Six school districts are being recognized at STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada next month as part of the 2025 Top Transportation Teams.
Launched in 2023, the Top Transportation Teams program by Transfinder spotlights the country’s outstanding student transportation departments and gives them a platform to share their success strategies with others. The winners were chosen based on the results of anonymous surveys that were sent to the teams that applied, asking questions about leadership, career development, resources and incentives.
The winners are divided into two categories, the first being 100 or more team members. Winners in this category are Hoover City Schools in Alabama, Prosper Independent School District in Texas and Goddard Public Schools in Kansas. In the 100 team members or less category are Pembroke Central School District in New York, Wa-Nee Community Schools in Indiana and Franklin Square Union Free School District in New York.
STN EXPO attendees will recognize some returning districts among the winners. Wa-nee took home the award in 2024 and Pembroke CSD in 2023.
Transfinder President and CEO Antonio Civitella noted an increased number of applicants this year. “The Top Transportation Teams program continues to grow, a sign that there was a void that needed filling,” he stated. “Hearing the stories from districts on how they work together, build culture and go beyond the call of duty has been inspiring to so many. We know this program is not just giving these teams the recognition they deserve but also is playing a role in helping transportation operations improve how they serve their communities.”
Following an awards presentation ceremony on July 14 at STN EXPO West, representatives from each winning team will join a panel discussion where they will discuss with Civitella the leadership decisions and operational procedures that create a successful transportation team.
“The Top Transportation Teams Award is a prestigious honor recognizing exceptional school districts and private school bus contractors,” said STN Publisher and President Tony Corpin. “In partnership with Transfinder, this award highlights exemplary teamwork and operational excellence, inspiring the pupil transportation industry to achieve higher standards of safety, operational excellence and highlighting the importance of company culture. We are honored to host these awards and thank President and CEO Antonio Civitella for his vision to recognize industry leaders and their teams!”
STN EXPO West will be held in Reno, Nevada July 11-16. Register at stnexpo.com/west.
While alternative transportation providers frequently carry children with medical or behavioral challenges and students covered by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, they also have a solid record of coming to the rescue in other situations.
The Louisville High School in Los Angeles does not currently have any students experiencing homelessness or medical issues, but its administrators received word two years ago from the school’s bus contractor that it was unable to cover a route. “We’re an all-girls Catholic school, and enrollment is really important. We felt an obligation to those students, so we were looking for alternatives,” explained Tara Shuler, the school’s attendance manager.
Louisville High belonged to a transportation consortium with other local private schools, which is how Shuler first heard of HopSkipDrive. Louisville, along with its all-boys brother school in Encino, Crespi, opted to retain the alternative transportation company. “We had a lot of cars coming and going on that very first year and had some siblings going to both schools,” said Shuler.
“The drivers are all vetted and background checked, so you know you’re not just putting your kid in an Uber with some random person who decided to sign up,” she continued. “I think that gave our families confidence in the beginning .. and then it went forward with no real hiccups. They were rock solid from day one.”
Noting the school also needs after-school and evening routes, Shuler said the alternative transportation option enabled the school to continue both. “We really modeled it after our buses and it worked out,” she added.
Without the alternative transportation option, Shuler said she believes the school likely would have lost “quite a few kids” due to L.A. traffic. “Parents work so they can’t get to the other side of town and they’re not going to drive them an hour to school and then an hour back to get to work,” she added.
The nation’s leading alternative transportation providers may stake out their own territories or compete head-to-head in places, but they all agree that nothing is more important than safety when it comes to getting students with behavioral challenges where they need to be when they need to be there. A crucial component of managing those students is the recruitment and retention of drivers who share that commitment.
The alternative service was scaled back last year when the bus company was again able to cover one route, but the HopSkipDrive service was a “nice alternative for us to get our students to school and home safely and not having a bus,” noted Shuler. “It was what we did to fill the gap where we didn’t have a bus.”
She praised the provider for its “phenomenal” communication, calling and texting to share information about a late driver change due to illness, a car slowed in heavy traffic or if there was another issue.
Noting she had worked years ago at Nordstrom’s, a retailer which is known for setting the gold standard in customer care, Shuler said of HopSkipDrive, “They made it so easy to work with them. Their customer service was like Nordstrom’s. There was never any issue they didn’t take care of,” she concluded.
WASHINGTON, DC, – Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), the national rail safety education nonprofit, is urging the public to recognize and understand how to use Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs – not just on the first-ever Emergency Notification System (ENS) Sign Awareness Day, taking place Tuesday, June 24, 2025, but year-round.
“Located across the U.S. where roadways cross railroad tracks, ENS signs provide a critical connection to railroads in emergencies,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “Recognizing and using this sign in a crisis – like a stuck vehicle or trouble on the tracks – can save lives, when seconds count.”
Each rectangular Blue and White ENS sign displays a unique phone number and crossing ID – vital information that allows the public to report emergencies quickly, when every moment matters.
See trouble on or near the tracks? Safely find the ENS sign, call the number listed and provide the crossing ID. This is also great information to share when calling 911.
If your vehicle is stuck or stalls on the tracks:
Get out immediately. Get far away from the tracks – even if no train is in sight.
Find the ENS sign and call the number listed. Give the dispatcher the crossing ID.
No sign, call 911.
“The sign may be small, but its impact is enormous,” said Maleh. “This campaign empowers people with knowledge that can make all the difference in an emergency. Knowing what to do – and how to act quickly – can prevent a tragedy.”
“ENS Sign Awareness Day is a powerful reminder – but this is a message that matters every day of the year,” Maleh added. “Together, we can stop track tragedies.”
A Nationwide Awareness Effort
ENS Sign Awareness Day — June 24, 2025 — shines a spotlight on the lifesaving importance of the Blue and White Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs posted at railroad crossings. Help raise awareness wherever you are — at home, on the job or out in your neighborhood.
What You Can Do
Engage Locally. Connect with your State Coordinator and attend an ENS community event. Educate your friends, family and community about ENS signs and how to use them. Follow OLI on social and share our daily rail safety education messages.
Volunteer with OLI. Share our ready-to-use PSAs, videos, infographics and social posts. Share the importance of the ENS sign as well as OLI’s FREE RISC Training with your first responders.
About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is a national #RailSafetyEducation nonprofit dedicated to stopping track tragedies through public awareness and education campaigns as well as a national volunteer network that gives free presentations encouraging safe behavior near tracks and trains. OLI supports the efforts of 47 state programs and the District of Columbia in sharing the rail safety education message. Explore OLI’s virtual library of rail safety materials on the oli.org website. Visit oli.org to learn more, take a rail safety pledge, request free presentations and volunteer. Follow OLI on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X and YouTube.
