MARLBORO, N.Y. – Durham School Services is proud to share that it will continue in the footsteps of its sister brand, Quality Bus, to serve the students at the Marlboro Central School District for the next five years through June of 2031. This partnership builds on Quality Bus’ 11-year, deep-rooted history in the Marlboro community. The transition to Durham School Services from Quality Bus will not result in any local management or employee changes. Durham School Services and its sister brands currently serve over 613 schools in New York.

Together with the current Marlboro team, Durham School Services will run 48 routes for the school district with its fleet of 53 buses, which come equipped with Zonar’s fleet management platform for real-time GPS tracking and pre and post trip safety inspections and Samsara’s AI enabled dash cameras to improve driver responsiveness and safety along each route, as well as to safeguard students and the community.

In addition to its role as a trusted student transportation provider, the Marlboro team is also a proud community partner that has given back on various occasions through the Company’s Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program. Over the years, the team has hosted a coat drive for local charity Worthy Virtue and also partnered with the school district to host food and toy drives for local students and the community.

“My team couldn’t be more thrilled and honored that the Marlboro Central School District has awarded us with this opportunity to serve their students and community for another five years,” said Region Manager Britt Liotta, Durham School Services/Quality Bus. “Partnerships of this length are rare, which makes this even more meaningful and significant to my team. It speaks volumes about my team’s expertise, success, and excellence-driven efforts over the years and is a significant acknowledgement of a job well done. I want to thank the district for once again entrusting their students to us and also recognizing my team for their dependability and commitment to safety and service.”

About Durham School Services
As a premier transportation provider, Durham School Services provides safe, reliable student transportation that communities trust and families depend on. With operational discipline, local commitment, proven safety standards, and clear accountability, we bring deep expertise to every route we operate. Driven by our five values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Communities, and Culture, we deliver transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

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ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill.- Durham School Services, a premier student transportation provider, has been selected by the Community Consolidated School District 59 (CCSD59) as their new student transportation partner. Durham will begin serving the school district this summer through July 2029.

This latest joining of hands between Durham and CCSD59 comes off the heels of another recent partnership announcement made earlier this year with Glenbard Township High School District 87 – further marking significant advancement in Durham’s presence in Illinois. With the addition of CCSD59, Durham now proudly supports over 422 schools throughout Illinois.

Durham will run a total of 74 routes for the school district, which will include regular, special education, and summer routes with its fleet of 86 buses

Each bus will be outfitted with industry leading operational and safety technology such as Seon video surveillance cameras to boost safety monitoring of students, Zonar’s fleet management platform for real-time GPS tracking and pre and post trip safety inspections, Samsara’s AI enabled dash cameras to improve driver responsiveness and safety along each route, and BusZone bus tracking app to give parents and guardians full visibility into their student’s bus location, route changes, and arrival time.

“CCSD59 is excited to partner with Durham School Services. The safety of our students remains our top priority, and we are confident Durham shares this commitment to student well-being and care. We look forward to working together to provide safe, reliable, and on-time transportation service for our students and families, supported by clear and consistent communication,” said Dr. Brett Gallini, Superintendent of Schools, CCSD59. “Work is already underway to ensure a smooth and successful start to the new school year. We appreciate Durham’s proactive approach to staffing, including the hiring of current transportation employees, which will help support a seamless transition for our community. We are confident in this partnership and the positive impact it will have on our students and families.”

“Another incredible job by our team in successfully forging this new relationship with CCSD59 and proving our Company’s position once again as the premier student transportation leader that school districts choose to trust and rely on,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Durham School Services. “Safety is a value embedded into every aspect of our Company’s operations and decision-making, just as it is for CCSD59. We understand the careful, thorough consideration and thought process that goes into choosing the right transportation provider who will unequivocally put safety and reliability first and are honored that CCSD59 has chosen our team to carry out such an important responsibility. Our team is confident in living up to and exceeding the district’s expectations in delivering both a successful start-up and school year. We look forward to serving CCSD59 students and the community with the utmost care, commitment to safety, and dependability they can count on each and every day.”

