management and safer roads. An award-winning industry leader in fleet safety and video telematics solutions, Netradyne empowers thousands of commercial fleet customers across North America, Europe, and Asia to enhance their driver performance, reduce risk, and optimize operations. Netradyne sets the standard among transportation technology companies for enhancing and sustaining road safety, with an industry-leading 25+ billion miles vision-analyzed for risk and an industry-first driver scoring system that recognizes, reinforces, and rewards safe behaviors. Founded in 2015, Netradyne is headquartered in San Diego with offices in San Francisco, Nashville, and Bangalore.

The post Netradyne Introduces Industry’s First 360° Platform With Edge AI Across Eight Cameras for Smarter Fleet Management appeared first on School Transportation News.

Transporting students with special needs is one of the most complex and critical responsibilities school districts face. Beyond the obvious challenge of getting students safely from home to school and back again, transportation directors must also consider medical requirements, mobility equipment, individualized education plans (IEPs), specialized training for drivers and aides, and the need for clear communication with families. For decades, these demands have placed enormous pressure on transportation departments, often with limited resources.

This is where Transfinder steps in, offering solutions that give districts the tools they need to ensure every student—especially those with special needs—receives safe, reliable, and personalized transportation.

Precision in Routing and Scheduling

For students with special needs, transportation is not one-size-fits-all. Some students may require a shorter ride to minimize stress, while others may need vehicles equipped with wheelchair lifts or space for medical devices. Traditional routing methods often struggle to accommodate these individualized requirements.

Transfinder’s Routefinder PLUS software transforms how districts plan and adjust routes. Transportation staff can enter detailed information about each student’s unique needs—whether that involves proximity to a school entrance, a preference for curb-to-curb pickup, or specific vehicle accommodations. Knowing a student’s unique needs and balancing social considerations for that child is important. The system then builds routes that respect these requirements, balancing efficiency with personalization.

For example, if a child has a sensory sensitivity and cannot be on the bus for more than 20 minutes, Routefinder PLUS allows planners to create a route that honors that limitation. If another student requires a bus with air-conditioning due to a medical condition, the system ensures the student is assigned to the appropriate vehicle. These details, once managed manually and prone to error, are now built into the daily operation.

Flexibility When Needs Change

Students’ needs often evolve throughout the school year. A new medical diagnosis, a change in therapy schedules, or even a family move can dramatically impact transportation. Traditionally, making these changes meant long hours of reworking routes and notifying families.

With Transfinder, those adjustments happen quickly and accurately. Transportation staff can easily reassign a student to a different route or vehicle, while the system automatically recalculates times, distances, and driver assignments. Parents are informed immediately through Stopfinder, Transfinder’s parent communication app, which provides real-time updates about their child’s transportation.

For families of students with special needs, this peace of mind is invaluable. Parents know their child’s safety and comfort are always at the center of planning, and they can track buses on a map or receive notifications if a vehicle is delayed.

Supporting Drivers and Aides

Transporting students with special needs requires more than just the right route—it requires well-informed drivers and aides. They must know which students may require extra assistance boarding, which may need a calm and quiet environment, and which have medical considerations.

Transfinder equips staff with the information they need. Through mobile solutions like Wayfinder, drivers can receive turn-by-turn directions as well as notes about student needs. This reduces stress for substitute drivers, who may not be familiar with a particular route or group of students. Instead of relying on memory or binders of paper notes, all critical details are available at their fingertips.

This not only improves safety but also ensures continuity of care. If a student typically rides with a familiar driver but that driver is unavailable, substitutes can step in with the same level of preparedness and confidence.

Reducing Ride Times, Increasing Comfort

One of the biggest concerns parents express about special needs transportation is long ride times. Spending excessive time on a bus can be overwhelming or even harmful for certain students.

Transfinder’s optimization tools help districts reduce unnecessary mileage and minimize student ride times. By analyzing traffic patterns, student locations, and school start times, the software creates routes that are efficient without compromising individual needs. The result is students arriving at school calmer, less fatigued, and more ready to learn.

Compliance and Accountability

Federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) place specific obligations on districts regarding special education services, including transportation. Failure to meet these obligations can result in complaints or even legal challenges.

Transfinder helps districts stay compliant by maintaining detailed records of routes, assignments, and accommodations. If questions arise about whether a student’s transportation needs are being met, transportation directors have the data to demonstrate compliance. This transparency not only protects districts but also reassures families that their children’s needs are being taken seriously.

A Human Difference Through Technology

At its core, Transfinder’s mission is not just about buses and routes—it’s about students. For districts serving special needs populations, that mission carries extra weight. The technology provides tools, but the ultimate result is human: a student who arrives safely at school, a parent who feels confident in their district, and a driver who is empowered to provide excellent care.

Districts that partner with Transfinder often report reduced stress for staff, improved relationships with families, and better outcomes for students. One transportation director put it simply: “With Transfinder, we can focus less on the logistics and more on the children.”

Conclusion

Transporting students with special needs is one of the most demanding and important services a district provides. By combining precise routing, real-time flexibility, parent communication, and staff support, Transfinder ensures that every child’s journey to and from school is safe, dignified, and tailored to their individual needs.

With Transfinder, districts don’t just move students from point A to point B—they deliver peace of mind, equity, and opportunity.

To learn more about Transfinder technology and support, visit Transfinder.com, email solutions@transfinder.com or call 800-373-3609.

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

The post Finding the Right Route: How Transfinder Helps Districts Transport Students with Special Needs appeared first on School Transportation News.

Safety has always been the top priority in student transportation, but for special education, it carries added weight. These buses serve students who require closer supervision and stronger family communication, making safety more important. Radios and reports still help, but new technologies are giving transportation leaders the ability to act in real time.

At Royse City ISD (RCISD) in Texas, that shift has meant embracing AI-powered cameras and live video to provide the extra layer of support their riders with disabilities need.

Royse City ISD: A District on the Rise

Royse City ISD transports over 8,000 students each week across three rapidly growing counties near Dallas, including more than 800 with special needs. Executive Director of Transportation Cody Cox, a lifelong student transportation professional who started as a bus driver, leads the operation.

As the district grows, so will its transportation needs. The district grows by about 1,000 students annually, forcing the purchase of new vehicles to meet both growth and replacement needs. The challenge with such rapid expansion is maintaining the same quality of safety for every student while also meeting the area’s transportation demands. This remains especially true for RCISD’s special education vehicle fleet, and is what prompted Cox to search for an effective solution.

