School bus contractor Go Riteway Transportation Group is holding two “Drive the Bus” recruitment events in southeast Wisconsin as school districts prepare for the upcoming academic year amid an ongoing shortage of school bus drivers, reported TMJ4 News.

According to the news report, two events were intended to recruit drivers serving the Brown Deer and Mequon-Thiensville school districts in Mequon, Wisconsin and the Nicolet Union, River Hills and Indian Hill school districts near Milwaukee.

Participants can reportedly drive a school bus under the supervision of certified trainers and learn about the requirements for earning a commercial driver’s license and becoming a school bus driver. Go Riteway offers paid training and a sign-on bonus to new drivers.

David Tice, a Go Riteway bus driver, said that the position allows relationship-building with students and support of local communities. “I just love getting to know the kids and going to their events,” Tice said via the article, adding that drivers can give children a positive experience before they arrive at school. “It’s really meaningful for the kids.”

Tice stated that one of his highlights was transporting the Grafton High School football team to the state championship game last year. He said he hopes to take the team back this year.

The recruitment push comes as Wisconsin continues to experience a decline in available school bus drivers. According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, the number of licensed school bus drivers in the state has fallen by 17 percent over the past two decades. The shortage has reportedly caused some school districts to cut or consolidate routes.

Doug Luedcke, a Go Riteway terminal manager, said the recruitment events offer residents an opportunity to serve their local schools and help ensure students have transportation. “We’re looking for anybody that wants to help out in their community, in their school district,” Luedcke said via the article.

Written with the assistance of AI.

Related: Stuff the Bus Event Provides Supplies for More Than 16,000 Tennessee Students
Related: Stuff the Bus Drive Launches on California’s Central Coast Helping Students
Related: Florida School District to Host Transportation Hiring Event
Related: Retirements Spur Summer Hiring Push to Address School Bus Driver Shortages

The post Go Riteway Hosts ‘Drive the Bus’ Events Amid Wisconsin Driver Shortage appeared first on School Transportation News.

More than 16,000 elementary school students across Middle Tennessee will receive backpacks filled with school supplies through United Way of Greater Nashville’s annual Stuff the Bus initiative, reported WSMV 4.

The nonprofit organization set a goal of filling 15,000 backpacks during this year’s campaign. Community donations surpassed that target by 1,060, resulting in 16,060 backpacks for students preparing to return to classrooms.

Nearly 500 volunteers reportedly gathered July 14 and 15 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville to drop off supplies, assemble backpacks and celebrate the campaign’s success.

The organization said 497 volunteers contributed more than 1,988 hours to the effort. Supplies were collected and donated by 55 companies and individuals before volunteers packed them into backpacks for distribution.

The backpacks will reportedly be delivered to students in need through 58 locations across 10 Middle Tennessee counties: Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Hickman, Houston, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner and Williamson. The distribution comes as school districts throughout the region prepare to welcome students back for the 2026-2027 academic year. Depending on the district, classes are scheduled to resume in late July or early August.

Stuff the Bus is intended to ensure students whose families may have difficulty purchasing school supplies begin the academic year with essential classroom materials. The campaign relies on donations and volunteer support to collect, organize and distribute the backpacks throughout the region.

United Way of Greater Nashville works with organizations and community partners across Middle Tennessee to connect donated supplies with students who need them. This year’s campaign exceeded its original backpack goal by about 7 percent.

Officials did not provide details about the individual supplies included in each backpack or specify when distributions will take place at each location. Families seeking information about eligibility or pickup arrangements can contact participating organizations in their respective counties.

Written with the assistance of AI.

Related: Stuff the Bus Drive Launches on California’s Central Coast Helping Students
Related: North Carolina School’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ Drive Returns to Support Local Students
Related:Food Truck Gives Cleveland Teens Real-World Culinary Experience
Related: Salvation Army Hosts Stuff the Bus Donation Drive in Indiana

The post Stuff the Bus Event Provides Supplies for More Than 16,000 Tennessee Students appeared first on School Transportation News.

The Lee County School District is seeking to fill immediate openings for school bus operators and mechanics through a transportation job fair later this month, reported Cape Coral Breeze.