For those interested in becoming a local community hero by supporting their community and students, we encourage you to consider joining the Durham team and stopping by our upcoming hiring event, which will take place on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 8:30am – 2:30pm at 1000 Wellington Ave, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. We offer paid CDL training, a sign-on bonus, ride-along program, health and dental insurance, and more. You can also learn more about other available opportunities on our careers page.

About Durham School Services
As a premier transportation provider, Durham School Services provides safe, reliable student transportation that communities trust and families depend on, backed by our operational discipline, local commitment, proven safety standards, and clear accountability. Our teams bring deep expertise and shared accountability to every route we operate. Driven by our five values: Safety, Care, Transparency, Communities, and Culture, we deliver transportation that works quietly, consistently, and without disruption.

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CINCINNATI, Ohio – First Student, North America’s largest student transportation services provider, today announced it has been named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2026. First Student was named in the Industry Leaders: Transportation category, which honors organizations making an extraordinary impact in their industries. The recognition highlights First Student’s leadership in transforming and redefining student transportation through its proprietary HALO technology platform, which integrates real-time data, AI technology and predictive analytics.

HALO was developed in-house to address the growing complexity in K–12 operations and the long-standing problems of fragmented systems and a lack of real-time visibility in school transportation. With HALO, dispatching and routing intelligence, vehicle tracking, safety insights, preventive maintenance, and communication are all seamlessly connected, unifying First Student’s fleet of over 48,000 vehicles and supporting approximately 4.8 million student journeys each day for approximately 1,400 customers, creating a unified, real-time operating platform for student transportation at scale.

The impact of HALO is measurable across the business, driving improvements in workforce stability, operational efficiency, and safety outcomes.

In pilot programs conducted across six locations, HALO-enabled safety technology delivered strong early results, including:

81% reduction in inattentive driving events
63% reduction in forward collision rates
54% reduction in rolling stops

Beyond safety, HALO is also improving workforce and operational performance across the platform, including:

115% increase in driver interview completion rates
38% reduction in training time
“Being named to the TIME100 Companies list is a meaningful recognition for First Student and reflects the impact we’re making for millions of students and families every day,” said John Kenning, CEO and President of First Student. “At First Student, caring for students is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to provide the best transportation experience, so students arrive ready to achieve their full potential, and this recognition reflects our team’s commitment to living our values and delivering on that promise every day. As we look ahead, we remain committed to setting the highest standards in safety and service for the thousands of communities we serve.”

Enhanced through a strategic partnership with Samsara (NYSE: IOT), the HALO platform incorporates AI-powered cameras, advanced analytics, and predictive safety insights. The results are measurable with HALO driving meaningful improvements in safety, operational efficiency, and the student experience. From reducing road incidents to improving driver performance and streamlining claims management, the platform is helping deliver safer, more reliable transportation at scale. At the same time, HALO provides real-time visibility to parents and caregivers through its First View app, offering peace of mind and strengthening trust in every ride.

“HALO represents a fundamental shift from reactive to predictive operations in student transportation,” said Sean McCormack, CIO of First Student. “We’ve taken an industry that has long been siloed and reimagined it through AI-powered innovation at scale. By integrating real-time data across routing, safety, maintenance, and communications, HALO turns insight into action, improving outcomes for students, drivers, parents and school districts alike. This recognition from TIME underscores how purpose-built technology can transform complex, real-world systems and improve the transportation experience for millions of students and parents.”

By combining scale, technology, and a deep commitment to operational excellence, First Student is setting a new global standard for student transportation. The company is redefining how it operates at scale and delivering not just students, but confidence, safety, and a better start to every school day.

About First Student
First Student is reimagining the school bus experience, making approximately 4.8 million student journeys across North America every day. As a leader in K-12 transportation, the company completes approximately 860 million student rides annually, delivering not just students, but confidence, reliability, and peace of mind to families and school districts alike. Backed by a workforce of highly trained drivers and an industry-leading fleet of over 48,000 vehicles, including electric buses, First Student is a mission-driven partner in education.

Named one of Fast Company’s 2025 Most Innovative Companies, First Student offers cutting-edge services including special needs transportation, AI route optimization, fleet electrification, vehicle maintenance services, and charter services. First Student’s impact extends beyond logistics: every ride is designed to be a safe and supportive space where students can start their day with a great experience. With innovation at our core, First Student is driving the future of student transportation one ride at a time.

