DENVER — EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced a strategic partnership with Google Maps Platform to integrate Google Navigation into the EverDriven Driver App.

This collaboration reinforces EverDriven’s commitment to modernize student transportation, elevating safety, consistency, and transparency across every ride, while marking a milestone in the company’s technology vision and growing integration with Google and Woolpert Digital Innovations.

Delivering Enhanced Visibility, Safety, and Efficiency

With Google Maps navigation integrated into the EverDriven Driver App, the benefits will extend across the entire transportation ecosystem:

For School Transportation Leaders: Greater safety and efficiency through a unified, secure platform to visualize the location of our drivers, deliver more accurate ETAs, and improve route oversight enabling districts to monitor routes more accurately and reduce disruptions.

For Families & Caregivers: More reliable and accurate student location information, increased certainty around pick-ups and drop-offs, and stronger trust in the use of Google Maps’ proven navigation technology.

For Drivers: A familiar Google Maps interface built into the EverDriven App improves accuracy with dynamic re-routing, speed-limit compliance alerts, and a seamless in-app experience that keeps drivers focused on the road.

“Integrating Google Navigation directly into the EverDriven Driver App marks a major step forward in our mission to modernize student transportation and deliver on our technology vision,” said Mon-Chaio Lo, Chief Product & Technology Officer at EverDriven. “By bringing world-class navigation into a single, easy-to-use app, we’re creating a safer, more efficient experience for drivers, districts, and caregivers alike — and the first of many innovations we plan to deliver in partnership with Google.”

A Foundation for Continued Innovation

This integration is the latest in EverDriven’s ongoing innovation rollout, already underway with new features launched in August, including real-time vehicle tracking. As the first major milestone under its evolving integration with Google Maps Platform and Woolpert Digital Innovations, it lays the groundwork for future enhancements that further reimagine modern student transportation including historical trip analysis for smarter routing, and automated driver assignment capabilities. These advancements reinforce EverDriven’s continued commitment to setting a new standard for safety, efficiency, and transparency in student transportation.

About EverDriven

EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in transporting students across a wide range of needs — from everyday support to the most complex circumstances — including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other high-need populations. Serving more than 800 districts across 36 states, the company completed over 2 million trips last year, 99.99% of them accident-free with 100% safety compliance. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Partners with Google to Deliver Best-in-Class Navigation in Driver App appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. -EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced significant momentum in Texas, where its growing network now supports more than 14,446 students. Over the past 13 years in Texas, EverDriven has completed 860,286 trips and driven over 12.5 million miles. Since entering into the state in 2012, EverDriven has become a critical partner in ensuring students — particularly those with the greatest needs — arrive at school safe, calm, and ready to learn.

With 102 school district partnerships across Texas, EverDriven is uniquely positioned to serve one of the nation’s largest and most complex education systems. This school year, the majority of students the company transports are among the state’s most vulnerable — 86% experiencing housing instability under the McKinney-Vento Act and 9% requiring special education support. By delivering flexible, student-centered rides that complement traditional yellow bus service, EverDriven expands districts’ ability to meet these diverse needs at scale.

Districts served include some of the largest in the nation — such as Dallas ISD, Houston ISD, and Plano ISD — as well as newly added districts this year, including Waco ISD, Aledo ISD, and Red Oak ISD.

“EverDriven has become a trusted partner in helping us deliver on our promise to families,” said Jazmin Harrison, Ph.D., Executive Director of Student Transportation Services, Dallas Independent School District. “Their consistent, safe, and student-centered service helps us meet the diverse needs of our students — particularly those experiencing housing instability or requiring specialized support. The visibility and reliability they bring to our transportation program gives us confidence that every student can access the education they deserve.”

EverDriven’s service in Texas has grown rapidly: last school year alone, the company transported 2,299 students, completed 100,749 trips, and driven nearly 2 million miles across the state.

“Texas is leading the way in adopting modern approaches to student transportation,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “From large districts like Dallas and Houston to smaller, rural communities, we’re proud to work alongside schools across the state to deliver safe solutions families can count on. With our human-led, tech-enabled approach, we’re helping districts provide every student with a consistent and reliable ride that supports their ability to learn.”

In addition to growth in student ridership, EverDriven is helping Texas districts raise the bar for safety and visibility. Through its human-led, tech-enabled approach, the company is equipping schools with its 360-Degree Student Experience, giving districts, caregivers, and administrators full visibility of every ride to strengthen safety, transparency, and accountability.

