Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

Deadline Approaching for Enrollment in Top Transportation Teams

By: STN

SCHENACTADY, N.Y. – The deadline to enroll in the Top Transportation Teams program ends on Friday at midnight ET. The Top Transportation Teams awards program, now in its third year, aims a much-deserved spotlight on the best school transportation providers in North America.

Launched in 2023 by Transfinder Corp., the leader in school transportation logistics and hardware, is designed to provide recognition to unsung heroes in the school transportation industry and provide tools for districts to improve their operations by learning from others.

For the past two years, winners have been divided into two categories: Districts or contractors with more than 100 employees and districts and contractors with 100 or fewer employees. In 2024, the Top Vote-Getter was recognized as well as an Honorable Mention.

Teams enroll in the program by visiting TopTransportationTeams.com. From there they will upload their team’s email addresses. Team members will then receive anonymous surveys, answering a variety of questions about their department, such as: Morale within the department, leadership, safety and benefits. Team members are comprised of transportation supervisors and directors, routers, dispatchers, drivers and others considered core to the transportation department.

The winners will be selected solely on the responses to these anonymous surveys.

“This program has surpassed my expectations. To hear the stories about how teams came together to compete for this award has been inspiring to me and so many,” said Antonio Civitella, President and CEO of Transfinder. “It has also been rewarding to hear how communities have recognized the winners. That was the sole purpose behind the program, to recognize those who often go unnoticed.”

Each winner will be highlighted in news releases, social media posts and webinars. Representatives from each of the winning teams will be featured on a leadership panel discussion on Transfinder’s award-winning Best Practices webinar series to discuss what makes a Top Transportation Team.

Visit TopTransportationTeams.com to read about the past winners.

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 municipalities, school districts adult care facilities and police department. Transfinder award-winning technology routes one in three students in North America. The company is one of the fastest growing companies in New York’s Capital Region, according to the Albany Business Review. At one point, Transfinder landed on Inc. magazine’s fastest-growing private companies list for 12 years. Transfinder has offices in Austin, Texas, as well as China and India. The software and hardware company has repeatedly been named a Best Place to Work, a Top Workplace and Best Company to Work for in New York State. For more information, visit www.transfinder.com.

The post Deadline Approaching for Enrollment in Top Transportation Teams appeared first on School Transportation News.

Blue Bird’s Foundation Donates More Than $50,000 to Community Groups in Georgia

By: STN

MACON, Ga. – The Blue Bird School Bus Foundation, charitable arm of iconic school bus manufacturer Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), continues to advance the education, health, and safety of children in its home state of Georgia. The Foundation hosted a community event at its corporate headquarters in Macon, Ga., and awarded a total of $53,300 to ten local area nonprofit organizations, including:

1. Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center 6. Peach Association for Intellectual Disabled, Inc. aka Kay Center.

2. Brave Meadows Therapeutic.

Riding Center, Inc. 7. The Salvation Army, A Georgia Corporation – Warner Robins Corps.

3. Fort Valley Lions Club 8. Safe Kids Central Georgia.

4. Girl Scouts of Historic.

Georgia, Inc. 9. Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc.

5. Macon Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities Program by the Boys and Girls Club.

6. Peach Association for Intellectual Disabled, Inc. aka Kay Center.

7. The Salvation Army, A Georgia Corporation – Warner Robins Corps.

8. Safe Kids Central Georgia.

9. Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc.

10. United in Pink, Inc.

Donations ranged from $2,500 up to $12,500.

“Georgia has been our home for nearly a century,” said Blue Bird president and CEO John Wyskiel. “Our school buses safely transport children, so we deeply care about their education, health, and safety. We’re pleased to fund ten local nonprofits that work tirelessly to improve our communities for children every day.”

“As a first-time recipient, we are delighted to accept the generous donation from the Blue Bird School Bus Foundation to promote child car seat safety in our local communities,” said Abbie Price, Coordinator at Safe Kids Central Georgia, which was awarded Blue Bird’s top-level donation of $12,500 at the community event. “The funding will enable us to provide free car seats and educational materials to low-income families in need.”

Since its inception in 2015, the Blue Bird School Bus Foundation has donated more than $600,000 in charitable contributions to various community organizations, including more than 85 Georgia-based nonprofits.

In addition, Blue Bird has donated three all-electric, zero-emission school buses to three community organizations since Dec. 2023, including Peach County Schools in Fort Valley, Ga., the Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation in Pittsburgh, Pa., and to Hoop Bus in Los Angeles, Ca.

Peach County Schools added the zero-emission school bus to its all-Blue Bird school bus fleet as a clean transportation option for day and field trips, as well as on special routes. The Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation is turning the electric bus into a mobile computer lab to expand the foundation’s digital literacy programs for local community members in need. And Hoop Bus equipped the zero-emission bus with basketball hoops at the front and back, turning the vehicle into an interactive, mobile court serving thousands of at-risk youth in under-resourced communities across California.

About Blue Bird School Bus Foundation Inc.
The Blue Bird School Bus Foundation Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit corporation with the mission to promote education, health, and safety for children in the state of Georgia. Established in 2015, the Foundation supports organizations that directly benefit school age children under 19 years old as well as organizations which directly support disadvantaged communities. For more information, visit https://bbsbf.org.

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

The post Blue Bird’s Foundation Donates More Than $50,000 to Community Groups in Georgia appeared first on School Transportation News.

ChargePoint and Eaton establish industry-first EV charging partnership

By: STN

CAMPBELL, Calif., and CLEVELAND, Ohio, – ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of EV charging solutions, and intelligent power management company Eaton, today announced a collaboration to accelerate and simplify the deployment of EV charging infrastructure in the U.S., Canada and Europe. The companies will integrate EV charging and infrastructure solutions, co-developing new technologies to advance bidirectional power flow and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capabilities—enabling EVs to act as a power source for homes, buildings and more.

Providing a one-stop shop for the EV charging ecosystem, the companies will deliver EV chargers, electrical infrastructure and engineering services as turnkey offerings enabling the electrification of transportation, from vehicles to chargers to the grid. ChargePoint and Eaton will streamline the purchase, design and deployment of EV charging projects, offering joint solutions that will help customers effectively manage site power requirements, optimize infrastructure and enhance reliability at a reduced cost.

“ChargePoint’s partnership with Eaton will deliver innovation that addresses the biggest barriers to electrified transportation,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint. “Together with Eaton we will create unprecedented value for institutions that deploy EV charging, accelerating electrification, and decarbonizing the planet in parallel.”

With Eaton’s collaboration, ChargePoint now elevates its strategic position as an end-to-end enabler of the EV ecosystem, from grid to vehicle. As EV charging infrastructure matures, core components like chargers and infrastructure must integrate at scale to realize their fullest potential. ChargePoint’s work with Eaton and numerous automotive OEMs will enable the seamless integration chargers, infrastructure and EVs, managed with ease on the ChargePoint cloud software platform.

Paul Ryan, general manager, energy transition at Eaton, said: “Customers rely on Eaton to solve their toughest power management challenges. This game-changing partnership will help do just that for vehicle charging—bringing together trusted power distribution and EV charging solutions to simplify electrification at scale.”

Information regarding available EV charging and infrastructure solutions, which address every charging scenario, including fleet, workplace, commercial real estate, fueling and convenience, multifamily, residential and public transportation charging needs, is available on our website.

ChargePoint and the ChargePoint logo are trademarks of ChargePoint, Inc. in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.

