WARRENVILLE, Ill. – Summit School Services has introduced Catalyst, its connected, flexible approach to safe, reliable student transportation that combines proven technology, real-time data, transportation expertise, consistent fleet standards, and accountability into one integrated solution. Through the utilization of Catalyst’s technology stack, district partners and families can expect an elevated level of service and transportation experience that is more visible, informed, and proactive – providing an amplified level of confidence and peace of mind every school day.

Catalyst is Summit’s answer to defining a new, transformative chapter in student transportation, one that reduces unreliability and uncertainty and connects its advanced, smart technology to its teams, districts, and parents/guardians for service they can count on and trust. The creation of Catalyst is also a symbol of Summit’s century-long commitment to safe, dependable student transportation and a strong demonstration of its determination in setting higher standards for safety and service.

“Delivering safe, reliable transportation to the districts and families we serve is, and will always be, our priority,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Summit School Services. “Catalyst opens a world of opportunities that further supports safety and reliability. It changes student transportation by delivering more visibility, elevated safety, and better technology for school districts, families, and the teams serving our students, so that everyone involved can have a shared peace of mind and assurance that students are in the best, capable hands and on safe, dependable buses. Through Catalyst, we are truly setting a new standard in the way districts and families can trust and rely on student transportation and transforming how successfully our teams operate. It’s revolutionary, and it has been really inspiring to see all the hard work my teams have put into bringing Catalyst to life.”

As part of its connected approach, Catalyst powers each technology within its system to share information and communicate seamlessly, in real-time, across its operations and into the hands of not only our team members, but also the districts and families we serve, enabling greater efficiency, effectiveness, and proactivity. Districts can also integrate Catalyst’s technology solutions into their existing platforms, giving them the flexibility to customize technology solutions to their district’s needs.

In depth, for districts, families, and our transportation teams, Catalyst’s technology stack provides:

Advanced, Proactive Safety

• State-of-the-art smart dash cameras to inform drivers in real-time of potential risks, adding an extra layer of protection for not only our students, but also pedestrians and fellow motorists.
• Driving behavior monitoring to allow for greater, proactive coaching opportunities, which means driving patterns and habits can be anticipated and addressed early on – fostering safer driving behaviors.

Elevated, Timely Visibility

• Mobile bus tracking and notifications for timely updates on route changes and near real-time bus locations that are communicated consistently to parents, districts, and transportation teams to provide immediate peace of mind and transparency.
• Real-time visibility into enroute buses and direct access to on-board footage to allow for clearer communication, clarity, and prompt accountability when districts and local teams need it most.

Smarter, Efficient Performance

• Vehicle telematics to identify emerging maintenance care needs in advance – minimizing disruption risks and ensuring efficient vehicle performance.
• Route optimization powered by real-time GPS and geofencing and automated scheduling to maximize route efficiency and performance.

“What Summit has is a collection of best-in-class systems for operations, maintenance, safety, and scheduling,” said Adam Silbernagel, Senior Vice President of Information Technology, Summit School Services. “And what Catalyst does is bring all of those systems together to operate in a way that makes each and every ride more visible so that school districts can focus on safely getting their kids to and from school, and parents can wake up in the morning and not have to wonder if or when their student’s bus will arrive. Student transportation should work consistently, safely, reliably, and without disruptions to those who count on it, and that’s exactly what Catalyst delivers.”

To learn more about Catalyst, follow Summit School Service’s LinkedIn page and also visit Summit School Service’s website, which features a video series about Catalyst, highlighting its benefits, capabilities, and a few customer testimonials.

About Summit School Services

Summit School Services sets the standard for safe, reliable student transportation across North America. As the parent organization to trusted local operators including Durham School Services, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, Summit supports over 5,500 schools. Powered by Catalyst, a connected technology ecosystem, and guided by five core values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Community, and Culture, Summit delivers student transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

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In 2023, 1.4 million students experienced housing instability, and nearly half were chronically absent. The McKinney-Vento Act helps students keep a steady school routine. A fast, consistent transportation plan is what makes that support work in practice.

The McKinney-Vento Resources Pack gives district leaders, McKinney-Vento liaisons, transportation directors, and student services teams three ready-to-use templates:

• Intake and Best-Interest Worksheet: Documents eligibility, school of origin, and transportation mode, with a 48-hour start target when feasible.
• Placement-to-Ride Checklist: Maps each step from notification to confirmed ride, including a week-one attendance check.
• Family “What to Expect” One-Pager: Tells caregivers and families about pickup windows and who to call, including after hours.

Your team can use these tools to reduce missed days, communicate clearly with families, and keep clean audit trails.

Download the free pack and set up a 48-hour response today.

Fill out the form below and then check your email to get the resources pack.

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Day three of a school bus driver strike has left nearly 6,000 Princeton City Schools students without their usual transportation, reported WCPO 9 News.

Contract negotiations between First Student and its school bus rivers represented by OAPSE/AFSCME Local 184 broke down last week. The union formed a picket line as drivers call for higher wages, better benefits and improved working conditions. Those talks were reportedly set to resume Tuesday.