GOSHEN, Ind. — Forest River Bus & Van, a division of Forest River, Inc., is proud to
announce a series of leadership advancements aimed at strengthening operations,
enhancing the customer experience, and supporting long-term growth.
Forest River has named Douglas Wright as President of its Bus, Van, and Marine divisions. With more than three decades of experience in the automotive industry, Wright is known for his strategic leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to customer service.
“This company was built by people who care deeply about what they do—and who they do it for,” Wright said. “Our responsibility now is to carry that legacy forward while continuing to refine and elevate the customer journey.
Supporting that vision is longtime Forest River leader Mike Terlep, newly appointed as Director of Sales for the Bus division. Terlep will lead all sales efforts across government, commercial, and dealer channels in North America. With a strong foundation in both RV and commercial transportation, he brings decades of hands-on experience and a reputation for being dependable and dealer focused.
“There’s no substitute for consistency and follow-through,” Terlep said. “We’ve built a strong foundation, and I’m excited to help carry that forward, ensuring every agency, fleet, and dealer experiences the strength of our commitment.”
But this expansion goes beyond titles. It’s about reimagining what service looks like at every step from initial order to years after delivery. To do that, Forest River has introduced two new roles focused on aligning the ownership experience with the operational precision behind each build.
• Ryan Lamb has been named Director of Customer Experience, leading efforts to
bring greater continuity, speed, and clarity to every customer touchpoint. With
nearly two decades in commercial vehicle manufacturing, Lamb understands how
critical it is to get things right the first time and keep them running right long after.
• On the dealer side, Matt Steele has been named Director of Dealer Experience. With a background in product development, dealer operations, and customer service, Steele’s mission is to make it easier than ever for Forest River’s network of dealers to succeed.
Together, these leadership moves reinforce what has always set Forest River apart: its people, its partnerships, and its purpose.
Thousands of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students could soon be left without a safe or consistent way to get to class as both the city’s transit systems and school transportation network confront structural instability, rising costs and limited resources.
At the center of this crisis is a $771 million funding shortfall projected to hit the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)—which oversees CTA, Metra, and Pace—by fiscal year 2026. At the same time, CPS continues to restrict access to yellow school bus services, offering it primarily to students with disabilities or those experiencing housing instability.
The result: A looming transportation cliff for tens of thousands of students who rely on a fragile mix of public buses, trains and limited school transport options.
CPS Acknowledges Strain, Defends Strategy
In a statement to School Transportation News, CPS emphasized its commitment to student transportation.
“Chicago Public Schools (CPS) remains committed to working in partnership with vendors, city agencies, and families to provide yellow bus transportation to eligible students,” the district said. “The district is in the process of developing the FY 2026 budget, which must be presented to the Chicago Board of Education by the end of August.”
As of June 2, CPS reported that 14,135 students (approximately 82 percent of the 17,130 eligible for transportation service out of a total enrollment of 325,000) had been assigned a school bus route during the 2024-2025 school year, which ended Thursday. The majority – 11,894 – were students with disabilities, with 2,073 being general education students and 168 served under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
CPS emphasized that its transportation system is outsourced and must cover more than 200 square miles of city territory. The routing process is “ongoing,” the district noted, and subject to constant change due to shifting student addresses and school enrollments.
City Transit Cuts Threaten the Backup Plan
For students who do not qualify for yellow school bus service—particularly high schoolers attending selective enrollment, charter or magnet schools—Chicago’s public transit has long served as the fallback.
But that fallback may soon collapse.
The RTA warned of devastating service reductions beginning in 2026, when pandemic-era federal aid dries up. Without new revenue from the state or local governments, CTA could lose up to 60 percent of its bus routes and half its rail service, impacting more than 500,000 daily riders.
The consequences for students could be severe. CPS has not released updated transit ridership data, but a 2020 report estimated that over 70 percent of CPS high schoolers relied on public transit to reach school. That reliance is unlikely to have changed significantly, especially as CPS continues to limit yellow bus eligibility.
CPS Measures to Mitigate the Impact
To address existing transportation challenges, CPS said it increased wages for yellow bus drivers—twice in the past three years – and adjusted school bell times at selected campuses to maximize routing efficiency. CPS also expanded its school bus driver recruitment through job fairs and citywide media campaigns. And it sought an extension of the federal “under-the-hood” waiver that bypasses a need for school bus driver applicants to take the engine compartment pre-trip inspection portion of the commercial driver’s license exam.
CPS and the Illinois Secretary of State offered CDL testing and study materials in both English and Spanish languages.
As of June 2, the district had 901 school bus drivers available to service CPS routes.
CPS also continues its partnership with the CTA to provide free Ventra cards to eligible general education students who qualify for transportation but do not have access to a school bus. These cards have been distributed since the beginning of the school year and remain a stopgap solution.
Still, transportation advocates argue these efforts, while important, fall short of meeting the broader need—particularly for families who live far from their assigned or chosen schools.
In 2023, CPS launched a “hub stop” pilot program to address ongoing bus driver shortages. Instead of home-based pick-ups, students are directed to centralized stops—often located miles away. CPS officials said the program has helped streamline operations and is expected to serve about 1,000 students by the end of this school year.
But the hub model has raised concerns about accessibility, especially for students in neighborhoods with high crime rates, inadequate sidewalks, or limited parental availability due to work schedules.
Advocates have also questioned whether the program adheres to federal transportation mandates under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), particularly for students with IEPs who require specialized transport accommodations.
Chicago By the Numbers
• 325,000+ — Total CPS student enrollment
• 17,130 — Students eligible for yellow bus transportation
• 14,135 — Students routed as of June 2, 2025
• 901 — Bus drivers assigned to CPS routes
• $770 million — RTA’s projected 2026 funding gap
• 70%+ — CPS high schoolers estimated to rely on public transit
• 2031 — Year seatbelt requirement would take effect (if signed)
What’s at Stake? Access and Equity
For years, CPS transportation decisions have sparked debate about educational equity—especially for students on the city’s South and West Sides, who often must travel long distances to access high-performing schools.
Without reliable transit or door-to-door busing, some families report chronic absenteeism, tardiness and even school withdrawal. The collapse of public transit service—combined with limitations in school busing—could compound the accessibility crisis.