Together, with a 99.99% safety record, 100% compliance in driver and vehicle safety checks, and a commitment to consistency, EverDriven is redefining what modern student transportation means for Texas families and districts. Its combination of flexible routing, rigorous safety protocols, and real-time visibility gives districts confidence and families peace of mind.

Looking ahead, EverDriven plans to expand service to additional districts, roll out new technology that enhances visibility, and continue raising the bar for safety. As Texas’s student population grows more diverse and mobility needs more complex, EverDriven remains committed to innovating alongside districts to ensure every child can access education through safe, consistent, and modern transportation — today and into the future.

About EverDriven:
EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in transporting students across a wide range of needs — from everyday support to the most complex circumstances including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other high-need populations. Serving more than 800 districts across 36 states, the company completed over 2 million trips last year, 99.99% of them accident-free with 100% safety compliance. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Expands Momentum in Texas, Safely Delivering Nearly 15,000 Students to School Across 12.5 Million Miles appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. — EverDriven, the nation’s leader in alternative student transportation, today announced the launch of its 360-degree Student Experience, an advancement in real-time visibility and safety for every ride. Purpose-built to support students with diverse needs, the solution combines advanced monitoring technology with human-led care to deliver unmatched transparency, proactive risk mitigation, and student-centered consistency.

“At EverDriven, we are dedicated to setting the bar for safety in student transportation. The 360-degree Student Experience turns that commitment into visibility, accountability, and consistent, calm rides—one student, one trip at a time.This is the standard we uphold daily, and an example of how we’re driving best practices across the industry,” said Mitch Bowling, Chief Executive Officer at EverDriven.

Introducing the 360-degree Student Experience

This solution ensures every ride is safe, transparent, and tailored to the students who rely on it.

Key Features and Capabilities:

Proactive Safety Monitoring: Dual-facing AI cameras and onboard and app-enabled sensors track 18 safety data points, proactively identifying risky behaviors and vehicle conditions before they escalate. Unsafe drivers are removed from service if thresholds are crossed;

Real-Time Ride Visibility: Districts and caregivers can access live trip status, offering peace of mind at every step of the journey;

Unparalleled Safety Standards: Drivers complete pre-service drug testing, random drug testing, and extensive background checking including sex offender registry screening, and motor vehicle record reviews. Ongoing training in defensive driving and sensitivity practices also ensure safe, supportive transportation for all students.

The solution builds on EverDriven’s proven foundation of safety and reliability and adds deeper insights and smarter safeguards. With more than 2 million trips completed annually across 36 states and a 99.99 percent accident-free record, 360-degree Student Experience reinforces EverDriven’s commitment to safe, student-centered transportation.

To learn more about bringing the 360-degree Student Experience to your district, visit everdriven.com.

About EverDriven:
EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in transporting students across a wide range of needs — from everyday support to the most complex circumstances — including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other high-need populations. Serving more than 700 districts across 36 states, the company completed over 2 million trips last year, 99.99% of them accident-free with 100% safety compliance. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Unveils 360-degree Student Experience: Real-Time Visibility and Safety for Every Ride appeared first on School Transportation News.

Technology experts joined a North Carolina transportation director who weathered Hurricane Helene to discuss how safety, communication and flexibility are central to serving students with special needs or who are experiencing housing insecurity.

Courtney Pallotta, chief marketing officer for alternative transportation provider and webinar sponsor EverDriven, reviewed the company’s “Future of Modern Student Transportation and Safety” study, which found that 62 percent of U.S. school districts reported increasing enrollments of students with special needs and 49 percent reported rising McKinney-Vento student counts.

She shared public information statistics indicating 7.6 million students with special needs require transportation as a related service under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as outlined on their Individualized Education Programs. The 1.22 million students experiencing homelessness under McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act protections make up more than 17.5 percent of all K–12 students in the U.S., Palotta added.

Modernizing operations could be the key to improving operations although that requires a student-centric and safety-focused approach.

“Budget oversight, accountability and safety standards have never been higher,” she said. “How do you put the student at the center of your modernizing strategy?”

Adam Warner, EverDriven’s vice president of operations and head of safety, shared that over half of the school districts surveyed said they face a school bus driver shortage or could not provide adequate transportation for these vulnerable student populations.

