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

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

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

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

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

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

EverDriven’s Consolidated Routing Services support districts with:

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

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

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Every automaker has its own take on how infotainment should work. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay make that experience far more uniform. Up until now, though, Lucid Gravity owners haven’t had access to either. Now, a big software update is coming, and it’ll remedy the situation for the luxury SUV owners.

The update is part of the latest version of Lucid’s software, and it allows drivers to connect their phones to access navigation, music, messages, and apps directly through the vehicle’s infotainment display. Both wireless and wired connections are supported, depending on the device. According to Lucid, the rollout begins in North America first, with other markets expected to follow shortly after.

CarPlay And Android Auto Arrive

The addition of smartphone mirroring may seem like a small update, but it’s a big deal for owners. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are among the most requested features in modern vehicles, and their absence has been a frequent complaint from Lucid customers despite the company’s otherwise advanced software system.

“Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are two of the most sought-after features by our customers,” said Emad Dlala, SVP of Engineering and Software at Lucid. “We are now providing a seamless connection between mobile devices and the Lucid Gravity. We’re excited to introduce these features to Lucid Gravity, which now offers even greater comfort and convenience for owners.”

Read: Lucid Shows Its Pedal-Free Future As It Confirms Subscription For Its Current Cars

From here on, every new Gravity leaving the factory will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. The Air sedan already lists both systems on its infotainment menu, so the SUV was the obvious next step.

Do Older Gravity Models Get It?

Yes, existing Gravity owners will receive the capability through the OTA update without needing to visit a dealer. This is a key selling point for the brand; not just these pieces of software themselves, but the ability to update the car.

According to Lucid, more than 95 percent of the vehicle’s functions can be refined or expanded through over-the-air updates. Put another way, it hopes to consistently introduce new capabilities without hardware changes. This move will no doubt add value to potential buyers.

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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A Texas transportation director provided attendees with a live demo of the Bytecurve payroll and dispatch software, as well as numerous tips on improving school bus operational efficiency.

Bryan Mitchell, marketing manager for Bytecurve parent company Transit Technologies, explained during the Thursday webinar that with COVID-era funding programs ending, budget concerns combined with routine driver shortages, upset parents and disconnected tech systems complicate student transportation operations every day. He noted that half of U.S. students rely on school bus services but the number of school bus drivers decreased 15 percent from 2019 to 2023.

Mitchell reviewed a case study on the $30,000 monthly labor cost savings that Rome School District in Georgia achieved with Bytecurve, along with nearly eliminating payroll errors and saving 10 hours per week in driver communications and payroll reconciliation. He added that Russellville School District in Arkansas reported saving $15,000 per month.

Additionally, fellow webinar panelist Jonquez Moore, transportation director of Little Elm ISD in northeast Texas, discovered school bus efficiency by bringing two school district transportation operations in-house from contractors and implemented Bytecurve both times.

“We live in a very connected world. Unfortunately, in K-12 it’s not very connected,” observed Jonathan Agenten, director of sales for Bytecurve.

The payroll, scheduling and dispatch system lets drivers clock in via tablet, app or wall clock. Moore said some Little Elm ISD drivers like using the app to save time but noted a tablet option is available for drivers who are reluctant to download the app. He confirmed the app is location based so drivers can only clock in when they are within a predetermined distance from the facility. Agenten added that management can send notifications and see when the drivers read them.

Moore said he appreciated how real-time bus locations arranged in an airport terminal-style dashboard allows managers to proactively handle late, delayed or canceled routes.

“When it’s busy, you don’t know a bus is late until it’s late,” he commented.

Moore shared a view of his Bytecurve dashboard with webinar attendees and pointed out that dispatchers can easily see what drivers are clocked in and what buses they are assigned to. Managers can also manually clock in drivers or remove buses or drivers from the schedule if an event is canceled.

Noting his fondness for reports, Moore showed how easy it is to access on-time performance reports, which he shares with district administration and uses to praise his drivers.

Various stats are clickable, he added, allowing deep dives into problem areas. He said he uses this information to talk to his team and determine what to change.

“I’m not getting paid for this [webinar], so I really believe in their system,” Moore declared.

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Related: (Recorded Webinar) How School Districts Save $30,000 per Month with Smarter Payroll
Related: Arkansas District Uses Technology to Save Money and Time
Related: (Recorded Webinar) Arkansas Transportation Department Saves $15K per Month with Bytecurve
Related: Payroll Technology Saves Thousands of Dollars for Georgia School District

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He added that a report on planned vs. scheduled vs. actual hours worked is a favorite of the district chief financial officer as it helps with budget questions.

