School bus transportation plays a crucial role in getting children to and from school safely every day. However, ensuring the safety and efficiency of this process requires more than just well-maintained buses and reliable routes.

Effective and streamlined communication between bus drivers, parents, school administrators, and transportation departments is essential for keeping a secure and efficient transportation system.

Here’s why communication is so critical and how it can be improved for the benefit of students, parents, and school communities.

Ensuring Safety

The safety of children is the top priority in school bus transportation. From the moment a child boards the bus until they safely arrive at school or home, clear communication is needed to address any potential issues that arise during the ride.

Real-Time Updates: Bus routes are sometimes subject to delays due to traffic, weather conditions, or mechanical issues. A streamlined communication system allows parents, school administrators, and transportation departments to be informed in real-time about delays or changes. By using communication tools such as two-way radios, apps, GPS systems, and automated messages, parents can track their child’s bus and adjust their schedule accordingly.

Emergency Communication: In case of accidents or emergencies, clear communication channels ensure that the right people are alerted quickly. Bus drivers can contact the school or emergency services, and parents can be notified at once to ensure a timely response.

Incident Reporting: A streamlined system enables prompt reporting of issues such as bullying, inappropriate behavior, or unsafe driving. When parents and school staff can easily communicate with the transportation team, it leads to faster resolutions and keeps the environment on the bus safe for everyone.

Improving Efficiency

School bus systems are large and complex, serving hundreds or even thousands of students each day. For this operation to run smoothly, it’s crucial to coordinate effectively between different parties.

Route Optimization: Communication allows transportation departments to adjust bus routes in real time based on factors like student attendance, road conditions, or changes in traffic patterns. This helps to prevent delays and ensures that buses are running on schedule.

Driver Support and Training: Streamlined communication ensures that bus drivers are well-informed about route changes, student needs, and any unique requirements for children (such as allergies or medical conditions). It also helps ensure that drivers receive continuous training updates and support from their supervisors, which improves overall service quality.

Preventing Overcrowding: With clear communication between transportation departments and schools, it’s easier to monitor bus capacity and adjust schedules accordingly. Overcrowded buses are a safety hazard, and by tracking attendance and bus usage, schools can prevent this issue and improve student comfort and safety.

Leveraging Technology for Better Communication

In today’s digital age, technology can play a huge role in improving communication in school bus transportation.

Automated Messaging Systems: Automated calls or text messages to parents can alert them of route changes, delays, or incidents involving their child’s bus. This minimizes confusion and ensures that parents are always in the loop.

Transportation Two-Way Radios Over Cellular, GPS and Tracking: With the ease of use of Push-to-Talk Over Cellular Radios (PoC), schools can check the progress of buses throughout the day, providing real-time data on location and estimated arrival times. This reduces the likelihood of missed pickups or drop-offs and improves overall time management for bus routes. School-Radio can do just that for school communication from transportation to administration.

Aaron Mannan Director of Project Management B&G Transportation, Inc. M&M Tours, Inc. says of their integration of the School-Radio PoC system: “Coming from a background in 9-1-1 communications to School Transportation, there are many differences, but the needs are very much just as important. We were frustrated with outdated aging radio equipment, and even worse, couldn’t find anyone to work on our system to keep us running. But then we were introduced to School Radio. Clarity is what they are all about. Our dispatch can handle communications from anywhere on the planet, our drivers are kept aware of safety sensitive information, and we know where our fleet is at all times”

Streamlined communication in school bus transportation is essential for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and overall success of the system. By using technology, improving parent-school relations, and enhancing real-time communication, school districts can create a safer and more efficient transportation environment for all students. The benefits of a well-coordinated transportation system extend beyond simply getting students from point A to point B—it helps build trust, ensures safety, and fosters a more connected school community.

By prioritizing communication at every step of the process, we can help keep our children safe and our school systems running smoothly. For more information on how School-Radio can optimize your communication, visit www.school-radio.com.

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

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When school districts talk about closing buildings, redistricting and changing routes, transportation is often expected to “just make it work.” For Clara Bisaillon, transportation supervisor at Scotia Glenville CSD in upstate New York, that was no longer acceptable without better tools in place.

“There’s a difference between want and need,” Clara said. “And getting everybody else to understand that… those tablets, the Wayfinder tablets, are really a need.”

Her urgency came from what she sees coming next year: school closures, major route changes, and drivers being sent into unfamiliar territory.

“If I don’t get them up and running and make sure that we have our system set, we’re in the water next year when we make those changes of closing an elementary school and throwing my drivers into areas they’ve not been,” she said. “They don’t know those kiddos yet, they don’t know those areas.”

For Clara, this isn’t about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about protecting her people. “The one thing I want to do is give my staff tools to make sure that those challenges are minimized as much as possible,” she said.

She knows how close many drivers already are to the breaking point. “We ask a lot of our drivers,” Clara explained. “We’re adding extra routes to cover for their co-workers… and just people who are frustrated with student behavior. Those are the things that really tip the scale for those drivers to say this isn’t worth it anymore.”

That’s why she changed her message to district leadership. This was no longer a “nice to have.”

“It’s the only tool that I can offer my staff to kind of make them… feel like it’s going to be OK,” she said. “We’re going to be in uncertain environments and uncertain times with uncertain kids, but these are the tools that I’m going to provide you.”

The start of a new year always come with some jitters, she said. “We’re going to minimize that with these tablets.”

What finally sealed the decision was data. After testing Wayfinder for two weeks, Clara saw its impact. “The stats that get provided, the ridership, the times, the updating, the stops, the drivers being able to give me feedback on the routes—what was working, what wasn’t working—that two-week time frame gave me so much fighting power,” she said. “That really sealed the deal.”

For transportation leaders waiting on the sidelines, Clara had a warning: delays may cost more than time. With chip shortages and districts adopting tablets at once, supply is tightening. If people hold on their decision and wait on their decisions, they might find themselves not being able to get up and running, she said.

And the mindset has shifted across the industry. “A lot of us are saying now that it’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Clara said. “This has definitely shifted in our mindset.”

Ultimately, her argument came back to value—of the drivers and the operation. “It’s an extra tool not only for your driver for working, but you want them to feel valued,” she said. “It’s going to make my drivers know that they are valued even more.”

For school transportation leaders facing route upheaval, staffing shortages and rising scrutiny, Clara’s message is clear: waiting carries its own risk. “You gotta fight for every little tool that you give,” she said. “You gotta be willing to fight for them.”

To learn more about how Transfinder technology can help your operation navigating challenges, email solutions@transfinder.com, visit transfinder.com/solutions or call 800-373-3609.

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

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Budgets are tight, drivers are hard to come by, and districts are under pressure to do more with less. School bus operations still need to rely on modern technology to meet the complex requirements of transporting students safely, efficiently and on time. Identifying the operational, functional, technical, and financial needs that truly matter can feel overwhelming, as can choosing a provider. Where to start?

Download this white paper for clear guidance on evaluating your organization’s needs and selecting a partner who delivers long-term value.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

• Take a wide, objective look at your operation to understand what’s needed.
• Identify how new technologies will impact end users and other departments.
• Define KPIs with potential partners and calculate projected ROI.
• Evaluate providers in detail to assess their long-term potential.
• Ensure compliance and look for strong integrations across systems.

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

The post (Free White Paper) 7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Technology Partner appeared first on School Transportation News.

For Clifford Jones, Superintendent of Horry County Schools in Conway, South Carolina, student safety isn’t just a priority; it’s a responsibility that travels approximately six million miles every single year.