Turning to Technology for Support

Transporting students with special needs requires extra care. These riders may need closer supervision, and drivers must balance safe operations with clear communication and visibility into what happens on board. For districts, the challenge is finding ways to provide that extra support while maintaining efficiency across the fleet.

For Royse City ISD, rapid growth made this challenge even more pressing. To strengthen safety protocols across its special education fleet, which includes SUVs, vans, and buses, Cody Cox began looking for technology that was versatile, reliable, and cost-effective.

“I was looking for a solution that was more cost-effective without losing any of the features of our larger DVRs,” Cox explained.

Earlier this year, the district piloted Safety Vision’s SafeDrive-AI 2, pairing its dual-camera driver system with four additional interior and exterior cameras to provide real-time awareness and added coverage across its diverse fleet of special education vehicles.

For Cox’s team, live-streaming from vehicles carrying high-needs students provided critical reassurance. Dispatchers could monitor in real time, step in quickly, and support onboard staff when needed. At the same time, AI-powered alerts from SafeDrive-AI 2 added another layer of protection, helping drivers identify potential risks on the road. Recorded video also proved essential, giving the district an objective account of incidents and concerns.

“Footage is very important to investigate situations and concerns,” Cox said. “It often gives us a better understanding of what was going on so we can provide better support to staff and students.”

(Article continues after video.)

Advice for Districts Considering Safety Technology

Looking ahead, RCISD has committed to outfitting its new special education vehicles and white fleet vehicles with the SafeDrive AI 2 system piloted earlier this year. For Cox, the decision reflects not only the benefits his team has already seen but also the long-term value of proactive safety tools. His advice to other districts is straightforward: “I would recommend they try them on new vehicles or retrofit some vehicles to see just how great the coverage is for the cost.”

By starting small, he suggests districts can experience firsthand how live video, AI alerts, and recorded footage work together to enhance safety without a major upfront investment. The system’s flexibility is another advantage because it can be customized and scaled to fit any fleet size. For a growing district like RCISD, partnering with a provider that can expand with their needs is key to ensuring lasting safety across all student transportation vehicles.

Technology as a Long-Term Safety Partner

Student safety will always be the cornerstone of school transportation, but for special education fleets, that responsibility comes with unique requirements. Royse City ISD’s experience shows how technology can play a pivotal role in meeting those requirements. By giving dispatchers real-time visibility and providing drivers with timely support they can be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to the safety of all students and staff.

As districts of all sizes continue to face growth, tighter budgets, and increasing expectations from parents and communities, tools like live video and AI-powered alerts are helping transportation teams move from reacting to incidents to preventing them. For leaders like Cody Cox, the message is clear: scalable, customizable solutions aren’t just add-ons, they’re becoming essential partners in ensuring safe, reliable transportation for every student, every day.

Learn more at safetyvision.com.

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

The post Growing Safely: How Royse City ISD Protects Special Needs Riders appeared first on School Transportation News.

For district leaders, student safety and cost-efficiency are paramount during daily pupil transport. However, if a district only has telematics for school bus GPS tracking, they’re missing deeper insights that can help them better protect their students and drivers, reduce expenses and take better care of their buses.

Download this “Beyond Dots on a Map” ebook to discover how to take your school bus operation management strategies farther than just GPS tracking can. This ebook will teach you how a school bus fleet management platform can help you:

• Monitor driver behaviors like speeding, harsh braking, accelerations and more to coach against hazardous driving.
• Save time and increase accuracy with digital inspection logs.
• Administer more timely maintenance to your buses.
• Pursue sustainability initiatives like electric buses and reduce CO2 emissions.

Get your copy of this ebook now to begin transforming the efficiency and safety of your student transportation operations.

Simply fill out the form below to receive the ebook in your inbox!

The post (Free White Paper) Go Beyond Simple GPS Tracking with School Bus Operation Management Ebook appeared first on School Transportation News.

A driverless car operated by Waymo is under scrutiny after it was caught on video illegally passing a stopped school bus that was letting children off in Atlanta, reported WBIR News.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon and was recorded by a woman who witnessed the incident. Georgia state Rep. Clint Crowe said he was shocked after seeing the footage.

“I’m a big fan of new technologies and emerging technologies, and I think driverless cars are going to become more common,” Crowe said. “But we have to think about how they’re going to comply with the law.”

According to the news report, Crowe co-sponsored Addy’s Law in 2024, which was named after 8-year-old Addy Pierce. Pierce was killed in Henry County after being hit while crossing the street to get to her school bus. The law increased penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus, with fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time.

Crowe emphasized that these laws also apply to autonomous vehicles.

“The majority of our traffic laws come with penalties like fines or driver’s license suspension,” he explained via the article. “These cars don’t have drivers or licenses, so we really have to rethink who is responsible. Who’s in control of the vehicle? Who is the operator?”

Crowe said he believes automobile manufacturers should face stronger consequences when their autonomous vehicles break the law, saying the current $1,000 fine isn’t enough. Other lawmakers agree.

“Driverless cars should be stopped until it can be figured out,” said State Sen. Rick Williams, one of the authors of Addy’s Law. “We should not have this on the road. It’s too dangerous for our children” he said via the article.

Williams said he plans to introduce new legislation that would increase penalties on driverless car companies when their vehicles violate traffic laws. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

Waymo said in a statement via the article that “the trust and safety of the communities we serve is our top priority. We continuously refine our system’s performance to navigate complex scenarios and are looking into this further.”

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Related: (STN Podcast E267) I Believe in This: Illegal Passing Drops & Michigan Pupil Transportation Leader Speaks
Related: Georgia Gov Signs Law Following Fatal Illegal Passing Incident
Related: Addy’s Law in Georgia, Targets Illegal Passers of School Buses
Related: Combatting Illegal Passing with Awareness, Technology

The post Waymo Driverless Car Illegally Passes Stopped School Bus in Atlanta appeared first on School Transportation News.

Station Director Gretchen Gerrish said she hopes the documentary makes clear that federal funding isn’t an abstract concept, but a real investment in local communities.

The post Trout Lake Station documentary highlights local, global impact of Wisconsin research appeared first on WPR.

The city’s broadband manager says ConnectSuperior has already seen a 10 percent uptake in the first two months of service.