As CPS finalizes its FY 2026 budget and state lawmakers continue negotiating over transit funding, advocates are urging both city and state leaders to prioritize a student-centered transportation strategy that addresses the unique logistical demands of urban education.
Without coordinated action, thousands of Chicago students could be left behind—literally.
Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA’s) National Weather Service predict more named hurricanes are likely this season, which began on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
NOAA forecasts predict a 60-percent chance of an above-normal hurricane season and a 30-percent chance of a near-normal conditions. Meawhile, there is a 10-percent chance of a below-normal season.
According to a statement issued May 22, the agency is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 named storms, with six to 10 of them potentially becoming at least Category 1 hurricanes accompanied by winds of 74 mph or higher. Additionally, three to five hurricanes could reach Category 3 status with winds of 111 mph or higher.
The above-normal activity could be due to many factors such as ENSO-neutral conditions (neither warming El Niño or cooling La Niña water temperatures), warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear, and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes. NOAA said any of these elements tend to favor tropical storm formation.
Last fall, Helene and Milton affected the Southeastern part of the U.S. by using devastating damage. During the STN EXPO East Conference near Charlotte, North Carolina in March, transportation directors from affected areas in North Carolina and Florida discussed their experiences and responses to the storms.
The panelists noted the widespread power outages that occurred as a result of the hurricanes while sharing tips on their roads to recovery and important processes to remember during rescue and response efforts. This includes crucial input from school transportation departments.
With the hurricane season underway, school districts and transportation officials in storm-prone areas are encouraged to make the proper preparations, offer related training, and develop effective emergency management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of hurricanes on public safety and infrastructure.
The STN EXPO East session confirmed that before the disasters struck, the panelists thought such devastation would never happen in their area. A well-structured emergency operation is important as it can both enhance safety and foster a culture of resilience within the school community.
Besides thanking the various individuals involved in putting together the 17th National Congress on School Transportation last month in Des Moines, Iowa, and providing copies of the proceedings to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other organizations, resolutions focused on increased safety and data keeping.
The most time-sensitive resolution is No. 6, which requests clarification on FMVSS 213a and 213b final rules related to the performance and use of child safety restraint systems (CSRS). NCST submitted the resolution to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration immediately. It notes that the school transportation industry takes great pride in providing the safest form of transportation available and that preschool and special needs transportation are a sizable component of the industry.
The resolution states the importance of further engaging NHTSA “to ensure children requiring securement based on age and weight are carried safely and securely, child safety restraint systems are attached to the seatback to ensure a secure fit for the child. It is believed that there are approximately 310,000 to 335,000 [child safety restraint systems] specifically designed for school buses on the road.”
NHTSA is currently accepting comments for a notice of proposed rulemaking initiated as a result of the final rules for FMVSS 213a and 213b that would exempt CSRS from side-impact protection requirements and lower anchorage attachment requirements (due to being designed for school buses specifically). The NPRM also states that the CRABI-12MO test dummy is no longer being used to test forward-facing CSRS for side impact, and that labels on school bus CRSs will also be updated to reflect their installation method, versus referencing vehicle belts or child restraint anchorage systems.
The NPRM also seeks to delay the implementation of FMVSS 213a and 213b to Dec. 5, 2026 from June 30, 2025, giving more time to manufacturers to test and certify their products.
Resolution 1 expressed appreciation to Patrick McManamon for serving as NCST Chair from 2015 to 2024. He stepped down as chair earlier this year citing professional and personal reasons.
Resolution 3 recognized the following individuals for serving as on-site officials and for their dedication and service to NCST.
– Mike LaRocco, conference chair
– Charlie Hood, on-site chair
– Susan Miller, on-site coordinator
– Lori Wille, editor
– Laura Meade, parliamentarian
– Rene Dawson & Reginald White, timekeepers
– Samantha Kobussen, National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures artwork
– Zander Press, printer
– Ronna Weber and NASDPTS leadership for “making the Congress a success in the manner it was organized and concluded.”
However, the NCST resolution asks NHTSA if CSRS specifically designed for school buses — such as the IMMI Star, BESI ProTech, and HSM Portable Child Restraint — are exempt from the side-impact requirements under FMVSS 213a, as of the effective date of June 30. If they are not exempt, NCST questioned if devices manufactured prior to June 30 will remain permissible for continued use beyond the implementation deadline. The resolution also asks, in the event the specified CSRS are not exempt and in consideration of maintaining a high standard of safety, what alternative CSRS models or types would be deemed acceptable for continued use on school buses.
The resolution seeks clarification from NHTSA if it will be issuing any additional guidance or initiating rulemaking specifically addressing the use and approval of CSRSs for school bus applications prior to the June 30 effective date. It also asks NHTSA if it will be updating the curriculum for the Child Passenger Safety on School Buses training courses to reflect the forthcoming changes, particularly those involving add-on school bus securement systems.
“The NCST respectfully urges NHTSA to provide a formal response and guidance at the earliest possible opportunity, mindful of the June, 30, 2025 implementation date to support informed decision-making, training readiness, and procurement planning by school transportation providers nationwide,” the resolution states.
NHTSA mandates transportation equipment design and safety performance requirements but does not regulate use. States establish requirements for each type of CSRS based on a child’s age and weight as well as the vehicle. NHTSA did publish Guideline for the Safe Transportation of Pre-school Age Children in School Buses, which essentially recommends using CSRS for the appropriate weight and height of children and following CSRS manufacturer installation instructions. That guideline, which is not binding for states, came out in February 1999 and no updates have been made since.
Additionally, the NHTSA-sponsored Child Passenger Safety on School Buses, taught at TSD Conference, is also best-practice guidance and not a regulation. It was already updated in 2023 by the National Safety Council. The organization develops and maintains the curriculum. The NHTSA website also includes a School Bus Safety page that links to more information on the eight-hour, hands-on securement training.
Meanwhile, Resolution 2 referenced a March 2024 School Transportation News article that identified a student passenger reporting challenge that indicates school bus ridership is disappearing. The Editor’s Take column by Ryan Gray noted that the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration indicates the number of students transported nationwide by the yellow school bus is about one-third less than the figure used by the industry.
The resolution recognizes the need to develop a standardized reporting system for collecting school bus ridership data and “requests the interim steering committee of the 18th NCST to appoint a focus group to research and develop recommendations for standardization of data collection relative to ridership on school bus and make periodic reports to the Interim Committee.”
Data collection for the 2024 survey is expected to be completed this fall.