With one of the largest geographic school districts in South Carolina, Horry County’s fleet covers urban corridors, coastal routes and rural roads alike. Each morning and afternoon, buses carry thousands of students across the large county. Like districts nationwide, Horry County began seeing a disturbing trend: the growing challenges of resolving onboard incidents without clear evidence.

“AngelTrax cameras on our buses support the district’s student safety goals by improving supervision, discouraging misbehavior, and helping us investigate incidents, all of which advance our commitment to safe, equitable, and accountable transportation,” Jones explained.

Identifying the Need

The responsibility of protecting thousands of students prompted the district leadership to explore camera solutions. Without video evidence, protecting students from interior incidents, from student behavior concerns to accident investigations, required more efficient documentation.

“AngelTrax provides a solution that would allow us to retrieve video from the bus specific to the concern that we were trying to address,” explained Robert Grimes, transportation coordinator for the district. “This video could then be shared with the school to allow administrators to better handle the situation.”

The district also recognized the value of providing drivers with added layers of protection and accountability. Videos would provide objective clarity and documentation should any issues arise.

“Bus drivers seem to be appreciative of the fact that there is video footage that can help with the management of bus behaviors,” Grimes added.

Measurable Impact

After evaluating multiple options, the district selected AngelTrax as its mobile security and surveillance partner, equipping buses with interior cameras to help deter onboard incidents. Since then, Horry County Schools has installed cameras on approximately 450 buses currently in service, covering roughly 1,500 bus routes.

Since installing the cameras in 2017, as one of the first school districts in the country to use AngelTrax’s Vulcan Series cameras, the district has observed meaningful improvements in student behavior on their school buses.

The presence of cameras has increased awareness around school bus safety across the community.

“Based on my understanding, the cameras have enhanced the peace of mind for parents, students, and drivers by increasing accountability, deterring poor behavior, and providing clear evidence when incidents occur,” Jones shared. “We share school bus safety information with students, families, staff, and the community using multiple channels. These channels include sharing information during open house events, as well as through printed and digital/video materials, our website and social media platforms, ensuring that everyone is aware of the expectations, procedures and the process for reporting concerns.”

A Driver’s Perspective

For veteran bus driver Steven Lombardi, the cameras have made a noticeable difference in safety, noting that in the past, he has witnessed everything from students out of their seat, to throwing objects, fighting and other behavioral issues.

“I have never been a driver when there were no cameras on the bus,” Lombardi noted. “However, prior to having the AngelTrax cameras, we had a much less dependable camera which made capturing data more difficult.”

He said he believes the presence of the AngelTrax cameras positively influences student behavior.

“When I tell students that there are cameras on the bus generally, they are less likely to misbehave,” Lombardi added.

For Lombardi, the investment Horry County Schools made in camera technology represents more than a safety upgrade. It reinforces a culture of accountability and care.

“Knowing that there is a camera system to assist with capturing behaviors gives me a sense of relief,” he shared. “I would be hesitant to drive a bus that did not have cameras.”

As Horry County Schools continues to evaluate data and refine its transportation strategies, one goal remains constant: ensuring every student arrives safely, every mile, every day.

About AngelTrax

AngelTrax is a leading designer, manufacturer and provider of in-vehicle mobile surveillance for school buses and school white fleets. Powered by AngelTrax, the Child Safety Program automated stop arm violation system is created to keep kids safer by changing driver behavior, from violation detection to citation through adjudication. AngelTrax drives the market with state-of-the-art products, including Vulcan Series MDVRs and MNVRs, stop arm photo enforcement technology with AI detection, 360-degree camera systems, IP cameras, HD cameras, live view, live tracking and driver behavior with AI. AngelTrax is a CJIS-compliant organization and strategic partner with Nlets for accurate DMV data.

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

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Learn more about the teamwork needed to keep operations running smoothly at student transportation operations. Cover stars from Loudoun County in Virginia highlight the importance of working together and with their routing software provider. Also read articles on the benefits of school bus LED lighting, beyond safety considerations, how districts are choosing the best fuel options for them, the usage of parent apps and how RFP’s and pilot programs can help districts find the best transportation technology solutions.

Find the full STN EXPO East preview for the upcoming conference in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina.

Read the full March 2026 issue.

Cover Story

Hand-in-Hand
Communication between vendor partners and customers is the key to developing successful, safe routes for students.

Features

The One & Only
School districts and companies are realizing the maintenance and time savings of LEDs, despite the higher upfront cost compared to incandescent lighting.

More Than Fuel Costs
Among the various options available, districts are leaning into the fuel that makes the most sense for their local operations.

Special Reports

Where is the Bus?
School districts report that using parent apps have helped streamline their operations, and software providers are seeing increased community usage.

More Than a Letter Game
Pilot programs are vital to the RFP process by helping school districts confirm if a chosen solution does what is promised.

STN EXPO East Preview
Prepare for the content, community and commerce waiting this month in Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
The Security of Consistency

Thought Leader by Jim Harris
The Intersection of Autonomous Vehicles and School Buses

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Ignite Your Leadership

The post March 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.

ORLANDO, Fla.,- International Motors, LLC* (“International”) announced the International and IC Bus Dealer of the Year award winners at its annual dealer meeting this week in Orlando. This event is an opportunity for International to celebrate the successes of the dealer network from the previous year. More importantly, it is a moment to align our strategy to ensure we deliver quality solutions for our customers every day.

The 2025 Dealer of the Year award winners were selected based on their performance in several criteria, such as vehicle sales, parts sales, International S13 Integrated Powertrain sales, and service dwell time. Growth in key areas like market share, customer experience survey results, and leveraging solutions through International Financial are additional data points used to make Dealer of the Year selections.

“The annual International dealer meeting is always an exciting event because it brings our network together,” said Dan Kayser, executive vice president, Commercial Operations, International. “Our truck and bus dealers are our closest partners, and they work hard every day to give customers a dependable, consistent experience. This event celebrates that partnership and the strength we have when we’re aligned as one International.”

2025 International U.S. and Canada Dealer of the Year: Wieland Truck and Trailer

Michigan-based Wieland Truck and Trailer had an impressive year, exceeding their targets across the board — from parts growth and truck sales to significant gains in customer experience and market share. They achieved nearly seven times their goal for conquest customer count.

“Customers count on dealers who act as true partners, and Wieland Truck and Trailer delivered above and beyond that promise,” said Justina Morosin, senior vice president, Sales and Field Operations, International. “Their accomplishments are a direct result of their focus and customer first approach, and we’re proud of the consistency and care their team brings to every interaction.”

“Being named Dealer of the Year is an incredible honor, and I’m proud of what our team accomplished this past year,” said Rob Cleary, dealer principal, Wieland Truck and Trailer. “Customers expect a partner who can support them across their entire operation, and our team takes that responsibility seriously. I’m looking forward to celebrating with them at the dealership and seeing what we achieve in the year ahead.”

Wieland Truck and Trailer, founded in the 1930s, has three locations in Michigan.

2025 International Latin America Dealer of the Year: Capasa

Capasa was selected as the Dealer of the Year winner because of their commitment to achieving a unique customer experience through comprehensive solutions and support.

“Capasa puts customers at the center of what they do,” said Rafael Alvarenga, vice president, Latin America Commercial Operations, International. “Their commitment to providing effective solutions and strong support makes a meaningful impact across Latin America and sets a strong example for our entire dealer network.”