The strike affected approximately 5,900 students and prompted the district to activate a contingency plan. DLocal 184 President Tarelle Harris said via the article that some employees struggle to afford basic necessities. “We can’t pay for fuel to even get to work. We can’t pay for food for our families,” Harris said.

Lead union negotiator Derryl Hall said via the article that the lack of employer-paid health insurance remains a major sticking point. According to Hall, many drivers rely on Medicaid, Medicare or plans obtained through the Affordable Care Act.

Union representatives also cited staffing shortages, saying the school year began with several routes unfilled, and some employees were required to drive additional routes.

Veteran driver Bobby Cornett reportedly said that improved compensation and benefits could help First Student recruit and retain drivers. Cornett said he owes $146,000 from one surgery and was required to pay $39,000 before undergoing another procedure.

Drivers said they want to return to transporting students. Harris, a Princeton graduate, said he became a driver because he wanted to give back to the district.

First Student said via the news report that it was “deeply disappointed” by the strike and disputed the union’s description of negotiations. The company said its latest proposal included an average wage increase of approximately 27 percent over a four-year contract.

First Student also said it offered to pay for mediation and provided multiple opportunities to continue bargaining. It alleged union leaders canceled scheduled negotiations, declined private mediation and ended discussions despite progress.

“The facts are clear: We came back to the table, and they did not,” the company stated via the report.

Hall disputed those claims, saying negotiations continued late Sept. 29, but produced “absolutely no progress.”

The district distributed instructional packets before the strike and provided online learning resources. Students who miss school because of transportation problems will not be penalized, district officials said.

Related: School Bus Drivers Strike in Southern California
Related: Washington School Bus Drivers Authorize Strike
Related: School Bus Driver Shortages Create Wider Consequences for Students
Related: Iowa Bus Driver Fighting for Improved Wages, Benefits

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Wisconsin school bus contractor Lamers Bus Lines expects to provide normal student transportation when classes resume next week despite an EF-3 tornado that destroyed part of a terminal and damaged approximately 180 school buses last month.

The July 27 tornado directly struck the company’s terminal in Menasha around noon local time, Lamers spokesperson Erica Dakins told School Transportation News. The nearly mile-wide tornado traveled approximately 12 miles through Appleton, Menasha, Fox Crossing and Neenah before dissipating over Lake Winnebago.

Dakins added that of the 185 school buses assigned to the terminal, about 50 were totaled. Another 130 sustained damage, including broken windows, blown roof hatches, and damaged lights and mirrors. Four buses were away on trips and escaped damage.

Eighteen employees were at the terminal when the storm struck, including four mechanics, three cleaners and 11 office staff members. Office employees and mechanics sheltered in bathrooms, while cleaners took cover underneath a vehicle in the wash bay.

Some employees suffered minor injuries from broken glass after the building’s windows blew out, and one person sustained a sprained hand. No serious physical injuries were reported.

After the tornado passed, employees evacuated the building and sheltered inside a school bus because they feared the damaged structure could collapse.

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Lamers Bus Lines Details Damage from Tornado

The terminal’s wash bay and maintenance shop both collapsed. The roof was torn from the building, causing part of the bricked second story to fall onto school buses parked several rows behind the facility.

Dakins said the building will be razed and replaced. Employees have temporarily moved to Lamers’ Freedom terminal and will eventually transition into a temporary office trailer at the Menasha property during demolition and reconstruction.

She said mechanics are working daily to return as many repairable buses to service as possible. Lamers also plans to draw spare vehicles from its approximately 40 school bus terminals while damaged buses are repaired or replaced.

The disruption placed preparations about one week behind schedule, but it did not significantly delay route planning. The Menasha Area School District provided its high school auditorium for Lamers to hold back-to-school driver meetings.

“We don’t anticipate anything preventing us from being ready for the first day of school,” Dakins said.

Buses based at the Menasha terminal serve the Appleton Area School District, Menasha Joint School District, Kimberly Area School District, School District of Hilbert and Stockbridge School District, along with area parochial schools. Dakins said Lamers expects to provide normal service when classes begin.

She added that one of the greatest challenges was that the tornado struck one of Lamers’ largest terminals with only five weeks remaining before school started.

The company thanked community members who offered support, as well as Keller, its longtime construction partner, for quickly helping develop plans for a temporary office and replacement facility.

Lamers also recognized drivers who volunteered in the days after the storm to operate school bus shuttles carrying United Way volunteers into tornado-damaged communities.

Related: Tornado Response Result of Quick-Thinking, Training for Michigan Student Transporters
Related: Tornado Warning Doesn’t Faze Georgia School Bus Driver During Route
Related: (STN Podcast E264) Tornado Warning: Illinois Rising Star Discusses Leadership, Operations
Related: Tennessee Tornado Leaves Schools Closed, Buildings Destroyed

The post Tornado Doesn’t Stop Wisconsin School Bus Contractor from Being Prepared for Startup appeared first on School Transportation News.

We analyze the conversations at the National School Transportation Association’s annual convention, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study on autonomous vehicle safety, and how student transporters can respond to the evolving trends of AI and new technology.

Cameron Wood, the lead electric vehicle performance analyst for school bus contractor Student Transportation of America, shares how his technical background led him to brainstorm an EV charging solution and accept the Innovator of the Year award at STN EXPO West this month.

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