About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc.
ChargePoint is creating a new fueling network to move people and goods on electricity. Since 2007, ChargePoint has been committed to making it easy for businesses and drivers to go electric with one of the largest EV charging networks and a comprehensive portfolio of charging solutions. The ChargePoint cloud subscription platform and software-defined charging hardware are designed to include options for every charging scenario from home and multifamily to workplace, parking, hospitality, retail and transport fleets of all types. Today, one ChargePoint account provides access to hundreds of thousands of places to charge in North America and Europe. For more information, visit the ChargePoint pressroom, the ChargePoint Investor Relations site, or contact the ChargePoint North American press office, or Investor Relations.

About Eaton
Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

The post ChargePoint and Eaton establish industry-first EV charging partnership appeared first on School Transportation News.

Orange Grove Charter School First in the Nation to Convert Their Bus Fleet to a Greener Solution Using DEMI-NeuFuel.

By: STN

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Orange Grove Charter School, based in Charleston, South Carolina, continues to go green and sets a new standard by converting a majority of their diesel school buses to run on renewable natural gas (RNG). Today, the Charleston-based charter school announced they are the first in the nation to convert their school bus fleet to the DEMI-NeuFuel diesel displacement platform.

The DEMI-NeuFuel school bus platform (aka the “CowFartBus”) is made possible, through a partnership between Ingevity, a specialty chemicals and materials manufacturer based in North Charleston, South Carolina, and American CNG, based in Layton, Utah.

This fleet conversion follows a successful pilot program with Orange Grove Charter School upfitting an existing school bus with Ingevity’s NeuFuel technology and American CNG’s DEMI Diesel Displacer™ system. Together, the platform enables buses to run on a blend of diesel and RNG, a near-zero carbon fuel that is derived from the biodegradation process of organic matter from agricultural, landfill, and wastewater facilities. This system is designed for use on in-service, existing diesel school bus and does not require districts or contractors to purchase new buses. Orange Grove CEO, John Clendaniel, says the new system will save the school $750 dollars a month in addition to helping clean up the environment.

Orange Grove’s school bus fleet will now rely on this highly cost-effective and sustainable platform utilizing low-pressure technology to unlock the value of lowcost natural gas, specifically highly sustainable RNG, by using a natural gas hook up
installed on their Charleston, South Carolina campus.

Through the use of the DEMI-NeuFuel technology and RNG, Orange Grove will reduce its fuel costs by over 25%, displacing approximately 270 gallons of diesel per month, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 32.6 metric tons per year, which is equivalent to 18,549 miles driven by a school bus (Based on EPA greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator and the Department of Energy’s AFLEET Tool).

“This project marks a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainable
transportation and demonstrates how we can reduce our carbon footprint and provide cleaner air to our students and our community, while we remain financially prudent,” said John Clendaniel, CEO of Orange Grove Charter School.

“Ingevity is proud to support Orange Grove’s sustainability journey with the deployment of our DEMI-NeuFuel platform across their entire fleet. This project highlights the benefits of low cost natural gas and zero-to-low carbon RNG as a transportation fuel designed specifically for school bus fleets supporting the transition to a lower cost and more sustainable mode of operations,” said Dante Marini, Product Engineer at Ingevity. “Ingevity’s NeuFuel technology and American CNG’s DEMI Diesel Displacer system can provide school bus fleet operators with the flexibility they need to address their unique requirements without compromise to vehicle or fleet operations.”

“The team has done an excellent job in making the process seamless for drivers.”
said Steve Arato Senior, Bus Driver at Orange Grove Charter School. “Our drivers have all noticed a smoother and quieter operation, which makes for a better ride. Overall, I feel proud knowing that what I’m driving is good for the school financially and better for the environment.”

Orange Grove Charter School was an early adopter of the school bus technology with their initial pilot program beginning in early 2023. Today, this low-pressure RNG solution continues to be utilized across various vehicle classes with school districts, independent bus contractors and other fleets around the country in Wyoming, New Jersey, Michigan, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Alabama, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina and others. These fleets engaging in pilot programs and follow-on orders are enjoying the sustainability benefits of RNG as well as significantly reduced fueling costs.

The post Orange Grove Charter School First in the Nation to Convert Their Bus Fleet to a Greener Solution Using DEMI-NeuFuel. appeared first on School Transportation News.

EverDriven Recruits Veteran SaaS and Transportation Leaders with Addition of New Chief Product & Technology Officer and Chief Marketing Officer

By: STN

DENVER, Colo.- EverDriven, the leader in Alternative Student Transportation, continues to scale nationally and deepen its mission-driven impact through the addition of leading technology executives Mon-Chaio Lo and Courtney Pallotta. As Chief Product and Technology Officer, Lo will lead the development of EverDriven’s AI-powered technology platform, advancing product innovation to deliver smarter, more scalable solutions for students, families, and school districts, while Chief Marketing Officer Pallotta will accelerate EverDriven’s growth to reach more students and drive greater impact in local communities across the country.

“Mon-Chaio and Courtney join EverDriven at a defining moment,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “Our footprint has doubled to 35 states in the past five years, and their combined leadership will be key to continuing our nationwide growth and innovation.”

As the adoption of alternative transportation continues at a fast pace, EverDriven is redefining student transport for the modern era, shaped by the need for flexibility, scalability, and digital integration. With a technology-first model that adapts in real time and scales with demand, EverDriven ensures that 21,000 students per day have access to safe, reliable, and equitable transportation, no matter their circumstances.

Bowling continues, “Mon-Chaio and Courtney embody the powerful combination of high-touch service and industry-leading technology that positions EverDriven to modernize student transportation and better serve the country’s most vulnerable communities.”

With over two decades of experience leading engineering organizations at the forefront of innovation, Lo has built and scaled market-leading products across both big tech and high-growth startups. He has held senior leadership roles at Microsoft, Uber, and Meta, where he guided teams in developing transformative, user-centric platforms that blend cutting-edge technology with real-world impact. His startup experience also includes ventures with successful exits, giving him a unique perspective on building at speed and scale.

“I’ve previously built infrastructure that made global transportation safe and compliant by design, embedding regulatory standards into the core of Uber’s platform to support millions of rides each day,” said Lo. “At EverDriven, we have the opportunity to go even further. Leveraging sophisticated data, technology, and AI, we can power intelligent route optimization, predictive scheduling, real-time fleet health monitoring, dynamic student tracking, and seamless district integration. This ensures our product not only meets the needs of today’s districts and families but anticipates the challenges of tomorrow.”

Pallotta brings 25 years of experience leading teams and pioneering go-to-market strategies for technology companies including Reprise, ClearSky Data (acquired by AWS), IBM, and Netezza. Throughout her career, she has launched new market categories, led business transformations, and guided companies from startup through IPO and successful acquisitions. As Chief Marketing Officer, Pallotta will lead EverDriven’s marketing strategy, deepen engagement with school districts, and ensure EverDriven’s tech-powered services reach and support more students nationwide.

“Joining EverDriven as CMO is a unique opportunity to bring together my experience in transformational technology with my passion for educational access,” said Pallotta. “EverDriven’s mission to ensure every student has safe, reliable access to education deeply resonates with me, and the company’s unmatched track record demonstrates both its impact and its potential. I’m excited to help lead EverDriven’s next phase of growth, leveraging technology to expand our positive impact on those we serve.”

To learn more about EverDriven and how its solutions support student transportation, visit https://www.everdriven.com/technology/.

About EverDriven:
With nearly 700 school district contracts and over 31,806 students served last year alone, EverDriven is the leader in safe and technology-enabled Alternative Student Transportation. Leveraging proprietary routing technology and customized transportation services, the company has been instrumental in addressing driver shortages, helping reduce chronic absenteeism, accommodating varying bell times, and serving unique student needs related to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, special needs, ESSA, hard-to-serve trips, and out-of-district placements. For more information, visit everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Recruits Veteran SaaS and Transportation Leaders with Addition of New Chief Product & Technology Officer and Chief Marketing Officer appeared first on School Transportation News.