“It’s an honor to be named Dealer of the Year. We take great pride in offering transportation solutions that support our customers at every stage of their operations,” said Luis Gerardo Amarante Alvarado, dealer principal, Capasa. “This award is a celebration of our team’s effort and commitment, and I look forward to what we’ll accomplish in the year ahead.”

Capasa was founded in 1962 to meet the needs of the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. They have a presence in the cities of Culiacán, Los Mochis, Mazatlán and Guamúchil and in the state of Baja California Sur in the cities of Los Cabos and La Paz.

2025 IC Bus Dealer of the Year: Midwest Transit Equipment

Midwest Transit Equipment’s strong commitment to excellence, commercial execution and customer support made them a perfect fit for IC Bus Dealer of the Year. They exceeded their target in orders, advanced battery-electric vehicle readiness and adoption, and completed training with extensive customer-facing engagement.

“Our dealers play an essential role in providing safe, dependable transportation for students,” said Charles Chilton, vice president and general manager, IC Bus. “Midwest Transit Equipment embodies what it means to be part of IC Bus through their teamwork, customer focus and dedication to building a stronger future for our industry. We’re proud of their team for the example they set for our network.”

“Celebrating our 50th year and being named IC Bus Dealer of the Year is an incredible honor for us,” said John McKinney, chairman, Midwest Transit Equipment. “Our team is committed to trust, collaboration and setting a high standard for the customers and communities we serve. I’m grateful for their effort and excited to celebrate this achievement together.”

Midwest Transit Equipment is the largest volume school bus dealership in the United States. They have nine locations and a team of 300 employees.

To find your nearest International or IC Bus dealer in the U.S. and Canada visit the dealer locators on International.com or ICBus.com. For distributors in Mexico and Latin America, search Mexico.International.com and Latin-America.InternationalCamiones.com.

About International:
Based in Lisle, Illinois, International Motors, LLC* creates solutions that deliver greater uptime and productivity to our customers throughout the full operation of our commercial vehicles. We build International trucks and engines and IC Bus school and commercial buses that are as tough and as smart as the people who drive them. We also develop Fleetrite aftermarket parts. In everything we do, our vision is to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility to create the cleaner, safer world we all deserve. As of 2021, we joined Scania, MAN and Volkswagen Truck & Bus in TRATON GROUP, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry. To learn more, visit www.International.com.

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SEATTLE, Wash. — Zonar, a leader in smart fleet management and compliance solutions, today announced it has become the first telematics provider certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to support Clean Truck Check (CTC) compliance through OEM-installed vehicle integrations. With 14+ years of the Zonar V4 telematics box installed on approximately 400,000 Freightliner Cascadia, Thomas Built Buses, and Western Star trucks at the factory, any fleet operating these vehicles in California today can immediately access the solution.

A first in the industry, this expanded executive order allows fleets operating California CTC-regulated vehicles to meet emissions compliance requirements without physically connecting to the vehicle’s diagnostic port or installing additional aftermarket hardware.

Why Zonar’s CARB Emission Solution Is Different

CARB’s Clean Truck Check regulation requires non-gasoline vehicles over 14,000 lbs operating in California to submit emissions data on a recurring schedule. Until now, compliance typically required:

Manual scans at a shop or yard.

Third-party service providers.

Vehicle downtime and scheduling complexity.

Zonar’s newly approved certification introduces a new compliance pathway.

With this executive order, OEM-installed and hardwired Zonar devices, already embedded in supported vehicles, can automatically collect and submit required emissions data directly to CARB. No shop visits. No plug-in scans. No operational disruption.

Zonar is the only provider whose CARB executive order explicitly permits compliance via a hardwired vehicle harness, not just a direct OBD connection.

Who This Impacts

With large and distributed fleets facing increasing compliance frequency, moving to four checks per year beginning in 2027, this certification directly benefits:

Fleets operating in California subject to CARB Clean Truck Check requirements.

OEM-equipped vehicles, including factory-installed telematics configurations.

School transportation, transit, and commercial fleets seeking to reduce downtime and compliance risk.

Mixed and transitioning fleets, where OEM-equipped vehicles can now meet compliance requirements without operational inconsistency.

Fleets can now achieve CARB compliance automatically, in the background, using hardware already installed in their vehicles, either as a standalone emissions solution or alongside Zonar’s broader telematics, diagnostics, and maintenance offerings.

First to Market Again
Zonar was the first telematics provider certified by CARB as a continuously connected Clean Truck Check solution and is now the first, and only, provider approved for OEM-installed and hardwired configurations.

This milestone reflects years of close collaboration with CARB, OEM partners, and Zonar’s in-house engineering team to meet the most rigorous regulatory and technical standards.

“CARB compliance is becoming more frequent, more complex, and more disruptive for fleets—but it doesn’t have to be,” said Amit Anand, SVP of Product at Zonar. “Because we design our own hardware, work directly with OEMs, and partner closely with CARB, we were able to deliver a solution no one else in the market could. This certification removes downtime, eliminates guesswork, and allows fleets to stay compliant automatically using technology they already have.”

Why Zonar’s OEM-Certified CARB Emission Solution Changes the Experience for Fleets

With Zonar’s Emission Check, fleets experience:

No downtime for compliance scans.
Earlier detection of emissions issues within CARB’s compliance window.

Lower cost compared to manual or third-party scans.

Future-readiness as CARB enforcement and inspection frequency increases.

With enforcement tied to vehicle registration, roadside inspections, ports, and rail yards, CARB compliance is no longer optional. Zonar’s solution helps fleets meet these requirements proactively and seamlessly, reducing risk while keeping vehicles on the road.

To learn more about the CARB Clean Truck Emissions Check, go to https://www.zonarsystems.com/solutions/carb-clean-truck-emissions-check/.

About Zonar Systems:
Zonar combines a unified fleet management platform with reliable telematics hardware and always-on human support giving mission-critical fleets precise, trustworthy data to improve safety, ensure compliance and reduce operating costs. Proven every day in pupil transportation, where it safeguards millions of children, Zonar’s technology and partnership deliver the trust, transparency and confidence public-sector, field service and vocational fleets need to perform when it matters most. To learn more, go to www.zonarsystems.com.

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HIGH POINT, N.C. – Thomas Built Buses (TBB), a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America and a division of Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles, has selected Bryan County Schools in Georgia as the recipient of proceeds from its recent ‘If You Pass’ school bus safety awareness campaign. The contribution will support the district’s ongoing work to reduce illegal school bus passings and improve roadway safety for students.

Launched during National School Bus Safety Week, the ‘If You Pass’ campaign confronted the ongoing issue of illegal school bus passings, an offense that occurs an estimated 39.3 million times each school year according to National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS). Rather than softening the message, the campaign opted for a direct, no-nonsense approach to school bus safety — If You Pass.

Through bold social messaging and a limited-edition merchandise collection, the campaign caught the attention of drivers, educators and families nationwide, helping push the issue into the public conversation. This reinforced the responsibility to stop and gave communities a way to actively participate in school bus safety advocacy.

Supporters purchased items from the merchandise collection, with all net proceeds dedicated to supporting school bus and driver safety education efforts. Supporters were also encouraged to nominate districts in their communities to receive campaign funds.

Of the districts nominated by supporters, Bryan County Schools received the most recognition and has been selected as the recipient of the campaign proceeds.

