Last year, the appetite for electric school buses waned. The reason had a lot to do with President Donald Trump retaking the Oval Office and signing numerous executive orders that changed course on the drive toward zero emissions.

The Clean School Bus Program was shelved until recently, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expected at press time to finally announced it would make good on awarding the final $2.5 billion remaining in the five-year $5 million program. Seemingly it comes the official re-emergence of diesel, which had been obvious across all sectors.

Diesel is 90 percent cleaner than it was two decades ago and, while it still emits harmful particulate matter especially for children’s developing lungs, it remains the fuel type of choice for many fleets due to its workhorse and longevity characteristics. That makes federal subsidies for drop-in biodiesel blends, which many school districts have been using for decades, and renewable diesel especially attractive.

Granted, maintaining diesel systems has become more arduous and expensive. And those costs extend to the fuel pump.

Petroleum prices were already volatile, then the Iran war broke out. The Strait of Hormuz closed, and the price of oil soared well past $100 a barrel. Diesel and gasoline prices followed suit globally. Despite the U.S. opening domestic oil reserves, those prices have stayed high, and there is no end in sight. This has spelled doom for school districts and school bus operators.

The National Association for Pupil Transportation and AASA: The Superintendents Association conducted a survey last month that illustrates the impacts. Of the 188 school districts responding, 22 percent said their diesel fuel costs increased by 11- to 20 percent over their current school year budget. Another 20 percent said they
are 6- to 10 percent over budget.

Scott Lee, the director of transportation for Washoe County School District in Nevada, said diesel costs increased a whopping 89 percent from January of this year to May, rising from $3.01 per gallon to $5.69 per gallon. The Reno-area school district, however, seemingly has it better than a lot of states in terms of actual prices being paid. Outside of Portland, Oregon, the Beaverton School District was paying $6.57 per gallon through April, a 38-percent increase from $4.77 paid last July.

The saving grace for school districts like Beaverton and Washoe is a reliance on electric and propane school buses. Craig Beaver, who retires as director of transportation this summer, said the fleet of electric school buses is closing in on the sweet spot of achieving 1.5 kWh per mile efficiency. In April, the school district’s Type C and Type D electric school buses averaged 1.6 kW per mile, the best mark since last October, when the average was 1.59.

Meanwhile, both he and Washoe County’s Lee are also increasingly relying on propane. Lee shared that propane fueling cost remains relatively flat with an increase of 4 percent for fiscal year 2027, at which point the district also is purchasing another six propane school buses for the 2026-2027 school year.

Beaver said he kept the budget the same for the coming school year, as more electric and propane school buses will be on the road at a cheaper cost. This, he added, will hopefully offset the increase in diesel cost per gallon over the course of the year.

“It’s a good plan, as long as the Strait of Hormuz opens up in the next month or two. We will have minimal diesel usage this summer as well,” he shared. “Only use those buses for long trips. Everything else will be EV supplemented by propane.”

Beaverton’s long-term plan includes transitioning all 140 Type D school buses in the fleet to propane over the next five to eight years, once Blue Bird comes to market with an option.

The writing on the wall, no matter the politics at play, is the TCO of both electric and propane pencil out. Despite higher upfront costs, both options are often surpassing diesel in terms of lifetime fuel and maintenance csts. That story was also told at ACT Expo last month, in the 2026 State of Sustainable Fuels report.

With the Clean School Bus Program relaunching and no matter the assumed new funding mechanism for biodiesel and renewal diesel, millions if not billions of dollars will be spent in the coming years to add more electric and propane school buses to the national fleet.

And that is welcome news in a world where fuel volatility and higher new vehicle purchase prices will continue.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the June 2026 issue of School Transportation News.

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Related: (STN Podcast E308) Past & Future: Fuel Volatility, 10 Years of School Transportation Trends
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Two of the most recognized and respected names in student transportation safety will be at STN EXPO West to share their expertise with conference attendees.

Industry veterans Richard “Dick” Fischer and Pete Baxter will present a half-day seminar “The Best of the Dick and Pete Show” on Wednesday, July 15. This in-depth session will give attendees invaluable education from two National Association of Pupil Transportation Hall of Fame inductees on safety leadership, organizational learning and risk governance in student transportation.

In this seminar, STN EXPO West attendees will receive a comprehensive student transportation safety training that will dive into real-life school bus safety cases, including Danger Zone safety incidents and the “Titanic tragedy,” a 2016 incident in England, where a school bus carrying 26 children got stuck in deep floodwaters, and reveal the lessons learned. Fischer and Baxter will highlight the dangerous pitfalls of overconfidence, ignoring warning signs or a lack of preparedness or emergency training.

The message of the training will contain an overall theme of continuous improvement through the fostering of a strong safety culture. Attendees will be given safety training modules designed to give student transportation leaders what they need to know to implement safe practices, communication, accountability all to protect every child and school bus driver on every bus ride.

Fischer has spent over six decades championing school bus safety as a school district transportation director, school-bus safety trainer and consultant. He successfully petitioned President Richard Nixon in 1969 to proclaim the first School Bus Safety Week. Even following his official retirement announcement in 2013, he has continued to present training, advocate for the industry, and become involved in national safety discussions.

STN presented Fischer with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.

Baxter is a former state director of student transportation at the Indiana Department of Education and past-president of both the National Association for Pupil Transportation and the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, one of only two industry professionals to hold both offices.

Both Fischer and Baxter have served as expert witnesses in court for legal cases involving school bus collisions and have extensive experience and knowledge to equip student transporters to further safety at their operations.

STN EXPO West will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The conference will feature hands-on training classes, educational sessions, a dynamic keynote presentation, and networking opportunities. Register now at stnexpo.com/west.

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REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has partnered with Zūm, a leader in modern student mobility, to be an official transportation provider during the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament in Los Angeles.

From June 12 – July 10, Zum will deliver shuttle service at L.A.’s SoFi Stadium for Zones 1, 2 and 3 for athletes, teams and ticket holders during eight World Cup matches, including the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) opening match. This decision reinforces Zum’s reputation as a trusted mobility provider and its growing momentum across the country.

“At Zum, we take great pride in providing safe, reliable and equitable mobility for thousands of schools nationwide,” said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum. “FIFA World Cup 2026 will give millions of fans all over the world a chance to connect and celebrate, and, through this partnership with LA Metro, we are honored to be part of it. We look forward to serving athletes and fans at this historic event in Los Angeles.”

Zum is a national leader in modern student mobility. Adopted in 17 states, serving over 4,500 schools in some of the largest districts in the country, including Los Angeles Unified, Boston Public Schools, San Francisco Unified, Omaha Public Schools, and Kansas City Public Schools. It is revolutionizing mass mobility with Zum CMX, a fully integrated system that coordinates people, vehicles and operations in real time.

In addition to student mobility, Zum’s charter services provide bus and van rentals for school trips, sports travel, vacations and other events. Zum’s state-of-the-art vehicles are fully updated with the latest technology and are priced fairly.

Benefits of Zum include highly trained drivers that meet all state and federal requirements along with the Zum CMX system that optimizes routes, reduces ride times and increases transparency and communication between families, drivers and schools.