Durham School Services Bus Driver Alvin Stokes Jr. Receives Excellence in Transportation Award in Michigan

By: STN

REDFORD, Mich. – Alvin Stokes Jr., bus driver for Durham School Services, has been recognized with an Excellence in Transportation Award for his dedication to going above and beyond in providing excellent service to his students and community.

Stokes initially drove for Durham during the pandemic and recently returned to drive for the company in May of last year. In the nomination submitted by his peer, they noted that Alvin “is very helpful to the students and the parents. He goes above and beyond service. If he sees anything wrong, he makes our company aware of it. He drives his bus very safely and he abides by all the rules and regulations of a bus.”

The Excellence in Transportation Award is peer-nominated and awarded annually. It aims to recognize transportation staff who go above and beyond to demonstrate service excellence, and is presented by Wayne RESA, a regional educational service agency, and the Wayne County Transportation Supervisors Association. One winner from each school district is selected by a committee and the winners are recognized at an Excellence in Transportation Banquet surrounded by peers, family, the school districts, and community members.

“Alvin is a wonderful driver who cares so much about his students and is well-deserving of the Excellence in Transportation Award,” said Melanie Hamilton, General Manager, Durham School Services. “He has a great rapport with his students and has a knack in making jokes and making them laugh, all the while ensuring he gets them to school safely every day. Moreover, he is a team player who never hesitates to lend a helping hand when needed. Our team is incredibly proud of Alvin and grateful to have him back on our team. Congratulations, Alvin, and thank you for always going the extra mile for your students and the community.”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services is dedicated to the safety of our students and People. For more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services has earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities we serve.

The post Durham School Services Bus Driver Alvin Stokes Jr. Receives Excellence in Transportation Award in Michigan appeared first on School Transportation News.

Blue Bird Reports Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Results; Beats Second Quarter Guidance With Record Result; Reaffirms 2025 Guidance and Long-Term Outlook

By: STN

MACON, Ga.- Blue Bird Corporation (“Blue Bird”) (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, announced today its fiscal 2025 second quarter results.

“I am incredibly proud of our team in delivering another outstanding result, achieving a new all-time quarterly record revenue and profit,” said John Wyskiel, President & CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “The Blue Bird team continued to exceed expectations, improving operations, driving new orders, and expanding our leadership in alternative-powered buses. Market demand remains very strong with approximately 4,900 units in our order backlog at the end of the second quarter. Unit sales were slightly above the same period as last year, and revenue was up by $12.9M, driven by product mix and pricing. We delivered an exceptional 14% Adj. EBITDA margin for Q2 2025. With 88% of our second quarter unit sales mix comprised of internal combustion engine (ICE) buses, this result demonstrates the very strong earnings power of our core business.

“In our push to expand our leadership in alternative-powered school buses, we delivered a record 265 electric-powered buses this quarter. As of the end of the quarter, we have more than 1,100 EV buses either sold or in our firm order backlog, which supports our EV sales target for 2025.

“Based on our strong Q2 performance, we’ve maintained our full-year financial guidance for Adjusted EBITDA at $200 million, with a 14% margin. This will be an all-time full-year record for Blue Bird, and we look forward to sustained profitable growth in the coming years.”

FY2025 Guidance and Long-Term Outlook Reaffirmed

“We are very pleased with the second quarter results, with our highest ever quarterly revenue and Adj. EBITDA” said Razvan Radulescu, CFO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Our business is in a very strong position and we continue to deliver ahead of the plan we have been messaging. We are reaffirming our full-year 2025 guidance for Net Revenue to $1.4-1.5 Billion, Adj. EBITDA to $190-210 million and Adj. Free Cash Flow to $60-80 million. Additionally, we are confirming our long-term profit outlook towards an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 15%+ on ~$2 billion in revenue.”

Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Results

Net Sales
Net sales were $358.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $12.9 million, or 3.7%, compared to $345.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase in net sales is primarily due to a small increase in Bus unit bookings as well as Bus customer and product mix changes that were partially offset by a small decrease in Parts sales.

Bus sales increased $14.8 million, or 4.6%, reflecting a 1.8% increase in unit bookings and a 2.8% increase in average sales price per unit. In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, 2,295 units booked compared to 2,254 units booked for the same period in fiscal 2024. The small increase in unit price for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the same period in fiscal 2024 was primarily due to customer and product mix changes.

Parts sales decreased $1.8 million, or 6.5%, for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2024. This decrease is primarily attributed to slight variations due to product and channel mix.

Gross Profit
Second quarter gross profit of $70.9 million represented an increase of $7.2 million from the second quarter of last year. The increase was primarily driven by the $12.9 million increase in net sales, discussed above, and partially offset by a corresponding increase of $5.7 million in cost of goods sold.

Net Income
Net income was $26.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, the same as from the second quarter of last year. Among other smaller fluctuations, the $7.2 million increase in gross profit, discussed above, was offset by an increase of $9.6 million in selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily due to an increase in a) share-based compensation expense recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 relating to the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer and b) labor costs.

Adjusted Net Income
Adjusted net income of $31.5 million represented an increase of $2.3 million from the second quarter of last year. The increase was primarily driven by a tax effected increase of $3.7 million in share-based compensation expense, largely relating to the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer, and partially offset by a tax effected $1.4 million in stockholder transaction costs that was present in the second quarter of last year, with no such expense in the current year.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $49.2 million, which was an increase of $3.5 million compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase primarily relates to the $4.9 million increase in share-based compensation expense and $1.9 million decrease in stockholder transaction costs, both discussed above.

Year-to-Date Fiscal 2025 Results

Net Sales
Net sales were $672.7 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025, an increase of $9.1 million, or 1.4%, compared to $663.6 million for the six months ended March 30, 2024. The increase in net sales is primarily due to a small increase in Bus unit bookings as well as Bus customer and product mix changes that were partially offset by a small decrease in Parts sales.

Bus sales increased $9.5 million, or 1.5%, reflecting a 1.0% increase in units booked and a 0.6% increase in average sales price per unit. 4,425 units booked in the six months ended March 29, 2025 compared with 4,383 units booked during the same period in fiscal 2024. The small increase in unit price for the first six months of fiscal 2025 compared to the same period in fiscal 2024 was primarily due to customer and product mix changes.

Parts sales decreased $0.3 million, or 0.6%, for the six months ended March 29, 2025 compared to the six months ended March 30, 2024. This small decrease is primarily attributed to slight variations due to product and channel mix.

Gross Profit
Fiscal year-to-date gross profit was $131.2 million, an increase of $4.0 million from the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by the $9.1 million increase in net sales, discussed above, and partially offset by a corresponding increase of $5.2 million in cost of goods sold.

Net Income
Net income was $54.8 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025, a $2.6 million increase from the same period in the prior year. The increase in net income was primarily driven by the $4.0 million increase in gross profit, discussed above.

Adjusted Net Income
Adjusted net income was $62.1 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025, an increase of $3.2 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This is primarily due to the $2.6 million increase in net income, discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $95.0 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025, an increase of $1.6 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This is primarily due to the $2.6 million increase in net income, discussed above.

About Blue Bird Corporation:
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

The post Blue Bird Reports Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Results; Beats Second Quarter Guidance With Record Result; Reaffirms 2025 Guidance and Long-Term Outlook appeared first on School Transportation News.