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REDWOOD CITY, Calif., — Zūm, the leader in Connected Mobility Experience (CMX), today announced a $100 million investment from TPG, bringing the company’s total funding to $430 million and valuing Zum at $1.7 billion. TPG is making its investment through The Rise Funds, the multi-sector strategy of its global impact investing platform, and in connection with the investment, Steve Ellis, a Managing Partner of The Rise Funds, will join Zum’s Board of Directors.

The funding follows the introduction of the Zum CMX platform, a Connected Mobility Experience designed to address the fragmentation, delays, and lack of visibility that have long defined student mobility. New research unveiled today quantifies the impact of this antiquated system, identifying that 54% of parents report their child experiences worry or concern about school transportation—contributing to what Zum calls a nationwide “Transportation Anxiety Crisis” — and roughly $15 billion educational loss a year.

Together, these developments reflect a growing recognition that while transportation moves vehicles, mobility is about moving people, and that daily experience has remained largely unchanged for decades.

“Every day, millions of students depend on systems that were never designed to work in real time,” said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum. “Zum CMX is our answer — a system we have been building and refining across 4,500 schools that brings visibility, coordination, and reliability to daily mobility. This funding allows us to accelerate what we know works and bring it to every student in America.”

Investor Conviction in a Category-Defining Platform
“TPG invested in Zum because it’s the leading innovator in one of the largest and most underserved critical transportation markets in the country,” said TPG’s Steve Ellis. “By fundamentally redesigning how student mobility is managed in real time, Zum’s fully integrated AI powered system is delivering measurable gains in reliability, efficiency, and outcomes for students, their families, and school districts across the country.”

This is a category-defining movement. Zum is not just improving student mobility —it is fundamentally redesigning how people, vehicles, and operations are coordinated in real time.

Across the $50 billion student mobility market, the largest segment of mass mobility, millions of daily rides are still managed through fragmented systems that lack real-time coordination. Zum CMX addresses this by integrating routing, dispatch, workforce management, safety, and communication into a single, continuous operating system.

Scaling Across School Districts Nationwide
Zum currently operates across more than 4,500 schools in 17 states, serving some of the largest districts in the country, including Los Angeles Unified School District, Boston Public Schools, San Francisco Unified School District, Omaha Public Schools, and Kansas City Public Schools.

The $100 million investment will accelerate:

Expansion of Zum CMX across additional school districts nationwide.
Continued investment in AI-driven coordination and predictive operations.
Scaled infrastructure to support large-scale, real-time mobility system.

Proven Outcomes at Scale
Zum CMX is already delivering measurable results across every district it serves:

98% on-time bus arrival rate on average.
20% reduction in bus fleet size through route efficiency.
4.9 out of 5-star parent satisfaction across more than 1.7 million reviews.
Up to 10% reduction in annual transportation costs for the San Francisco Unified School District.
These outcomes demonstrate how improved transportation reliability directly impacts attendance, learning readiness, and district financial sustainability.

The Transportation Anxiety Crisis
The investment coincides with the inaugural Zum Mobility Symposium in Sunnyvale, where school district leaders, policymakers, and researchers will gather to discuss the future of student mobility. At the event, Zum will formally introduce CMX as a new category and unveil research from NORC at the University of Chicago.

The findings highlight a system that was never designed to operate in real time, in which routing, dispatch, communication, and safety have historically operated in silos, creating anxiety for families and inefficiencies for districts. Zum CMX is designed to eliminate these root causes by bringing visibility, coordination, and accountability to every ride.

About Zum
Zum is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zum CMX) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zum CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 4,500 schools rely on Zum CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zum has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zum is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, SoftBank, and TPG. Zum, Zum CMX, and associated logos are trademarks of Zum Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Learn more at www.ridezum.com.

About TPG
TPG is a leading global alternative asset management firm, founded in San Francisco in 1992, with $303 billion of assets under management and investment and operational teams around the world. TPG invests across a broadly diversified set of strategies, including private equity, impact, credit, real estate, and market solutions, and our unique strategy is driven by collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. Our teams combine deep product and sector experience with broad capabilities and expertise to develop differentiated insights and add value for our fund investors, portfolio companies, management teams, and communities.