To learn more about how Zum is leading the nation in safe and reliable student mobility, visit www.ridezum.com.

About Metro

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries nearly 1 million boardings daily on a fleet of 2,200 low-emission buses and six rail lines. The latest October 2025 customer experience survey showed that customer satisfaction has risen to 87%. Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, x.com/metrolosangeles, x.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.

About Zum

Zum is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zum CMX) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zum CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 4,500 schools rely on Zum CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, 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 lists. Zum is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, SoftBank, and TPG. Zum, Zum CMX, and associated logos are trademarks of Zum Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Learn more at www.ridezum.com.

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Student transportation professionals looking to advance to the next leadership level are encouraged to sign up for the “So You Want to Be a Transportation Supervisor” professional development special training at STN EXPO West.

This annual conference seminar allows student transporters to prepare for a transition to a supervisor role or re-evaluate their leadership skill sets. Led by a panel of seasoned instructors and industry experts, this seminar is ideal for those looking to improve their operations, department culture and staff interactions. It will be held on Saturday, July 11 as an all-day training from 11:30-5 p.m.

The instructor team is led by Alexandra Robinson, a former executive director of transportation and current industry consultant and expert witness as well as TSD Conference tenured faculty member. She is joined by Tim Purvis of consultant group Pupil Transportation Information; and Rosalyn Vann-Jackson, chief support services officer for Broken Arrow Public Schools in Oklahoma and Pam McDonald, a retired director of transportation and current consultant.

What the Professional Development Consists Of

For those who are newer to the industry, the instructors will discuss making data driven leadership decisions, understanding return on investment, and collaborating with the right people at the district to move transportation operations forward. They will also speak on team building, customer service, communication strategies, workplace culture and productivity as well as operational considerations such as employee retention, principles of proper routing and managing data.

Attendees will be exposed to interactive leadership and team-building scenarios. The instructors through how to approach them with a correct human resources perspective. Attendees will also have a chance to ask questions of the instructors and gain invaluable supervisor and leadership lessons from real-life experiences.

At the end of the professional development class, attendees will have received strategic and practical advice that will better equip them to lead in hard times and build strong relationships with their team.

Electric school bus manufacturer RIDE will sponsor refreshments during the session. There is a maximum of 100 participants. Separate registration is required at no additional charge.

STN EXPO West will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. Attendees will have access to a week of educational sessions based on the challenges facing the industry, training classes to improve operations, networking events to bring peers together for problem-solving and innovative experiences such as the Ride and Drive/Live Product Demo, the STN EXPO Trade Show and the Transportation Director Summit. Register at stnexpo.com/west.

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Related: Reasonable Suspicion Training on Driver Alcohol, Drug Use Comes to Reno

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A 16-year-old Harrisburg teen has been charged with criminal homicide after the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old student moments after stepping off a school bus.

Jeremiah Moran, 16, is charged with first-degree murder, firearms not to be carried without a license, and possession of a firearm by a minor in connection with the death of a 17-year-old.

Police said the fatal shooting occurred May 29 near an intersection shortly after students were dismissed from school and days before the end of the school year. The 17-year-old had just exited a school bus when investigators say Moran approached and opened fire. The victim was transported to a local hospital for emergency care but died due to his injuries.

Video Shows Fatal Shooting

Investigators reportedly obtained video evidence allegedly showing Moran firing the weapon to shoot the victim, identified as Camar Cordero by local reports. Police said via local news that Moran later admitted to officers that he shot Cordero.

“There still is some of the puzzle that needs to be put together. But at this point in time, I think we have a pretty good understanding of what transpired and as to why it transpired as well,” Harrisburg Police Capt. Kyle Gautsch told local news reporters.

Investigators have not publicly released a motive for the fatal shooting.

However, the shooting prompted a large police response as officers secured the scene and collected evidence. Authorities noted that a school bus visible at the scene was not the bus Cordero had been riding but another bus traveling behind it.

Sixth Street remained closed for several hours while detectives processed evidence. Crime scene tape surrounded a large section of the roadway, where investigators marked multiple pieces of evidence. Witnesses reported seeing clothing and numerous evidence markers within the secured area. The road reopened around 6:15 p.m.

Neighbors who rushed to assist the victim described a chaotic scene in the moments after gunfire erupted. Judith Weaver, who helped organize emergency aid before first responders arrived, said residents immediately worked to help the wounded teen.

“I knew the bus had just let out. So, I went running down there,” Weaver told local news reporters. “Everyone was just so worked up. It was all chaos.”

Weaver said bystanders used available fabric to apply pressure to Cordero’s wounds while waiting for emergency personnel. She credited several community members, including a young girl who assisted efforts to keep the victim conscious.

Lt. Brandon Braughler of the Harrisburg Police Bureau praised residents who responded and cooperated with investigators. “The community came out,” Braughler said. “They’ve been very cooperative helping establish a very large crime scene.”

The fatal shooting has renewed concerns about youth violence in the city. Gautsch urged parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives and be aware of potential warning signs.

“Make sure you know what’s going on with your children, what’s going on in their heads, and what’s in your lives and their lives,” Gautsch said.

The Harrisburg School District also responded to the tragedy. Superintendent Benjamin Henry said he hopes to hold a memorial in the coming days for Cordero and another student who died last week after being struck by a vehicle.

“As a father and an educator, I refuse to normalize this tragic shooting,” Henry said in a statement, calling on residents, community leaders and elected officials to work together to address violence affecting young people.

Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.

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Related: Teen Girl Shot Near Oregon Bus Stop, Suspect Arrested
Related: Texas Student Arrested Following Alleged Sexual Assault on School Bus
Related: Teen Arrested After Allegedly Hitting Student Waiting for School Bus in New York
Related: Teen Charged in Pennsylvania School Bus Shooting, 3 Others Wanted

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A former Utah school bus driver who admitted to setting fire to his school bus, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, bringing an end to a decade-long case that raised concerns about student safety.

Michael Austin Ford, 60, of West Valley City, pleaded guilty in March to arson of a vehicle belonging to an organization receiving federal funds after investigators determined he intentionally ignited a Granite School District bus with a cigarette lighter while driving it in April 2023. Federal prosecutors said surveillance video captured Ford setting the fire beneath the dashboard and continuing to drive as smoke billowed past his face.

In addition to the prison term, Ford was sentenced Monday to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $21,000 in restitution.

The case drew heightened attention because prosecutors also accused Ford of setting another school bus fire in February 2022 while 42 children were aboard. According to court records, students reported smelling smoke and were seen on video covering their faces with their shirts and coughing as smoke filled the bus. Ford eventually stopped the vehicle, evacuated the students, and used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. No serious injuries were reported. The charge related to that incident was dismissed as part of his plea agreement.

Federal authorities said Ford also attempted to tamper with the bus video surveillance system in the days leading up to the April 2023 fire, but investigators were still able to obtain video evidence showing him igniting the blaze.

Fires Go Back at Least 10 Years

Ford had worked for the Granite School District since 1998 and drove school buses for approximately 25 years before he was terminated following the investigation.