The post City of Superior brings a broadband success story to northern Wisconsin appeared first on WPR.

Six decades ago, I started my career in maintenance by working on school buses at the Lancaster, New York, School District bus garage. Work began with a mix of Craftsman/Snap-on hand tools, a timing light, torque wrench, tire pressure gauge, dwell meter, and a set of feeler gauges. When a bus broke down, I had everything I needed to fix it. My procedure and process manual was a guy named Val, who had been doing school bus repair for 20 years.

Historically, school bus maintenance has relied on reactive, standard repair approaches rather than utilizing proactive or predictive maintenance strategies.Technicians typically used their experience and manual diagnostic tools to identify and fix issues, a process with printed procedures that can be time consuming. Within the past decade, the conventional approach to school bus maintenance has advanced with process modifications aided by technology.

The future school bus maintenance process will continue to evolve, resulting from the increased complexity of integrated modern school bus equipment as well as from new OEM’s and component suppliers, along with transportation departments and bus companies seeking improved efficiency, safety and cost management. Ongoing advancements in school bus equipment will require more regular updates to maintenance protocols, operational procedures, technician training and toolsets to maintain optimal safety standards and cost-effectiveness in bus operations.

As semi-autonomous systems, electric and clean fuel technologies rapidly advance in school buses, maintenance and repair methods of those systems must evolve. Advancements in training, diagnostic and repair processes are necessary to enhance technician productivity, reduce operational costs and promote safety.

Advanced maintenance technologies can enable more accurate diagnostics, timely maintenance and even predictive capabilities that alert operators to issues before they cause expensive failures. School bus maintenance centers should view the following innovative technologies as key tools to help technicians improve cost-efficiency, safety and reliability throughout fleet operations.

Telematics & GPS: Vehicle-to-Office
Integrating GPS and onboard diagnostics with transportation office data collection would provide real-time data on various parameters such as engine performance, fuel consumption and driver behavior. This continuous stream of real-time information allows school bus fleet managers to monitor their school bus fleet health. Real-time operating data provides fleet managers with insights into vehicle performance and driver behavior, enabling better decision-making and more efficient operations.

Predictive Maintenance
Telematics data combined with advanced analytics may be used to estimate timing component failures and assist in planning maintenance before equipment malfunctions occur. This approach stops small issues from becoming big problems. The benefits of telematics and predictive maintenance are significant, reducing demand maintenance, cost savings and enhanced fleet management.

Internet of Things-Assisted Diagnostic Systems
IoT-based systems can provide detailed data on school bus component conditions. These systems can continuously monitor various aspects of the vehicle, from engine health to tire pressure, and relay this information to a centralized system, allowing technicians to access and analyze data from anywhere. This feature lets technicians remotely diagnose problems and help with initial repairs.

Augmented Reality in Maintenance Process
OEM’s are embracing Augmented Reality (AR) as a valuable training tool in maintenance. AR can overlay digital information onto physical components, providing technicians with OEM step-by-step repair process and detailed diagrams as they work. This real-time assistance helps with performing complex repairs with greater accuracy and efficiency.

Virtual Reality for Technician Training
Virtual Reality (VR) is transforming technician training. VR simulations create immersive training environments, where technicians can practice repairs without the risks associated with real-world training. These simulations can replicate a wide range of scenarios, allowing technicians to gain experience and build confidence before working on the bus.

AI Data-Driven Advancements
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are the next wave of technological advancements in school bus repairs. AI-driven diagnostics would analyze vast amounts of industry fleet data to identify patterns and predict issues. These systems will quickly sift through data from multiple sources to pinpoint potential problems with remarkable accuracy. It may not be long before we see AI robots performing repetitive tasks like tire changes and wheel torque checks, allowing technicians to focus on more complex repairs. As AI technology advances, the possibility of partially automated repair shops becomes more realistic.

This is Our Future
Telematics and predictive maintenance are helping to lower costs while advanced diagnostic tools and IoT are improving repair times and accuracy. AR and VR are enhancing maintenance processes, technician training and retention. AI will be driving the next wave of innovation with predictive diagnostics and automated repairs. The integration of these technological advancements will contribute to greater reliability and performance within the school bus fleet, while also significantly elevating safety standards across the school bus industry. Emerging technologies are set to transform the school bus repair function significantly.

Final Suggestion
Stay current by reviewing School Transportation News magazine advertisements and research those found offering modern school bus management aides in the STN publications, online seminars, blogs and trade shows. Seek out school bus OEM’s and component representatives to help you become more familiar with what technology would aid your transportation center. If possible, become involved in peer group discussions that discuss this topic.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the September 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

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Related: A Jolt to School Bus Maintenance
Related: Technology and Communication: Crucial for Bus Maintenance and Safety
Related: Arkansas District Uses Technology to Save Money and Time
Related: A New Age Dawns for School Bus Maintenance Training

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Bob Pudlewski is STN’s technical editor and a member of the National School Transportation Association Hall of Fame in recognition of his 40-plus-year career as a school bus maintenance, technology and procurement expert.

The post School Bus Maintenance Process Recommendations Influenced by Technology appeared first on School Transportation News.

Wearable devices like the Apple Watch can collect valuable health data, particularly for people with chronic illnesses, but they are not subject to the same privacy rules as traditional medical devices, experts say. (Photo by Paige Gross/States Newsroom)

For 27-year-old Amanda Lien, the decision to start wearing popular wearable tech devices, like her Apple Watch and Oura Ring, didn’t come lightly.

The Chesapeake, Virginia-based content marketing specialist works for a healthcare company, and probably knows more about healthcare data privacy issues than most, she said. She’s also not inclined to wear jewelry on a daily basis, but an official diagnosis of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome — a chronic disease she’d experienced symptoms of her whole life — in 2024 made her reconsider. 

“I was like, ‘okay, if I could have a quantitative numbers-based way to check my gut on is this aspect of my health really getting worse, or am I just, am I reading too much into it?’ Or is something else going on?” she said. “It’s what finally got me to cave and get an Oura ring.”

Though the concept of fitness tracking through wearable devices has been around for decades, the ability to track biometric features like heart rate, sleep quality and stress response has become more ubiquitous in recent years. Consumers who are interested in a device they can wear 24/7 that collects data points on varying aspects of their health have no shortage of options, and new devices roll out every year.