Jeremy Stowe, director of transportation for Buncombe County Schools in North Carolina, noted that consistency for students is important during shifting life circumstances, the most recent egregious example being last September’s Hurricane Helene. This, he said, requires transportation to be nimble while still safe and to keep transparent lines of communication open with parents.

Safety and Innovation

Alan Fliegelman, EverDriven’s vice president of product management, and Warner noted that everything from student ridership to driver behavior to vehicle inspections can be effectively tracked and managed through telematics and technology.

“How do we use technology to create a safer, smarter, more adaptable ride?” Warner questioned. “I want to get to a place where these tools ensure that compliance is not assumed but is actively verified.”

“Safety is the only acceptable standard,” Pallotta agreed.

Stowe confirmed as a director of transportation that he expects nothing less than the best for the companies he partners with to serve his school district’s students. As Sears and Roebuck was overshadowed by Amazon, he cautioned pupil transporters to not just lean on the ubiquitous yellow school bus without evolving as needed.

Communication and Transparency

“I have to run at the speed of trust,” declared Stowe, adding he works hard to provide a positive impression of the easily identifiable yellow school bus so parents trust that it is safe and reliable for their children.

“The best thing we can do is meet expectations and earn trust,” Pallotta concurred.

Proactive and real-time communication reduces parent anxiety and unnecessary calls, Warner noted. This is especially important to set up before starting a new school year or gearing up for winter operations, he said.

Technology that incorporates routing software and communication apps helps parents, drivers and district leadership stay on the same page, Fliegelman stated.

Flexibility and Adaptability

The trifecta of safety, transparency and flexibility was crucial when servicing families affected by Hurricane Helene, Stowe relayed. So many families were temporarily displaced that the district saw its McKinney-Vento student ridership triple.

He recalled encountering EverDriven at industry conferences, including STN EXPO East, and the help in removing a barrier so these students could receive education, be fed and return to normalcy at school.

Stowe said that while he may be able to transport 99 percent of his students on yellow school buses, he sought out the right partner with the right tools for the job of transporting the remaining one percent.

“The only way to handle these [instances] without disruption is to build an operation with a contingency plan at its core,” Warner said. “There’s a lot of things that can change in the course of a day. You have to build all these operational practices up front.”

Partnership and Implementation

Technology automation can greatly assist in cases where changes to one bus or driver could cascade into affecting other buses and drivers, Fliegelman noted.

in an age where parents have live location apps on their children’s phones and screaming school bus drivers go viral on social media, technology effectively used by transportation departments helps get ahead of incidents.

“If you’re not talking to parents, they’re talking about you,” Stowe said. “Pump that information out and control the narrative.”

A personal touch is crucial for not just students but parents too. To assist with technology implementation, Stowe said he leveraged personal connections by involving social workers to help parents download the communication app. “That paid huge dividends,” he added.

“Students may forget everything we taught them, but they’ll remember how we treated them,” Stowe summed up.

Watch the webinar on demand.

Transportation professionals nationwide are invited to attend the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs Conference and Trade Show from Nov. 6—11, 2025 at the Embassy Suites in Frisco (Dallas), Texas. Immerse yourself in the latest trends in special needs transportation training, products, and services. Connect with like-minded individuals, attend educational sessions and workshops, and explore product demonstrations. Learn more and register at tsdconference.com.

The post Webinar Promotes Student-centric, Tech-forward Transportation Operation appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. – EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, continues to gain momentum as it welcomes two seasoned executives to its C-suite: Megan Von Wald as Chief Operations Officer and Phil Graves as Chief Financial Officer.

Focused on enhancing human-centered service and operational efficiency, Von Wald will lead nationwide operations and support the drivers and local teams who serve as the backbone of the company’s mission. Graves will oversee financial strategy and growth planning to support EverDriven’s expanding footprint. The company also announced the appointments of Alan Fliegelman as Vice President of Product and Jenn Cotter as Vice President of Revenue Operations, further strengthening its leadership bench on its quest to redefine the modern student transportation experience.

“At EverDriven, we’re building a future-ready transportation model—and that starts with the right people,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “These leaders bring deep operational and financial expertise that will allow us to scale responsibly, accelerate innovation, and keep safety and equity at the center of every decision.”