Investigators also linked Ford to several other suspicious fires. According to court documents, authorities determined he was involved in eight fires, including four involving Granite School District buses, two at his West Valley City residence and two involving personal vehicles. Police noted that the four bus fires all originated in the dashboard area and occurred while Ford was driving. One of those incidents occurred in 2017 when a bus was partially engulfed in flames, damaging part of the vehicle. No children were on board, and no injuries were reported. Authorities initially believed the fire was caused by mechanical problems before later identifying Ford as the driver.

“Protecting our most vulnerable population is a top priority,” U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak said in a statement following the sentencing. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners and my office who worked tirelessly on this case to bring it to a close and hold Mr. Ford accountable for his intentional disregard for safety and the law.”

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Related: Former Utah School Bus Driver Heads to Federal Court for Alleged Arson
Related: New Hampshire School Bus Transporting Athletes Catches Fire
Related: South Carolina Man Charged in Connection to School Bus Arson, Vandalism
Related: Two Juveniles Charged with Destroying Buses in Arson Fire

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Summer break is upon us but student transporters are already ramping up for the new school year amid financial challenges. Plus, the June issue of School Transportation News magazine is out, and a camera caught a scary illegal passing incident that injured a student in Florida.

Ryan Hahn, owner of Strategic School Consultants and a former transportation director, sheds light on current school district financial hardships, creative and collaborative operational strategies, and his upcoming sessions on the topic at STN EXPO West this July.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

 

Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Spotify and YouTube.

The post (STN Podcast E309) Summer’s Here & So Is a Budget Cliff: Advocating for Transportation Solutions appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus driver contracted to transport students for the Rantoul City School District in Illinois has been arrested on allegations of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, reported WCIA News.

According to the news report, 35-year-old Illinois school bus driver Johnnie C. McClendon Jr. was taken into custody May 28 following an investigation conducted by the Rantoul Police Department. Police said McClendon was arrested without incident.

McClendon is employed by First Student Inc., the transportation company contracted to provide bus services for the district, said police via the article.

“At this time, investigators have received no allegations of misconduct related to his employment, and the investigation appears to involve matters unrelated to his position with the company,” the police department said in a statement to local news reporters.

Police reportedly declined to release additional details, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of those involved. Court records had not been updated as of Friday to reflect formal charges filed by the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office. McClendon remained in custody following his initial court appearance.

Rantoul City Schools Superintendent Scott Woods said district officials were notified by police of the arrest and immediately contacted First Student regarding the driver’s status.

“We have confirmed with First Student that the individual will not be driving for our school district in future,” Woods said in a letter sent to families.

Woods said district officials have been informed that the allegations are not related to McClendon’s conduct while driving a school bus. However, he noted the district has not received information indicating whether the alleged conduct involved a student enrolled in the district.

“We take all matters involving the safety and well-being of children extremely seriously and are monitoring the situation closely,” Woods wrote. “Student safety remains our highest priority.”

The district said it will continue cooperating with law enforcement and communicating with First Student as appropriate.

Police encouraged anyone who may have experienced inappropriate conduct, whether related to the case or otherwise, to contact the Rantoul Police Department. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Related: Former School Bus Driver Sentenced to 16 Years for Sexual Assault
Related: Child Sexual Assault Charge for Colorado School Bus Driver
Related: Connecticut School Bus Driver Charged After Alleged Failure to Stop Assaults
Related: Sexual Assault on School Transportation Vehicles: A Call for Action

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An Anacortes, Washington, school bus driver and middle school science teacher were named recipients of the school district’s 2026 Champions in Education Award, earning $5,000 grants in recognition of their contributions to students and school communities.

Anacortes School District north of Seattle announced that school bus driver Gail LeBoutillier and middle school science teacher Theresa McCartney were selected as this year’s award recipients through a partnership between the district and Barrett Financial.

Now in its second year, the Champions in Education Award recognizes employees who demonstrate excellence in serving students and supporting schools. The program provides two annual grants of $5,000, one to a certificated staff member and one to a classified or non-represented employee.

LeBoutillier, who has worked as a school bus driver in the district since 2018, was named the Classified/Non-Represented Staff Employee of the Year.

School Bus Driver & Teacher Are Champions in Education

According to Anacortes School District, LeBoutillier was recognized for her commitment to student well-being, communication with families and efforts to create a safe and welcoming environment for students during their daily transportation to and from school.

District officials said her individualized support for students and proactive communication help ensure a positive transportation experience.

“Gail LeBoutillier is recognized for her exceptional care, communication, and commitment to student well-being,” the district said in a news release announcing the award.

McCartney, who was named the Certificated Staff Employee of the Year, was recognized for her work in science education and student engagement.

The district said McCartney creates inclusive, student-centered learning experiences that emphasize accessibility, hands-on instruction, and high expectations for students. Officials also cited her leadership beyond the classroom, including mentoring staff, supporting curriculum development and participating in district initiatives.

Recipients of the Champions in Education Award are selected based on several criteria, including impact on students, commitment to equity and inclusion, innovation, collaboration and professional growth.

District officials said the award is intended to recognize employees who go above and beyond their regular responsibilities to strengthen school communities and support student success.

The 2026 award cycle drew significant participation from district employees. According to the district, 90 staff members were nominated for the honor, and 34 submitted proposals outlining how they would use the grant funding to benefit students.

LeBoutillier plans to use her grant to purchase sensory items, art materials and positive behavior support for students who ride district buses. McCartney plans to invest in hands-on science materials, classroom engagement tools and student enrichment opportunities, including supplies for Anacortes Middle School’s Fun Interest Groups program.

The district said the annual award reflects its ongoing commitment to recognizing employees whose work has a meaningful impact on students, families and schools throughout the community.

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Many school transportation departments throughout the U.S. are currently engaged in software and hardware upgrades—from exploration to implementation—with goals to make the process as smooth as possible while reaping top-level returns on that investment.

Habersham County Schools in Clarkesville, Georgia transports some 4,000 of its approximately 7,000 students throughout the district’s 350 square miles. Stephanie Walker, director of transportation for the district, noted Habersham is in the final stage of a complete bus radio replacement, which entails all new equipment and installation.

“This upgrade was a result of our 911 emergency services upgrading their radio system, and we wanted to remain on the same system as we have always been,” she said. “This project has been a long process, and we are excited to see our radio coverage increase significantly throughout our school district.

“This has always been a safety concern because our existing coverage included portions of our district that had little or no coverage due to terrain and older equipment,” she continued. “We are thankful to be on the same radio network as our emergency services as it relates to safety and monitoring by our emergency management services.”

Walker noted the district is currently considering new software for routing to replace its existing program. “With this replacement, we are considering the addition of student tracking, parent app and live GPS,” she said. “We have evaluated several options and are moving forward with recommendations soon. I believe the additions of student tracking and live GPS will bolster our continuing efforts to maintain high levels of safety for our students.”

Meanwhile, Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Rosenberg, Texas, which serves approximately 48,000 students, with an average of a little more than 22,000 students transported daily by school bus. Lamar CISD is also the home of the 2026 AASA Superintendent of the Year Roosevelt Nivens.

“Providing safe, reliable transportation at this scale requires a strong operational foundation supported by technology, communication and collaboration,” said Michelle Summers, the assistant director of transportation at the district’s Rosenberg location.