The devices have become popular for those looking to track athletic goals and energy levels, but for some wearers, like Lien, they also provide a view into their own health they haven’t had access to before. 

Lien holds some concerns about data privacy with the devices, choosing carefully which aspects of her biometrics she allows the devices to track, and which she does not. She sees her devices as tools — one piece of how she manages long-distance medical care in a complex, and often inaccessible healthcare system. 

“I can go from a completely healthy-presenting, normal-presenting human to being in bed for two weeks in the span of, it has been as quick as under 12 hours,” Lien said. “And there are warning signs that my body is being run down leading up to this. … But having the ring warn me that my body is showing signs of decline, and that I might be getting sick has enabled me to not only get in touch with my doctors, but also try to proactively get an appointment if that’s needed.”

Healthcare interventions

Wearable devices use sensors to collect constant data about heart rate, blood oxygen levels, temperature and motion, and other measurable factors. Users can view the data directly, sync it with other apps and collect a report that tracks trends over time. 

Because she’s managing an ongoing condition, and can only see her doctors every so often, Lien said her Oura Ring functions as a record keeper for all the data that may help her answer the question, “how are you feeling?” or “how have you been sleeping lately?”

“In front of my doctor, I can look up my sleep score, which helps jog my memory about what the heck is going on,” she said. “But it also pays attention to things that I don’t, like how long I was asleep or how long I was in REM sleep.” 

With data collected by her ring and through talks with her doctors, Lien has also learned to adjust parts of her routine, like when to eat in relation to taking medication, or by taking time off from work to rest when the ring warns her that she may be getting ill. 

Houston-based Stacee Hawkins, a 57-year-old with Parkinson’s disease, has been using her Apple Watch in combination with an app called StrivePD to track the condition’s affect on her motion. The watch and app combo tracks her eating, medication and movement and has offered a lot more insight than trying to document it on her own. 

“Almost within maybe two weeks of looking at the information that I was getting back on when my tremors happened, I could see kind of when my medication kicked in,” Hawkins said. “And one thing I noticed was that on days when I exercised, my medication kicked in about 50% earlier.” 

Her doctor also saw through the data collection that Hawkins’ medication wasn’t lasting as long as it should through the day, and adjusted accordingly. 

Brianna Hood, a physical therapist and clinical specialist at Rune Labs, the company that produced the StrivePD app, works with the company’s product and design team and clinicians to best utilize the data they receive. 

The effects of Parkinson’s disease fluctuate day by day, she said, and ongoing data helps the patient’s doctors adjust their physical therapy exercises or alert neurologists and movement disorder specialists when the device tracks decline. The wearables help keep management of the disease from being too much of a “guessing game,” Hood said. 

“Parkinson’s has its ups and downs. I’ll have … a string of a couple of weeks where I’m doing really well, and then I’ll have a string of days, maybe even a week or two, where I’m really struggling with it,” Hawkins said. “Having all that information gives me some objective information to pair with my subjective observations of myself.” 

Physician Lucienne Ide often works with information from wearable devices for her digital healthcare company Rimidi, a platform that helps with remote patient monitoring and chronic disease management. 

She sees how the devices are helping to fill gaps in an overwhelmed and often understaffed healthcare system by helping patients advocate for themselves during visits. Ide even has personal experience with an emergency intervention — after her husband underwent open heart surgery a few years ago, Ide tracked his heart rhythms on two smart watches, and spotted atrial flutter, a heart rhythm disorder, which she alerted doctors about. Because of her monitoring, he was able to receive care in enough time. 

But Ide thinks officially integrating smart wearable devices into healthcare systems is a tricky move. She also pushed back on the idea that every American should have a wearable — a statement Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made in a House subcommittee in June. 

“I don’t think we have the workflows built out around where that data goes, who it goes to, how it gets reviewed,” Ide said. “You know, clinicians have concerns around liability, right? If this data is shared with me, especially if it’s sort of continuously streamed to me, you know — if a tree falls in the forest, am I liable for it?”

Data collection and privacy concerns

Despite wearables acting a tool for both patients and doctors, the companies that produce them do not need to follow the same levels of privacy and safety regulations that FDA-approved medical devices would, and information does not need to be protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), said Andrew Crawford, senior council with the Center for Democracy and Technology’s Privacy and Data team. 

“There’s potential for discriminatory treatment when it comes to insurance rates or possible profiling by data brokers, creating profiles of people based on either direct or inferred health conditions,” Crawford said. “That then affects not only the type of ads people see, but maybe the types of opportunities that are presented to them when they seek things like insurance.”

It can be a daunting task to stay on top of the privacy policies of each device and app, Crawford said. The U.S. doesn’t currently have federal data privacy protections, but such legislation might bring more transparency to industries like these, that deal with sensitive personal data but aren’t regulated under healthcare laws. 

“Because of that, it’s on each consumer to do their homework, to read those policies, hopefully try to understand them and then make a decision based on how comfortable or not they are with the data practices associated with that product,” Crawford said. 

Oura’s data collection and privacy policy were recently called into question when the company said it was partnering with the Department of Defense and data mining company Palantir, which is used by law enforcement agencies, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Droves of users took to social media to announce they were ditching their rings in response, some spreading misinformation that the military now had access to all of their health data. 

“For the record, we will never share your data with anyone unless you direct us to do it,” Oura CEO Tom Hale said at a Fortune event in early September. “We will never sell your data to anyone ever.” 

But both Lien and Hawkins said they have their reservations about how data is stored and who has access to it. A few years ago, Hawkins said she wouldn’t be as worried, but “with the current administration, that is a deep concern,” she said. 

“Five years ago, I would say, ‘Oh you know, of course, our governmental entities recognize that this is our private information. There’s no way the government would, you know, pressure companies to provide that,” Hawkins said. “I can’t say that anymore.”

Lien doesn’t worry about privacy for heart rate data, stress, exercise or sleep — the primary data points she collects. But she’s very aware of how certain healthcare information, like menstrual cycle and other reproductive information, could be vulnerable and potentially dangerous to track digitally after the fall of the constitutional right to abortion in 2022.

“My reproductive cycle is a whole other beast to me, and if the app were to start tracking my location, that would be a big no for me,” Lien said. “I understand that right now, especially, human-generated data in particular, is often for sale. And also that sometimes to use a tool, you have to decide if you are willing to, knowing that, still use that tool. And for me, the trade off is worth it.”