About The Rise Funds
The Rise Funds are a core pillar of TPG’s global impact investing platform. Founded in 2016 by TPG in partnership with Bono and Jeff Skoll, The Rise Funds invest behind impact entrepreneurs and growth-stage, high potential, mission-driven companies that are focused on building and scaling solutions to the world’s most complex challenges. The Rise Funds deliver capabilities and expertise across a wide variety of sectors and countries at scale, focusing on opportunities in climate and decarbonization, education, financial inclusion, healthcare, and impact technology.

TPG’s Impact Platform is the world’s largest of its kind, managing approximately $31 billion in assets across a family of funds that pursue non-concessionary returns and social and environmental impact at scale through growth equity, private equity, and infrastructure investing strategies.

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RAM Mounts, a global leader in rugged mounting and docking solutions, is proud to highlight its partnership with Tyler Technologies, a trusted provider of technology solutions for schools and public sector organizations nationwide. Together, RAM Mounts and Tyler Technologies support student transportation teams by pairing powerful software with durable mounting solutions, helping Samsung enterprise-grade tablets perform reliably in demanding, everyday environments.

Tyler Technologies’ student transportation solutions are designed to help school districts plan routes, manage fleets, and improve communication with tools that support safety, efficiency, and visibility across operations. These platforms rely on mobile devices inside buses and other support vehicles, where tablets must remain secure, readable, and easy to access throughout the school day. RAM Mounts complements these deployments with rugged, vibration-damping mounting solutions that help protect devices while keeping screens properly positioned for drivers and staff.

RAM Mounts’ adjustable mounting systems allow districts to position tablets for optimal visibility without obstructing sightlines, supporting safer operation by helping drivers keep their attention on the road. With a focus on durability and long-term performance, RAM® Mounts help transform consumer-grade tablets into vehicle-ready tools that can withstand vibration, temperature changes, and daily use across the school year and beyond.

By combining Tyler Technologies’ deep experience in public sector and student transportation software with the proven device mounting and protection ecosystem from RAM, districts gain flexibility in how they deploy technology across fleets of all sizes. This pairing supports a wide range of use cases, without locking teams into proprietary hardware or limiting future device choices.

Together, RAM Mounts and Tyler Technologies help school transportation departments modernize operations with solutions designed to adapt, endure, and scale, supporting safer routes, more reliable technology, and better outcomes for students and communities alike.

For more information about Tyler Technologies’ student transportation solutions, visit https://www.tylertech.com/products/student-transportation.

To learn more about RAM Mounts and its rugged mounting solutions, visit www.rammount.com.

About Tyler Technologies
Tyler Technologies partners with government and schools to deliver technology solutions that support safe, efficient, and connected communities. With decades of public sector experience and an exclusive focus on serving government and education organizations, Tyler Technologies provides software and services that power critical operations and help clients build safer, more vibrant communities through integrity-driven innovation. Learn more at www.tylertech.com.

About RAM Mounts
RAM Mounts designs and manufactures rugged mounting systems engineered to perform in the most demanding commercial and industrial environments. From fleet vehicles and warehouses to healthcare facilities, manufacturing floors, and field operations, RAM Mounts delivers secure, reliable device mounting that keeps teams productive and equipment protected.

Built in the USA and backed by decades of engineering expertise, RAM Mounts solutions are trusted by enterprises, system integrators, and OEM partners worldwide. Our modular, vibration-damping designs support a wide range of devices and mounting configurations, enabling scalable deployments across diverse use cases and industries.

With a focus on durability, flexibility, and long-term value, RAM Mounts helps organizations standardize device mounting, reduce downtime, and extend the life of critical hardware, whether deploying a single workstation or outfitting thousands of vehicles and facilities. Learn more at www.rammount.com.

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Budgets are tight, drivers are hard to come by, and districts are under pressure to do more with less. School bus operations still need to rely on modern technology to meet the complex requirements of transporting students safely, efficiently and on time. Identifying the operational, functional, technical, and financial needs that truly matter can feel overwhelming, as can choosing a provider. Where to start?

Download this white paper for clear guidance on evaluating your organization’s needs and selecting a partner who delivers long-term value.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

• Take a wide, objective look at your operation to understand what’s needed.
• Identify how new technologies will impact end users and other departments.
• Define KPIs with potential partners and calculate projected ROI.
• Evaluate providers in detail to assess their long-term potential.
• Ensure compliance and look for strong integrations across systems.