Resolution 5 “encourages transportation professionals to plan bus stops that are not in proximity to known registered sexual offenders when made aware, when possible. Training programs should be provided to all transportation personnel on recognizing and reporting suspected or known human trafficking.”
The resolution states that the NCST is aware of the safety concerns associated with sexual predators and offenders as well as human trafficking, noting an increase these crimes occurring across the U.S.
All NCST resolution proposals presented to the state delegations passed.
A Thursday webinar stressed the importance of student transportation departments taking an active role in school district-wide efforts to modernize facilities and electrify school buses despite funding shortages.
Marcus Gilmore, senior advisor of clean mobility strategy for webinar sponsor ENGIE North America, shared that despite the staffing and purchasing issues school transportation is facing, electric school bus (ESB) momentum continues. The World Resources Institute reports 13,860 ESB deployments or commitments in 49 states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, and several tribal nations. Many of these buses are deployed in disadvantaged communities, he noted.
He reviewed how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program process faced unprecedented demand before proceeding with a 2024 round. Most districts also see limited state funding, which poses a challenge with federal ESB funding in question.
“Districts are getting creative,” he said, adding that funding is one piece of the puzzle, but aligning efficiency and modernization goals across school district departments is also crucial.
“Districts are getting creative.”
-Marcus Gilmore, Senior Advisor – Clean Mobility Strategy, ENGIE North America
Michael Decker, ENGIE’s senior business development manager, has nearly 30 years of experience as an administrator in Michigan public schools, culminating in his nine-year term as superintendent of St. Charles Community Schools. He spoke to the politics involved in getting a standalone project approved, especially when the district administration doesn’t have visibility into what transportation does or perceives it as competing with “core” education priorities.
He strongly advised transportation leaders to claim a seat at the table and make their voices heard by district administration. As such, student transportation leaders should attend all relevant meetings and remain in the loop with planning because other departments are also advocating for their projects.
“Being able to work in collaboration is huge,” Decker emphasized. “Request and demand that you have a chance to talk.”
While funding approvals typically come through the C-suite, he confirmed that lower-level employees and departments have crucial information and perspectives that must be heard.
“We need to have a need, we need to have desire and we need to have the funding,” he summarized.
Decker also encouraged student transporters to seek discretionary funding, after personnel cuts and other often-overlooked sources.
He noted benefits of facility modernization, which can include fleet electrification, for better student health, improved academic success, attracting more staff and student families, greater operational efficiencies, fuel cost savings, performing needed upgrades, and ending the “kick the can down the road” mentality.
He advocated for affordable comprehensive improvements, since repairs within the walls and roofs are just as important as more public facing facilities. Solar power, battery storage, lighting and transformers are examples of upgrades that give districts a quick return on investment. EV fleet infrastructure, roof upgrades, major HVAC, and window repairs provide a longer return on investment.
Decker shared that, during its free, graded assets survey or consultation, ENGIE will seek holistic improvement opportunities in a district. The company is also brand agnostic with its proposed solutions.
Gilmore reviewed the example of San Marcos Unified School District in California’s San Diego County, which implemented a resilient microgrid for its ESB fleet to satisfy district officials’ desires to cut overall energy costs to help fund the initiative. District-wide cost control measures include LED lighting, solar power, battery energy storage, and HVAC mechanical replacements.
Aromas-San Juan USD, a small rural district in Central California, wanted to improve its energy efficiency, resiliency and sustainability with a comprehensive approach. ENGIE provided the district with an energy services contract comprised of district-wide measures: Solar power, more than 20 new HVAC units, programmable thermostat upgrades, a backup generator for energy resilience, and installation of Wi-Fi on school buses which helped support distance learning for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Decker noted that lighting upgrades are an important yet often overlooked improvement for cost savings, which webinar host STN Publisher Tony Corpin noted requires a conversation with the facilities manager.
Gilmore cautioned against purchasing ESBs solely because there is currently federal funding. Without doing the necessary homework and future planning, he said ESBs could end up parked on a district lot unused.
Transportation infrastructure ultimately supports students’ education and economic prowess, which is the main goal, Decker said. “Make it attractive so we attract more students and fulfill their needs,” he commented.
An irate South Carolina father is being accused of running a school bus with 19 student passengers off the road after authorities say his child was allegedly assaulted by a school bus monitor.
The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on May 23 confirming that two individuals had been charged in connection with a physical altercation involving a student on a school bus the day before.
According to the statement, allegations were brought forward from statements obtained by the Marlboro County School District officials from students on the bus, indicating that bus monitor Sharona Ford Cooper had physically assaulted a student after the student refused to remain seated in assigned seating.
Authorities added that Cooper was \charged with third-degree assault after utilizing her arm to restrain the student from moving down the school bus aisle, as depicted in the video from the school bus monitoring system obtained by law enforcement.
Police stated that shortly after the incident, Anthony Chavis, the father of the student, arrived at the school and became verbally abusive toward administrators and law enforcement staff, using profanity, racial slurs and physical intimidation.
Chavis’ children had been removed from the school bus and left on the school grounds. Once the school bus departed and continued its route to transport 19 other students home, Chavis followed the school bus in his vehicle with his five children as passengers and then forced the bus off the road. He exited his vehicle and struck the bus numerous times with his fist in an unsuccessful effort to gain entry, causing damage to the door.
According to authorities, as the school bus driver continued the route,circumventing Chavis’s car, the father threw an object at the back of the bus and damaged the window. The incident was captured on the school bus video.
Chief Deputy Larry Turner said Chavis was charged with interfering with operations of a school bus, child endangerment, threatening the life of a public official, aggravated breach of peace, malicious injury to government property, and disruption of a school. He was taken into custody and was denied bond, as he was already out on bond for an assault charge at the time of this arrest.
A webinar discussed how Detroit Public Schools Community District in Michigan utilizes solutions like alternative transportation to combat chronic absenteeism and increase educational access.
Joe Brumfield, vice president of business development for webinar sponsor HopSkipDrive, is a former educator who underscored the importance of school transportation with a story of school bus drivers, “who might as well have been wearing big red capes,” when providing transportation for students displaced from a school that was impacted by the recent fires in Los Angeles County.
“The smiles on [students’] faces within this tragedy was just enough to get us all through,” he shared during the event Thursday. “Transportation is without a doubt the most critical part of the school day.”
Aaron Walter, executive director of transportation for Detroit Public Schools, shared the rampant local poverty levels and how chronic absenteeism was decreasing until the COVID-19 pandemic, when it rose sharply. The school bus driver shortage poses more problems, so multimodal transportation methods in use at the district include school buses, transit buses, taxis, vans, transportation network companies, and gas cards for parents. The options provide the right fits for students with special needs, parents who want more tracking technology, and any other unique requests.