But both women say they continue to make the choice to use their devices as a key role in managing their health. Maybe the healthcare industry will evolve to regulate the devices more and give them more peace of mind, they said, but for now, their concerns are outweighed by the agency they’ve gained. 

“Using a wearable and the information that it gives you can be very empowering. With something like Parkinson’s, it’s hard not to feel like a victim sometimes, because there’s so much you don’t control, but having that information gives you power,” Hawkins said. “You know, knowledge is power, and knowledge dispels fear. And empowerment and courage are two things you really need when you’re facing something like this.”

Editor’s note: This item has been modified to correct Stacee Hawkins’ age. She is 57.

The Trump Administration asked states to find the lowest-cost option in the latest program to build broadband infrastructure in rural areas. That opens the door for more types of technology, which some worry could be less reliable in the long-term.

The post Rural America still needs fast internet. Some worry new federal plans will fall short. appeared first on WPR.

As expected, the Federal Communications Commission voted 2-1 to end E-Rate eligibility of school bus Wi-Fi as well as other off-campus internet hotspots.

The declaratory ruling approved Tuesday finds Wi-Fi is now ineligible for E-Rate funding for pending fiscal year 2025 reimbursement requests because two of three FCC commissioners “determined that the best reading of section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, is that the use and provision of these services on school buses does not serve an educational purpose as defined by E-Rate program rules and conflicts with the statute’s direction to enhance access to E-Rate-eligible services for classrooms and libraries,” FCC said in a statement.

School Wi-Fi and hotspot experts disagree.

At the urging of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, the open meeting agenda was updated last week to include reconsideration of a 2023 eclaratory ruling “that would align E-Rate eligibility with section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and make school bus Wi-Fi an ineligible expense. FCC also revoked the federal school hotspot program. School bus Wi-Fi and hotspot advocates say the declaratory ruling disproportionately affects low-income and rural students.

Carr expressed his intent earlier this month to end federal reimbursements for school bus Wi-Fi. Normally the FCC seats five commissioners but currently only has three with two vacancies: Carr is joined by fellow Republican Olivia Trusty, who was confirmed by the Senate earlier this year, and Anna Gomez, a Democrat.

Gomez, who was the lone dissenting vote Tuesday, was one of three votes in 2023 to pass then-Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel’s Learning Without Limits, which included the school bus Wi-Fi eligibility. Following a 2024 FCC order to expand the Universal Service program to fund hotspots outside of schools and libraries, school districts were allowed to apply and be selected for reimbursements. Carr was also a commissioner at the time and cast a no vote.

FCC said Tuesday a statement from Gomez was forthcoming. On Sept. 3, she cautioned that millions of students as well as seniors nationwide stand to suffer as “FCC is moving to strip that connectivity away while doing nothing to make broadband more affordable.”

”Their latest proposals will only widen the gap between those with access to modern-day tools and those left behind. We must all fight back against this level of cruelty and indifference by this administration,” she added.

Carr contends the initiative illegally extended the Emergency Connectivity Fund passed by Congress to provide for federal funding of school bus Wi-Fi for neighborhood hotspots during the COVID-19 pandemic and school shutdowns for children needing to access virtual classes and complete homework.

Learning Without Limits intended to “close the homework gap” between areas of the country where students have access to and can afford broadband internet with economically disadvantaged and rural communities that do not or cannot.

Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts, a Democrat, is one of the original authors of the E-Rate program.

“Rolling back the FCC’s hotspot rule is a direct attack on students and educators who need Wi-Fi to complete homework assignments, create lesson plans, and connect with each other,” he said in an email to School Transportation News Friday. “This move is short-sighted and cruel. It saves no money and only makes life harder for millions of Americans. We should be expanding connections, not cutting them off, and I will fight to keep every child, family and library online.”

Markey led a letter sent to Carr by Senate Democrats Monday asking him to continue allowing school bus Wi-Fi to be an allowable E-Rate expense. The letter notes that FCC awarded $48 million through E-Rate in fiscal year 2024 for school bus Wi-Fi.

Further frustrating Markey and other school bus Wi-Fi and off-campus hotspot supporters, the FCC only gave one week notice of the meeting agenda change and did not allow for public comment. Joey Wender, executive director of the Schools Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, said the fate of internet access for students “should not be rushed through,” pointing out school districts nationwide have already made purchasing plans under the assumption federal funding would be available going forward.

“We believe FCC should provide ample notice of any changes and for stakeholders to comment, tell their stories, and share their data,” he added.

Echoing Sen. Ted Cruz, the leading opponent of E-Rate for school bus Wi-Fi and hotspots in Congress, Carr asserts that school bus Wi-Fi and hotspots were never meant to be E-Rate eligible expenses. Advocates argue that Congress left open for interpretation section 254(c)(1) of the Communications Act, reauthorized in 1996 to add Universal Service as the mechanism that funds internet service for schools, libraries and health care providers, the definition of what an elementary school and secondary school, along with libraries, for where Wi-Fi and internet connections can be established and reimbursed.

“Congress deliberately left the term classroom undefined in the Telecommunications Act because it understood that students learn in many different settings, both inside and outside of traditional school buildings,” commented Keith Krueger, executive director of the Consortium for School Networking, or CoSN. “That flexibility has always been a strength of the E-Rate program, allowing it to adapt as learning environments change.”
He also noted the federal law refers to “an evolving level of services.”

“From that perspective, school bus Wi-Fi is consistent with the program’s purpose. It is simply one of the modern settings where students do their work,” he added.

During a keynote address at the 2024 STN EXPO West, Krueger told the audience the FCC estimates between 8.5 million and 16 million school children nationwide lack broadband internet at home.

Wender noted FCC supports internet connectivity reimbursed by E-Rate for administrative offices and book mobiles that extend to parking lots, and school bus Wi-Fi is an even better use-case.

FCC’s Carr and Gomez as well as Sen. Cruz had not responded to questions posed by STN at this report.

But Carr and Cruz have publicly stated that school bus Wi-Fi is poses a safety issue for students using it, with Cruz likening it to TikTok for school children.

However, E-Rate requires all funded communications devices comply with the Child Internet Protection Act. School bus Wi-Fi services must include filters that, in conjunction with closed school district networks, prohibit students from accessing unapproved sites and logs when and where the attempts occur.