Regarding software and hardware updates, Summers noted the district currently utilizes student monitoring technology that allows students to scan on and off the bus. “This provides parents with visibility into where their student is and adds an additional layer of safety and accountability,” she added.

The district’s school buses also are equipped with tablets, enabling drivers to operate their routes in a hands-free environment, eliminating the need to handle paper route sheets while driving. “Additionally, we have a parent app that allows families to track their child’s bus in real time and view student scan activity,” said Summers. “Together, these tools enhance communication, situational awareness and overall safety for students, drivers and families.” Newport News Public Schools in Virginia recently completed the RFP process to purchase updated routing software.

“We are migrating to a new field trip software as our current software by App Garden is being absorbed by Pathwise,” said Sharon L. Moore, transportation operations manager for the district that transports 19,000 of its district’s 25,500 students via school bus. “There are plans to have our student referral process become digital. We are currently exploring different software to assist us in this goal.”

Addressing challenges and lessons learned, Moore noted it can be challenging during the RFP process to identify software that encompasses all district wish-list items.

“There must be concessions made by both sides to come to the point of making a purchasing decision,” she added. “In the past, we have had to understand that proposals put forth by vendors need to be looked at as a used car sales approach, where everything looks shiny and new. But when we get to implementation, that is where the dings and dents come to light and there is more work than anticipated to get the program up and running for the district.”

That has made district staff aware that they need to ask more in-depth questions during the proposal phase to ensure the product being presented will be adequate to meet its needs, she added.

“If we can weed out the programs that would not be able to do what we need them to do during the RFP process, it saves so much more time and energy during the implementation phase,” said Moore. “We had a situation where we had gotten to the implementation training for a major product and had to back out because it simply would not have worked for our district,” she added. “We found that had we asked more in-depth questions during the process, we could have saved both us and the vendor months of work.”

Walker said one of her biggest challenges is finding the best time to perform equipment replacement and/or installation of new software, including training of all staff and
verification of data transfer.

“We are just now reaching the equipment replacement portion of the new bus radio system and are scheduled as soon as we end our normal school year, for which I am thankful,” she continued. “The timing of the radio equipment will allow for a quicker, seamless installation. However, we were prepared to coordinate the best rotation possible if it were to occur during school days.”

Walker added that any upgrades to the routing software and the new addition of the student verification and parent app will likely occur during the next school year. “Part of our current discussions are planning for this to happen and how we feel is the best approach for the transition if we are able to move forward as we hope,” she noted.

Summers noted the challenges associated with implementation occurred prior to her start with the district. She was informed the process was “very rocky during the first few years.”

“As a district, we worked closely with Tyler Technologies to identify errors within the system and received much needed training. As a result of those efforts, the opening of the 2025–2026 school year was very smooth, showing significant improvement,” she continued,
adding some technology challenges remain, especially related to connectivity and RFID issues. “However, we have strong working relationships with Tyler Technologies and CI Solutions, our student badge provider.

Because of these partnerships, we are typically able to address issues before they become larger problems.” Addressing what a successful implementation looks like, Summers said that it can be challenging, as transportation has many moving parts. “Nothing will ever work perfectly 100 percent of the time,” she pointed out. “However, transportation must operate as close to 100 percent as possible because we have zero room for error when it comes to student safety.”

Summers noted a successful implementation includes strong support from district leadership, clear and consistent communication, healthy and responsive relationships with vendors, and systems that reduce stress rather than add to it.

“When these elements are in place, it creates a smoother, less stressful school year for everyone involved,” she said. Moore agreed a successful implementation should encompass a smooth transition from selection to implementation.

“There needs to be a strong implementation plan with a clear training schedule for all users,” she said. “Each user role and responsibility needs to be clearly defined and the training tailored for each user group needs.” There needs to be a realistic timeline between purchase, training and implementation when it goes live, Moore said.

“There may be a need to run dual programs for a period to ensure that as many bumps in the road with the new software can be handled without operational disruption because we still have the support of the old software,” she added.

Moore advised other districts to involve end-users in as much of the implementation process as possible to help with buy-in and comfort level with the new technology, so that when the software does go live, all users feel comfortable using the program.

To ensure a successful implementation, Moore said she makes all attempts to prepare for any scenario during an upgrade or installation of equipment and software. “I want to see the process as seamless as possible,” she shared. “However, I try to have plans B, C and D already laid out just in case. A successful implementation will come from preparing and planning not only at the school district level but with the vendor you are working with.”

Moore suggested that school districts looking to do upgrades should spend time researching and developing the right questions to ask. “Know what features you are looking for, even if some of them seem too outrageous,” she said. “Not all of the pie-in-the-sky features will be available or possible, but you may be surprised that some will be.

“These features will probably not be the shiny new car look that you see in the showroom but could be the hidden under the hood features that makes the software the right fit for your division,” she continued. Summers concurred that the best possible outcome is derived through research.

“Compare and contrast solutions, and seek direct feedback from your transportation team,” she said. “Ask what is working, what is not and what the software or program needs to accomplish. Every district has unique needs, and it is important to address those needs intentionally.

“It is also critical to take your time and avoid rushing implementation simply because of cost. Rushed implementations often result in greater costs later. Phasing in upgrades allows staff time to adapt and increase longterm success.”

Ensure the transportation team understands the why behind the upgrade and is willing to work with the new system, Summers said, adding buy-in from the people using the technology every day is essential.

“Prepare, prepare, prepare,” Walker noted. “Prepare for every possible situation and timing of installation or upgrades. Think about how that will affect the school day, or if it is during the summer, how will you prepare your staff when they return to new equipment or software?”

Prepare for ample training with staff, including the possibility of needing to do additional training based on the outcome of the initial training period, she added.

Logistics play a big part of planning for implementation, Walker pointed out. “Adding implementation and installation during a school day will take much longer and require some distinct phasing in, whether it be by school location, a specific department such as general education or special needs, and a truly thoughtful plan that walks through the school day [that] will serve you best,” she said. “It is very important to make sure your staff is aware of the changes and understand the plan and their role in such plans.”

Summer concluded that technology should support operations, not complicate.“With thoughtful planning, strong communication and realistic expectations, districts can implement solutions that truly improve safety and efficiency,” she said.

The post Planning the Perfect Rollout: Secrets for Successful Software, Hardware Upgrades appeared first on School Transportation News.

News headlines feature incidents of school bus drivers getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which often leads to disastrous consequences.

Even if there are no student injuries, trust can be lost between the district and community when cases like this occur. A new training opportunity at the STN EXPO West conference will give student transportation leaders a thorough course in reasonable suspicion training of CDL employees.

Tonica Lathrop will be leading the “Supervisory Reasonable Suspicion Training” on Friday, July 10. Lathrop is the president of Reno, Nevada-based Sinnett Consulting Services. The company has over 25 years of experience in drug and alcohol policies, regulations, procedures and testing requirements. She has extensive experience in managing alcohol and drug compliance programs and developing drug-free workplace policies.

During the two-hour class, Lathrop will cover how supervisors can recognize the physical, behavioral, speech and performance indicators of probable employee alcohol or other controlled substances abuse. This portion of the training will also cover the misuse/abuse of over-the-counter medications, power drinks and energy formulas.