“Illegal passings are one of the most preventable dangers students face every day, and yet they keep happening,” said Mario DiFoggio, general manager of dealer channel sales and marketing for Thomas Built Buses. “The ‘If You Pass’ campaign was intentionally direct, because politeness doesn’t stop traffic — awareness does. For a short, three-week campaign, the response exceeded our expectations, and we know these funds will go a long way in supporting the important work Bryan County Schools is doing to protect students and keep this conversation going.”

Thomas Built Buses will continue to collaborate with school districts, transportation departments and industry partners to advance student safety and encourage responsible driver behavior nationwide.

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. Learn more at thomasbuiltbuses.com or facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America LLC, a leading provider of comprehensive products and technologies for the commercial transportation industry. The company designs, engineers, manufactures and markets medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school buses, vehicle chassis and their associated technologies and components under the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Detroit brands. Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. together form Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles. Daimler Truck North America is a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.

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DENVER, Colo. — EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced the launch of SafeOps, a dedicated safety excellence council that builds on the company’s industry-leading safety performance and raises the bar for specialized student transportation.

With a 99.99% accident-free rate across more than two million trips in the past year, EverDriven already operates at the highest safety standard in the industry. SafeOps builds on that foundation by creating a continuous improvement framework that scales best practices across the 36 states where EverDriven operates.

“EverDriven sets the bar for safety in student transportation,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “SafeOps focuses solely on how we protect and ensure the safest possible experience for every student we transport. It applies our safety standards consistently as we grow, giving districts and families even greater confidence, transparency, and trust in every ride.”

What SafeOps Delivers

SafeOps is a cross-functional council with a clear mandate: take what already works at the highest level and create a continuous improvement framework that ensures best practices scale consistently. The team focuses on three pillars:

Operational Excellence – Standardizing proven safety protocols across all regions through the following core initiatives: Driver Screening (enhanced background verification and continuous monitoring), Vehicle Standards (pre-trip inspection protocols and equipment compliance), and Incident Response (structured escalation procedures and real-time coordination with district teams).

Technology Integration – Leveraging EverDriven’s expanding safety technology infrastructure, including available in-vehicle cameras — a district opt-in safety enhancement already deployed in nearly 50% of vehicles within just the first year of rollout — along with real-time GPS tracking and route optimization, and telematics monitoring to support transparency, performance insights, and proactive safety intervention.

Training & Support – Setting industry standards through comprehensive safety training programs spanning drivers, monitors, service providers, and EverDriven field teams. This includes specialized disability awareness and behavioral support training, ongoing safety certification refreshers, compliance education aligned with state and federal requirements, and service provider performance coaching to ensure consistent execution of safety protocols across all partners.

Together, these pillars strengthen vetting and monitoring, reinforce regulatory compliance, improve operational efficiency, and increase transparency for district partners, caregivers, and students. For districts, that means predictable service, consistent drivers for students who depend on routine, and specialized support backed by technology, training, and real-time oversight.

“SafeOps isn’t about identifying problems—it’s about protecting excellence as we scale,” said Adam Warner, Vice President of Field Operations and Head of Safety. “We’re embedding the discipline and oversight that drive strong safety outcomes deeper into every process, every region, and every ride.”

District partners say that this commitment is evident in practice.

“Working with EverDriven has been a fantastic experience,” said Olivia Shoberg, Transportation Coordinator at Appleton School District. “Their dedication to student safety is clear in everything they do, and it really gives peace of mind knowing students are in such good hands. I appreciate how flexible and responsive their team is—they really take the time to understand the unique needs of each situation and find solutions that work.”

EverDriven’s recent Safety Report underscores that commitment: a 99.63% trip completion rate, 99.99% accident-free rate, and 70.81% driver consistency for students with disabilities — ensuring the same trusted adult is behind the wheel.

For the more than 800 districts EverDriven serves, SafeOps reinforces what they already expect: a transportation partner that prioritizes safety in every decision, every day. Visit everdriven.com to learn more.

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.

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Product purchasing often raises many questions and anxiety for school districts, but Veronica’s district was an exception. As a transportation director, she recently gained approval to purchase new fleet surveillance cameras. Instead of preparing and distributing an RFP, she chose a far simpler approach: buying through a co-op.

“I reached out to my REI salesperson, and she sent me a quote. I then sent it to my supervisor, Tom. He, along with our school board, approved it and we bought the cameras. That’s how simple it was. Working through co-ops, it’s so easy to make purchases,” states Veronica.

Purchasing through co-ops can benefit your operation as well. Here are five ways joining a co-op can transform how you acquire fleet solutions:

1. Bypass lengthy RFPs.

Preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) requires significant time, coordination and administrative effort. By purchasing through a co-op, districts can rely on contracts that have already been competitively solicited. This eliminates the need to develop and manage your own RFPs yet still meet procurement requirements. The result: less administrative burden and a faster path to securing the fleet solutions you need.

Veronica recalls, “The bidding process is long, tedious and involves a lot of paperwork. When I worked at another district, we had to publish bids in the newspaper for 30 days. Vendors would submit bids, and we had to conduct a formal bid opening. It was a big undertaking.”

2. Access competitive, pre-negotiated pricing.

Cooperatives solicit contracts and negotiate pricing with multiple vendors on behalf of their members. Districts then have access to pricing that has already been evaluated for competitiveness. The approach helps you maximize budgets while reducing the time and effort required to conduct independent negotiations.

3. Accelerate procurement timelines.

Because contracts are already in place, districts can move forward with purchases immediately, instead of waiting for a full bid cycle. The faster turnaround allows you to get the needed equipment in place sooner.

According to Veronica, “I got thousands of dollars’ worth of cameras, and I don’t think I would have received them as quickly through a traditional bidding process. It probably would have taken 60 to 100 days. In this case, it took about a month from quote to shipping, and I had them within 30 days.”

4. Strengthen audit documentation and readiness.

Many cooperatives maintain detailed documentation and can provide supporting records if questions arise during an audit. This helps districts prove compliance and simplifies internal reporting.

“If anything were to come back, [the co-op] will step in and give you everything that you need and help you,” Veronica explains. “It makes purchasing easier and helps make the audit process quicker.”

5. Focus on best-fit solutions, not lowest price.

Traditional bidding processes often require districts to select the lowest bidders, which may limit flexibility. Cooperative contracts are awarded based on a combination of factors such as pricing, qualifications, service and product quality. In the end, co-op purchasing enables you to select solutions that best support your operational goals.

As Veronica notes, “Sometimes vendors undercut each other just to win the bid, and you don’t always get what you really need. Cooperative contracts help ensure the vendor and solution are the right fit.”

If you’re not a co-op member, join one or more today. Collaborate with your purchasing decision-makers. Conduct research, then decide which co-op(s) offer the products and solutions that align with your goals.

“Most co-ops are pretty easy to join. Typically, you just need to fill out an application. You don’t want to pay an application fee or anything like that. Fill out an application to become a member of their co-op purchasing and get approved that way,” advises Veronica.

She concludes, “In the long run, [REI] is doing the work for us, which is always good because we already have enough work to do.”

Four nationally recognized co-op purchasing programs list REI. Interested in joining? We have contact information. Call 800.228.9275, send us a message or get in touch with your sales rep for details. Let us help you simplify purchasing.

The post 5 Ways Purchasing Co-Ops Can Benefit Operations appeared first on School Transportation News.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. —HopSkipDrive, a leading technology company partnering with
school districts to get kids to school more quickly, safely, and easily than anyone else, today announced advancements to its “on-time engine” designed to simplify the school day. By blending nearly a decade of Google Maps integration with real-world operational data, HopSkipDrive has achieved a meaningful reduction in lateness and early arrivals, ensuring students spend more time in the classroom and less time in transit.

