Learn more about our upcoming April magazine, inflation and fuel prices, internet for school buses, record revenue for Zum, district efforts amid ICE enforcement, and a driver dressing to impress.

Michael Signer, chief policy and legal officer for EverDriven, discusses the evolution of alternative student transportation from safety and regulatory perspectives to help school districts meet student needs alongside yellow buses.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Conversation with EverDriven.

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The post (STN Podcast E299) Meeting Needs: Answering Questions on Alternative Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. —EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced the launch of its Consolidated Routing Services, unifying routing across yellow buses, vans, and alternative transportation as a continuously optimizing solution. Designed as a complement to a district’s existing routing strategy, it acts as an accelerant on top of current approaches — pairing advanced route intelligence with deep human expertise to make every route deliver the best outcome

The launch marks a pivotal shift in how districts approach transportation planning. Many districts manage separate, disconnected processes for every mode. This is a fragmented reality that can drain budgets and slow down service. EverDriven’s Consolidated Routing Services replaces that with a unified solution that learns, adapts, and improves in real time — driving measurable cost savings, faster ride times, and district-wide operational performance.

As the pioneer in the industry, EverDriven has spent 20+ years tackling the hardest transportation challenges in K-12 education — from students with disabilities to those experiencing housing instability. Consolidated Routing Services brings that same depth of knowledge to every student a district serves. Working alongside leading AI-enabled technology that layers real-world expertise on top of a district’s current approach — analyzing ridership patterns, modeling route adjustments, and surfacing optimization opportunities before they become challenges, in ways that automation alone cannot deliver.

“Over the past 20 years, we’ve learned a lot and gained deep expertise supporting the students who need it most — and now we’re bringing that same rigor to every student a district serves,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “What sets this solution apart is the combination of industry-leading technology and the deep human expertise to act on it. Our Consolidated Routing Services give leaders a reliable way to modernize planning, operate with greater confidence year-round, and ensure every student arrives at school safely and on time.”

Following a thorough evaluation of a district’s routes, EverDriven’s team gets to work delivering measurable results: up to 15% reduction in route costs, shorter ride times for all students, stronger on-time performance, and faster turnaround when daily changes arise. For transportation directors, CFOs, and superintendents, one of the most immediate opportunities lies in identifying vacated and unassigned routes. These hidden costs often compound over time and can go unnoticed without the right level of visibility. Through EverDriven’s ability to optimize routes and improve fleet utilization across the entire operation, districts gain clear insight into these inefficiencies. This creates a straightforward and compelling case for action, especially for districts operating under increasing budget pressure.

“Fragmented routing is one of the most expensive invisible problems in K-12 transportation,” said Greg Jackson, General Manager of School Bus Services at EverDriven. “Most districts are managing separate processes for general education, students with disabilities, and McKinney-Vento students—creating daily inefficiencies that add up fast. By delivering visibility and unifying those workflows, we help teams cut costs, shorten ride times, and deliver more consistent service for the students who depend on it most.”

EverDriven’s Consolidated Routing Services support districts with:

Cost-neutral routing services.
Route-building prior to each semester.
Two weeks of dedicated on-site planning and testing timed with back to school
Ongoing route optimization as student needs change.
Technology-agnostic integration that works alongside your existing routing software.
Comprehensive end-of-year data analysis and performance report.
Districts ready to explore the impact of consolidated routing can learn more at everdriven.com.

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

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EverDriven is expanding its support for school districts with the launch of a new school bus routing consulting service designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs and ease staff burnout without requiring a change to existing software platforms.

The new offering, currently in early development and pilot planning stages, will focus on providing expert routing support for districts nationwide. Rather than introducing proprietary school bus routing software, EverDriven will work within the systems districts already use.

“We’re not forcing districts into new platforms,” explained Greg Jackson, who was recently hired as general manager of EverDriven’s new school bus services division. “We’re coming in vendor agnostic, preserving their workflows and institutional knowledge and helping them operate more efficiently.”

The service will combine remote routing work with periodic on-site visits to build relationships with transportation directors, office staff and drivers. Jackson emphasized that maintaining a human connection is critical to long-term success.

“We’re going to come into your community, sit down with your team and work alongside you,” said Jackson, who was the 2019 STN Transportation Director of the Year for his work at JeffCo Public Schools in Colorado.