She will also discuss the legal aspects/concerns of reasonable cause and suspicion when conducting CDL drug and alcohol testing and corrective interviews. Attendees will also learn how to document performance problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse and how to discuss corrections with employees.

The class meets U.S. Department of Transportation training requirements and participants receive a certificate upon completion.

The Early Bird Deadline ends on June 5, register now to save $100 on main conference registration. STN EXPO West will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The conference will feature hands-on training classes, educational sessions, a dynamic keynote presentation, and networking opportunities. Register now at stnexpo.com/west.

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Related: Safety Impact of School Bus Seatbelts Topic at STN EXPO West
Related: STN EXPO West Features Dynamic Networking Events for Student Transportation Industry
Related: WATCH: Active-threat Response Training Subject of Opening STN EXPO West Session

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MARLBORO, N.Y. – Durham School Services is proud to share that it will continue in the footsteps of its sister brand, Quality Bus, to serve the students at the Marlboro Central School District for the next five years through June of 2031. This partnership builds on Quality Bus’ 11-year, deep-rooted history in the Marlboro community. The transition to Durham School Services from Quality Bus will not result in any local management or employee changes. Durham School Services and its sister brands currently serve over 613 schools in New York.

Together with the current Marlboro team, Durham School Services will run 48 routes for the school district with its fleet of 53 buses, which come equipped with Zonar’s fleet management platform for real-time GPS tracking and pre and post trip safety inspections and Samsara’s AI enabled dash cameras to improve driver responsiveness and safety along each route, as well as to safeguard students and the community.

In addition to its role as a trusted student transportation provider, the Marlboro team is also a proud community partner that has given back on various occasions through the Company’s Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program. Over the years, the team has hosted a coat drive for local charity Worthy Virtue and also partnered with the school district to host food and toy drives for local students and the community.

“My team couldn’t be more thrilled and honored that the Marlboro Central School District has awarded us with this opportunity to serve their students and community for another five years,” said Region Manager Britt Liotta, Durham School Services/Quality Bus. “Partnerships of this length are rare, which makes this even more meaningful and significant to my team. It speaks volumes about my team’s expertise, success, and excellence-driven efforts over the years and is a significant acknowledgement of a job well done. I want to thank the district for once again entrusting their students to us and also recognizing my team for their dependability and commitment to safety and service.”

About Durham School Services
As a premier transportation provider, Durham School Services provides safe, reliable student transportation that communities trust and families depend on. With operational discipline, local commitment, proven safety standards, and clear accountability, we bring deep expertise to every route we operate. Driven by our five values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Communities, and Culture, we deliver transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

The post Durham School Services to Serve Marlboro Central School District for Next Five Years as New Transportation Partner appeared first on School Transportation News.

CALIFORNIA, Mo. – Durham School Services, a premier transportation provider and leader, is proud to share that its maintenance teams at their Central, Kearney, and Lawson locations have received a total of eight Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Total Fleet Excellence Awards. The award is given as part of the MSHP’s annual school bus inspection program to recognize maintenance teams for their exceptional dedication to safety excellence and standards. The eight awards were earned from inspections at the following school districts served by Durham: Clarksburg, High Point, Kearney, Latham, Lawson, Russellville, Smithton, and Tipton.

The MSHP conducts school bus inspections on an annual basis for every school bus fleet across the state of Missouri. These inspections include a comprehensive list of crucial assessment areas such as steering and suspension, tires, brakes, seats, lighting and signaling, crossing control arm, and many more, that are thoroughly examined against rigorous criteria to ensure proper safety compliance and utmost functionality. After the inspection is complete, if 90% or more of the fleet passes the inspection with zero out-of-service defects, the team is presented with the Fleet Excellence Award, which includes a certificate and the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence sticker, which can be displayed on the window of the bus.

“The Fleet Excellence Award holds great significance to our teams as it is a symbol of their unwavering commitment to ensure our fleets are continuously well maintained and always in top shape,” said Justin Gieck, Central Region Maintenance Manager, Durham School Services. “It is their chance to really shine and is a testament to their great teamwork, determined efforts, and high regard for safety. Earning this prestigious award is not an easy feat, and I am extremely proud of all our teams for this achievement. Congratulations – it is well-deserved and thank you again for the hard work you put in around the clock so that students are riding safe and dependable buses to and from school each and every day.”

If you’re looking for a fulfilling career that plays an important role in supporting the safety of students and your community, we encourage you to join our maintenance team. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, ASE certification support and bonuses, and more. Text TECH to 63552 or visit our careers page to learn more.

About Durham School Services:
As a premier transportation provider, Durham School Services provides safe, reliable student transportation that communities trust and families depend on. With operational discipline, local commitment, proven safety standards, and clear accountability, we bring deep expertise to every route we operate. Driven by our five values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Communities, and Culture, we deliver transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

The post Durham School Services Missouri Maintenance Teams Bestowed Fleet Excellence Award for Exceptional Commitment to Safety appeared first on School Transportation News.

SCHENACTADY, N.Y. — A new nationwide survey of school transportation professionals revealed that while most districts consider their bus routes moderately efficient, major operational challenges continue to limit optimization.

Key findings show that:

· Most districts rate their routing as only “somewhat efficient,” with clear room for improvement

· Driver shortages are the leading barrier to efficiency, cited across nearly every respondent group

· Between 25 percent and 50 percent of school buses on the road run below capacity in many

· On-time performance and bus utilization are the top metrics used to measure success

The School Bus Routing Efficiency Poll, conducted by Transfinder in April–May 2026, gathered feedback from transportation leaders in more than 30 states, highlighting both persistent pain points and emerging strategies for improvement. The survey was sent to Transfinder clients as well as users of other transportation products or those who manually create routes.

“The challenges transportation leaders are facing are real and in many cases have been longstanding, such as the driver shortage,” said Transfinder President & CEO Antonio Civitella. “But the survey also reveals that transportation leaders have some actions they can take to regain some control and mitigate some of the external forces.”

Districts Balancing Efficiency with Real-World Constraints

While some districts report highly optimized operations, the majority say practical limitations prevent full efficiency.

“Efficiency for us is balancing trip duration, student safety, bus capacity, and trip distance so that neither of the components becomes a parental or school issue,” said Michael Bebko, Transportation & Financial Assistance Coordinator of Hopkinton Public Schools in Massachusetts.

Patricia McGrane, a transportation supervisor at Northport-East Northport Union Free School District in New York, added: “Efficiency is the ability to streamline processes so that work is completed smoothly, on time, and with the best use of available resources, while minimizing unnecessary stress.”

Driver Shortages Continue to Reshape Routing Decisions

The survey underscored that driver shortages are not just a staffing issue but are directly shaping routing outcomes.

Districts report running less-than-full buses, combining routes, or adding complexity to meet service expectations.

“We are meeting our bell times better but we still encounter a driver shortage and we are running half empty buses or more regularly to meet the bell times,” said Lori Smith, transportation coordinator at Bellbrook Sugarcreek Schools in Ohio.

Others noted that consolidating routes, while necessary, can have trade-offs.

“We have combined and eliminated buses. This hurt my company financially but it had to be done due to driver shortage,” said Shae Harkleroad, president of Raystown Transit Service, a transportation contractor in Pennsylvania.