Durham School Services Maintenance Teams in Missouri Receive Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award

By: STN

SMITHVILLE, Mo. – Six Durham School Services’ maintenance teams in Missouri have been bestowed the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) for their commitment to safety. The teams awarded were Central, Kearney, Lawson, Savannah, Smithville, and Pleasant Hill. Notably, the Smithville team has earned this award for the first time after beginning its transportation service to the community just last fall.

Every year, the Missouri State Highway Patrol conducts school bus inspections for every school bus fleet in the state as part of their annual program, which covers a thorough list of inspection areas that includes brakes, crossing control arm, seats, tires, and more. Upon completion of the inspection, if over 90% of the fleet passes the inspection with zero out-of-service defects, they are awarded the Total Fleet Excellence Award, which includes an award sticker that can be displayed on the buses and a certificate.

“Through the incredibly dedicated efforts of our team members, these respective locations were able to receive the Total Fleet Excellence Award from the MSHP in recognition of their commitment to safety,” said Philip McPherson, Regional Maintenance Manager, Durham School Services. “The award, sense of achievement, and prestige that comes with it is much deserved, and I couldn’t be more proud of each team. Congrats to our Central, Kearney, Lawson, Savannah, Smithville, and Pleasant Hill fleet teams and thank you for giving it your all behind the scenes to ensure that students are able to get to school safely, on time, and ready to learn.”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services is dedicated to the safety of our students and People. For more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services has earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities we serve.

The post Durham School Services Maintenance Teams in Missouri Receive Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award appeared first on School Transportation News.

GreenPower Announces Delivery of Three BEAST School Buses to Its Dealer for Grant County under EPA Clean School Bus Program

By: STN

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) (“GreenPower”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of purpose-built, all-electric, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, today announced that three Type D all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission BEAST school buses have been delivered to its West Virginia dealer for the Grant County School District under Round 2 funding of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program (CSBP).

“GreenPower continues to manufacture and deliver its all-electric, purpose-built school bus products to its dealer in West Virginia and dealers across the nation for school districts in a timely manner despite the current uncertainties of public policy, tariffs and funding,” said Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower. “This week’s delivery to our West Virginia dealer is for the second school district in West Virginia under the Clean School Bus Program since the contract with EPA was signed just four months ago and the federal funding became available in mid-March.”

Delivery of the West Virginia-manufactured school buses under the EPA grant was paused for a few weeks as part of the freeze on spending implemented by the Trump Administration as the new EPA team evaluated program spending. After the freeze was lifted, GreenPower’s first delivery to its dealer in West Virginia under the CSBP was for Kanawha County and today’s announcement represents the second set of buses under the award to Grant County. Calhoun County’s school buses funded under the CSBP will be the next delivery for GreenPower to its dealer.

To date, GreenPower has delivered 22 of its all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission school buses in West Virginia for deployment in school districts across the Mountain State, including 16 BEASTS and six Nano BEASTs. The deployments represent approximately one-half of the orders placed for West Virginia school districts that have installed charging infrastructure and are prepared to accept the buses.

As the leading purpose-built American manufacturer of EV school buses, GreenPower is the only all-electric OEM that manufactures both a Class 4 Type A school bus and a Class 8 Type D school bus. The BEAST is a purpose-built 40-foot Type D all-electric, zero-emission school bus with seating for up to 90 students. Designed from the ground up as an EV, it is a fully integrated structure that features a strong and corrosion resistant aluminum body made from extruded aluminum, manufactured by Constellium, seamlessly mated to a high strength steel Truss (bus) chassis. The complete flat floor design allows for adjustable track seating with no wheel wells in the passenger compartment, and the high floor keeps students out of the impact zone. Combined port charging is standard with Level 2 rates up to 19.2 kW and DC Fast Charging rates up to 85 kW, allowing for full charging in less than three hours.

About GreenPower Motor Company, Inc.
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo vans and a cab and chassis. GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose-built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. GreenPower was founded in Vancouver, Canada with primary operational facilities in southern California. Listed on the Toronto exchange since November 2015, GreenPower completed its U.S. IPO and NASDAQ listing in August 2020. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com.

The post GreenPower Announces Delivery of Three BEAST School Buses to Its Dealer for Grant County under EPA Clean School Bus Program appeared first on School Transportation News.

HopSkipDrive Welcomes David Katcher as COO and Tyler Baldwin as CRO

By: STN

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – HopSkipDrive, a technology company solving complex transportation
challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, access, and care, today announced the appointments of David Katcher as Chief Operating Officer and Tyler Baldwin as Chief Revenue Officer.

Katcher and Baldwin bring extensive leadership experience across transportation, care, and
marketplace companies. Their appointments reflect HopSkipDrive’s continued investment in
scaling its operations and expanding its national footprint to ensure all students have access to safe, reliable transportation.

David Katcher joins HopSkipDrive after serving as COO at Rula, where he led a broad portfolio of go-to-market and operational teams. Under his leadership, Rula expanded from 11 markets to national coverage and launched several new service offerings. He previously held executive rolesat Lyft and AvantStay, overseeing global operations and field teams of 600+ employees. “I’m energized by HopSkipDrive’s mission to create mobility for all, and I’m excited to build the systems and services that allow us to scale with quality,” said Katcher. “Transportation is a gateway to opportunity, and we are here to make sure that access is never out of reach.”

Tyler Baldwin joins from CharterUP, where he served as CRO and led the revenue organization through a period of rapid growth, increasing gross bookings from $120M to over $200M. He has also served in executive roles at Reali and LinkedIn, building high-performing teams and launching scalable go-to-market strategies.

“I’m thrilled to help drive the next phase of growth for HopSkipDrive,” said Baldwin. “This is a company with demonstrated product-market fit, an inspiring mission, and a platform that truly makes a difference in communities. There’s a massive opportunity to support more school districts across the country, and we’re just getting started.”

“David and Tyler are incredible leaders with a deep commitment to impact, and their expertise will be instrumental as we continue to grow and expand our footprint,” said Joanna McFarland, Co-Founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive. “Their appointments reinforce our focus on quality, safety, and service at scale as we partner with more districts and solve the complex challenges of student transportation.”

HopSkipDrive’s announcement follows a string of recent milestones, including new district
partnerships, the launch of the new RouteWise AI planning platform to help schools optimize their transportation networks, and the announcement of new safety products, features, and initiatives.

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, access, and care. HopSkipDrive is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and industry-leading routing software, RouteWise AI. HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 10,000 schools across 17 states, with over 600 school district partners. More than five million rides over 95 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

The post HopSkipDrive Welcomes David Katcher as COO and Tyler Baldwin as CRO appeared first on School Transportation News.

EverDriven Launches its 2025 Safety and Operations Report Detailing 99.99% Safety Record Across 2M Trips

By: STN

DENVER, Colo. – EverDriven, the leader in Alternative Student Transportation, reinforces its commitment to transparency with the launch of this year’s Safety and Operations Report. With the largest operational footprint in the industry, EverDriven safely transported 31,806 students, completed 2,056,987 trips, and covered 33,136,956 miles between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.

EverDriven’s Safety and Operations Report provides school districts and families with key safety metrics on driver compliance, vehicle reliability, incident and risk management, as well as student-centered safety measures. By regularly sharing this data, EverDriven aims to uphold the highest standards of safety and accountability in the industry while continuously improving its operations to ensure every student benefits from a safe and reliable ride to school.