EverDriven’s Routing Process

 

Greg Jackson, the general manager of EverDriven’s new school bus services division, explained that the company organizes its services into two distinct areas: Alternative student transportation, which provides individualized transportation for students with unique learning needs or housing instability, and consolidated routing services, which integrate school buses, vans and alternative transportation into a unified strategy. Each service has specialized teams and processes due to their differing operational requirements.

 

While school bus routing focuses on large-scale, fixed-route planning aligned with schedules, capacity, geographic boundaries, vehicle type and ride-time standards, alternative transportation requires a more individualized and dynamic approach. Drawing on over 20 years of experience and leadership from former transportation directors, EverDriven delivers efficient, safe, and optimized routing designed to reduce costs, improve on-time performance, shorten ride times, and quickly adapt to daily changes, Jackson said.

 

Routing oversight is collaborative. School districts typically provide student data, service requirements, and guidelines, while EverDriven develops routes within those parameters. Districts maintain full visibility into route plans and performance and may choose to be highly involved in route design or rely on EverDriven to lead, depending on their preference. Routing is an ongoing partnership, with school districts regularly providing feedback and updates to ensure routes remain safe, practical and aligned with district goals.

 

“We view routing as a partnership built on shared goals and well defined roles and responsibilities,” Jackson said. “District teams bring critical local knowledge about communities, schools and student needs. Our routing specialists bring experience, deep technical abilities, and process consistency. Together, this collaboration ensures routes remain practical, safe, and aligned with district goals throughout the school year.”

 

EverDriven takes a technology-agnostic approach, working within a school district’s existing routing systems rather than requiring proprietary software. Integration focuses on secure data sharing, validation, and structured reporting, allowing districts to retain ownership of their systems while benefiting from EverDriven’s routing expertise.

 

Read more about partnering with vendors and the importance of collaboration in the March issue of School Transportation News

EverDriven said assigned school bus routing specialists will collaborate closely with school district leaders and IT departments to establish data-sharing protocols, validate student information and normalize routing data before making adjustments. Data points include enrollment, home addresses, bell schedules, eligibility requirements and accommodations for students with disabilities or those eligible under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

EverDriven Focuses on Efficiency, Budget Relief

The consulting model is designed to help districts address rising transportation costs and driver shortages. By taking a deep dive into existing routes, EverDriven said it aims to identify opportunities to consolidate routes, reduce overtime and improve vehicle utilization.

Jackson noted that many school districts struggle with overtime budgets and staffing challenges, especially when routing staff are also required to drive routes. By shifting routing responsibilities to a dedicated external specialist, he said, districts can reduce burnout and allow in-house teams to focus on daily operations and safety oversight.

“[School] boards are asking why costs keep rising,” Jackson explained. “If we can help combine routes, reduce overtime and improve efficiency, the service pays for itself.”

Related: Ins, Outs of Routing Software Discussed at STN EXPO Reno
Related: School Districts Use Data, Routing For Medicaid Reimbursements

The new school bus routing consulting arm will operate separately from EverDriven’s existing alternative transportation division. While there may be collaboration between divisions, school bus routing consulting is positioned as a standalone support function.

School districts will not need to be EverDriven alternative transportation customers to access the new routing consulting service.

“This is about helping districts be more efficient,” Jackson said, adding that EverDriven plans to launch pilot programs in select markets to refine the service before a broader rollout.

Feedback from participating districts and the company’s customer advisory board will shape final implementation, he added.

“We’re in the beginning phases,” Jackson said, noting that details on pilot opportunities are expected in the coming months. “But the focus is student first. And now, student first with district support.”

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

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

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

What SafeOps Delivers

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

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

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

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

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

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

District partners say that this commitment is evident in practice.

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

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

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

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

The post EverDriven Launches SafeOps Council to Set New Industry Standard for Student Transportation Safety appeared first on School Transportation News.

Chronic absenteeism remains a significant challenge for school districts, even as student transportation needs continue to grow more complex. Changes in student mobility, specialized services, workforce limitations, and ongoing budget pressures have made transportation planning increasingly difficult, affecting even districts with mature, well-functioning bus systems.

In this session, transportation expert Greg Jackson and a district practitioner will discuss three student-centered transportation strategies districts are using to help support consistent attendance in a rapidly shifting landscape. Drawing from real district experiences, the conversation will highlight how transportation teams and district leaders are responding to new demands, collaborating across departments, and making intentional tradeoffs to preserve both student access and operational stability.