“Without transportation network companies, without HopSkipDrive, we would be hard pressed to figure out how to get students to school right now,” Walter said. “Not every student is best supported by a bus.”
Brumfield referenced bus and staff shortages, budgetary pressures, heightened individualized transportation needs, geographic limitations, inefficient public transportation systems, and more trends reflected in HopSkipDrive’s annual State of School Transportation survey.
He shared that 75 percent of students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds face chronic absenteeism levels of about 60 percent, compared to a two percent rate for students who attend affluent schools.
“This is really about students who are furthest away from opportunity,” he said. “Without a solution that really talks about multimodal transportation, I don’t see how we’re going to address chronic absenteeism.”
Walter noted that HopSkipDrive tracks repeated missed transportation pickups so districts can engage with families to learn their needs and ensure their children have educational access. He added that students experiencing homelessness may move around a lot, but the stability of their school, teachers and friends is crucial to their well-being.
For students who are homeless, in foster care, or with disabilities, Walter said that working with HopSkipDrive’s system lets him update or input new information to reroute their transportation vehicle overnight. With parental visibility being so important, bus driver assignments and school arrival notifications are also provided. Brumfield noted that special needs information like a student’s preferred seat, temperature or music can also be provided to drivers and monitors.
Walter said Detroit sends caregivers texts regarding students’ alternative transportation rides, which has reduced calls into the office. Brumfield confirmed that HSD also receives turn-by-turn ride information to take proactive action in the event of a stall or crash.
Both panelists agreed that combining HopSkipDrive’s driver training, driver behavior reports, and student ratings provides districts with helpful metrics and safety oversight.
Walter said Detroit places high value on timely arrivals, as school is likely the first or only place some students receive meals. The missed pickup report is also critical to ensure students are being served and the district isn’t paying for unnecessary services.
Student address and accommodations are the first two factors when deciding what type of vehicle is needed to transport them, Walter said. Legalities must be considered, such as whether a student is the right height and weight to sit in the front seat of the vehicle. Athletic trips, dual credit classes at colleges, and other unique requests must also be fulfilled. In the interest of efficiency, HopSkipDrive can schedule single or recurring trips based on optimized student schedules and needs, Brumfield stated.
Detroit doesn’t transport to schools of choice but will provide transit bus passes, set up different school bus stops, and otherwise work with families. Walter said good relationships with the special education and homeless departments are important in finding solutions that work for everyone.
The death of Alfred Hale sparked a debate in the community on the lack of safety around downtown transit hubs.
The 18-year-old student of Dunbar High School in Dayton, Ohio was shot and killed in April while waiting for a transit bus to take him to school. For decades, many school districts across the U.S. have relied on public transportation to transport high school students. The practice has only increased especially after COVID-19 due to financial and staff shortages.
Ohio House Bill 96 introduces a budget plan that will allocate more funding to all public schools in FY 2026 and 2027.
“The bill increases overall state support for public schools by $81 million in FY26 and $145 million in FY27 over the executive proposal, for a total of $226 million,” a press release on the bill states. “Additionally, per-pupil funding was increased for every student across Ohio.”
Additionally, the bill would require school districts that provide or arrange for transportation of eligible students in the ninth through twelfth grades to ensure that students are assigned to routes that do not require more than one transfer. Mass transit systems located in one of Ohio’s eight most populous counties would need to ensure that transfers don’t occur at a central hub, like the one where Hale was shot.
HB96 passed the House April 9 and was introduced in the Senate.
Dayton Board of Education President Chrisondra Goodwine disagrees with the bill. She released a statement on the tragedy, stating that the ban on student transfers, “is a reactionary move that fails to address the underlying problems. It restricts student access to education and imposes further barriers on already vulnerable youth—without offering any alternative solutions.”
Goodwine added Hale’s death is not a school issue but a citywide crisis.
“The burden of safety cannot fall on schools alone,” she wrote. “Every sector— education, local government, law enforcement, transportation, and commerce—has a shared responsibility in ensuring that our city is not only livable but truly thriving for everyone.”
She noted recent statements from city elected officials that place blame for the systemic challenges on Dayton Public Schools.
“That narrative is not only misleading—it is harmful,” she stated. “It oversimplifies the issue and ignores the very real legal and financial constraints placed on public school districts across Ohio.”
Instead, Goodwine outlined limitations codified in state law that require transportation is provided not only to Dayton students but also to charter and private school students within district boundaries. Dayton Public Schools lacks the legal authority to prioritize only its students, she continued, as well as adequate staffing and funding to place every child on a yellow school bus.
“Because of these limitations, some students must use public transportation,” Goodwine states. “The Greater Dayton RTA is not an educational partner—it is a public transit system governed by federal rules that ensure equitable access to all. While we do engage where possible to improve safety, DPS has no control over how RTA routes passengers or determines transfer points. These decisions are made solely by RTA based on their operational model and obligations to the general public.”
A citywide commitment to youth by opening recreational facilities, expanding mentorship opportunities, and centering teen-focused investments.
She said if city leaders want to be solution-oriented, they can start by opening doors to recreational centers and buildings that are underutilized or vacant but otherwise available to the district or afterschool partners to serve as “safe, structured environments tailored to teenagers— especially in a city where youth have limited access to activities that are engaging, safe, and empowering.”
“Changing the trajectory for young people requires more than statements—it requires investment in their future,” she added. “At the same time, we call on the State of Ohio to change the laws that continue to create barriers to a better reality for our students. Allow public districts to serve their students first. Fund transportation adequately. And stop penalizing urban districts trying to meet modern-day challenges with outdated policies.”
She is also calling for adequate state funding to support driver recruitment, fleet expansion, and improved routing systems.
The Ohio Association for Pupil Transportation issued a formal statement in support of Dayton Public Schools, Goodwine and the broader transportation crisis in Ohio.
“If Ohio’s elected officials are serious about creating lasting change and protecting our children, they must stop blaming overburdened school districts and start providing the legal authority, funding, and infrastructure necessary to meet today’s realities,” OPTA states. “The Ohio Association for Pupil Transportation stands ready to work with lawmakers, school, leaders, and community partners to bring about these much-needed reforms.”
OPTA notes that Hale’s death in Dayon highlights the need for systemic change and multiagency collaboration to ensure student safety.