Community Expectations and Bell Schedules Limit Optimization

Beyond staffing, respondents repeatedly pointed to community expectations and school schedules as major constraints.

Requests for shorter ride times, neighborhood stop preferences and strict bell schedules often conflict with efficiency goals.

“Political/community expectations, such as stop locations and ride times, ranked among the most frequently cited barriers to efficiency.

In many cases, districts must prioritize service levels over cost savings or capacity optimization, respondents said.

Technology Widely Used—but Confidence Varies

The vast majority of districts rely on routing software, yet confidence in these systems is mixed. Some respondents expressed strong confidence in their tools, while others said software alone cannot replicate real-world nuances.

“We relied heavily on the Optimize feature to build trips after we set up our general education stops,” said Jack Gershon, a dispatcher at Livonia Public Schools in Michigan. “We then revise those trips based on institutional knowledge and mirror trips.”

Despite Challenges, Districts Are Finding Gains

Even with constraints, many districts are making measurable progress through creative strategies:

· Tiered bell schedules to reduce fleet size

· Double runs and wave scheduling to offset driver shortages

· Route consolidation and redesign to eliminate overlap

“Our routes looked like someone threw a bowl of spaghetti on a map,” said James Graham, financial secretary at Norman Public Schools in Oklahoma. “We had routes crisscrossing, two or three buses in the same neighborhood. With Transfinder tools we solved this.”

Efficiency Gains Could Deliver Immediate Impact

Respondents said a modest 10 percent improvement in routing efficiency would yield significant benefits, including:

· Fewer buses required

· Lower fuel costs

· Easier daily operations

· Shorter student ride times

Summarizing the stakes for school systems, Chris Corder, transportation director at Hardin County Schools in Kentucky, said: “Maximizing taxpayer monies that we are entrusted with to run our department.”

Debbie Schomisch, transportation director at Farwell Area Schools in Michigan, put it this way: “Getting the most bang for the schools money.”

An Ongoing Effort, not a One-Time Fix

The survey makes clear that routing efficiency is a continuous process—not a one-time achievement.

“Efficiency is an evolving target,” one respondent noted, emphasizing the importance of ongoing data analysis, route reviews, and stakeholder collaboration.

For districts nationwide, improving transportation efficiency will require balancing technology, policy, and community needs—while adapting to changing conditions year after year.

About the Survey: The School Bus Routing Efficiency Poll was conducted in April–May 2026 and includes responses from school transportation professionals across the United States and Canada.

Key Results

· Route Efficiency Ratings

o 64 percent — Somewhat efficient (room for improvement)

o 22 percent— Very efficient

o 14 percent — Neutral or inefficient

· Top Barriers to Efficiency (selecting up to two)

o 68 percent — Driver shortages

o 46 percent — Long geographic distances / rural coverage

o 44 percent — Bell time constraints

o 41 percent — Special education routing requirements

o 39 percent — Community/political

· Bus Capacity Utilization

o 49 percent — 25–50 percent of buses run below

o 27 percent — Less than 25 percent under capacity

o 24 percent — More than 50 percent under capacity

· Top Metrics for Measuring Efficiency

o 72 percent — On-time performance

o 69 percent — Bus utilization (capacity usage)

o 51 percent — Student ride time

· Routing Review Frequency

o 58 percent — Multiple times per year

o 28 percent — Once per year

o 14 percent — Only when issues arise or rarely

· Primary Routing Tools

o 72 percent — Routing software

o 18 percent — Institutional knowledge/manual

o 10 percent — Spreadsheets or mapping tools

· Confidence in Routing Technology

o 55 percent — Very confident

o 26 percent — Somewhat confident

o 19 percent — Not confident

· Top Benefits of a 10 Percent Efficiency Gain (Respondents pick top two benefits)

o 63 percent — Fewer buses required

o 52 percent — Easier daily operations

o 49 percent — Reduced fuel costs

o 46 percent — Shorter student ride

About Transfinder: Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to school districts, bus contractors, police departments and adult care facilities. Transfinder, has been on Inc. magazine’s “fastest-growing company” list for 13 years. The software and hardware company has received numerous awards, including Best Software, Best Hardware and Best Safety Technology. In addition, Transfinder has repeatedly won Best Places to Work, Top Workplace and Best Companies to Work for accolades. Transfinder develops and supports routing and scheduling solutions for optimal transportation logistics. Transfinder also created the award-winning Patrolfinder policing technology to enhance law enforcement. For more information, visit www.transfinder.com.

The post Survey: Driver Shortages, Underutilized Buses and Community Pressures Top Challenges to School Transportation Efficiency appeared first on School Transportation News.

For school transportation leaders, the pressure to deliver safe, reliable service—while managing staffing shortages, parent expectations, and operational complexity—has never been greater.

Van Buren Public Schools in Michigan faced all of these challenges across a geographically diverse district spanning rural roads, subdivisions and commercial areas. What followed was a rapid, full-scale transformation powered by Transfinder solutions.

“We have a very diverse type of area in a very diverse district, with a little over 4,500 students in the study body that we transport,” said Elizabeth Banks, Van Buren Public School’s director of transportation.

From Fragmented Systems to a Unified Platform with ‘Over-the-Top Customer Service’

Before Transfinder, the district relied on outdated tools that slowed operations and limited visibility. Routing changes required external support, and inefficiencies compounded during peak planning periods.

“The functionality was horrible,” Banks said. “It took a long time to get anything done.”

After evaluating nine vendors for the better part of a year, the district chose Transfinder for its comprehensive platform—integrating routing, driver navigation, maintenance, and parent communication into one ecosystem.

“It was all together,” she said. “It wasn’t like we would have to go to this company to get this piece and this company to get that piece.”

There was another reason the Van Buren Public School District chose Transfinder technology: “The ease of use,” she said.

Topping it off was the support team behind the solutions, one that returns calls swiftly. “The customer service aspect was a big draw as well.”

The other vendors the district looked at, she said, “weren’t as responsive. We’ve never had that problem with Transfinder. Matter of fact, your (Transfinder’s) customer service has been over-the-top helpful. We have a call back within a couple of hours. It’s not like we’re waiting days.”

In fact, she raved, “I love your staff. I love everybody at Transfinder that we’ve talked to, all of our trainers that we’ve dealt with. They’re just amazing, amazing people.”

Combine it all, the functionality, the all-in-one approach and customer support to back it, and the choice was clear.

“The determination was easy to make once we had our data,” Banks said.

Today, Van Buren has Transfinder’s award-winning suite of solutions, including Routefinder PLUS, parent app Stopfinder, driver app Wayfinder, fleet maintenance tool Servicefinder, and Viewfinder, which provides staff access to monitor the day-to-day operations of the transportation department.

Improving Safety with Wayfinder and Real-Time Visibility

Driver confidence and student safety improved immediately with Wayfinder, Transfinder’s in-vehicle navigation solution.

Instead of relying on paper route sheets, drivers now benefit from turn-by-turn directions and precise stop guidance.

“I’m grateful that we’re able to utilize the tablet and the turn-by-turn direction,” she said. “It makes it safer for the students. It makes it safer for our staff out on the road. It makes them more confident and comfortable doing a route that they may not know because of the turn-by-turn directions.