Three Key Strategies

• Viewing Transportation Through an Attendance Lens
  How districts are connecting reliability and on-time service to student attendance, and identifying where transportation decisions may unintentionally contribute to chronic absenteeism.
• Engaging Earlier in the Process
  Why districts are reconsidering when and how transportation teams participate in IEP planning, placement changes, and housing transitions, and the downstream impact when that engagement happens too late.
• Strengthening Governance and Communication
  How clearer leadership alignment, stronger documentation, and more effective cross-team communication are helping districts manage frequent student changes while minimizing delays and compliance risk.

Brought to you by EverDriven

REGISTER BELOW:

Speakers:

Greg Jackson
General Manager, Busing
EverDriven

Greg Jackson served as the executive director of transportation and fleet services for Jefferson County School District in Colorado for a decade. One of the largest districts in the state, Jackson oversaw 750 vehicles, 257 bus routes, 305 drivers, and four bus terminals, ensuring that nearly 14,000 students were safely transported to and from school and activities. The district benefited from Jackson’s charismatic leadership style and ability to build relationships with stakeholders, families, and vendors.

Prior to this position, he served as a transportation director, terminal manager, supervisor, and fleet coordinator across multiple districts and companies, providing him with unique insight into all facets of transportation. His experience includes knowledge about legislation and law concerning student safety, budgetary requirements, and best practices.

Jim Ellis
Director of Pupil Transportation
Henrico County Public Schools

Jim Ellis is a respected leader in pupil transportation with more than three decades of experience in public education operations. A NAPT-certified Director of Pupil Transportation since 2008, Ellis has served in key leadership roles across Virginia and North Carolina, including President of the North Carolina Pupil Transportation Association. Since 2020, Ellis has served as Director of Pupil Transportation for Henrico County Public Schools, where he has led operational improvements, safety enhancements, and innovative practices to better serve students and families.

The post (Free Webinar) 3 Student-Centric Transportation Strategies to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. —EverDriven, the nation’s leader in Alternative Student Transportation, today announced the recipients of its 2025 Driving Access Forward micro-grant initiative, awarding $20,000 in total funding to 30 schools and districts to help remove barriers to education for students and families facing instability.

EverDriven’s Driving Access Forward initiative was created to support students, families, and school staff nationwide by addressing community-identified needs. Awards were determined through applications submitted by school representatives, with funding being used for food, clothing, school supplies, emergency rides, and essential resources, including support for students experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations.

Award recipients span 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, highlighting the breadth of need across school communities nationwide.

“Every day, we see how transportation and access to essential needs can stand in the way of a student’s education,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “Through our Driving Access Forward initiative we launched on Giving Tuesday, our goal with this micro grant initiative was to provide tangible support directly to school districts, empowering them to meet immediate needs and keep students connected to school, no matter the circumstances.”

Addressing Critical Needs for Students and Families

While needs varied by community, award recipients consistently identified three core priorities: emergency transportation access to help students attend school consistently; essential supplies, including food, clothing, and school or care items; and direct support for students experiencing homelessness, helping remove barriers tied to housing instability. A significant number of awarded applications focused on strengthening services for students protected by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, including funding for emergency rides, last-minute transportation needs, and other critical resources that promote stability and continuity in education. Together, these funds allow districts to respond quickly in moments of crisis, helping ensure students can remain engaged in school even during periods of uncertainty.

“I am tremendously grateful to the EverDriven team for making this opportunity possible! Funds from the Driving Access Forward grant will go to transportation, first and foremost. That was a gamechanger for us last year,” said Sara Landrum, Social Worker and McKinney-Vento Liaison, Huntington County Community School Corporation. “We have a number of students who qualify for McKinney-Vento but not for health insurance, so the remaining funds will go toward eye exams and dental work support for those students in need.”

“Thank you very much for selecting us as a recipient of the Driving Access Forward grant. We look forward to continuing our programs and services in 2026. Your support will certainly improve access for students and families in our community,” said Dr. Narineh Khemichian, Interim Director of Student Wellness Services Department, Glendale Unified School District.

EverDriven’s Driving Access Forward initiative reflects the company’s broader mission to ensure safe, reliable access to education for every student, particularly those navigating complex life circumstances. To learn more about EverDriven’s work in modernizing student transportation and policy, visit www.EverDriven.com.

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

The post EverDriven Awards $20,000 to 30 Schools and Districts Through 2025 Driving Access Forward Initiative appeared first on School Transportation News.

STN Publisher and President Tony Corpin met up with the winners of the Everdriven’s Modern Student Transportation Awards at the 2025 Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference to discuss what this award means to them.