“It is unacceptable that a student’s route to school becomes a place of violence,” OPTA states. “And it is equally unacceptable to assign blame to school districts without acknowledging the legal and financial realities they face.”
OPTA notes that the law requiring public school districts to transport students not only to and from their assigned schools but also students attending charter and private school extends service up to 30 minutes outside those boundaries.
“This requirement, imposed without proportional funding or flexibility, has pushed many districts to the brink,” OPTA states.
As of last August, Ohio had 18,817 active school bus drivers, a decrease of nearly 7,000 from 2019, OAPT said. Meanwhile. The demand for transportation services continues to rise due to expanding private and charter school mandates, and lawmakers have failed to address any of the root causes..
“Dayton Public Schools is being asked to do more with less, navigating rigid laws and an acute driver shortage while trying to ensure safe passage for students to over 90 locations,” added OAPT. “These proposals are not only short-sighted, they exacerbate the problem by restricting access to education for some of our most vulnerable students.”
OPTA joined Dayton in calling for: Legislative reform that allows public school districts to prioritize transportation for their own students before allocating resources to nonpublic schools; adequate and equitable funding for public school transportation, including driver recruitment incentives, modernized fleets, and safety upgrades; a re-commitment to public education over expanding voucher systems that divert public funds to private interests, undermining Article VI, Section 2 of the Ohio Constitution; and, a clear focus on student safety, including reinstating the yellow school bus as the “gold standard” for student transportation and rejecting lower safety alternatives like vans and car services for daily transport.
The number of charter schools in the U.S. is growing. This is creating new opportunities for private school companies that serve charter and private schools.
According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, charter schools added more than 80,000 new students during the 2023-2024 school year. Local public schools lost about 1.8 million students from the 2020-2021 school year while charter school enrollment grew by almost 400,000 students during the same period, creating a noticeable contrast in enrollment trends.
Many of the larger and innovative private school transportation companies don’t treat charter schools or private schools differently than public schools. They are closely monitoring the trend of more charter schools coming online.
An example of the changing dynamics in a large school system can be found in South Florida. The Broward County Public School District reported its enrollment declined by about 30,000 over the past 10 years and will likely decline by another 9,000 students this year. School board meetings over the past 12 months have discussed closing school sites.
The Florida Legislature has made it easier for charter schools to open and use existing public-school buildings for their campuses. The state also expanded eligibility for school choice vouchers to all students.
Alternative student transportation provider HopSkipDrive offers transportation to growing charter schools and is looking for ways to further serve the market.
The company works with students who are facing various challenges and may not be served as well by traditional school bus systems. Examples include students who must move frequently because they are homeless or in the foster care system, or they may have a severe disability. HopSkipDrive offers flexibility.
Emily Uhland, vice president of customer success at HopSkipDrive, said the company works to provide the best service for all students. “HopSkipDrive is a proud partner to over 600 school districts around the country, as well as many charter and private schools. The fact is, no matter what school a child is attending they can only get there if they have safe, reliable transportation,” she said.
She noted that many charter and private schools may not own school buses or are stretched too thin with transportation requests from students who live far away. This can make supplemental and small vehicle transportation a better fit.
Bethany Gross, left, of the Center on Reinventing Public Education and Launi Harden, then director of transportation for Washington County School District in Utah, during a July 29, 2019 panel at STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada, on the impacts of charter schools and school choice on student transportation.
Traditional school bus companies are also finding more opportunities to serve charter and private schools.
First Student operates in 43 states and has 46,000 school buses. While the company strives to offer the best possible service to all its customers, it may face different requirements when serving smaller charter schools than when it serves large public school districts.
No two schools are the same as some operate independently and may need few school buses, while others are part of larger networks and need more school buses, according to Kim Worster, senior vice president for First Student.
First Student offers full transportation management. This means the company can fully take over and manage systems from route planning to fleet operations to driver staffing.
“For schools that prefer to remain in control of certain operations, we provide buses and technology while they keep their own drivers,” said Worster “We can maintain the school’s existing bus fleet to keep them running safely and reduce the burden of operations for their team. We offer fully trained drivers who meet our safety standards.” .
The company also offers its own alternative transportation, FirstAlt, that uses smaller vehicles.
Worster continued, “HALO is our proprietary technology platform designed to streamline and optimize school bus fleet operations, and it integrates every aspect of First Student’s operations from recruiting and training to routing, dispatching, navigation, vehicle telematics into one system,” said Worster.
The system offers parents and the district visibility to track vehicles and view live updates. It also offers streamlined recruiting and training, resulting in reduced onboarding time and a 90 percent average pass rate on CDL exams on the first attempt. Because of smart routing and safety monitoring there is continuous evaluation of routes, improving safety and efficiency. AI-powered safety incorporates AI cameras to detect potential hazards, providing real-time alerts and recording critical moments for improvements. The end-to-end platform provides a real-time, 360-degree view of fleet performance to enhance operational efficiency, safety and communication, Worster explained.
World of Kids Transportation Corp, based in Pembroke Pines, Florida is working with charter and private schools. It is choosing to grow slowly and meet the needs of various schools, according to a spokesperson.
At the federal level, House Republicans plan to reserve up to $5 billion a year for scholarships to help families send their children to private and religious schools. This is considered a first major effort to use public money to pay for private education.
This proposal is part of a budget reconciliation bill released May 12 that would promote President Donald Trump’s goal of establishing universal school choice by offering families throughout the nation the option to provide their children an education different from the one offered at their local public school. Almost all families would qualify except those earning more than three times the local economy.
U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet, a Democrat from Colorado, and Bill Cassidy, Republican from Louisiana, have reintroduced the bipartisan Equitable Access to School Facilities Act.
This legislation would make it easier for charter schools to access public property and provide federal grants to states for charter school facilities. The grants, available from the Federal Charter Schools Program, could be used by charter schools to acquire and renovate existing facilities, cover ongoing facilities costs, or create a reserve fund for future acquisition, renovation, or maintenance.
“All students deserve a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college and their career. Across Colorado, charter schools improve student achievement and provide students with the flexibility and innovative teaching they need,” said Bennet. “This bill will invest in charter schools and give them additional tools to support students of every background.”
“When families have the opportunity to send their child to a charter school, they are empowered to choose the best education that meets their child’s needs,” said Cassidy. “This legislation strengthens charter schools, giving them greater tools to help children succeed in the classroom.”