In a 2023 announcement of the All Eyes on Board Act to combat FCC voting to allow school bus Wi-Fi, Cruz along with Sens. Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina and Shelley Capito of West Virginia acknowledged CIPA regulations but added “there is currently no provision requiring schools to block access to distracting and addictive social media apps or websites. As a result, the E-Rate program risks inadvertently enabling access to social media in schools,” though state laws do exist requiring the sites be blocked.

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Related: Trusty Confirmed to FCC as School Bus Wi-Fi Future Hangs in Balance
Related: School Bus Wi-Fi in Flux?
Related: Iowa’s Largest School District Mulls Future of School Bus Wi-Fi Program

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Earlier this month, Sen. Cruz encouraged the House to pass a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn what he called “the illegal Biden hotspot rule.” In May, he led a similar CRA through the Senate, where it passed to end federal funding of external hotspot devices some school districts send home with their students. But so far, Cruz has not garnered sufficient votes in the House to consolidate and pass a final CRA, which would be needed for President Trump’s signature into law.

Cruz has also said there are existing FCC programs that could fund school bus Wi-Fi, but he has not provided specifics.

Commented Wender, “I cannot speak to the intentions of policy makers. I can only speak to the consequences of ending the [school bus Wi-Fi] program, which is widening the digital divide resulting in low-income kids not being able to do their homework.”

Still, there’s hope, he said. Wender called FCC action “the lesser of two evils” because a future commission could reverse a decision and reinstate E-Rate reimbursement. The passage of a CRA would be more permanent.

The post Update: FCC Revokes E-Rate Eligibility of School Bus Wi-Fi appeared first on School Transportation News.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) today announced the consolidation of Thomas Built Buses (TBB) and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) into a new division – Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles (DTSV). This strategic move brings the two organizations under one cohesive structure to create greater synergies, enhance customer service, improve operational efficiency and accelerate innovation across the specialty vehicle segment.

DTSV builds on the heritage and expertise of both TBB and FCCC, combining their strengths with the scale, resources and technology of Daimler Truck North America. By aligning products that serve distinct specialty markets, including school buses, walk-in vans and recreational vehicles, the division creates a unified platform for customer-focused solutions. FCCC supplies the chassis for Thomas Built Buses and other purpose-built vehicles, making this integration a strategic and natural alignment. DTSV is designed to foster collaboration, simplify processes and unlock capacity to deliver stronger, more efficient solutions across the markets both brands serve.

“This new structure is a strategic step forward in how we serve our customers,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and head of specialty vehicles at DTNA. “We’re not only simplifying how we operate – we’re strengthening our ability to deliver for our customers. This move reflects our long-term commitment to building a more connected, responsive and resilient organization – one that empowers our people and delivers on the expectations of those who rely on our vehicles every day.”

“By bringing together the strengths of Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis, Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles is now positioned to move faster, serve customers even better and operate with greater focus,” said T.J. Reed, who will lead the organization as president and CEO of Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles. “With a strong manufacturing footprint in the Carolinas and a unified team, we are ready to meet the needs of our dealers and customers with renewed agility, confidence and purpose.”

Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles has appointed a leadership team that reflects the combined strengths and expertise of both Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation.

Caleb Judge, chief financial officer, responsible for overseeing finance and controlling to ensure financial alignment across DTSV. Kendra Eads, head of engineering, leading the integration of engineering capabilities into a single, streamlined organization with unified design tools and methods. Nick Rini, head of quality and customer experience, unifying quality and customer experience (CX) functions to deliver an even more seamless experience for customers and dealers.

Thomas Built Buses, based in High Point, North Carolina, is one of the leading school bus manufacturers in the United States, employing approximately 500 people. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, located in Gaffney, South Carolina, employs over 1000 people and is a top manufacturer of premium chassis for walk-in vans, motorhomes and commercial vehicles with over 450 service locations.

About Daimler Truck North America
Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks in North America and a leading provider of innovative products, services, and technologies for the commercial transportation industry. DTNA designs, engineers, manufactures and markets medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school buses, vehicle chassis and related technologies and components under the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Detroit brands. As a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, DTNA is dedicated to delivering exceptional value and support to its customers – helping them keep the world moving. For more information, visit northamerica.daimlertruck.com.

About Thomas Built Buses
Founded in 1916, Thomas Built Buses is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America. Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America LLC, a Daimler Truck company. Learn more at thomasbuiltbuses.com or facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses.

About Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC)
Established in 1995 and headquartered in Gaffney, SC, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) is a leading manufacturer of premium chassis for the RV, medium-duty commercial truck and shuttle bus markets. FCCC supports its industry-leading chassis with a comprehensive suite of services, including 24/7 factory direct support, a nationwide service network with more than 400 dealers in the U.S. and Canada, and an official customer-support mobile app. FCCC also manufactures chassis for the work truck, walk-in van, school bus and shuttle bus markets. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America LLC, a Daimler Truck company. For more information, visit fcccrv.com or call 1-800-FTL-HELP.

The post Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation now operating as one under Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles appeared first on School Transportation News.

Mayor Randy Knaack told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” that he made the decision to draft a letter to Balloonist, LLC, the company pursuing the center, saying the city is not interested in negotiating incentives for the project.

The post Menomonie mayor defends move to halt massive data center project appeared first on WPR.

Now that you’ve made it through the beginning of the new school year, this is the optimal time to tune your transportation operations.  Learn how to leverage your live ridership, routing, and call volume data to reduce missed stops, decrease parent inquiries, and enhance on-time performance.

Join Pathwise and School Transportation News on Thursday, October 9, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET for a live 60-minute session to discover how to convert your early-semester data into concrete mid-year gains without replacing your current routing platform.

In this session, you’ll get practical tips on how to:

• Reassess your routes using current ridership signals (scan data, driver logs, parent app activity, no-show patterns)
• Improve routing reliability with targeted fixes for tier balancing, stop consolidation, bell-time alignment, and more, instead of major re-routes
• Track ridership more accurately using count audits, exception workflows, and reconciliations, and turn these insights into schedule improvements
• Operationalize KPIs that matter—on-time percentage, call-center volume, and parent notification latency—so you know where adjustments may need to be made.

Bottom line: This isn’t starting over; it’s making smarter use of tools, data, and processes you already have—to ensure smoother operations throughout the rest of the year.