With 98% of school districts actively modernizing their transportation systems, according to EverDriven’s recently released Future of Modern Student Transportation and Safety Report, the need for human-led, tech-enabled solutions continues to accelerate. The company’s new executive hires in operations and finance come on the heels of earlier appointments this year of Chief Product & Technology Officer Mon-Chaio Lo and Chief Marketing Officer Courtney Pallotta, further aligning leadership across key functions to meet the rising demand for modern student transportation solutions.

Von Wald joins EverDriven with more than a decade of experience leading customer-centric operations across hospitality, financial services, and technology. With a career rooted in building meaningful operations, Von Wald brings a deep understanding of how to empower frontline personnel and ensure consistent and safe service across diverse communities. She previously held leadership roles at Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy and Galvanize Inc., where she developed global customer service strategies and oversaw the successful implementation of multi-site, technology-enabled operations.

“EverDriven is at an incredible inflection point,” said Von Wald. “I’m excited to help bring a modern approach to service—one that honors the human connection while leveraging technology to revolutionize how we support students, school districts, and caregivers. This work is deeply personal, and I’m proud to be part of a company that’s making a meaningful difference every day.”

Graves brings an extensive background in finance, strategy, and mission-driven business. His experience overseeing growth across values-based organizations positions him to guide EverDriven’s financial evolution while staying true to its commitment to people and communities. As a CPA and CFA, he has provided financial advisory services to large and mid-sized businesses and held leadership roles at socially responsible companies, including Patagonia, where he helped guide the company through transformative growth.

“EverDriven has a clear opportunity to scale both its impact and its business,” said Graves. “Building the financial infrastructure to support that growth while staying aligned with our mission is key. The stronger our financial foundation, the more effectively we can expand access to education and deliver long-term value to the communities we serve.”

Fliegelman brings deep experience in product strategy and delivery across high-growth tech environments, while Cotter adds proven expertise in aligning revenue operations to drive performance and efficiency. Their appointments reflect the company’s continued investment in building a leadership team equipped to drive innovation, efficiency, and impact at scale.

To learn more about EverDriven’s growing leadership team, visit https://www.everdriven.com/about/.

About EverDriven:
EverDriven delivers modern student-centered transportation that’s safe, consistent, and built for those who need it most. EverDriven specializes in transporting students across a wide range of needs — from everyday support to the most complex circumstances — including students with disabilities, students experiencing housing instability, and other high-need populations.​ Serving more than 700 districts across 36 states, the company completed over 2 million trips last year, 99.99% of them accident-free with 100% safety compliance. EverDriven’s deeply human, fully compliant, and AI-powered approach helps districts get students on the road in hours, not days, while maintaining consistent, high-trust rides that complement traditional yellow bus fleets. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Expands Executive Leadership Team to Fuel Growth in Human-Led, Tech-Enabled Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

As the 2025–26 school year kicks off, school districts face increasing pressure to modernize their student transportation systems — both to meet rising demand and to ensure every student has safe, equitable access to learning. In this webinar, we’ll explore how forward-thinking district leaders are reimagining transportation through technology, flexible solutions, and a student-first mindset.

District leaders will walk away with actionable strategies to future-proof their transportation systems and support vulnerable students — including those with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, or facing complex medical needs.

What you’ll learn:

• The top transportation challenges facing districts this year—and how leaders are responding
• How modern technology (like AI-assisted routing and real-time GPS tracking) is transforming school transportation
• Why Alternative Student Transportation is now a core part of district strategy—not a backup plan
• How to improve student safety, reduce absenteeism, and meet funding goals through personalized transportation

 

Brought to you by EverDriven

 

REGISTER BELOW:

 

Presenters:

Courtney Pallotta
Chief Marketing Officer
EverDriven

 

Adam Warner
VP of Operations & Head of Safety
EverDriven

 

Alan Fliegelman
VP of Product Management
EverDriven

The post (Free Webinar) Modernizing Student Transportation: Meeting Every Student’s Need This School Year appeared first on School Transportation News.

Nominations are open through the month of August for alternative student transportation company EverDriven’s Modern Student Transportation Awards, a national program created to celebrate school district leaders who are setting new standards in how students are transported to and from school.

Finalists will be notified in early fall, and the winners will be formally announced at the Modern Student Transportation Awards Celebration in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 6. Winners will receive a $2,500 college scholarship to benefit a student in their district who qualifies under the McKinney-Vento Act or for special education services.