He noted that if there is an unexpected school bus driver shortage, a dispatcher can reassign the route with a few clicks. The system also notes what drivers are already working and therefore unavailable.

Identifying Additional Efficiencies in Operations

When changing tiered routes, where a driver was assigned to elementary and middle or high schools, Agenten confirmed that routes can be split up and reassigned by school or stop. The system notes the resulting changes and the app communicates those changes to parents.

He reviewed payroll integrations and confirmed that each district is a unique customer that Bytecurve will set up according to its particular rules.

When it comes to union requirements and driver minimum hours, task codes added upon system setup become part of the foundation so “things are calculated proactively and accurately,” Agenten said. Managers can use a few clicks to approve driver timesheets based on these preapproved district procedures.

He also answered an attendee question by stating that Bytecurve integrates with several tablets and also provides one of its own.

Mitchell reviewed Transit Technologies’ other offerings, one of which is onboard student and driver facing cameras that are ruggedized, reliable and warranty protected. busHive software allows districts to quickly quote, set up, complete and get reimbursed for field trips. FASTER Maintenance Software allows technicians to proactively manage bus repairs.

Watch the webinar on demand.

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The spotlight on autonomous vehicle safety intensified in late 2025, when multiple Waymo robotaxis were caught illegally passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas.

Footage from Austin Independent School District revealed at least 24 such violations since the start of the school year through the middle of January, with vehicles
ignoring flashing red lights and extended stop arms while children boarded or exited. Despite a software recall in December affecting over 3,000 vehicles, incidents persisted. Investigations by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) followed suit last month.

Austin ISD asked Waymo to pause operations during school hours, but the company declined, citing ongoing improvements. Director of Transportation Kris Hafezizadeh will discuss the situation next month at STN EXPO East.

This saga underscores persistent challenges in AI-driven perception systems, where even advanced neural networks struggle with contextual cues like school zones, raising alarms among educators, parents and regulators about the risks to vulnerable road users.

Power disruptions have also exposed vulnerabilities in autonomous fleets. During San Francisco’s 2025 outages, hundreds of Waymo vehicles halted abruptly, creating gridlock and highlighting dependency on stable infrastructure. Similar events in other cities have fueled debates on redundancy measures, such as onboard backup power and enhanced telematics for real-time rerouting.

As technology matures, industry experts anticipate 2026 will bring more resilient systems, with AI algorithms trained on diverse failure scenarios to minimize disruptions. Optimism persists that real-world testing will refine these tools, but incidents like these remind us that innovation must prioritize safety, especially around
schools and school buses.

The consumer automotive market is evolving rapidly, with autonomous driving features projected to become standard in over 20 percent of new vehicles this year, according to industry forecasts. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) supervised software, for instance, has seen significant patches in 2025 and early 2026, particularly for school bus interactions. Updates have improved detection of flashing lights and stop signs, with user videos demonstrating reliable stopping and waiting behaviors.

However, NHTSA’s ongoing probes into FSD including an October evaluation of traffic law violations covering nearly 2.9 million vehicles, reveals lingering issues like occasional failures in reduced visibility. Adversarial tests by The Dawn Project staged demos showing a Tesla Model Y ignoring bus signals and striking child dummies. Tesla extended its response deadline to this month amid scrutiny of over 8,000 potential incidents. A 2023 North Carolina case, where a 17-year-old was struck by a Tesla after exiting a bus, echoes these concerns. While software fixes addressed the bug, it illustrates how AI must evolve to anticipate unpredictable child movements.

As self-driving cars proliferate in urban areas, school bus drivers face added complexity. Children in loading zones demand split-second recognition yet early AV
systems have faltered. By this year, expect wider adoption of Level 3 and 4 autonomy, where minimal human input is needed in defined conditions, promising fewer crashes
through precise sensor fusion.

NHTSA’s early 2025 estimates show overall traffic fatalities dropping: 27,365 deaths in the first nine months, a 6.4 percent decline from 2024, with the rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled falling to 1.10. The first half of 2025 saw 17,140 fatalities, down 8.2 percent, even as miles driven rose. While distracted driving specifics for 2025 remain preliminary, trends suggest AVs could further reduce human-error crashes, though flaws in software like those in Tesla and Waymo highlight the need for rigorous validation.