Who should attend: Transportation directors, routing/dispatch leads, and operations managers.

Brought to you by Pathwise

REGISTER BELOW:

 

Presenters:

Michael Roche
VP of Customer Engagement and Business Development
EZRouting

With over 13 years of experience as a Director of Transportation for a school district, Roche possesses extensive expertise in overseeing logistical operations and ensuring the safety and efficiency of transportation systems. Transitioning into consulting, he has utilized his knowledge to aid school districts in optimizing transportation operations and implementing software solutions. Currently, Roche is committed to collaborating with school districts across the country, assisting them in maximizing the benefits of the software and providing comprehensive consulting services tailored to their transportation requirements.

Carl Allen
Chief Executive Officer
4MATIV

Carl Allen is an experienced leader in education, transportation, and public policy, currently serving as CEO and founder of 4MATIV Technologies, which he launched in 2018. He previously served as Director of Transportation for Boston Public Schools, Regional Vice President for Transdev in Colorado, and COO/CFO of a charter school network in Minneapolis. Drawing on his training in urban planning and public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School, and his early experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching high school math in Ghana, Allen supports school districts in tackling complex transportation challenges. He holds degrees in industrial and manufacturing design engineering from Northwestern University and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with his wife and three children.

The post (Free Webinar) From First Day to Fine-Tuning: Optimizing Your Transportation Operations Following the Return to School appeared first on School Transportation News.

The struggle continues over E-Rate funding for school bus Wi-Fi, the NCST addresses the omission of alternative transportation in its national specs manual, and NASCAR star power boosts a school bus illegal passing PSA in Michigan.

Just announced: the Zonar Bus Suite, an all-in-one routing ecosystem. During July’s STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada, STN Publisher and President Tony Corpin caught up with Zonar CEO Charles Kriete and ez enRoute Founder Amit Anand to discuss their partnership that produced this solution.

Brad Hayn, director of transportation for Hoover City Schools in Alabama and a 2025 Top Transportation Teams Award winner, discusses building relationships for a cohesive team and successful technology implementation.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

 

Message from 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 E275) Teamwork & Innovation: Alabama Top Transportation Team & Exclusive Zonar Interview appeared first on School Transportation News.

Zonar Systems made its name in the school bus and trucking industries for its vehicle inspection, GPS and telematics solutions. Now, add routing to the list.

Powered by ez enRoute, which it closed its acquisition of on Sept. 16, Zonar is expanding its technology portfolio by offering an all-in-one routing ecosystem. Bus Suite, which the company said is designed to improve safety, efficiency and communication, was demoed at the STN EXPO West Ride and Drive in July. It is currently available.

Terms of the deal were not made public.

Benefits of Bus Suite, according to a press release, include independent, adaptive routing, increased visibility into student ridership, cloud-based operational oversight, and integrated parent mobile application.

Amit Anand, founder of ez enRoute and now Zonar’s senior vice president of product, said school districts can use it as a standalone routing platform or integrate it with an existing routing provider.

“This flexibility means districts no longer need to rely solely on third-party routing and can modernize operations without costly overhaul,” he added.

For existing customers, Anand noted that Bus Suites combines with Zonar telematics devices, in-cab tablets, Z-pass student ridership data, and live bus route monitoring in one dashboard. It also integrates with student information systems to deliver student roster data into the Bus Suite platform, which Zonar said eases the onboarding process.

“Instead of juggling multiple systems, drivers, dispatchers and parents, [everyone] can stay connected through one platform with real-time visibility of every bus, student, and stop,” Annad continued.

For new customers, he said Bus Suite offers an “all-in-one solution that helps districts of all sizes seamlessly modernize operations with routing, ridership, parent communication, and fleet oversight. This results in simpler operations and greater confidence in daily performance.”

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Related: Feeling Super About Transportation Technology?
Related: (STN Podcast E274) Can I Make a Difference? Tips From Top Transportation Team & Technology Super User
Related: First Student to Integrate Samsara AI Technology into Halo Platform

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Charles Kriete, CEO of Zonar, also said in a statement that adding ez enRoute to the Zonar portfolio enables the company to deliver greater value to customers.

“We’re not just in the school bus business, we’re in the business of access to education, and we take this mission seriously,” he commented. “As districts nationwide face ongoing driver shortages, the launch of Zonar Bus Suite plays a vital role in modernizing operations, keeping families informed and ensuring safe, reliable student transportation.”

The post Zonar Acquisition Results in Launch of Routing Software appeared first on School Transportation News.

The new school has begun and students are back in class, notwithstanding the dozen
school districts that have gone year-round, according to the National Association for YearRound Education. We know full well school buses never stop operating, at least in most places, but the yellow machines are marching full force across North America,
delivering the most precious cargo. It’s an exciting yet anxiety-riddled time of year. With all those school buses and all those children on roads and highways, risk follows, largely in the form of other motorists.

But this school year, more than ever before, school buses are armed with innovations that target increased safety and efficiency. And technology offerings as well as adoption will only continue its upward movement. By 2032, the global student transportation market is forecast to more than double in value, to $4.95 billion from $2.31 billion last year, according to market intelligence firm Skyquest Technology Group. The North American market, especially the U.S., makes up the lion’s share and figures to continue to do so, though Skyquest’s recent report notes the rapid emergence of China then Japan and Australia as the forerunners of the fastest-expanding market of Asia Pacific.

All this growth is being largely led by AI-based vehicle and student monitoring and tracking, safety technology, and cloud-based fleet management systems. Look no further than this month’s technology “Superusers” to illustrate these points. Repeatedly, I read about student transporters who need and are getting access to real-time data ranging from student ridership to video, communications to vehicle telematics—that not only impact the decisions they need to make but are making them easier. In fact, all these technologies and then some are becoming increasingly integrated to give a more complete picture of operational safety and efficiency.

Elsewhere in this magazine issue, the technology conversation inevitably turns to securing the plethora of data now at student transporters’ fingertips. If the technology itself doesn’t leave you feeling trepidation, cyberattacks will. The Watch Dog Blog reported last year that the Verizon Data Breach Report saw a 258-percent increase in total security incidents plaguing education and research sectors in 2023 compared to the previous year and a staggering 546 percent rise in data breach cases.