According to the news report, the hiring event will be held from 4 p.m.to 6 p.m. July 23 at the school district in Fort Myers, Florida. District transportation recruiters will be on hand to discuss available positions, explain job qualifications, and guide prospective employees through the hiring process.

Officials said the event is designed to connect Southwest Florida job seekers with careers in student transportation, an area where many school districts nationwide continue working to recruit and retain qualified employees. The district is hiring both school bus operators and mechanics, with starting pay set at $19.57 per hour for each position. Immediate openings are available, according to the district.

Applicants interested in becoming school bus drivers must have at least five years of driving experience, a satisfactory driving record, and a Social Security card. The district reportedly noted that candidates do not need to already possess a commercial driver’s license, as it provides free CDL training for qualified applicants. In addition to paid training, the School District of Lee County said it offers flexible work hours and benefits for full-time employees.

According to the article, school districts across the country have increasingly promoted transportation careers through hiring events, paid training programs, and expanded benefits in an effort to address ongoing workforce needs. Many districts have also lowered barriers to entry by providing CDL training for prospective drivers while maintaining safety and licensing requirements.

District officials encouraged anyone interested in a career in student transportation to attend the event and speak directly with recruiters about employment opportunities and the application process. Additional information about transportation careers with the Lee County School District is available through the district’s employment resources.

Written with the assistance of AI.

Related: Pennsylvania School Bus Transportation Company Hosts Hiring Event
Related: Retirements Spur Summer Hiring Push to Address School Bus Driver Shortages
Related: (STN Podcast E313) Put People First: School Bus Driver Shortages & Retention Advice
Related: The Technician Shortage Is a Data Problem, Not Just a Hiring Problem

The post Florida School District to Host Transportation Hiring Event appeared first on School Transportation News.

Communities in Schools of Western Nevada launched its 10th annual “Fill the Bus” school supply drive, calling on community members to help provide essential classroom materials and hygiene products for students ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, reported Nevada Business News.

According to the news report, the monthlong campaign is collecting donations through July 31 to benefit more than 13,000 students attending 24 high-needs schools in the Washoe County School District. Organizers said the drive helps ensure students have the supplies they need to begin the school year prepared to learn.

Community members can reportedly support the initiative by donating new school supplies or basic-needs items at designated collection sites, making monetary contributions, or sponsoring the campaign. Information on donation locations, needed supplies and sponsorship opportunities is available through the organization’s Fill the Bus event page.

Communities in Schools of Western Nevada is a nonprofit that provides wraparound student support services in Title I and other high-needs schools throughout the district.

The supplies collected during the campaign reportedly supplement year-round efforts to address barriers that can affect students’ academic success. In addition to school supplies, Communities in Schools help connect students and families with resources including food, clothing, transportation assistance, health care, dental services, counseling and housing support.

According to the article, the nonprofit currently serves more than 13,000 students by placing full-time site coordinators in participating schools. These coordinators work directly with students and families through case management, resource referrals and connections to community services, operating from dedicated resource rooms on school campuses.

Communities In Schools of Western Nevada partners with more than 120 nonprofits, agencies and community organizations across the state to provide integrated student support services. The organization said its evidence-based model is designed to remove nonacademic obstacles that can interfere with attendance, engagement, and academic achievement.

The nonprofit’s long-term goal is to expand access to its services, so every student enrolled in a Title I or high-needs school has access to a Communities in Schools site coordinator and its integrated student support model.

Written with the assistance of AI.

Related: Stuff the Bus Drive Launches on California’s Central Coast Helping Students
Related: North Carolina School’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ Drive Returns to Support Local Students
Related: Salvation Army Hosts Stuff the Bus Donation Drive in Indiana
Related: Philadelphia School District Gears Up for Annual Event Ahead of School Year

The post Fill the Bus Drive Returns to Western Nevada Schools appeared first on School Transportation News.

A group of Watertown elementary school students and their families spent the spring commuting to school via bicycle, creating what organizers called a “Bike Bus” that promoted active transportation, community engagement and safer travel for young riders, reported Watertown News.