This is especially critical in a district with varying terrain and unfamiliar routes for substitute drivers. By guiding drivers exactly where they need to go and where to stop, Wayfinder reduces errors that can compromise student safety.

Strengthening Parent Communication with Stopfinder

A major pain point for the district was the volume of parent calls during peak hours—especially around missed buses, delays, and daily uncertainties.

“With the driver shortage, oftentimes our office staff were short as well because we’re covering routes,” Banks said. During the busiest times the office was fielding calls from parents with a reduced staff while other team members were out on the road.

Stopfinder changed that by opening up two-way messaging.

The rollout of Stopfinder transformed that dynamic. Initially piloted with special needs routes, the app quickly expanded district-wide, reaching approximately 75 percent parent adoption.

“We really pushed it in our messaging and then parents started talking to each other,” Banks explained.

Stopfinder enabled:

• Real-time bus updates and delay notifications
• Two-way communication between parents and transportation staff
• Automated alerts that put information directly in parents’ hands

“It’s saving time because we’re not having to field phone calls,” Banks said.

More importantly, it shifted the relationship with families.

“I think that they feel more in control now because they can set up that alert to tell them if the bus is running earlier, if the bus is running late,” she said. “it’s putting more control in their court.”

Driving Operational Efficiency Across the Department

Everything starts with the Routefinder PLUS platform. The safest and most efficient routes are created in PLUS, which is read by Wayfinder and then communicated out via Stopfinder.

With Routefinder PLUS, staff gained the ability to make real-time map edits and routing adjustments internally—eliminating delays that sometimes took months.

“Being able to do these ourselves, we were never able to do those ourselves in our own system,” Banks said. “We had to reach out to (the vendor) and put in a ticket for them to make an adjustment on the map and a lot of times those addresses were not put in the correct place.”

That’s all changed with PLUS.

“The biggest thing I’ve noticed with this program is that we are able to easily get in there, make the map edit because we know what it looks like and it saves time. It definitely saves time,” she said.

It’s a changing landscape, literally, this is critically important.

“Especially with new builds, new construction, it’s just amazing that we can just get in there and do it,” Banks said. “I don’t have to wait.

The impact was immediate, measurable and personal. Banks recalled talking with her router and remembering routinely putting in 12-hour days during the summer in preparation for the fall opening.

“Usually come August we’re here 12 hours a day trying to get all the kids routed,” she said. “This year, we’re done. We actually get to take Friday off before the holiday weekend. Wow, look at us go!”

Data-Driven Maintenance and Better Decision-Making

Because safety starts in the garage, by using Servicefinder, Banks and her team now track maintenance data and identifies patterns across its fleet.

This visibility supports smarter, data-driven decisions—helping prevent breakdowns and ensuring safer, more reliable vehicles for students.

A True Transformation

In just one year, Van Buren Public Schools moved from fragmented systems to a fully integrated transportation operation—improving safety, communication, and efficiency across the board.

When asked if Transfinder transformed the transportation department, Banks didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, 100 percent, unequivocally.”

And she’s not shy about sharing it with other transportation leaders. Banks said supervisors will often ask, “Is there something better? What do you use? And I always tell them Transfinder, that’s what we use. Don’t judge a book by its cover, she warned.

“I looked into several of these other companies and they may have looked good on the surface but there was nothing behind the pages in the book,” she said. “We turned the pages. It was empty.”

Key Takeaways for Transportation Leaders:

• Safety improves when drivers have real-time guidance and accurate routing tools
• Parent communication reduces operational strain and builds trust
• Integrated platforms eliminate inefficiencies and streamline workflows
• Data visibility supports better decisions across routing and maintenance
• Strong vendor support is critical to long-term success

To learn more about Transfinder’s transformational tools and service, visit transfinder.com/solutions, call 800-373-3609 or email solutions@transfinder.com.

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

The post Michigan District Transforms Transportation Safety, Efficiency, and Communication with Transfinder appeared first on School Transportation News.

Buying a new school bus fuel or energy type is no small decision for student transportation operators. Dive into this month’s issue to learn more about what factors are involved in clean fuel purchasing decisions, how to implement the kind of technology that school bus drivers actually want and need, understanding how to convert data into actionable insights and how to plan the perfect technology rollout.

Also find the latest conference news, including a recap of ACT Expo and a preview of the upcoming STN EXPO West conference, this July in Reno, Nevada.

Read the full June 2026 issue.

Cover Story

How Clean is Clean Enough?
Experts say it’s important to all weigh all factors when purchasing a new school bus fuel or energy type.

Features

Full Potential
Implementing technology solutions that drivers want and know how to use could be the secret sauce to keeping them behind the wheel.

Tackling the Data Challenge
The promise of compiled data is most beneficial when transportation leaders understand what the information means to their operations.

Special Reports

Planning the Perfect Rollout: Secrets for Successful Software, Hardware Upgrades
Choosing the timeframe for when to implement a new hardware or software project is just as important as choosing the provider.

Conversations
ACT Expo Recap
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Alternative to Fueling Discomfort

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Bus Tech, Energy Take Center Stage

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Zūm’s AI-Powered System Is Addressing Pain Points and Driving Measurable Results for School Districts Nationwide

According to new research conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, 54% of parents report their child has expressed worry or concern about using school transportation. This anxiety – caused by uncertainty, delays, and disruption in getting to and from school – doesn’t end when students arrive; it shows up in the classroom and makes learning harder. It ripples through families and school communities every single day. Based on missed school days and late bus arrivals alone, legacy systems create approximately 55 billion lost instructional minutes per year, or roughly $15 billion in wasted educational spending.

The research identifies a widespread but under-recognized problem, which Zum calls the “Transportation Anxiety Crisis.” This anxiety can show up in the classroom, making it harder for students to learn in the classroom.

Zum is transforming student mobility nationwide — and easing transportation anxiety — through its fully integrated Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) system that connects people, vehicles, and operations in real time, creating reliable, transparent and efficient transportation for families and schools.

“Before Zum, we had no real-time visibility,” says Kim Raney, Executive Director of Transportation, Procurement, & Warehouse – Business Operations for Oakland Unified School District (CA). “Parents would call asking where the bus was, and by the time we got an answer, the child was already home. Now everyone sees the same information and the anxiety just disappears.”

Addressing Transportation Anxiety

Zum CMX is a first-of-its-kind, AI-powered system that is enabling transportation operations to move from disconnection and anxiety to measurable improvements in reliability, transparency, and efficiency for students and districts nationwide.

Adopted in 17 states, Zūm CMX now provides a unified, connected system across more than 4,500 schools, enhancing the overall student experience for each stakeholder — students, parents, school, districts, drivers and operators.

Making a Difference in School Districts Coast-to-Coast

Zūm CMX is being adopted by major districts from coast-to-coast, including Omaha Public Schools, Boston Public Schools, Kansas City Public Schools, Los Angeles Unified, and San Francisco Unified.