“Over the past year, we’ve deepened our commitment to what matters most: ensuring every student reaches school safely and reliably,” said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. “The insights captured in our Safety and Operations Report reflect a year of growth, continuous learning, and strengthened practices across every part of our operations. Families and school districts place their trust in us, and our record-setting safety performance is a direct result of the vigilance, transparency, and accountability that define EverDriven’s approach every day.”

With the most comprehensive background checks in the industry and ongoing vetting processes, EverDriven ensures collaboration with safe drivers who prioritize the well-being of students at every turn. The organization upholds safety and compliance requirements for 100% of drivers via pre-service drug testing, multi-layered background checks, motor vehicle record reviews, continued education in safety protocols, defensive driving, and sensitivity practices to support students with unique needs. 100% of vehicles pass annual safety inspections by a certified third party and are subject to random safety checks. Further, EverDriven’s operational standards align with 100% of applicable state-level mandates and Department of Education regulations for small-capacity vehicles.

Local operations teams play a crucial role in ensuring reliability by tracking inclement weather, resolving challenges in real time, and managing EverDriven trips with precision. As a result, 99.63% of scheduled trips were completed as planned. 99.60% of trips ran smoothly, with no concerns reported by families or district administrators.

With 70.81% of trips for students with special needs supported by the same driver, EverDriven offers consistency—an essential factor in building trust, providing emotional stability, and supporting successful transitions for students who benefit from routine. 90.24% of two million trips arrived within five minutes of the scheduled drop-off time, helping students stay on track in the classroom. With a 360-degree approach to safety, EverDriven champions safe practices in every aspect of operations, vetting, protocol, and oversight. Thanks to these rigorous standards, 99.99% of trips were completed safely, without incidents involving passengers or vehicles.

“We’re always looking for new ways to innovate to protect our most vulnerable, whether through advanced safety technologies, enhanced driver training, or real-time monitoring to ensure seamless service,” said Bowling. “We are incredibly proud to be fully compliant with Senate Bill 88 in California and to have implemented the EverDriven Camera Solution, powered by AI, across 55 districts in 12 states, raising the bar for student safety.”

Equipped to help all students get to school regardless of their unique needs, age, or circumstances, EverDriven is the leader in inclusive and transparent Alternative Student Transportation services. This and future reports will provide ongoing insights into safety trends, compliance updates, and new safety initiatives, setting the industry benchmark for ongoing visibility and data-driven credibility.

For more details on EverDriven’s commitment to safety, download the full report.

About EverDriven:
With nearly 700 school district contracts and over 28,000 students served last year alone, EverDriven is the leader in safe and technology-enabled Alternative Student Transportation. Leveraging proprietary routing technology and customized transportation services, the company has been instrumental in addressing driver shortages, reducing chronic absenteeism, accommodating varying bell times, and serving unique student needs related to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, special needs, ESSA, hard-to-serve trips, and out-of-district placements. For more information, visit www.everdriven.com.

The post EverDriven Launches its 2025 Safety and Operations Report Detailing 99.99% Safety Record Across 2M Trips appeared first on School Transportation News.

A-Z Bus Sales Delivers 1000th Electric Blue Bird School Bus

By: STN

A-Z Bus Sales, Inc., a leading transportation solutions provider, proudly announces the delivery of its 1000th all-electric, zero-emission Blue Bird school bus, a significant milestone in California’s pursuit of sustainable transportation. Blue Bird’s authorized bus dealer will host a celebration on April 29th, 2025, at Orange Unified School District, one of A-Z Bus Sales’ largest electric school bus customers in Southern California.

As a pioneer in electric school bus adoption, A-Z Bus Sales has played a key role in helping school districts transition to cleaner, more reliable, and eco-friendly transportation solutions. This journey began decades ago with the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Propane-powered school buses and has now culminated in the deployment of zero-emission electric buses.

A-Z delivered its first zero-emission electric Blue Bird school bus, powered by Accelera / Cummins, in 2018. Since then, the company has expanded its services by creating a Grants Department to help school districts secure funding, an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (EVI) Department to manage charging needs, and an EV Mobile Support team to ensure quick repairs and maximized uptime.

The surge in demand for electric school buses has led to a 30% increase in A-Z Bus Sale’s workforce, creating high-demand jobs in fields such as EV technician services, infrastructure engineering, and administration. This growth is vital to supporting the increasing number of electric buses on the road.

“We’re proud to be at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution in school transportation,” said John Landherr, President and CEO of A-Z Bus Sales. “The lessons we’ve learned along the way allow us to help school districts navigate challenges and confidently transition their fleets. At the end of the day, it’s incredibly rewarding to know we’re making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve and contributing to a more sustainable future for our children.”

The environmental benefits of these electric buses are substantial. Over the lifetime of the 1000 electric school buses, more than 10,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases are expected to be reduced, along with a 33 metric ton reduction in NOx emissions. Additionally, school districts benefit from lower maintenance and fuel costs, prompting many to expand their electric fleets. Several districts have even moved to 100% electric school bus transportation.

Innovative Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows these buses to provide additional grid support, enhancing future energy resiliency. According to Harvard University’s School of Public Health, each electric school bus could deliver up to $247,000 in climate and health benefits, making the transition to electric transportation cost-effective and a significant driver of environmental and public health improvement.

“We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the incredible support of our partners,” said Brandon Bluhm, COO of A-Z Bus Sales. “From our manufacturing partners at Blue Bird, Micro Bird, Accelera, and Ecotuned, to our collaborations with state agencies like the California Air Resources Board and the California Energy Commission, and the visionary school districts that have led the way—this success is the result of combined effort and shared commitment to a cleaner, greener future.”

“Congratulations to the entire A-Z Bus Sales team for marking its 1000th all-electric, zero emission Blue Bird school bus delivery in California – a truly remarkable milestone,” said Albert Burleigh, Vice President of North America Bus Sales at Blue Bird Corporation. “For nearly half a century, A-Z Bus Sales has been our trusted dealer partner in the Golden State. We are grateful to all our friends at A-Z Bus Sales for playing an outstanding role in Blue Bird’s EV success story. Together we’ve helped school districts across the state to reduce harmful emissions, put student and community health first, and significantly reduce operating expenses.”

Of the 1000 electric school buses delivered, A-Z has seen these vehicles excel in diverse environments, from cold, mountainous regions in Northern California to the desert regions of the Imperial Valley. EV buses have outperformed their diesel counterparts in both performance and reliability, and with advancements in technology, the range and uptime of these buses continue to improve. Children across the state are now riding to school in quiet, pollution-free buses.

About A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.
Founded in 1976, A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. is a leading dealer and distributor of passenger transportation solutions, serving the education, government, public sector, commercial, and private fleet markets. Employee-owned and specializing in green alternative fuel products, A-Z offers a wide range of services, including sales, service, parts, and financing for new and preowned buses.

The company has built a strong reputation for fostering long-term customer relationships, professionalism, and integrity. Headquartered in Colton, California, A-Z Bus Sales operates multiple sales and service locations across California, Arizona, Texas, and Hawaii.

For more information, visit www.a-zbus.com

The post A-Z Bus Sales Delivers 1000th Electric Blue Bird School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

Blue Bird Showcases Zero- and Low-Emission Commercial Vehicle Platforms at 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo

By: STN

MACON, Ga. – Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, showcases its latest zero- and ultra-low emission commercial vehicle platforms at the upcoming 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, North America’s largest advanced transportation technology event. The company presents both its groundbreaking electric step van and propane-powered stripped chassis at the industry event from April 28-30, 2025, at the Anaheim Convention Center booth 5488, in Anaheim, Ca.