The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act seeks to improve charter schools’ access to facilities funding and financing within a state by reducing gaps in funding between charter schools and other public schools and adding a revolving loan fund. It will promote charter schools’ utilization of public buildings without a federal interest and increase charter schools’ access to facilities located in low-income and rural communities.
AASA: The School Superintendents Association supports public school choice, including charter schools, provided they operate under the governance of local public school boards.
The organization’s belief and position statements says charter schools must adhere to common regulations and accountability standards applied to all schools receiving public funding.
Charter school financing, it continues, should be standardized and aligned to ensure their creation does not negatively impact the quality of existing public schools.
Chronic absenteeism in schools remains above pre-pandemic levels nationwide. Recent reports show that a primary way to improve attendance is to ensure students have reliable school transportation.
During the presentation, Detroit Public Schools Community District will share how they have leveraged innovative technology and multi-modal transportation plans to address chronic absenteeism while delivering cost savings and driving operational excellence for their district.
This webinar will highlight:
The realities of chronic absenteeism across the country and actionable insights for attendees to bring back to their districts.
How districts can diversify their transportation mix to include buses, vans and small vehicles.
Ways DPSCD improved their attendance rates, while improving their daily operations.
With the school year quickly approaching, this webinar will help provide a framework for attendees to close out the year strong and set transportation and operations teams up for success next school year.
Brought to you by HopSkipDrive
REGISTER BELOW:
Speakers:
Aaron Walter Executive Director of Transportation
Detroit Public Schools Community District
Joe Brumfield
VP Business Development
HopSkipDrive
DES MOINES, Iowa — The National Congress on School Transportation completed a day early, something that hasn’t happened “in recent history,” steering committee chair Mike LaRocco told delegates when the final gavel sounded.
On-site chair Charlie Hood, a former NASDPTS president and retired state director for Florida, added Tuesday at the conclusion of the 17th NCST that it was the hard work of the committees, leadership team and delegates “who understood the importance of this process,” that attributed to the expedited timeline.
NCST is scheduled to meet every five years to update the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures. The congress last met in 2015 and was scheduled to meet in 2020, but it was canceled due to COVID-19. At this year’s congress, most delegates were newcomers to the process. Forty-eight states were in attendance, there were no representatives from New Hampshire, North Dakota and Washington, D.C.
Especially noteworthy was the quick passage of crossing arms or gates affixed to the front bumper of school buses. The proposed change during the School Bus Specifications deliberations stated, “school buses shall be equipped with a crossing control arm mounted on the right side of the front bumper. When opened, this arm shall extend in a line parallel to the body side and aligned with the right front wheel.”
The delegation passed the proposal by a vote of 34 to 13 without discussion. It was the first proposal to be read at the congress Monday morning. Currently, 26 states require crossing arms in their state specifications or regulations.
Two proposals failed in School Bus Specifications, the first being a requirement that school buses have two stop-arms on the left-hand side, one toward the front and one in the rear. State delegates noted that while dual stop arms are generally a good idea, they should remain optional as because of the price increase per bus. State delegates cited no data to support this assertion.
A Utah delegate noted the Beehive State already requires two stop-arms on the left side, but that hasn’t seemed to deter illegal passers. A New Jersey delegate added student transporters there, too, “found that the second stop-arm is irrelevant and has no affect whatsoever on people stopping or not. It should be an option.”
Proposal 25, the requirement for LEDs on “all exterior body/chassis lighting with the exception of head/park/turn combination assemblies,” also failed. A delegate from Pennsylvania noted that no financial impact of the requirement as listed on the proposal was an inaccurate statement. Another delegate from Wyoming noted that LEDs may be the current technology but inserting them into the specs would beholden districts to the technology, even if future technology proves to be a better option. A Texas delegate agreed, noting that the word “shall” restricts school districts from using improved technology. The proposal failed by a vote of 45 opposed to 2 in favor.
New to NCST this year was the alternative transportation committee for non-school-bus vehicles, a first for deliberations. The states approved criteria for driver credentials, driver training, vehicle design/equipment and special education policy considerations.
“The 17th National Congress on School Transportation has successfully completed its work,” LaRocco told School Transportation News. “Thank you to the NCST Steering Committee, all writing committees, the editing, technical, appendices, Terms and Definitions Committee and resolution committees, and most importantly the 48 state delegates that were present.”
According to conference attendees, six states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Maine, Kansas, Minnesota, and Louisiana) currently adopt the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures as written into regulations or law. This is a decrease from the last conference in 2015, when 11 states adopted the manual. School Transportation News was seeking to confirm these number at this report.
The dates and location of the 18th NCST were not announced. State delegates were surveyed about whether they felt meeting every five years was appropriate, or if they would rather meet every two or three years. Survey results were not available at this report.
A sponsored presentation dove into the differences in current radio technology and what school districts should know to select the best options for their buses.
Hytera Marketing Director Ty Estes began by saying the webinar would shed light on the many options available for radios, which are integral to education.
Land mobile radio (LMR) narrowband radios guarantee spectrum and call capacity but require FCC frequency licenses and can be difficult to acquire in densely populated urban areas. Digital mobile radios (DMR) have become the industry standard, offering longer battery life, better range and coverage, double the call capacity, superior voice quality and futureproofing.
Estes explained DMR radios support analog and digital modes so digital radios enable simple and cost-effective migration from legacy systems. Group, individual and emergency calls are supported as well as text messaging to ensure only affected parties are contacted. Districts can send messages to one school or a set of schools based on area, department, job title or situation.
He shared characteristics of ruggedized but sleek handheld radios, mobile radios that are legal to use while driving, hardware setup and mechanics, dispatching software, channel options and calling capacity, and range considerations that depend on terrain. He explained that robust antennas and radio quality are paramount, as signal is based on the line of sight.
Estes reviewed the three connection options. Repeater systems expand range and capacity for a single school. IP Connect expands range by connecting multiple repeater sites. Trunking systems expand range by connecting multiple schools and increase individual and group calling capacity.
Staff in different schools can talk across the entire district through a digital interconnect that uses Internet Protocol to link multiple DMR Tier II repeater sites together, creating a wide-area network. Some large districts like Simi Valley have their own SMR Networks, which are private radio networks that use multiple frequencies and a wide-area network infrastructure.
“DMR systems, if they’re built right, are bulletproof,” he declared.
Julie Ann Baker, PoC product manager for Hytera, next discussed Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) radios, which were invented in 1987. They use the existing cellular infrastructure of mobile network operators like T-Mobile and AT&T to access the internet like other wireless devices, providing nationwide coverage and high data capacity. SIM cards are used for devices that are on the move. She advised districts to perform tests that ensure connection and server needs are met.