The Bike Bus began May 1, after Hosmer Elementary School student Rory Beatty expressed interest in riding his bicycle to school. The idea grew into a weekly event, with students and parents meeting every Friday, weather permitting, before concluding June 18.

According to the news report, the Bike Bus route started at Casey Park on the city’s Southside and stretched nearly 1.5 miles to Hosmer Elementary, making several stops to pick up additional riders before passing through Watertown Square and arriving at the school.

Parent Maureen Schrader said the organized group ride helped address safety concerns for younger cyclists traveling independently. “Getting to the Hosmer from the southside of Watertown (across the river) isn’t ideal for an elementary school student to do on their own given the traffic that is encountered,” she told local news reporters.

Bike Bus a Community-wide Event

The final ride of the school year featured a special escort from the Watertown Police Department. Motorcycle officers accompanied the cyclists along the route, adding what organizers described as an extra level of excitement while reinforcing the community’s support for the initiative.

“June 18 marked the final Bike Bus of the school year, and the celebration included a special surprise: Watertown Police motorcycle officers joined the ride and escorted the group along the route,” said Kati Kotrc via the article. “The officers’ participation added an extra level of excitement for the kids and highlighted the community support behind the program.”

Kotrc said the Bike Bus encouraged active transportation while creating opportunities for families to connect while making the trip to school safer and more enjoyable for students. She also thanked organizer Jennifer Beatty for helping transform a student’s idea into a community tradition that brought families together throughout the spring.

Written with the assistance of AI.

Related: Volunteers Help Immigrant Parents in Chicago Participate in Walking School Bus
Related: Walking School Bus Program Transforms Attendance in a School District in Washington
Related: Florida Fathers and Father Figures Join Students for Walking School Bus
Related: ‘Hometown Hero’ Honored for Behind-the-Scenes Service, Dedication in West Virginia Student Transportation

The post ‘Bike Bus’ to School Program Builds Community in Massachusetts appeared first on School Transportation News.

Local reporters and three local United Way organizations have launched the annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign, aiming to provide school supplies to students across California’s Central Coast as families continue to face rising education costs and economic challenges, reported KSBW 8.

For the third consecutive year, KSBW 8 is partnering with United Way Monterey County, for the third consecutive year. United for San Benito and United Way of Santa Cruz County are also involved to collect donations that will help students begin the school year with essential classroom supplies.

Organizers reportedly said the Stuff the Bus campaign is focused on supporting children whose families are struggling to afford basic school necessities. Community members can contribute throughout the year, with donations helping purchase supplies for students across Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. The need remains significant throughout the region.

According to organizers, nearly 13,000 students in Monterey County experienced homelessness during the last school year. In neighboring Santa Cruz County, officials estimate more than 2,700 K-12 students are facing homelessness or other serious hardships that can create barriers to academic success.

Stuff the Bus Seeks to Offset Rising Costs

At the same time, the cost of preparing children for school reportedly continues to strain household budgets. Organizers cited data showing the average American family spent approximately $858 on school supplies in 2025, a figure that can be difficult for lower-income families to manage.

The Stuff the Bus campaign reportedly seeks to bridge that gap by ensuring students have the tools they need when classes begin. Donations support the purchase and distribution of supplies for children throughout the Central Coast, helping schools and families meet growing needs.

Campaign organizers are encouraging residents, businesses and community groups to contribute and support local students. Stuff the Bus donations are accepted year-round, with organizers emphasizing that every contribution can make a difference for children facing financial hardship and help create opportunities for academic success across the region.

Written with the assistance of AI.

Related: North Carolina School’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ Drive Returns to Support Local Students
Related: Salvation Army Hosts Stuff the Bus Donation Drive in Indiana
Related: Arizona Annual Stuff the Bus Back to School Drive Returns
Related: Volunteers Help Immigrant Parents in Chicago Participate in Walking School Bus

The post Stuff the Bus Drive Launches on California’s Central Coast Helping Students appeared first on School Transportation News.

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.

The post LA Metro Has Contracted with Zum for Transportation During FIFA World Cup 2026 Tournament in Los Angeles appeared first on School Transportation News.