Emerging trends are transforming school transportation itself. AI and telematics are shifting from reactive to proactive safety, with predictive maintenance using data
analytics to forecast bus failures, reducing breakdowns. High-definition cameras, integrated with AI software, provide 360-degree views, detecting illegal passers and
alerting authorities. Automation extends to digital forms for route planning and incident reporting, streamlining operations via cloud platforms that unify GPS/Telematics, video and RFID for student tracking.

The growth of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication potentially enables school buses to signal AVs directly, which could prevent illegal passes.

The school transportation industry must adapt to these innovations to safeguard students. From apps providing real-time ETA alerts to parents, to HD cameras deterring
misconduct inside buses, technology enhances efficiency and accountability.

As we share roads with evolving AVs, collaboration between manufacturers, regulators and districts is crucial. Staying ahead of the curve ensures we don’t lag in safety, after all, the families our industry serves count on us daily to innovate for the best interest of kids.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the February 2026 issue of School Transportation News.

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Related: Investigation into Waymo Driverless Vehicles Continues Following Latest Collision with Student
Related: Waymo Driverless Vehicles Continue to Illegally Pass School Buses
Related: Waymo Driverless Car Illegally Passes Stopped School Bus in Atlanta
Related: NHTSA Investigates Autonomous Waymo Rides After Illegal School Bus Passing

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Transfinder Corporation’s record-breaking growth continued in 2025, as the company closed the year with $50.15 million in revenue, a 19 percent increase over the prior year and the 28th consecutive year of annual revenue growth. Transfinder, the nation’s leading developer of school transportation management solutions, including routing software, parent and driver apps and fleet maintenance and law enforcement solutions, added 180 clients in 2025. Of those new clients, 64 of those new clients left competing systems.

President and CEO Antonio Civitella shared highlights from across the company’s departments and outlined ambitious plans for the year ahead during his annual “State of the Union” presentation that includes employees from every department. “We hit the goal I set at the start of 2025—$50 million in revenue,” Civitella said. “It was a total team effort.” For 2026, Civitella has set an even higher target, projecting $60 million in revenue.

Drivers of Growth:
Several factors contributed to Transfinder’s record-setting year. Hardware sales increased 22 percent to $11.5 million. Hardware sales included tablets and RFID card readers. A major driver of hardware growth was the continued adoption of Wayfinder, Transfinder’s driver app, which provides turn-by-turn navigation and student attendance tracking. Along with Transfinder’s flagship Routefinder PLUS routing solution, Wayfinder ranked among the most-purchased products in 2025, along with the Stopfinder parent app and Servicefinder maintenance solution.

Transfinder’s Patrolfinder solution closed 2025 with clients in four states. The first notable client being the Schenectady Police Department. The company also saw a significant rise in procurement activity, participating in 217 percentmore Requests for Proposals (RFPs) than in 2024. Transfinder won 51 percent of those RFPs,
generating more than $2.2 million in revenue.

“Transfinder has never been in a stronger position,” Civitella said. “We have the right team, the right solutions, and our finger on the pulse of the industry. We can now serve the largest districts in the country. There is no opportunity in this space that we will not go after.”

Industry Recognition and Engagement
In 2025, Transfinder once again earned recognition as a Best Place to Work, Top Workplace, and Best Company to Work For in New York State. Industry leaders also voted Transfinder Best Software, Best Hardware, and Best Safety Technology for the second consecutive year.“This isn’t just me saying we have the best team and the best solutions,” Civitella said. “Our clients are part of that recognition. More and more of them are stepping forward as references to share why they chose Transfinder.” The number of client references increased 244 percent in 2025.

Transfinder further strengthened its industry presence through its Annual Client Summit (ACS), which was held outside New York and Texas for the first time. The sold-out event took place in Nashville, Tenn., drawing a record 359 attendees.
Transfinder employees also went to more conferences last year, attending 67 compared with 25 in 2024.

Impact on Student Safety
“Perhaps the most meaningful growth isn’t revenue-related at all—it’s student-related,” Civitella said. “At the end of the day, what matters most is the safe transportation of every student.”

“Routefinder PLUS was named Best Software for a reason,” Civitella said. “We’ve cracked the code to make routing faster and easier while preventing students from crossing the street and helping districts manage the driver shortage. We are saving lives and saving districts significant money.”

Usage of the Wayfinder app also surged. Trips navigated using Wayfinder increased 103 percent to 5.3 million trips in 2025, while RFID attendance scans grew 210 percent to 21.9 million for the year.

Families increasingly relied on Stopfinder for real-time visibility into their children’s transportation. In 2025, 958 districts used Stopfinder, a 24 percent increase. Nearly 1 million subscribers received 128 million GeoAlert notifications, up 120 percent, including 57 million attendance notifications, an increase of 185 percent.“As a dad, I know how important peace of mind is,” Civitella said. “We have to get it right.