While standard navigation gets a driver to a street address, student transportation requires navigating the “Timing Gap”—the complex minutes spent inside school loops and pickup lanes. For the students who are not a fit for the traditional bus, including those in foster care or with specialized IEP needs, this transition is critical; these riders often rely more heavily on a consistent and safe experience to start their school day successfully.

“We know that transportation directors spend 95% of their time solving for the last 5% of their students, the McKinney-Vento and IEP riders who require the most care. Five minutes can be the difference between a student receiving their morning meal or missing their first class,” said Corey McMahon, Chief Product and Technology Officer at HopSkipDrive.”We pair over a decade of operational data with purpose-built technology to deliver the exact precision needed to consistently improve on-time arrivals.”

Innovation Through Direct Accountability Coupled With Advanced Technology HopSkipDrive is able to make these advancements because of how it leverages data and technology and its direct driver relationship model. The company doesn’t subcontract to unknown third-party providers, giving HopSkipDrive the direct visibility needed to constantly improve the in-ride experiences, making it possible to provide a higher level of care and consistency. Specifically, three core innovations have helped accelerate the company’s work to improve timeliness:

● Predictive “Procedure Time”: By applying over 10 years of data to create and refine predictive models for unique cases, HopSkipDrive can more accurately predict the time it takes for students to safely and comfortably enter or exit a vehicle, ensuring they are supported without feeling rushed.

● Enhanced CareDriver Instructions: By improving the quality of pickup notes for complex school layouts, HopSkipDrive has doubled the quality scores of driver instructions, leading to smoother handoffs and fewer delays.

● Verified Location Pins: Navigation goes beyond the front office to provide precise map pins for the specific door or lane where a student is waiting, ending pickup confusion for good.

Real-Time Visibility for School Staff
To ensure these improvements translate into smoother school days, HopSkipDrive provides total transparency through a connected suite of tools designed for every stakeholder. By surfacing real-time data across RideIQ for administrators, Daily Queue for school staff, and the HopSkipDrive App for parents and caregivers, we provide real-time certainty into a student’s journey. This connected system is designed to eliminate the “game of telephone” and ensure that every student is safe and accounted for.

This ecosystem is backed by the Safe Ride Support team—in-house specialists who serve as “human-eyes-on-every-ride”. This proactive monitoring ensures that potential hurdles are identified and solved before they ever result in a phone call to the transportation office.

“Daily Queue has allowed me to fully focus on my role as a ride organizer by saving me valuable time,” said Marcy P., Director of Transportation at Littleton Public Schools.”Allowing on-site staff to see live ride data means they can effectively track rides, leading to better hand-offs and coordinating smoothly with CareDrivers.”

A Proven Standard of Safety for Better Student Outcomes Consistent, on-time transportation is critical for student well-being, and HopSkipDrive views timeliness as a fundamental safety requirement. By ensuring students arrive on time and ready to learn, HopSkipDrive helps districts reduce chronic absenteeism for vulnerable populations who might otherwise needlessly miss school due to transportation gaps.

“Our model is built on prevention, not reaction,” added McMahon.”By removing the middleman, we prevent the communication breakdowns that cause delays. This ensures district budgets go directly toward a reliable student experience and driver quality, protecting both learning time and the district’s bottom line.”

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a leading technology company partnering with school districts to get kids to school more quickly, safely, and easily than anyone else. The company 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 21 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.

The post HopSkipDrive Protects Student Learning Time by Solving the Transportation “Timing Gap” appeared first on School Transportation News.

When East Aurora School District 131 faced growing transportation challenges, the district turned to an unexpected solution. By partnering with First Student’s First Alt^®, East Aurora transitioned away from using taxis and cabs and implemented a safer, more reliable alternative for students who need it most.

In this webinar, you’ll hear directly from Gladys De Lucio, Director of Transportation at East Aurora, and Leon Fornelli, AGM at First Alt, as they share how the district:

• Built on its existing partnership with First Student to expand into alternative transportation.
• Leveraged FirstView^® and Samsara technology to improve visibility, tracking, and communication for schools and families.
• Met the needs of one of Illinois’ largest Spanish-speaking communities with bilingual dispatchers who provide trusted communication with parents in their native language.

Join us to discover how East Aurora created a student-first transportation model that improved efficiency, strengthened family trust, and set a new standard for safe, consistent rides.

Brought to you by First Student

REGISTER BELOW:

Presenters:

Gladys De Lucio
Director of Transportation
East Aurora School District 131

Gladys De Lucio is the Director of Transportation for East Aurora School District 131, one of Illinois’ largest Spanish-speaking districts. With 21 years of experience in school transportation, she oversees daily operations with a strong focus on safety, bus stop planning, and community engagement. De Lucio leads both traditional bus services and alternative transportation programs, working closely with bilingual dispatch teams to support non-English-speaking families. Her deep commitment to equitable access ensures that every student has reliable transit to and from school. She holds a degree from Robert Morris University–Illinois.

Leon Fornelli
Area General Manager of Alternative Transportation
First Alt^®

Leon Fornelli, MBA, is the Area General Manager of Alternative Transportation at First Alt^®, where he leads inclusive student transportation programs across nine states. A seasoned leader in education logistics, Fornelli develops and scales operations from the ground up, always with safety, equity, and innovation in mind. He’s deeply committed to increasing access, amplifying parent and community engagement, and building systems that meet diverse student needs, including non-traditional routes and support. Fornelli also champions technology integration and workforce development in transportation services.

Gregg Prettyman
Vice President
First Alt^®

As Vice President of First Alt^®, Gregg Prettyman brings more than 13 years of leadership in alternative student transportation and is recognized as one of the original architects of the alternative transportation model. Before joining First Student, Prettyman served as Chief Operating Officer at ALC Schools, where he supported over 400 district contracts across 20 states, and oversaw more than 10,000 student trips each day. Today, he leads a team with over 50 years of combined experience, all focused on helping districts deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation for students with unique needs.

The post (Free Webinar) From Taxis to Trusted Rides: East Aurora’s Student Transportation Transformation appeared first on School Transportation News.

MACON, Ga.  – Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, has signed an agreement to acquire Girardin Group’s stake in the 50/50 Micro Bird joint venture, thereby, taking full ownership of the enterprise. Blue Bird will pay approx. $200 million for Girardin’s joint venture share, with 30% in cash and 70% in Blue Bird common stock. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of calendar year 2026, pending fulfillment of various closing conditions and regulatory approvals. A slide presentation is available on the BLBD IR website (https://investors.blue-bird.com/) with additional details.

The acquisition demonstrates Blue Bird’s commitment to growth and market expansion. The transaction allows Blue Bird to consolidate its North America operations and unify its businesses under one team and brand, unlocking further value for customers and shareholders. Blue Bird will offer the broadest product portfolio of industry-leading Type A, C, and D school, multi-purpose, and commercial buses.

Blue Bird is the only vehicle manufacturer in North America to provide diesel, gasoline, propane, and electric powered buses, positioning the company to uniquely address market needs. With the acquisition, Blue Bird will also significantly increase its total addressable market (TAM) for the Buy America Act – compliant shuttle buses in North America, a segment which Micro Bird entered in the fall of 2025 with its Plattsburg, NY facility acquisition.