Benefits of PoC radios over DMRs include high coverage and bandwidth, no infrastructure or system maintenance costs, no FCC licenses, fast deployments, calling flexibility, and end-to-end encryption for private communications.
Baker noted the need for U.S. Department of Transportation compliance with how radios are installed and used in buses. She reviewed the differences between PoC devices, mobile and handheld radios.
Today’s PoC smart devices boast excellent audio quality with digital noise cancellation, built-in cameras for hi-def pictures and videos, Bluetooth and GPS positioning. They can look like smartphones but are ruggedized with Gorilla Glass screens and can be limited so unauthorized apps are not added.
PoC mobile radios have aspects useful to school bus drivers, including: tactile buttons and handheld mic for eyes-on-the-road operation, loud audio and speaker quality required in noisy vehicles, an emergency call button, speeding and driver fatigue notifications, and built-in Bluetooth for hands-free audio accessories.
Purpose built for professional radio communications, PoC handheld radios may have LCD display screens for status and call functions, a camera for pictures and video calling, a flashlight, full keypad, an emergency call button, and an installed car kit or dock for safe in-vehicle operations.
Operationally, web-based dispatching applications enable centralized control with instant group voice and video calling, texting, and sharing images. This allows more targeted security responses, emergency management, maintenance calls and detailed reporting.
PoC devices have built-in GPS for location tracking with breadcrumbs and geofencing, such as if a school bus enters a restricted area. Baker reviewed how DMR and PoC radios can be used with a bridging system if a district has both.
When districts look for a good PoC system, Estes advised examining hardware quality, system reliability, audio quality, warranty, ruggedization, battery life, and variety.
“You want to get the right products with the right features,” Estes said. “You want to get what’s best for your district.”
Not quite a month after Lippert Components acquired Trans/Air Manufacturing, the company announced it is adding Freedman Seating Company to its school transportation portfolio.
Lippert, a subsidiary of LCI Industries, announced Tuesday it acquired all the business assets of Freedman, an Illinois-based manufacturer of transportation seating solutions. The terms of the deal were not disclosed at this report.
Freedman has been a family-owned company since 1884, providing a variety of seating solutions to the bus, rail, marine, delivery truck, specialty and commercial vehicle markets. Following the acquisition, a press release states the seating operations will continue out of Chicago for the foreseeable future.
Dan Cohen, president of Freedman, told School Transportation News that over the years, many companies have expressed interest in acquiring Freedman Seating.
“We’ve always listened, but we’ve been very deliberate about saying no when it didn’t feel like the right fit,” he said. “It was never just about selling the business. It was about finding a partner who shares our business values, who respects the culture we’ve built and who sees the same potential in our people and products. After thoughtful conversations and a lot of due diligence, we’re excited we’ve found that partner in Lippert. This acquisition gives us the opportunity to build on our legacy, expand our reach and invest even more in our team.”
Cohen said Lippert shares many of the same principles that have guided Freedman for generations. These principles include a focus on quality, long-term growth and putting people first. Lippert is also a family-owned business dating to 1959.
“Under their umbrella, we’ll have greater resources to pursue new markets, improve customer experience and develop new products, all while continuing to invest in the incredible people that made this possible,” he continued.
Cohen noted that for the most part, Freedman will do business as usual. There will be title changes due to the corporate structure, but the entire management team is staying on with Lippert.
“Customers should expect to receive the same great quality and service they have for over 130 years with new benefits coming from our being part of a larger organization with greater resources,” Cohen added.
Meanwhile, Ryan Smith, group president of Lippert’s North American OEM operations, said in a press release that Freedman is a welcome addition to the Lippert family.
“Between the two companies, we have almost 200 years combined of family leadership and there’s not too many organizations that can claim that,” he continued. “We’re excited to add Freedman’s seating line to our growing portfolio of bus and transportation vehicle products and with our combined leadership teams we will be able to offer a better-than-ever customer experience to our partners in these industries.”
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.
I Squared Capital has reached an agreement to purchase all National Express School divisions and assets from the UK’s Mobico Group for $608 million U.S., including over 14,000 school buses operated by Durham School Services, Petermann and Stock Transportation.
The deal was announced Friday but had been expected by industry insiders for nearly 18 months. I Squared said it expects to finalize the acquisition of the Durham, Petermann Transportation and Stock brands by the end of its third quarter, or Sept. 30.
“We expect to continue business as usual under our current operating brands,” a National Express spokesperson told School Transportation News, adding the transition should be seamless for school district customers. “We will continue to deliver the high-quality, safe and reliable service that we’ve provided for more than 100 years.”
Mobico Group, formerly known as National Express Group and based in Birmingham, England, had been looking to sell its North American school bus division to reduce debt. At the same time, I Squared Capital, a global infrastructure investment company, was seeking entrance into the school bus industry and announced its intent to do so in October 2023, “to address the long-term challenges which the pandemic created for school bus.”
I Squared noted that National Express has made “significant operational improvements, primarily improving driver retention and recruitment, route reinstatement, and improved contract pricing.
“The business has also improved fleet allocation which has led to better asset utilization, cash flow and customer satisfaction. All of these culminated in school bus delivering a net positive route outcome for the current school year bid season, the first in over a decade,” the company stated in a transaction summary. “However, whilst school bus has demonstrated its recovery from the pandemic’s effects, it continues to require significant maintenance and growth capital investment and has experienced persistent market challenges such as driver wage inflation and, more recently, potential fleet cost inflation from new tariffs.”
Tim Wertner is expected to continue serving as CEO of National Express. He said the school bus contractor has focused on recovering lost routes, securing new contracts, recruiting and retaining drivers, and delivering price rises above inflation since he joined the company in 2023.
“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,” he said in a statement Friday. “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.”
I Squared manages over $40 billion in assets that build and scale infrastructure businesses that deliver critical services to millions of people worldwide. The company’s 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.
“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,” commented Gautam Bhandari, the global chief investment officer and managing partner at I Squared. “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 [be] rest assured each time their family member travels.”
Mobico had operated Durham in the U.S. since the former National Express Group purchased the school bus contractor in August 1999, a year after acquiring Crabtree-Harmon that mostly operated in the Midwest. The company followed in 2000 with the purchase of School Services & Leasing, which at the time was the second-largest school bus contractor in the U.S. Two years later, it acquired Stock Transportation in Canada and in 2018 purchased Petermann in the U.S.
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