Unlike traditional systems that rely on disconnected vendors and manual processes, Zūm CMX is an AI-driven system that integrates apps and dashboards, platform capabilities, operations, people, and physical infrastructure. Zūm CMX seamlessly orchestrates routing, dispatch, workforce management, safety systems, and stakeholder communications within a single operating model to deliver delightful mobility experiences to all stakeholders.

Improving the Lives of Students and Families – One District at a Time

Zūm CMX is benefitting students, parents, schools, drivers and operators in measurable ways:

The results in Kansas City Public Schools are stunning:

• One year after being implemented, Zūm CMX has driven an 89% increase in ridership
• Transportation-related absences went from 25% to 5.6%
• Student attendance increased by 2.5% and extracurricular competitive access by 150+%
• Graduation rate hit a decades-high of 88.6%

A Proven Approach to Student Mobility

Zūm CMX is improving access to education while helping districts save money. It is ensuring students arrive at school safely and on time so they are ready to learn — while keeping parents and schools connected at every turn.

Learn more about how Zūm CMX is delivering modern transportation solutions to thousands of schools nationwide at www.ridezum.com.

The post Introducing Zum Connected Mobility Experience (CMX™): Revolutionizing Student Mobility appeared first on School Transportation News.

A fight between two students on a Baldwin-Whitehall School District school bus near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania sent a sixth grader to the hospital and led to a simple assault charge against an eighth-grade student, according to police and the victim’s family, reported WPXI News.

The incident reportedly happened when students from Harrison Middle School were riding home from school. Video recorded by other students captured part of the altercation.

Jason Scanlon told local news reporters that his son, Jacen, had been dealing with alleged bullying for months before the fight escalated. “It became a group thing, making my son extremely uncomfortable until it became something physical, which I knew was coming,” Scanlon said. “The school was warned it was coming multiple times.”

Fight on the School Bus

According to the news report, the fight began after his son argued with a younger girl, who is related to the eighth grader accused in the attack, at school. “It was a Tuesday, he went to school, apparently got into a little bit of an argument with this younger girl who ended up being the sister of the child who attacked him,” Scanlon said via the article.

Whitehall police reportedly said the older student, who was wearing a cast, punched Jacen during the fight. “He’s wearing a cast and the first punch he throws is at my son’s nose with a cast,” Scanlon told reporters.

The bus driver stopped the bus and called 911. Police and emergency crews responded, and Jacen was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital. His injuries included a broken nose and a mild concussion, according to his father.

Whitehall police filed a simple assault charge against the eighth-grade student. Scanlon said he repeatedly contacted school administrators before the incident. “Emails, meetings, phone calls, multiple times. I went to [them] for help,” he said of prior attempts to report the alleged bullying.

Baldwin-Whitehall Superintendent Dr. Randal Lutz said via the article that the situation involved “two students who chose to engage in a fight” and noted both students had opportunities to de-escalate. Jacen received a three-day suspension. District officials said the eighth-grade student also faced disciplinary action, though they did not disclose specific consequences. Both students have since returned to class.

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Related: Bus Stop Fight Claims Life of 12-year-old Georgia Girl
Related: Boston School Bus Fight Results in Five People Hospitalized
Related: Indiana 15-year-old Accused of Sexual Assault on Ohio School Bus
Related: Teen Girl Shot Near Oregon Bus Stop, Suspect Arrested

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As school districts enter summer vacation, being cautious around school buses remains a priority. A Florida family joined the local school district and Sheriff in speaking out after a 14-year-old girl was struck by a car while attempting to board a school bus in Lee County.

The sheriff’s office and school district held a bus stop safety news conference May 21 following the incident in Estero, Florida, involving eighth-grader Abigail Westveer and several similar incidents across the county. More than 25,000 drivers were caught illegally passing Lee County school buses over a five-month span, alarming law enforcement officials and school leaders. During the conference, Superintendent Denise Carlin said the district partnered with BusPatrol and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office last year to install stop-arm cameras on school buses.

“We installed cameras on our bus fleet to capture video of drivers who fail to stop when a bus is stopping to pick up or drop off our children,” Carlin said.

Westveer was hit the morning of March 31, when a motorist illegally passed a stopped school bus on the right side where the teenager was walked toward the loading doors, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Video of the incident shows the girl approaching the bus when the sedan comes from behind the bus and passes on the right side at a high rate of speed.

The BusPatrol footage shows the motorist attempting to brake and steering to the right onto a grassy area to try avoid hitting Westveer. Instead, the motorist side-swiped Westveer, striking the girl in the back with the left side of the vehicle. The teen braces herself moments before impact and is thrown to the ground, sliding several feet.

Seconds later, the video shows the driver, whose identity was not immediately released by authorities, exit the vehicle and run toward the teen as another bystander approaches to help.

“That video sickens me,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno said during the press conference. “When those lights are red and that bus stops, stop your vehicle. It’s that simple,” he continued.

Marceno said the enforcement initiative is focused on changing dangerous driving habits around school buses. “There’s one goal here and one mission: Changing driver behavior. It’s about educating the public and saving lives,” he said. Ninety-plus percent of the violators don’t repeat offend. That means the program works.

“Our goal is not to give everybody a ticket. Our goal is to write no tickets because people comply.”

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Westveer “was nearly seriously injured” in the crash, calling the incident “a frightening reminder of how quickly lives can change in just seconds.”

Student Escapes Serious Injury Following Illegal Passing Strike

The incident came only seven weeks after the girl’s father died. The family said they are still mourning his loss while trying to recover from the latest traumatic event.

“I damn near lost my granddaughter because of someone that wasn’t paying attention,” Westveer’s grandfather Brian Masters said during the news conference. “This has got to stop before someone does get killed.”

Lori Masters, the girl’s grandmother, added that despite being hit Westveer was at school the following day. She noted that a responding deputy said the outcome could have been much worse if the girl turned to face the oncoming vehicle instead of bracing for impact.

Authorities confirmed that the motorist received a citation in connection with the incident. Additional details about the citation were not immediately released, but Marceno said their could be further a investigation of the motorist.

In the weeks following the incident, local officials have used Westveer’s story to raise awareness about school bus safety and the dangers of illegally passing stopped buses. “Every violation represents a child who could have been seriously killed or injured,” Marceno said.

BusPatrol President and CIO Justin Myers said the program is designed to reduce dangerous driving behavior around school buses through enforcement and education. “Every single violation that the sheriff’s office issues is an opportunity to permanently change that driver’s behavior,” Myers said.

Under Florida law, motorists traveling in both directions must stop when a school bus displays its stop sign and flashing red lights unless the road is divided by a physical barrier. Drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus can face multiple penalties depending on the severity of the violation and whether children were endangered or injured. Violating the law is considered a moving violation under Florida Statute 316.172.

Myers said the company has seen illegal passing violations decline significantly in communities using stop-arm camera enforcement technology. “We’ve seen degradation of this behavior in communities by as much as 30, 40, or even 50% in the first couple of years,” he said.

Officials said many drivers either ignore the law or fail to pay attention around school zones and bus stops, creating dangerous situations for students entering or exiting buses. “It is entirely unacceptable, entirely preventable,” Myers said.

“Nothing is more important than making sure every child gets home safely,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement released during the news conference. “Together, we are making Lee County safer, one child, one bus stop, and one school zone at a time.”

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