“With a nearly 100 year history, Blue Bird has emerged as an iconic brand and leader in student transportation. We are delighted to purchase Girardin’s stake in Micro Bird and to take full control of the joint venture. The acquisition strengthens our strategic position and supports Blue Bird’s long-term vision for innovation, operational performance, and sustained profitable growth,” said John Wyskiel, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “In addition, I’m looking forward to welcoming Steve Girardin to our Board along with his contributions to Blue Bird’s continued success.”

Following the close of the transaction, Blue Bird intends to add Steve Girardin to its Board of Directors, strengthening the Board with his proven leadership and decades of experience across the North American bus market.

“This year marks our 60th year as a small bus manufacturer and our successful partnership with Blue Bird,” said Steve Girardin, Micro Bird Chairman and Vice-President of the Girardin Group. “Together, we’ve driven technology, innovation and product excellence in the bus market with a reputation of serving our customers with distinction. I’m confident that Micro Bird will continue to thrive under the sole ownership of Blue Bird, marking a natural and strategically aligned transition that supports value creation for our customers, employees, and shareholders.”

Blue Bird and Girardin Group established Micro Bird as a 50/50 joint venture in 2009. Specialized in designing and manufacturing Type A school and commercial shuttle buses with capacities ranging from 9 to 36 passengers, Micro Bird has emerged as a leader in innovative, safe, and reliable transportation solutions. Today, Micro Bird offers gasoline, propane, and electric powered buses to its customers and employs approximately 960 team members at its Drummondville, Quebec, and Plattsburgh, N.Y. locations.

Piper Sandler & Co. served as exclusive financial advisor to Blue Bird on this transaction.

About Blue Bird Corporation:
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

About Girardin Group:
Girardin Group is a third-generation family business and longtime partner of Blue Bird Corporation specializing in bus and school bus transportation for more than 65 years and having its head office in Drummondville, Quebec. Girardin is a manufacturer, distributor, and operator of buses, school buses, electric powertrains and electric charging infrastructures. It provides the widest selection of electric school buses together with individualized charging infrastructure assistance. The company’s more than 40 operating divisions employ more than 3,000 team members in Canada and the United States. For more information on Girardin, visit https://www.girardinbluebird.com/en/.

About Micro Bird:
Established in 2009, Micro Bird Inc. is a joint venture between Girardin Minibus and Blue Bird Corporation, combining nearly 160 years of experience in the bus industry. Headquartered in Drummondville, Quebec, Micro Bird designs and manufactures the complete line of Type A school, commercial, and electric buses known for their durability, safety, and long-term value. In 2025, Micro Bird expanded its footprint with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Plattsburgh, New York — a strategic investment that brings the company closer to its U.S. customers and strengthens its ability to deliver innovative, Buy America Act–compliant transportation solutions across North America. For more information, visit www.microbird.com.

The post Blue Bird Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire & Consolidate Micro Bird Joint Venture appeared first on School Transportation News.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Today, Zūm, the leader in modern student transportation, announced that it will deploy a fully electric school bus fleet for Branford Public Schools beginning in the 2026–27 school year, making Branford the largest fully electric school district with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities in the Northeast. All electric buses will be supported by modern charging infrastructure, with built-in bidirectional V2G capabilities.

This announcement represents a significant moment for Branford and the evolution of student transportation nationwide. As the largest school district in the Northeast to fully electrify its school bus fleet, Branford is demonstrating that clean, reliable electric student transportation is not a future ambition, but a current possibility for school districts across the country.

The electric fleet is designed with the future capability to strengthen grid resilience by enabling school bus batteries to return energy to the local grid at scale when not in use. This vehicle-to-grid capacity transforms what has traditionally been an underutilized asset into a strategic energy resource — improving reliability, maximizing the value of district infrastructure, and supporting long-term sustainability.

Zum also provides the students and parents of Branford Public Schools with enhanced safety and reliability, reflected in a 98% on-time arrival rate to school. Through its parent app, families can see exactly where their children are during every ride to and from school — creating peace of mind for families each day.

Zum and Branford Public Schools announced the initiative today at Zum’s Branford student transportation yard during an event attended by local and state leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz.

Photo caption: Left to right: Sarah Skinner, Zum; Liz Sanchez, Zum; Chairman Peter Berdon;
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz; Superintendent Tranberg, Branford Public Schools;
Blaize Levitan, COO, Branford Public Schools; Jim Finch, Town of Branford; and
Charlotte Charbono, Zum.

“This marks a major milestone in Zum’s continued national electrification expansion and an exciting moment for student transportation,” said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum. “As we expand our electrification efforts to the East Coast and launch our first fully electric school bus fleet in the region, Branford is helping set a new national standard. With Zum’s technology platform and this state-of-the-art EV fleet, we are reimagining what’s possible — building a modern transportation system rooted in operational excellence and a relentless focus on safety that improves the experience for students, families, and drivers, sets kids up for success in the classroom, strengthens grid reliability and resiliency, and delivers lasting benefits to the entire community.”

“Branford Public Schools, in partnership with Zum, is committed to delivering a first-class transportation system that prioritizes students and families while setting a new standard for safety, reliability, and sustainability,” said Superintendent Christopher Tranberg. “Electric school buses with bidirectional charging capabilities create cleaner transportation today and have the potential to support grid resilience by returning energy from bus batteries back to the grid in the future.”

“Branford is proving that clean, reliable student transportation is possible today,” said Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “By deploying the largest fully electric school bus fleet in the Northeast, we are delivering cleaner air for kids, smarter infrastructure for communities, and a model for the nation.”

Photo caption: Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz delivers remarks at Zum’s Branford school bus yard.

In 2024, Branford Public Schools awarded Zum a 10-year student transportation contract with the goal of transitioning the district to a 100% electric school bus fleet within five years. Through its partnership with Zum, Branford Public Schools is now on track to achieve this transition within the first two years of the contract—three years ahead of schedule.

This achievement builds on Zum’s growing national momentum. Today, Zum partners with school districts across 15 states, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Omaha, Boston and Kansas City, delivering a fully integrated, transparent, and reliable transportation platform at scale. In the 2024–25 school year, Zum made history by deploying the nation’s first fully electric school bus fleet in Oakland Unified School District in California.

To learn more about how Zum is working with thousands of schools to deliver safe, reliable and modern student transportation, please visit Zum’s website.

About Zūm

Zum is a technology-led, data-driven transportation company transforming student transportation—the largest mass transit system in the United States. Today, Zum provides turnkey, modern transportation solutions to more than 4,000 schools across 15 states and is expanding rapidly nationwide. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zum has raised over $350 million from leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, and SoftBank. Zum has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times Fastest Growing Companies. Learn more at www.ridezum.com.

About Branford Public Schools

Located in Branford, Connecticut, Branford Public Schools provides a high-quality, inclusive public education for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The district is committed to academic excellence, student well-being, and equitable learning opportunities that prepare students to think critically, contribute to their communities, and navigate a changing world.

The post Zum Launches Its First Fully Electric School Bus Yard on East Coast appeared first on School Transportation News.

VANCOUVER, Canada,  – GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (Nasdaq: GP) (“GreenPower” and the “Company”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, today announced that the Company has received formal notice from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) confirming that the Company has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), the “Equity Rule,” and otherwise satisfies all applicable criteria for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

“Over the past few months GreenPower has completed a series of transactions including raising new capital with an equity offering of Series A Convertible Preferred Shares for up to $18 million, term loans of $5 million and a new banking relationship with CIBC including a line of credit and term loan. In addition, the Company exchanged $7 million of related party loans for convertible debentures and $3 million of related party loans for Series B Convertible Preferred Shares,” said Fraser Atkinson, CEO of GreenPower. “These transactions have helped the Company regain full compliance with the Nasdaq listing criteria as well as with the execution of our strategic goals.”