They will also be awarded a full conference pass and paid travel to attend the TSD Conference, a customized award plaque, and a digital winner’s seal for use in their organization’s communications and marketing efforts.

With this initiative, EverDriven said it hopes to spark a movement across the country by celebrating those who are going above and beyond for their students. To submit a nomination, visit here.

The inaugural awards seek to spotlight those who are not only meeting the evolving needs of student mobility but leading the way with innovation, equity and safety at the forefront. In a press release, EverDriven expressed its belief that every student should have access to safe, dependable and forward-thinking transportation, as it serves as a gateway to learning, personal growth and opportunity.

The Modern Student Transportation Awards were born from this mindset, the company added, and they are designed to honor school districts that are transforming traditional transportation models into modern, student-centered systems.

“Modernizing student transportation isn’t just about safety, it’s about expanding access to education for every child, every day,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “We’re launching these awards to celebrate the bold thinking and innovation happening in school districts across the country. These leaders deserve recognition for creating systems that improve outcomes for all students.”

Nominations are accepted until Aug. 28. Submissions must include details about the nominee, school district, transportation initiative, and the demonstrated impact of their efforts. Individuals can be nominated in multiple categories, such as safety and reliability, equitable access to education, innovative use of technology, and humanitarian efforts in student transportation.

A panel of expert judges from across the student transportation and education sectors will review the entries based on specific criteria for each award. EverDriven said it will announce the judges in the coming weeks.

---

Related: TSD Conference Topics Plan to Cover Unique Aspects of Transporting Students
Related: TSD Conference Registration is Open for Event in November
Related: Michigan’s Morris Presented with 2025 Grandolfo Award at STN EXPO
Related: TSD Evacuation Class Emphasizes Importance of Training

The post EverDriven Modern Student Transportation Awards Include All-expenses Paid Trip to TSD appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. -EverDriven, the leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced strong year-over-year growth, including an 18% year-over-year increase in school district partnerships, expansion into three new states, and a single-day record of 15,051 completed rides.

Between May 31, 2024, and May 31, 2025, EverDriven safely transported 32,641 students across 2,076,445 trips and 33,663,023 miles. This includes 17,154 students experiencing housing instability and 10,535 students with special needs. On April 29, 2025, EverDriven set a new benchmark by completing 15,051 rides in a single day.

“Our growth is a reflection of the trust school districts place in us to safely deliver their most vulnerable students to school each day,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “Through a combination of human-led, technology-powered service, we’re continuously raising the bar for what modern student transportation can and should be.”

As the company’s footprint expanded to 36 states—including new entries into Idaho, New Mexico, and Minnesota—EverDriven continued to invest in technologies that improve accountability and student safety. Over the past year, 1,279 vehicles across 69 school districts in 14 states were equipped with its AI-powered Camera Solution, improving visibility, accountability, and safety. In tandem, more than 5,300 drivers and monitors completed EverDriven’s new English proficiency training program to strengthen communication and service delivery.

These efforts reflect a broader commitment to operational excellence. According to EverDriven’s 2025 Safety and Operations Report, which covers the period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, 99.6% of trips were completed with no reported concerns. Keeping pace with regulatory change, EverDriven was the first alternative transportation provider to achieve full compliance with California Senate Bill 88. Since May 2024, the company has implemented updated inspection protocols, enhanced driver monitoring systems, and expanded accessibility features to better support students with a wide range of needs.

“Delivering safe, reliable service at scale doesn’t happen by accident. It takes constant review, rigorous standards, and a team committed to getting it right every day,” said Adam Warner, Head of Safety at EverDriven. “Districts trust us with their most vulnerable students—and we take that responsibility seriously. Our safety practices are built to scale without compromise, so families and administrators can count on consistent, high-quality transportation day after day.”

To learn more about EverDriven and how its solutions support student transportation, visit https://www.everdriven.com.

About EverDriven:
With nearly 700 school district contracts and over 31,806 students served last year alone, EverDriven is the leader in safe and technology-enabled Alternative Student Transportation. Leveraging proprietary routing technology and customized transportation services, the company has been instrumental in addressing driver shortages, helping reduce chronic absenteeism, accommodating varying bell times, and serving unique student needs related to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, special needs, ESSA, hard-to-serve trips, and out-of-district placements. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Achieves 18% Growth as Demand for Alternative Student Transportation Surges appeared first on School Transportation News.