In addition to the security measures available to or being taken by student transportation operations, I found especially informative the IT glossary Senior Editor Taylor Ekbatani included in her article. It wasn’t long ago we ran a similar glossary that defined electric school bus terminology. Many of those words and acronyms are now commonplace throughout much of the industry. I suspect many of the IT terms provided this month have already entered the industry lexicon.

With all today’s technology driving student transportation operations, not to mention tomorrow’s, collaboration with IT departments and a more intimate knowledge of technological solutions is a must. At the very least, student transportation leaders need to know what questions to ask of their IT departments and their dealers. And certainly, levels of security and data redundancy are at the top of the list.

Amid all this technology talk, the solutions I am most intrigued by are emerging virtual reality and augmented reality tools for maintenance professionals. Bob Pudlewski, NSTA Hall of Famer and our magazine’s technical editor, highlights how VR and AR as well as AI are changing or will change maintenance operations. Imagine being able to see into an engine to diagnose an especially vexing (and hidden) issue. Soon, Pudlewski writes, this will be possible.

It might happen even faster. Just two years ago at STN EXPO East in Indianapolis, Indiana, Cummins demonstrated during a plant tour how it is poised to use VR and AR goggles in its manufacturing and troubleshooting. The next great wave of innovation to hit the garage? As you read the following pages, ask yourself how the technologies discussed could assist and streamline your operations. Perhaps you and your transportation team are already using some of them. If so, what’s your “Superuser” story? I’d love to hear about it, and so would your peers across the industry.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the September 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

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Related: Roundup: Bus Technology Summit at STN EXPO Charlotte 2025
Related: (STN Podcast E251) Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses
Related: (Free White Paper) Your Step-by-Step Guide to Smarter, Safer Student Transportation Technology
Related: New Technology Provides Data to School Bus Routing

The post Feeling Super About Transportation Technology? appeared first on School Transportation News.

LISLE, Ill. – Durham School Services and its sister brands have partnered with Universal Technical Institute (UTI) to help develop and recruit the next generation of skilled diesel technician team members. Through this collaboration, Durham will join UTI’s Tuition Reimbursement Program (TRIP), which helps employers attract and retain top talent. As part of the partnership, Durham is offering a $3,000 relocation bonus to all UTI Diesel Technology graduates who accept employment and relocate for a position.

As a participating TRIP employer, Durham and its sister brands will be able to showcase their career opportunities through UTI’s career pages, job boards, print collateral, digital campaigns, and on-campus job fairs – linking students with a potential post-graduation employer that is ready to hire skilled transportation technicians.

Melanie Scheet, Senior Vice President of Student Success and Outcomes at UTI, noted, “Our industry partnerships underscore the high demand for skilled technicians and the value of a UTI education, which produces graduates who are workforce-ready. We look forward to working with Durham School Services to connect our students and alumni with fulfilling career opportunities at their company.”

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with UTI to hire diesel technicians nationwide,” said Yvonne Valdes, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition, Durham School Services. “This collaboration represents our commitment to innovation and excellence in the transportation industry. By offering relocation assistance, we aim to attract top talent and give them the support they need to thrive. Together with UTI, we look forward to building a stronger workforce and continuing to deliver exceptional service to our customers.”

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

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is a leading workforce solutions provider serving students, partners and communities nationwide. The company offers high-quality education and support services for in-demand careers via its two divisions: UTI and Concorde Career Colleges. The UTI division operates 15 campuses located in nine states and offers a wide range of transportation, skilled trades, electrical and energy training programs. Concorde operates across 17 campuses in eight states and online, offering programs in the allied health, dental, nursing, patient care and diagnostic fields. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu; LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges; or X at @news_UTI and @ConcordeCareer.

The post Durham School Services and Universal Technical Institute Partner to Power the Next Generation of Diesel Technicians appeared first on School Transportation News.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – HopSkipDrive today announced its new Hub-and-Spoke offering is available across the country to help school transportation officials select effective school bus pickup locations, paired with a network of drivers in small vehicles to help students connect at these centralized stops.

This unique offering is designed for a changing school transportation landscape. It combines HopSkipDrive’s proprietary AI-driven transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI, with a network of new drivers in small vehicles called CareDrivers, local caregivers who complete the HopSkipDrive 15-point certification process.
HopSkipDrive, a technology company solving complex transportation challenges supporting more than 13,500 schools, developed this offering in direct response to findings from the 2025 State of School Transportation Report. In the context of increased nationwide bus driver shortages, school administrators report growing numbers of students who qualify for free transportation. At the same time, these transportation staffers agree centralized pick-up and drop-off options can be a solution.

“Schools can use RouteWise AI to design efficient routing and stops that best utilize a system’s existing drivers while increasing bus rider utilization,” explained Joanna McFarland, CEO and Co-Founder of HopSkipDrive. “HopSkipDrive CareDrivers can then efficiently and safely bring students from multiple different locations to centralized bus stops. Leveraging our expertise in centralized transportation with partners like Tolleson Union High School District, we’ve transformed this offering with AI to meet current needs for out-of-district, choice policy, and highly mobile students.”

Confirmation of A Need for New Solutions
HopSkipDrive partnered with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs to release a September State of School Transportation survey of more than 500 school administrators:

● While 90% of school administrator respondents reported rising or stagnant numbers in the number of students who qualify for free, school-provided transportation, 81% of this audience said school bus driver shortages are a problem.

● A majority (73%) favor organizing centralized pick-up and drop-off locations for students using school buses and allowing schools or districts to use school-arranged supplemental school transportation services such as cars and vans (65%).

How the Hub-and-Spoke Model Works
RouteWise AI provides transportation plan scenarios for Denver Public Schools and other districts, building cost-effective multimodal transportation systems utilizing buses and/or small vehicles. It will identify centralized bus stop hubs and efficient bus routes, resulting in 40% capital savings, 46% increased efficiency or 17% more on-time arrivals, and delivering solutions for bus driver shortages.

Once these hubs and bus stops are identified, school district clients can lean on HopSkipDrive’s network of safe, vetted drivers in small vehicles to transport students to those centralized stops. In turn, school buses can run quicker, more efficient routes with higher utilization. School districts interested in working with HopSkipDrive can request more information here.

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, equity, and care. HopSkipDrive is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and an industry-leading transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI.

HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly-vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 13,500 schools across 17 states, with nearly 1,300 school districts, government agencies, and nonprofit partners. More than five million rides over 95 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

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