Notwithstanding the Nasdaq compliance determination, the Company will remain subject to a Panel monitor for one year. If, within that one-year monitoring period, Staff finds the Company again out of compliance with the Equity Rule that was the subject of the hearing, the Company will be subject to a delisting determination and will not have the opportunity to present a compliance plan for the Staff’s consideration. However, the Company will be afforded the opportunity to request a hearing before the Hearings Panel, and the hearing request will automatically stay any suspension or delisting action pending the conclusion of the hearings process and the expiration of any additional extension period granted by the Panel following the hearing.

The Company’s common stock will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “GP.”

About GreenPower Motor Company Inc.
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo van and a cab and chassis. GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com

The post GreenPower Regains Compliance with Nasdaq’s Equity Requirement appeared first on School Transportation News.

VANCOUVER, Canada  – GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (Nasdaq: GP) (“GreenPower” and the “Company”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, today reported revenue of $8.5 million and net income of $4.2 million as a part of its financial results for the period ended December 31, 2025.

“Despite significant headwinds in the EV sector in general, GreenPower has made substantial strides with its transition from building EVs on spec., to a production strategy driven by building EVs to customer orders.” said Fraser Atkinson, GreenPower Chairman and CEO. “This transition has required recapitalization of the Company, retooling our manufacturing, managing inventory, and obtaining sources of production funding.”

“GreenPower is very excited about the excellent progress in the deployment of all-electric, purpose-built school buses during the last quarter in New Mexico; Continuing to perform on the state sponsored, two-year, zero emissions school bus pilot project.” said Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower. “This project uses the compelling West Virginia pilot project as its model but is focussed on the specific needs of New Mexico school districts where there will be challenges on deploying in both city and rural settings, challenges with charging infrastructure and operating the school buses in extreme cold weather at high elevations.”

Third Quarter 2026 Highlights
Generated revenues of $8.5 million in the third quarter of the 2026 fiscal year compared to $7.2 million for the third quarter in the previous year. Revenue was generated from the sale of vehicles, parts, leases and deferred income. Gross profit on the sale of vehicles was approximately 28%.

Total sales, general and administrative costs of $2.4 million in the third quarter compared to $5.2 million for the third quarter in the previous year representing a significant reduction in the Company’s recurring expenses. Excluding non-cash items, the sales, general and administrative costs in the current quarter were less than $2 million.

Working capital of more than $5 million and increased cash from the beginning of the fiscal year.

During the quarter the Company undertook the management of the New Mexico All-Electric, Purpose-Built, Zero-Emission School Bus Pilot Program. The contract with the state of New Mexico provides funding of more than $5 million for the deployment of GreenPower’s all-electric Type A Nano BEAST, Type A Nano BEAST Access, Type D BEAST and Type D Mega BEAST school buses, charging infrastructure and management of a pilot project in the state.

During the quarter the Company raised gross proceeds of $1,120,050 from the issuance of Series A convertible preferred shares (the “Series A shares”) with a stated value of $1,179,000. The initial tranche was comprised of 754 Series A shares issued pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement and 425 Series A Shares issued in a concurrent private placement. The Company and investor agreed that a follow-on tranche of 926 Series A Shares with a stated value of $926,000 and purchase price of $879,700 will be issued at a later date. The institutional investor has the right to acquire and the Company has the right to issue additional Series A Shares in tranches of up to $2 million, subject to certain terms and conditions, to a total of up to US$16 million

Subsequent to the end of the quarter GreenPower completed several transactions to recapitalize the Company. The Company closed on two term loans for a total of $5 million, closed on the new banking relationship with CIBC including a line of credit and Term Loan, paid out the existing bank line of credit, exchanged $7 million of related party loans for convertible debentures and exchanged $3 million of related party loans for Series B Convertible Preferred Shares.

For additional information on the results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2025 with the financial statements and related reports posted on GreenPower’s website as well as on SEDAR Plus or on EDGAR.

About GreenPower Motor Company Inc.
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo van and a cab and chassis. GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com

The post GreenPower Reports Revenue of $8.5 million and Net Income of $4.2 million for Third Quarter appeared first on School Transportation News.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -HopSkipDrive, a leading technology company partnering with school districts to get kids to school more quickly, safely, and easily than anyone else, today released new data highlighting the impact of its expert-developed CareDriver education and the deep experience of its driver network. Following the launch of the company’s industry-leading driver education program focused on supporting students with neurodivergence, internal data reveals that 94% of surveyed CareDrivers say they feel confident supporting neurodivergent riders, a result that translates directly into greater preparation for students and better experiences for students, families, and school staff. Additionally, 85% of surveyed CareDrivers found these proprietary resources, developed in partnership with nationally recognized child development leaders, essential in preparing for these specialized rides.

Defining the “Caregiver on Wheels”

Unlike traditional rideshare platforms or traditional unlicensed brokers, HopSkipDrive vets the human, not just the paperwork. CareDrivers are highly qualified individuals from the community—often parents, nurses, or educators—who provide a dignified and supportive experience for students.

Reflecting a deep well of expertise within the network, CareDrivers bring a median of 10 years of prior caregiving experience. Every CareDriver is vetted through a rigorous 15-point certification process, which includes fingerprint-based background checks and mandatory video screenings to evaluate empathy and situational judgment before their first trip.

“My son’s driver was patient and understanding with him since he’s a special needs child,” says Andrea O., a parent in Los Angeles. “She always watched him get inside the building before she took off to make sure he got in safely. She provided a safe and calm atmosphere.”

The Differentiator: Education That Empowers Care

School districts often spend 95% of their time solving transportation for the most vulnerable 5% of their students, such as those with IEPs or those experiencing homelessness. HopSkipDrive’s customized curriculum provides CareDrivers with practical skills in:

Trauma-informed care to support students during difficult transitions.

Supporting neurodivergent riders and understanding sensory sensitivities to ensure a calm ride environment.

De-escalation techniques for proactive ride management.

“The integration [of HopSkipDrive] has significantly streamlined our processes, allowing for a smoother and more responsive service for our students,” says Marcy P., Littleton Public Schools in Littleton, Colorado. “It allows me to fully focus as a ride organizer by saving me valuable time.”

The Power of Direct Accountability

This specialized preparation is a primary differentiator of HopSkipDrive, which prioritizes direct accountability and verified oversight for every trip. As a fully licensed and regulated Transportation Network Company (TNC), HopSkipDrive maintains a direct relationship with every CareDriver on the platform. This allows for rigorous, transparent reporting and a level of verified compliance that provides school districts with peace of mind and reduced liability.

“Safety and education are not add-ons; they are the foundation of our entire model,” says Jennifer Brandenburger, SVP of Safety at HopSkipDrive. “Because we maintain a direct relationship with every CareDriver, we can ensure our specialized education reaches every person behind the wheel without a ‘game of telephone.’ This direct accountability ensures drivers are not just vetted, but truly prepared for the students they serve, providing districts with a level of verified compliance and risk reduction that subcontracted models simply can’t guarantee.”

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a leading technology company partnering with school districts to get kids to school more quickly, safely, and easily than anyone else. The company 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 21 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.

The post New Data Confirms HopSkipDrive CareDrivers are Uniquely Prepared to Meet Specialized Student Needs appeared first on School Transportation News.