Blue Bird showcases an electric-powered step van based on its groundbreaking Class 5-6 stripped chassis at the 2025 ACT Expo. The step van features a 178-inch wheelbase for last-mile-delivery vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 23,000 pounds. The vehicle on display features a 140kWh Lithium-ion battery. The batteries are mounted inside the frame rails for superior battery protection. The battery pack supports a vehicle range of up to 130 miles on a single charge. It takes between one and twelve hours to fully recharge depending on the charging infrastructure.

Blue Bird offers several safety features on its electric-powered step van not standard on comparable electric vehicles to enhance driver protection and familiarity. This includes “hill hold,” which prevents the vehicle from rolling backward or forward when sitting stationary on a hill, and “electric creep,” which allows the vehicle to slowly start moving from a stop when the driver’s foot is removed from the brake pedal to simulate a gasoline engine in gear. In addition, both the electric- and propane-powered stripped chassis provide 55-degree, best-in-class wheel cut to improve maneuverability in tight urban settings.

Blue Bird also presents its propane-powered stripped chassis based on a 208-inch wheelbase for medium to long-range delivery vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 23,000 pounds. The company offers an industry first, OEM-installed propane powertrain featuring Ford’s proven 7.3L V8 engine. Blue Bird utilizes lightweight materials and components for its innovative vehicle platform maximizing fuel-efficiency and vehicle payload while continuing to prioritize vehicle safety.

Blue Bird built on its long-standing collaboration with Ford Motor Company and ROUSH CleanTech to develop the propane-powered Class 5-6 stripped chassis. ROUSH CleanTech integrates Ford’s compact, durable and easy-to-maintain 335 horsepower engine into a low-emission powertrain option for Blue Bird’s propane-powered commercial vehicle platform.

Blue Bird leverages ROUSH CleanTech’s proven, ultra-low emission propane technology that has accumulated more than three billion miles with 3,000 fleets in North America.

Blue Bird Leadership
“Blue Bird builds on its century-long expertise in school bus manufacturing and vehicle safety to expand its industry-leading zero- and low-emission transportation solutions to the commercial vehicle market,” said Andy Moore, director of commercial chassis at Blue Bird Corporation. “We are excited to connect with commercial vehicle fleet operators at ACT Expo and to discuss how our advanced electric- and propane-powered vehicle platforms can help them improve vehicle fleet efficiency and cost.”

Commercial vehicle fleet operators using electric- and propane-powered step vans stand to benefit from energy and maintenance cost savings compared to diesel vehicles.

“Since 2012 we’ve had a shared goal with Blue Bird to lower emissions and reduce costs for fleets through proven propane technology,” said Todd Mouw, executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer success at ROUSH CleanTech. “As a domestically produced fuel, propane is economical, abundant, and reliable, offering immediate reductions in both costs and emissions without compromising performance.”

Blue Bird anticipates both its electric-powered and propane-powered stripped chassis to be commercially available in the first quarter of 2026.

Blue Bird is the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer in the United States. The company remains the proven clean transportation leader with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric-powered buses sold. Blue Bird manufactures its school buses in Fort Valley, Ga. The shift to clean transportation helps the company sustain approximately 2,000 good-paying U.S. jobs.

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

About ROUSH CleanTech
ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of advanced clean transportation solutions, is a division of the global engineering company Roush Enterprises. ROUSH CleanTech develops propane autogas technology for medium-duty Ford commercial vehicles and school buses. With more than 50,000 vehicles on the road, the Livonia, Michigan-based company delivers economical, emissions-reducing options for fleets across North America. Learn more at ROUSHcleantech.com or by calling 800.59.ROUSH

The post Blue Bird Showcases Zero- and Low-Emission Commercial Vehicle Platforms at 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo appeared first on School Transportation News.

InCharge Energy announces launch of InService maintenance and repair plans to service most EV charger brands at 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, CA

By: STN

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — InCharge Energy, the leading provider of end-to-end commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, today announced the launch of its suite of InService™ maintenance and repair plans and OnDemand service, designed to make electrification even easier for business customers across North America by providing expert service support for nearly any EV charging equipment. InCharge’s industry-leading focus on EV charger-focused service support is designed to address the growing number of businesses with one or more brands of EV chargers on premises with no support in place for maintaining or extending the life of the equipment.

InService solutions provide commercial charging operators across North America with access to highly trained service technicians, predictable payments, and rapid response time, with the industry’s most customizable service and maintenance packages that let customers pay for parts and labor their way. Customers choose the plan that meets their goals and budget, with options that range fully comprehensive coverage to OnDemand repair or maintenance for unexpected issues. This best-in-class service support is designed to ensure customers can maximize operational efficiency for multiple brands of chargers across one or multiple sites, as InCharge’s expert technicians are specifically trained to optimize and extend the life of commercial EV charging equipment.

“When your business invests in a major piece of equipment or an appliance, typically you would also select a robust service agreement for those occasions when it needs maintenance or repair,” said Rich Mohr, CEO of InCharge Energy. “The same is true for EV charging equipment. By choosing an InService plan to support their EV chargers, customers can protect their investment over time to ensure that their equipment continues to run smoothly. InCharge successfully maintains more than 15,000 charging ports networked to our InControl software platform each day, so businesses know they can rely on us to provide the service support they need – even if they have chargers from multiple manufacturers.”

Service and maintenance options – or OnDemand repair – supported by InControl™ Charger Management & Maintenance Software

InService gives customers the operational confidence they need to run a successful EV charging program. Customers can request easy-to-understand OnDemand service anytime, with 24/ 7 customer support at 833-772-4638 and parts and labor pricing.

InService plans include Extended Warranty, Preventative Maintenance (with one or two visits per year), and more comprehensive InService plan variations, with the possibility of further tailoring the support to customer needs. The first offering, InService Standard includes preventative maintenance plus labor coverage and discounted parts. InService Dedicated also provides dedicated expert technicians to support a customer’s operations. Fully comprehensive and customizable, InService Premium also includes active monitoring and remote diagnostics powered by InControl™ Charge Maintenance and Management Software (CMMS), which works alongside any CMS already in place, enabling users to easily request service and facilitating remote identification and repair of up to 75% of EV charger issues.

InService offerings also encompass incremental engineering support or related specialty services, including parts warehousing and supply chain, site assessment, or site restoration services, with the company’s Los Angeles “LASSO” facility providing additional lighting and electrical services and Weights & Measures certification for California-based customers. InCharge Energy’s customizable financial solutions help businesses electrify faster and more affordably, on their terms.

About InCharge Energy
InCharge Energy provides reliable, cost-effective charging and service solutions for North American businesses and organizations of all sizes. Its EV charger service and maintenance offerings, available in every state and province, are designed to support multiple brands of charging equipment. The company also offers a range of customizable financial solutions to meet every business objective and budget, accelerating the path to fleet electrification for auto manufacturers and dealerships, K-12 school districts and higher education, commercial real estate, state and local agencies, and more.

The InCharge team of service experts works remotely to keep chargers operational and dispatches on-staff, highly trained technicians across the continent to facilitate rapid issue resolution. The company’s open-API, OCPP 2.0.1 certified InControl™ is the first commercial charging software to be widely adopted across North America to control costs, manage charging results, and easily request charger service. This AI-powered charger maintenance platform is purpose-built to keep EVs on the roads, empowering businesses with key insights to easily optimize daily operations and minimize total cost of ownership (TCO).

Headquartered in Los Angeles, InCharge has operating facilities in Richmond, Virginia, and Montreal, Quebec. Learn more about InCharge Energy and its services at www.inchargeus.com. You can also follow InCharge on LinkedIn.

The post InCharge Energy announces launch of InService maintenance and repair plans to service most EV charger brands at 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, CA appeared first on School Transportation News.