The awards were designed to recognize and highlight leaders in student transportation who are setting new standards of service to meet the evolving needs of student mobility as well as championing forward-thinking and innovative solutions.

The Equity in Education Accessibility Award was presented to Jeremy Stowe, Director of Transportation at Buncombe County Schools in North Carolina, the Humanitarian Award to Earl Kent III, Routing Planning Manager at Denver Public Schools in Colorado and the Safety and Reliability Award was given to Kayla Denaco, Assistant Director of Transportation at Lewiston Public Schools in Maine.

Related: (STN Podcast E284) Always Something to Learn: Special Needs Takeaways from TSD 2025
Related: WATCH: Fenton Mobility Wows Attendees at 2025 TSD Conference
Related: (STN Podcast E283) Onsite at TSD 2025 (Part 2/2): Solution-Driven Partners + TD of the Year Interview

The post WATCH: Everdriven Modern Student Transportation Award Winners at TSD 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

DENVER, Colo. — EverDriven, the nation’s leader in alternative student transportation, today shared new insights on the three forces expected to shape modern student transportation in 2026. Drawing from national district trends, operational data, and daily conversations with transportation teams, EverDriven outlines how greater flexibility, deeper equity considerations, and technology as essential infrastructure are reshaping transportation planning in the year ahead.

To support district leaders in understanding these emerging pressures, EverDriven is providing a structured, Q&A-style overview of the factors influencing modernization across districts nationwide.

What key pressures are driving districts to modernize student transportation in 2026?
Student transportation is entering a new era, shaped by key pressures including the changing demographics, evolving mobility patterns, tighter funding conditions, and heightened expectations from families.

According to EverDriven’s Future of Modern Student Transportation and Safety Report, 98% of districts report active modernization efforts, signaling a nationwide shift toward transportation systems that are more flexible, more equitable, and more technology-enabled.

EverDriven’s work with transportation teams across the country offers real-time visibility into these pressures and how they are reshaping planning for the year ahead.

How will funding volatility elevate the need for flexibility in student transportation?
Many districts are heading into 2026 with uncertainty surrounding key federal programs—including EHCY, IDEA, and Title I—that support transportation for vulnerable student groups. At the same time, student needs are becoming more individualized, and mobility patterns are shifting more frequently.

These realities are prompting districts to explore flexible operating models, including:
Blended fleets that mix small-capacity vehicles with traditional buses
Partnerships with vetted, compliant transportation providers
Dynamic routing and communication tools that allow rapid adjustments

Flexibility is becoming non-negotiable—a foundational strategy for maintaining service reliability when financial or demographic conditions change quickly.

How are shifting student needs elevating equity as a core priority in student transportation?
Districts are seeing rapid changes in the populations they serve. Since 2020:
McKinney-Vento transportation requests increased 167%
62% of districts report growth in special education populations
Family homelessness increased nearly 39%

These shifts are reshaping what equitable transportation must provide, including shorter ride times, reliable access regardless of housing status, and seamless continuity when students move or experience instability.

With 88% of district leaders identifying access disparities, equity is moving from an aspirational goal to a central planning lens for 2026. Districts are prioritizing modern transportation models that offer stability and predictability for students who need it most.

Why is technology becoming core operational infrastructure for transportation teams?
Transportation operations have become more complex due to individualized routing, expanded compliance requirements, and demands for real-time communication with families. According to EverDriven’s report, 68% of district leaders say technology will play a significant or critical role in their 2026 strategies.

As a result, districts are turning to systems that:

• Integrate routing, planning, and driver credential management
• Automate verification and reporting
• Consolidate parent communication and visibility tools
• Reduce manual workload across transportation teams

In 2026, technology becomes core infrastructure—the backbone that enables districts to respond to student needs quickly, operate transparently, and maintain high levels of safety and compliance.

What does this mean for the year ahead?
Flexibility, equity, and modern infrastructure will define how districts adapt in 2026. These forces are reshaping the foundation of modern student transportation planning, helping districts build systems that are more resilient, more adaptable, and more student-centered.

Whether managing shifting funding, meeting the needs of highly mobile students, or navigating complex operational requirements, districts are using modernization to create transportation experiences that help every student arrive at school safely, consistently, and ready to learn.

To learn more about how EverDriven supports districts in modernizing student transportation through flexible, equitable, and technology-enabled programs, visit www.EverDriven.com.

About EverDriven

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

The post EverDriven Identifies 3 Forces Quietly Reshaping Modern Student Transportation in 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.