Growth in Fleet Safety and Operations
Transfinder’s Servicefinder also posted strong gains, growing 46 percent to 356 clients. Those districts documented 85,382 assets, completed 132,998 work orders, and submitted 989,143 vehicle inspection forms, representing triple-digit growth across all categories.

“We say it all the time—safety begins in the garage,” Civitella said. “Servicefinder ensures vehicles are reliable and safe, closing a critical gap in student transportation safety.”

2025 Highlights
• 28th consecutive year of revenue growth
• $50.15 million in annual revenue
• 180 new clients
• 13 new employees (212 total, most in the company’s history)
• Hardware sales up 22 percent
• Named Best Software, Best Hardware, and Best Safety Technology for the second straight year by School Transportation News
• Named to Inc.’s Fastest-Growing Companies list (13th time)
• Named to The Business Review Fastest-Growing Companies list
• Recognized as a Best Place to Work, Top Workplace, and Best Company to Work For in New York State
• Attended 67 conferences nationwide
• Hosted largest Annual Client Summit to date in Nashville, Tenn.

“We worked tirelessly on all fronts in 2025,” Civitella said. “There were no easy wins. But we grew financially, technologically, and mentally. We are sharper than ever—and I expect 2026 to be the best year in the company’s history.”

About Transfinder
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to municipalities, school districts and police departments. Transfinder has been an Inc. magazine “fastest-growing company” 13 times.

The company provides software, hardware and consulting services. Transfinder received Best Software, Best Hardware and Best Safety Technology awards by industry leaders two years in a row andhas been named a Best Place to Work, Top Workplace and Best Company to Work for in New York State multiple times, For more information, visit www.transfinder.com

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As we headed into 2026, many school transportation operations nationwide continue to battle persistent staffing shortages of bus drivers, aides and mechanics, disrupting routes and student rides. Some school transportation teams are getting the work done. Others are experiencing tightening budgets, leading to route reductions, cancellations and school closures. States like Maine, Missouri and Vermont experienced particularly acute shortages, contributing to route cancellations and heightened chronic absenteeism.

At the recent TSD Conference in Frisco, Texas, attendees told me they have seen improvements in hiring staff but underscored the need for robust retention strategies centered on competitive pay, positive culture, teamwork and professional development, including attending industry events.

The national school bus driver shortage showed improvement in 2025, with employment rising by about 2,300 jobs, or 1.1 percent from the previous year, according to recent data from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). The increase appears to be driven by rising wages that have seen the median hourly wage grow by an inflation-adjusted 4.2 percent over the past year, the best since the pandemic. The median hourly wage for school bus drivers nationwide reached $22.45 in August.

However, the sector still had 21,200 fewer drivers—a 9.5 percent decline compared with August 2019. Private school bus contractors saw the sharpest drops, while public sector hiring edged up. The EPI data noted that the end of pandemic relief funds and the attacks on public education by the current presidential administration threaten to reverse this progress.

According to the 2025 State of School Transportation Report by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, in partnership with HopSkipDrive, 81 percent of respondents said school bus driver shortages are a problem in their school district, including 46 percent calling it a major problem. Additionally, 26 percent of respondents reported their school district has addressed these shortages by cutting or shortening bus routes, and 73 percent reported transportation budget shortages have affected their transportation operations.

Competitive compensation remains the cornerstone of retention. Pasco County Schools in Florida introduced monetary bonuses, including $250 for covering challenging routes, alongside recruitment fairs. Try recognition programs, such as the “Driver of the Month” award or periodic retention bonuses, to show appreciation. Consider longevity bonuses, perfect attendance awards and health insurance to compete with higher-paying competitors. Building a supportive workplace culture boosts morale and loyalty.

Districts like Klein ISD in Texas, a previous Top Transportation Teams winner at STN EXPO West, proactively makes staff feel valued through supportive environments and competitive pay. These have helped avoid shortages altogether. John Fergerson, the transportation director, conducts regular feedback sessions to address concerns promptly. He fosters a positive culture and turns employees into recruiters, as engaged staff recommend the job to others.

Teamwork enhances retention by creating a sense of belonging. Cross- training aides or involving mechanics in facility planning builds collaboration. Team events and inclusive initiatives reinforce that akk staff are vital to student success. Districts adopting flexible scheduling or job-sharing options accommodate personal needs, particularly for part-time workers.