I Squared Capital Acquires National Express School (NEXS) to Support Growth in North America

By: STN

LISLE, Ill. and MIAMI, Flo. – Mobico Group has announced that it has reached an agreement for the sale of its School Bus division, National Express School (NEXS) to I Squared Capital, a specialist global infrastructure investor. The acquisition, which is anticipated to close in the third quarter of this year, will involve all brands associated with NEXS, including Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, and Stock Transportation.

As one of the largest student transportation companies in North America, NEXS is a transportation leader with over 100+ years of experience in the industry with a renowned history of safe and reliable transportation service. With its high-visibility contracting model and sticky revenue streams, NEXS looks forward to embarking on a new chapter of growth in partnership with I Squared while retaining our market-leading safety record and brand heritage.

Tim Wertner, CEO of National Express School, said, “This transfer of ownership will allow us to stand on a much stronger financial foundation for a wider spectrum of new opportunities and growth to benefit our stakeholders, valued partners, and prospects, as well as reinforce our position as a transportation leader and flourish to even greater heights. With I Squared Capital’s strong reputation and support of our Company, we firmly believe they will be an outstanding steward for us, and we look forward to furthering our footprint in the student transportation industry together.”

Gautam Bhandari, Global Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at I Squared, said: “School transportation is more than just a daily commute. It’s a vital link to education, which underpins a functioning society regardless of the economic cycle. As infrastructure specialists, I Squared has specific expertise in providing vital public services, including public transport. Our investment will provide the capital needed to upgrade equipment and maintain safe, efficient transportation for children using this essential service so parents can rest assured each time their family member travels. We are proud to add this critical business to our portfolio and look forward to continuing to support its growth in North America.”

About National Express School

National Express School (NEXS) is the North American subsidiary of Mobico Group, one of the premier global mobility firms. We operate across 34 states and two provinces. Our organizations share a strong commitment to provide the highest level of safety, quality, outstanding customer service and positive employee relations. National Express School serves more than 400 school districts and contracts in 30 states and two provinces, and transports more than 1.2 million students on a daily basis.

About I Squared Capital

I Squared Capital is a leading global infrastructure investor managing over $40 billion in assets. We build and scale essential infrastructure businesses that deliver critical services to millions of people worldwide. Our portfolio includes over 90 companies operating in more than 70 countries and spanning sectors such as energy, utilities, digital infrastructure, transport, environmental and social infrastructure. Headquartered in Miami, our team of over 300 professionals is based across offices in Abu Dhabi, London, Munich, New Delhi, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Taipei. Learn more at www.isquaredcapital.com.

The post I Squared Capital Acquires National Express School (NEXS) to Support Growth in North America appeared first on School Transportation News.

International Exhibits Solutions to Simplify the Customer Experience at ACT Expo 2025

By: STN

ANAHEIM, Calif. – International Motors, LLC * (“International”) will showcase its digitally enabled solutions dedicated to the customer experience at ACT Expo 2025 in Anaheim, California April 28 – May 1.

“At International, we’re investing in innovative solutions to create an exceptional customer experience” said Debbie Shust, vice president, Customer Insights & Experience, International. “It’s not just about delivering vehicles—it’s about delivering confidence. In a dynamic environment, we simplify the journey, support long-term success, and show up as a true partner every step of the way.”

Fleet Decarbonization

International offers end-to-end consulting services to support customers in reaching their fleet decarbonization goals. These services include electric readiness assessments, infrastructure planning, grant support, and onboarding assistance. Customers can begin their journey by visiting their local International dealer to tailor a decarbonization strategy that is best suited for their business.

With more than 10 million real-world miles, International’s battery-electric vehicles have been meeting customer demands in practical scenarios, assisting customers in their decarbonization journeys.

With the announcement of the International eRH Series, an all-electric Class 8 regional haul tractor, the company expands its electric vehicle lineup to meet demands of the heavy-duty market. The eRH joins the International eMV Series and the IC Bus Electric CE Series in the International electric vehicle lineup.

Recognizing that fleet decarbonization happens at different paces for customers, International also provides advanced diesel solutions For example, the LT with the S13 Integrated Powertrain delivers at least 5% more in fuel economy than any competitor in the on-highway aero category.** The S13 Integrated is also certified for use with R100 renewable diesel.

Electric Maintenance Solutions

International provides planned maintenance service contracts to ensure that customers’ operating, maintenance, and service needs are met and supported by our expansive dealer network. These contracts ensure that battery-electric trucks and buses are seamlessly integrated and maintained through proactive service planning.

This white-glove experience is tailored to enhance uptime via scheduled maintenance intervals, solutions like proactive parts planning, advanced technician scheduling, and a new digital ecosystem designed to predict service and maintenance needs aimed at driving efficiency across International and IC Bus dealerships.

The new digital ecosystem provides greater visibility into fleets’ health-based vehicle data allowing customers and dealers to schedule planned maintenance appointments three to four weeks ahead of time. During this already planned downtime, fleets and dealers can also proactively identify other needed repairs and campaigns.

International Service Contracts include planned maintenance and can also include powertrain coverage, chassis coverage, and optional towing coverage. International Service Contracts are available for either five or six years on every new battery-electric truck. Electric bus terms for service contracts vary.

International Financial Payment Program for Bundled Solutions

Beyond financing for traditional diesel trucks, International Financial is also a partner for electric-powered trucks and chargers. This partnership extends past the hardware needed to operate in the battery-electric vehicle ecosystem with a Payment Program that enables customers to access International Service Contracts seamlessly. Importantly, the Payment Program allows our customers to opt for planned maintenance over the term of the contract, with no associated financing cost.

The Payment Program for International Service Contracts is available for electric vehicles whether or not the vehicle is financed through International Financial. Visit the International Financial EV page for more information.

International is dedicated to providing innovative solutions that propel our customers forward. By minimizing downtime and enhancing operational efficiency, we ensure our customers can spend their time and attention focusing on continuous growth and success of their core business. To learn more about these customer solutions, visit the International booth (#5640) at ACT Expo April 28 – May 1 at the Anaheim Convention Center or explore International.com.

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

The post International Exhibits Solutions to Simplify the Customer Experience at ACT Expo 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation Establishes Integrated Digital Wireless Solutions to Professional User Markets

By: STN

JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation (JKUSA) is enhancing our U.S. business model to provide digital integrated wireless systems solutions to professional user markets in the United States. JKUSA recently established the Kenwood Integrated Solutions division to offer expanded infrastructure solutions featuring technologies that will include DMR 2/3, our groundbreaking DMR 2.5, NXDN Gen1/2, and traditional Analog. This new go-to-market model will prioritize integrated solutions in collaboration with key channel partners for trunking, conventional, and simulcast systems.

JKUSA’s integrated solutions will feature our renowned NEXEDGE product platforms for infrastructure construction and subscriber devices in VHF Hi/Lo, UHF, and 800/900 MHz bands. Gaining worldwide industry acceptance for its quality, performance, and value across diverse user ecosystems, the NEXEDGE platform delivers robust and cost-effective communications for clients requiring NXDN, Analog, and DMR derivative solutions. Planned enhancements for the NEXEDGE platform will further improve system performance, security, and usability, addressing the evolving demands of customers in these sectors.

Kenwood Integrated Solutions, along with teaming partners, will deliver complete systems solutions, including the network, subscriber devices, and associated services.

For further information regarding JVCKENWOOD’s systems and communications solutions, please visit www.kenwood.com/usa/com.

About JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation
JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of JVCKENWOOD Corporation. We manufacture KENWOOD analog and digital communications equipment, including NEXEDGE two-way radios using the NXDN protocol. JVCKENWOOD provides complete system solutions for the utility, government, education, healthcare, business, and industrial markets and is recognized by industry professionals for providing quality, performance, and value products. For more information, visit us at kenwood.com/usa/com or call 1-800-950-5005.

The post JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation Establishes Integrated Digital Wireless Solutions to Professional User Markets appeared first on School Transportation News.

New York Association for Pupil Transportation Calls on Drivers To Stop for School Buses

By: STN

The New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) is supporting Operation Safe Stop Day, an annual event to promote school bus safety and educate the public about the dangers of illegally passing a stopped school bus while its red lights are flashing. NYAPT chapters throughout the state will be holding Operation Safe Stop Day public awareness events this Thursday, April 24 including the Capital Region, and Rochester and Central New York areas.

“Stop on red, our kids are ahead – that’s the Operation Safe Stop motto,” said David Christopher, Executive Director of NYAPT. “While the main focus is to remind drivers to stop for stopped school buses so we can keep our school children safe, it is important to note that law enforcement across the state will be out in force following yellow school buses and issuing tickets to those drivers who violate the law.”

Operation Safe Stop is a cooperative educational and enforcement project supported by NYAPT, the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the New York State Education Department, the New York State School Bus Contractors Association, the New York State Bus Distributors Association, the student transportation industry, and state, county, city, and local law enforcement agencies.

A recent survey of nearly 900 school bus drivers reported almost 2,000 illegal passings in a single school day. Projected out to include all New York State school bus drivers, that equates to more than 110,000 illegal passings in one day, an alarming number.

“The safety of students riding our school buses to and from school is our top priority, and we urge drivers to do their part by stopping for stopped school buses,” said Marc Medina, President of NYAPT and Transportation Director of the Farmingdale Union Free School District. We ask the public to avoid distractions while driving, to be aware that school buses are on our roadways, and to stop when they see the red lights flashing on a school bus. Student lives depend on all motorists following the law.”

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires all vehicles to come to a complete stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing as those lights indicate a child boarding or disembarking a school bus. New York State law prohibits passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing, regardless of the direction of travel, even on a multi-lane or divided highway.

NYAPT Operation Safe Stop Committee Chair, Belinda Govich, Shenendehowa Central School District, urges motorists to look out for our children, “Our children shouldn’t have to worry about motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus. Slow down and watch for school buses. Stop when you see the red lights. It’s that simple!”

Law enforcement will be following buses on the lookout for illegal passings. Penalties for a first-time offense of illegally passing a school bus include a fine of $250 to $400, five points on your driver’s license, and possibly up to 30 days in jail. A second conviction within three years may result in a fine of $600 to $750, five points on your license, and up to 180 days in jail. Three or more convictions will result in a fine of $750 to $1,500, 5 points on your license, and up to 180 days in jail.

Additionally, for those school districts and municipalities that choose to use automatic ticketing stop arm cameras on school buses, state law allows fines to be levied on the owner of any vehicle that illegally passes a stopped school bus, beginning at $250 for a first violation and up to $300 for subsequent violations.

NYAPT chapters throughout the state will be holding Operation Safe Stop Day public awareness events on April 24 including the following locations:

Capital Region (10 a.m.) – Fuller Road Firehouse, 1342 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205

Rochester Area – Rush Henrietta Transportation Center, 1133 Lehigh Station Road

Henrietta, NY 14467. Contact: Shirley Smith-Gravanda

Central New York Area – Pulaski Transportation Department, 4662 Salina Street, Pulaski, NY. Contact: Melissa Goodwill

NYAPT also noted that the 2.3 million children who ride school buses in New York State are driven by qualified and well-trained school bus drivers on routes carefully planned for safety, that buses are maintained at the highest of safety standards, and that school transportation officials are doing their best to keep students safe when they are on or near a school bus.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, students are 70-times safer riding a school bus to school than in a private car. See www.nhtsa.gov

The post New York Association for Pupil Transportation Calls on Drivers To Stop for School Buses appeared first on School Transportation News.

Durham School Services Recognizes Growth and Service Excellence at Grand Opening of New Bus Yard Facility in Florida

By: STN

JACKSONVILLE, Flo. –Durham School Services celebrated more growth and expansion with the grand opening of its new bus yard facility in Duval County today, which will serve students from Arlington to the Beaches. Team members, school district transportation staff, and local media attended the event.

“Today was a day to have fun and recognize those who transport our most precious cargo safely, on time, and ready to learn. It was also a chance to recognize the people who keep the buses running. We have been extremely excited about the opening and what it means for our drivers, monitors and community,” said Nicoll Conden, General Manager at Durham School Services.

More than 100 drivers will operate out of the new bus yard. Durham School Services has been part of the Jacksonville area since 2009 and has almost 400 service routes in the Arlington, Southside, Mandarin and Beaches areas. As a dedicated community partner and as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program, Durham’s team members have participated in several community events such as Wreaths Across America, back to school events and the city’s Christmas party.

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services is dedicated to the safety of our students and people. For more than 100 years, we have been committed to excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services has earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our customers and the communities we serve.

The post Durham School Services Recognizes Growth and Service Excellence at Grand Opening of New Bus Yard Facility in Florida appeared first on School Transportation News.

PERC Celebrates Earth Day, Propane’s Role in Clean, Resilient Fleets

By: STN

RICHMOND, Va. – This Earth Day, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is highlighting propane autogas and renewable propane as key solutions for cutting emissions and delivering reliable energy amid global sustainability efforts. As a safe, clean, and readily available energy source that produces 52 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the electric grid, propane supports both the environment and communities striving for more sustainable, resilient energy.

“Too often the energy conversation turns toward a choice between sustainability and reliability; propane proves that you don’t have to choose,” said Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of PERC. “With extreme weather events on the rise, we need solutions that are as resilient as they are clean. Propane is widely available and rises to the challenge of reducing carbon emissions and keeping our planet clean and our communities up and running.”

In addition to being a low-carbon energy source, propane autogas is nontoxic and does not contaminate soil or water, making it a safe choice for fleets and the communities in which they operate. Today’s ultra-low nitrogen oxide (NOx) propane autogas engines reduce harmful NOx emissions by up to 96 percent and are certified to the California Air Resource’s Board’s (CARB) 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr) standard.

These engines are even cleaner when they operate with renewable propane. Made from renewable feedstocks, renewable propane offers the same benefits of conventional propane — power, performance, and reliability — but with even lower emissions. Renewable propane can be used in any current propane autogas engine or infrastructure without modifications, providing another smart solution along the path to zero emissions.

Beyond its environmental benefits, propane autogas provides fleet owners with energy security and resilience because it is a portable energy source that can power equipment and be delivered even when the grid is down. Even in the aftermath of natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, blizzards, or blackouts, propane autogas keeps fleets on the road when they’re needed most.

Propane can also support electric vehicles with propane-powered EV charging. The technology utilizes a self-sufficient nanogrid with a propane-powered generator to provide DC level 3 fast charging. The infrastructure operates independently from the electric grid to keep EV fleets on the road.

“Propane autogas continues to empower fleet owners to meet their sustainability goals while staying resilient and efficient,” said Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at PERC. “From slashing emissions and leveraging the latest in renewable technology to helping fleets maintain operational uptime, propane is trusted to keep vehicles on the road well into the future.”

To see how propane autogas is making a difference this Earth Day, visit propane.com/fleet-vehicles.

About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com.

The post PERC Celebrates Earth Day, Propane’s Role in Clean, Resilient Fleets appeared first on School Transportation News.

❌