Fill out the form below and then check your email for the white paper download link.

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MACON, Ga.  – Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, has signed an agreement to acquire Girardin Group’s stake in the 50/50 Micro Bird joint venture, thereby, taking full ownership of the enterprise. Blue Bird will pay approx. $200 million for Girardin’s joint venture share, with 30% in cash and 70% in Blue Bird common stock. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of calendar year 2026, pending fulfillment of various closing conditions and regulatory approvals. A slide presentation is available on the BLBD IR website (https://investors.blue-bird.com/) with additional details.

The acquisition demonstrates Blue Bird’s commitment to growth and market expansion. The transaction allows Blue Bird to consolidate its North America operations and unify its businesses under one team and brand, unlocking further value for customers and shareholders. Blue Bird will offer the broadest product portfolio of industry-leading Type A, C, and D school, multi-purpose, and commercial buses.

Blue Bird is the only vehicle manufacturer in North America to provide diesel, gasoline, propane, and electric powered buses, positioning the company to uniquely address market needs. With the acquisition, Blue Bird will also significantly increase its total addressable market (TAM) for the Buy America Act – compliant shuttle buses in North America, a segment which Micro Bird entered in the fall of 2025 with its Plattsburg, NY facility acquisition.

“With a nearly 100 year history, Blue Bird has emerged as an iconic brand and leader in student transportation. We are delighted to purchase Girardin’s stake in Micro Bird and to take full control of the joint venture. The acquisition strengthens our strategic position and supports Blue Bird’s long-term vision for innovation, operational performance, and sustained profitable growth,” said John Wyskiel, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “In addition, I’m looking forward to welcoming Steve Girardin to our Board along with his contributions to Blue Bird’s continued success.”

Following the close of the transaction, Blue Bird intends to add Steve Girardin to its Board of Directors, strengthening the Board with his proven leadership and decades of experience across the North American bus market.

“This year marks our 60th year as a small bus manufacturer and our successful partnership with Blue Bird,” said Steve Girardin, Micro Bird Chairman and Vice-President of the Girardin Group. “Together, we’ve driven technology, innovation and product excellence in the bus market with a reputation of serving our customers with distinction. I’m confident that Micro Bird will continue to thrive under the sole ownership of Blue Bird, marking a natural and strategically aligned transition that supports value creation for our customers, employees, and shareholders.”

Blue Bird and Girardin Group established Micro Bird as a 50/50 joint venture in 2009. Specialized in designing and manufacturing Type A school and commercial shuttle buses with capacities ranging from 9 to 36 passengers, Micro Bird has emerged as a leader in innovative, safe, and reliable transportation solutions. Today, Micro Bird offers gasoline, propane, and electric powered buses to its customers and employs approximately 960 team members at its Drummondville, Quebec, and Plattsburgh, N.Y. locations.

Piper Sandler & Co. served as exclusive financial advisor to Blue Bird on this transaction.

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 Girardin Group:
Girardin Group is a third-generation family business and longtime partner of Blue Bird Corporation specializing in bus and school bus transportation for more than 65 years and having its head office in Drummondville, Quebec. Girardin is a manufacturer, distributor, and operator of buses, school buses, electric powertrains and electric charging infrastructures. It provides the widest selection of electric school buses together with individualized charging infrastructure assistance. The company’s more than 40 operating divisions employ more than 3,000 team members in Canada and the United States. For more information on Girardin, visit https://www.girardinbluebird.com/en/.

About Micro Bird:
Established in 2009, Micro Bird Inc. is a joint venture between Girardin Minibus and Blue Bird Corporation, combining nearly 160 years of experience in the bus industry. Headquartered in Drummondville, Quebec, Micro Bird designs and manufactures the complete line of Type A school, commercial, and electric buses known for their durability, safety, and long-term value. In 2025, Micro Bird expanded its footprint with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Plattsburgh, New York — a strategic investment that brings the company closer to its U.S. customers and strengthens its ability to deliver innovative, Buy America Act–compliant transportation solutions across North America. For more information, visit www.microbird.com.

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