Investing in training demonstrates a commitment to growth. Professional development in defensive driving, student behavior management and emerging technologies equips staff for long-term careers. Conferences play a key role as well. Consider STN EXPO West, held July 9-15, 2026, in Reno, Nevada. It will feature specialized training, leadership sessions, technology demonstrations and networking. STN EXPO East occurring March 26-31, 2026, near Charlotte, North Carolina, offers similar opportunities.

The TSD Conference held Nov. 4-10, 2026, in Frisco, Texas, offers training on securement, compliance, evacuations and more. Registering your staff to attend signals an investment in improving their skills that also affects their retention.

Successful districts combine these approaches. Some use routing software for efficiency, easing workloads. Others offer career pathways, like certifications for advancement. Teri Mapengo, transportation director from Prosper ISD in Texas, noted that aggressive recruiting paired with supportive cultures and pay helped operations build stable teams. The district was also awarded a Top Transportation Teams Award last summer.

In 2026, retaining school transportation staff requires intentional, multifaceted efforts. Prioritize strong pay, culture, teamwork and training to stabilize operations, ensure reliable service, and support educational equity.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the January 2026 issue of School Transportation News.

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Related: Florida District Introduces Innovative Safety Training for School Bus Drivers
Related: Tech-Forward Approach to Staffing
Related: (STN Podcast E230) Ingredients for Success: Driver Retention & N.Y. District Teambuilding
Related: (STN Podcast E275) Teamwork & Innovation: Alabama Top Transportation Team & Exclusive Zonar Interview

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It’s a new calendar year but school transportation leaders face the same challenges. As Albert Einstein famously said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
This month’s articles highlight key areas where leaders can make impactful changes to improve safety, efficiency and equity for all students, especially those riders with
disabilities.

While all important, Linda Bluth’s column on addressing sexual assault on school transportation vehicles especially strikes a chord. The topic must be the most horrifying for student transporters to discuss, aside from a fatality. We know from research that students with disabilities are at a significantly higher risk of being targeted for sexual assault than their non-disabled peers. Bluth shares that one constant over her storied career has been the number of sexual assault cases she has been asked to serve as an expert witness on.

She underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to protect students by calling for an industry task force to address this sensitive yet essential topic, to confront it head-on and ensure the safety and well-being of students.

Ask yourself, what policies does your transportation department and school district have in place regarding sexual assaults occurring on or around school buses or other school transportation vehicles. Bluth writes it is vital to create clear, school board-approved policies that define and address sexual assault as well as bullying and harassment on school transportation vehicles. Training all transportation personnel and students on these policies is vital.

Supervision must also be enhanced. A growing trend is more attendants on routes to assist school bus drivers with behavior management. High-back seats, Bluth says, create a barrier to seeing what students are doing. I hear that concern often from readers, an unintended consequence of NHTSA’s 2009 update to FMVSS 222 that increased the minimum seatback height to 24 inches.

Providing adequate adult supervision on all vehicles used for school transportation is paramount to the safety of all students.

Technology is supplementing these efforts with state-of-the art video camera systems. Increasingly, AI-enhanced software is showing the promise of even predicting or identifying the risk of potential assaults, but these solutions are in their infancy. Never mind the expense. First and foremost, student transporters must have policies for regularly reviewing footage. Most camera systems come with alerts to notify supervisors
of incidents. But there remains no consistent solution better than, if you “see something, say something.”

Train your school bus drivers, monitors and other staff to trust their intuitions. If something feels “off” during a route, it probably is. Foster a culture where transportation personnel and students feel safe reporting inappropriate behavior without fear of retaliation.

There is plenty to think about when reading this month’s issue, which also looks at the importance of modern routing software, AI-powered tools and data-driven solutions to address driver shortages and training, route optimization, and Medicaid reimbursement challenges. Alternative vehicles also continue to gain ground in transporting students to and from school.

With them comes the need to train their drivers on proper child safety restraint and wheelchair securement. At the half-way point of the school year, consider how your operations are poised to tackle all these issues. As school transportation leaders, the responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of students is paramount. By addressing critical safety issues, embracing technology, and fostering collaboration, we can drive meaningful change in the industry.

Let’s turn these insights into action, ensuring that every student’s journey is safe, efficient and supportive of their educational success.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the January 2026 issue of School Transportation News.

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Related: (Recorded Webinar) Building Resiliency: Hot Trends in Student Transportation For 2026
Related: Ohio School Bus Driver on Administrative Leave After ‘Reckless Driving’
Related: Eagle Eye on Student Transportation Safety
Related: Transportation (Success) Leads the Way to Sustainability

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