VANCOUVER — GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (Nasdaq: GP) (“GreenPower” and the “Company”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, today reported revenue of $8.5 million and net income of $4.2 million as a part of its financial results for the period ended December 31, 2025.

“Despite significant headwinds in the EV sector in general, GreenPower has made substantial strides with its transition from building EVs on spec., to a production strategy driven by building EVs to customer orders.” said Fraser Atkinson, GreenPower chairman and CEO. “This transition has required recapitalization of the Company, retooling our manufacturing, managing inventory, and obtaining sources of production funding.”

“GreenPower is very excited about the excellent progress in the deployment of all-electric, purpose-built school buses during the last quarter in New Mexico; Continuing to perform on the state sponsored, two-year, zero emissions school bus pilot project.” said Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower. “This project uses the compelling West Virginia pilot project as its model but is focussed on the specific needs of New Mexico school districts where there will be challenges on deploying in both city and rural settings, challenges with charging infrastructure and operating the school buses in extreme cold weather at high elevations.”

Third Quarter 2026 Highlights

• Generated revenues of $8.5 million in the third quarter of the 2026 fiscal year compared to $7.2 million for the third quarter in the previous year. Revenue was generated from the sale of vehicles, parts, leases and deferred income. Gross profit on the sale of vehicles was approximately 28%.
• Total sales, general and administrative costs of $2.4 million in the third quarter compared to $5.2 million for the third quarter in the previous year representing a significant reduction in the Company’s recurring expenses. Excluding non-cash items, the sales, general and administrative costs in the current quarter were less than $2 million.
• Working capital of more than $5 million and increased cash from the beginning of the fiscal year.
• During the quarter, the company undertook the management of the New Mexico All-Electric, Purpose-Built, Zero-Emission School Bus Pilot Program. The contract with the state of New Mexico provides funding of more than $5 million for the deployment of GreenPower’s all-electric Type A Nano BEAST, Type A Nano BEAST Access, Type D BEAST and Type D Mega BEAST school buses, charging infrastructure and management of a pilot project in the state.
• During the quarter, the company raised gross proceeds of $1,120,050 from the issuance of Series A convertible preferred shares (the “Series A shares”) with a stated value of $1,179,000. The initial tranche was comprised of 754 Series A shares issued pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement and 425 Series A Shares issued in a concurrent private placement. The Company and investor agreed that a follow-on tranche of 926 Series A Shares with a stated value of $926,000 and purchase price of $879,700 will be issued at a later date. The institutional investor has the right to acquire and the Company has the right to issue additional Series A Shares in tranches of up to $2 million, subject to certain terms and conditions, to a total of up to US$16 million.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, GreenPower completed several transactions to recapitalize the Company. The Company closed on two term loans for a total of $5 million, closed on the new banking relationship with CIBC including a line of credit and Term Loan, paid out the existing bank line of credit, exchanged $7 million of related party loans for convertible debentures and exchanged $3 million of related party loans for Series B Convertible Preferred Shares.

For additional information on the results of operations for the period ended Dec. 31, 2025 with the financial statements and related reports posted on GreenPower’s website as well as on SEDAR Plus or on EDGAR.

About GreenPower Motor Company Inc.

GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo van and a cab and chassis. GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, GreenPower’s business and operations and the environment in which it operates, which are based on GreenPower’s operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “upon”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. A number of important factors including those set forth in other public filings (filed under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com) could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. GreenPower disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

All amounts in U.S. dollars. ©2026 GreenPower Motor Company Inc. All rights reserved.

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Geotab Inc. (“Geotab”), a global leader in connected transportation, video telematics and asset tracking solutions, today at Geotab Connect 2026 launched the GO Anywhere family of asset trackers. Purpose built for distinct customer needs and use cases, the new hardware line delivers unified visibility across trailers and equipment while addressing critical business challenges, including the significant financial drain caused by lost or underutilized assets. The launch comes as the industry faces staggering costs from equipment misplacement and downtime; for instance, construction equipment loss alone exceeds $1 billion yearly in the U.S., often leading to project delays that multiply the total financial impact.

Geotab is including Starlink Direct To Cell connectivity in its GO Anywhere Plus asset tracker*. This marks a significant milestone in the industry, merging mobile and satellite networks, in a commercial IoT device. This innovation provides seamless coverage for high-value assets even in the most remote “dead zones,” at a fraction of the cost of traditional, hardware-intensive satellite connectivity.

“Losing a critical piece of equipment is about more than the replacement cost, it’s about the worker who can’t finish their job and the customer whose project is now stalled,” said David Wooten, Senior Manager Product Management at Geotab. “By providing near real-time visibility and vital data insights, we are helping remove the uncertainty that comes with managing valuable assets across multiple sites. Whether it’s ensuring a generator is maintained based on engine hour readings or confirming a trailer is ready for the road, we want to ensure that when a crew shows up for work, the tools and assets they need are working well and are exactly where they should be.”

Three Tailored Solutions for Total Fleet Visibility

The GO Anywhere family includes three distinct solutions tailored for various operational needs:

GO Anywhere Plus: The ultimate all-in-one solution for high-value mixed fleets. This hybrid tracker combines wired power for near real-time location, engine hours, and inferred hubometer readings with a field-replaceable backup battery for uncompromised insights. GO Anywhere Plus utilizes Starlink Direct to Cell technology, ensuring total operational awareness even in the most remote locations.This eliminates the need for expensive, specialized satellite hardware while maintaining connectivity where traditional cellular networks fail.

GO Anywhere: The definitive “set and forget” solution for non-powered assets, combining long battery life with consistent, reliable tracking. Engineered to deliver up to 10 years of battery life, the device lowers total cost of ownership by eliminating the need for frequent battery maintenance. GO Anywhere provides hourly location updates as a standard, helping ensure assets are trackable over time. In the event of theft, High-Frequency Mode can be activated for rapid recovery.

Small Asset Tracking: Utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, this solution allows businesses to track portable tools and equipment via nearby connected assets. This helps reduce the “invisible” costs of equipment loss through geofences that trigger alerts when assets move or are left behind.

By integrating these devices into the unified MyGeotab platform, businesses can eliminate blind spots in their operations, moving from reactive recovery to proactive asset management. Whether protecting construction equipment or monitoring sensitive logistics, the GO Anywhere family helps ensure every asset is accounted for in an increasingly complex global supply chain.

For more information on the GO Anywhere asset tracking solutions, please visit: https://www.geotab.com/fleet-management-solutions/asset-tracking/.

The GO Anywhere will be available in North America in Q2 2026, with a global rollout to follow.

*Starlink Direct To Cell will be available through select carrier partners.

About Geotab:
Geotab is a global leader in connected vehicle and asset management solutions, with headquarters in Oakville, Ontario and Atlanta, Georgia. Our mission is to make the world safer, more efficient, and sustainable. We leverage advanced data analytics and AI to transform fleet performance and operations, reducing cost and driving efficiency. Backed by top data scientists and engineers, we serve approximately 100,000 global customers, processing 100 billion data points daily from more than 5 million vehicle subscriptions. Geotab is trusted by Fortune 500 organizations, mid-sized fleets, and the largest public sector fleets in the world, including the US Federal government. Committed to data security and privacy, we hold FIPS 140-3 and FedRAMP authorizations. Our open platform, ecosystem of outstanding partners, and Geotab Marketplace deliver hundreds of fleet-ready third-party solutions. This year, we’re celebrating 25 years of innovation. Learn more at www.geotab.com and follow us on LinkedIn or visit Geotab News and Views.

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