The Bus Stop

Join Executive Director, Curt Macysyn for a special Thanksgiving Edition of NSTA: The Bus Stop as Frank Girardot, Senior Communications Director with BYD | RIDE drops by for an enjoyable episode. Frank briefly outlines his professional background and then highlights his interest in film and connection to Hollywood. As we approach the Holiday Season with friends and family, the duo discuss and deba...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by  Corey Muirhead, Executive Vice President of Logan Bus Company, and member of the NSTA Board of Directors. Curt and Corey delve into the ongoing electrification efforts in New York State. Corey outlines several initiatives being that the New York School Bus Contractors Association have been working on over he past sever...

It's been a week since Election Day and most of the dust has settled on this historic National Election. Hear from NSTA executive director Curt Macysyn as he dissects the events of the past several days and what the impact may be for NSTA. He'll talk about key races and what trends can be determined as the final votes are counted. Support the show

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by  Spencer Schiefelbein, Director - Channel Development, REI, an NSTA Vendor Partner Member. Spencer delves into the use of Artificial Intelligence as a tool in student transportation. The duo highlights the use of AI to reduce insurance costs. Curt and Spencer then outline how AI can be utilized to improve safety. Lastly...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by  Valarie Higgins, Vice President of Sales – School Bus Division, Gatekeeper Systems. Valarie outlines her background and journey to Gatekeeper Systems. The duo delves into the use of Artificial Intelligence and how it can be utilized to reduce illegal passing. Valarie and Curt discuss the technological evolution of the...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by industry stalwart, Ken Hedgecock, National Sales Manger, United Safety and Survivability Corporation. Ken and Curt celebrate National School Bus Safety Week. Ken uses his industry expertise to discuss the development of the iconic yellow bus and how it has become a symbol of safety. Curt and Ken delve into current safet...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Martin Staples, CEO, Transportant, an NSTA Vendor Partner.  Martin highlights the recent back-to-school period and some observations he's made through this year's return to school. The duo outlines a recent transition to the Transportant platform at an expedited rate with great success. Martin then delves into...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Tim Ammon, Vice President & GM, Passenger Services, Zonar Systems, an NSTA Vendor Partner Member.  Tim highlights some recent initiatives Zonar has been participating in. The duo outlines the continued technological advancements being seen on the yellow bus. Tim delves into technician shortages and what can be done...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Scott Mogensen, Head of Solutions Enablement, Foley Services, an NSTA Vendor Partner Member. Scott outlines his background and his journey into the industry. The duo discuss strategies to reduce an operator's risk profile through consistent monitoring practices. Curt and Scott delve into the upcoming change to the...

 This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Julius Ceaser, Director of Recruiting, Cook-Illinois Corporation. Julius outlines the current state of the recruitment landscape. The duo discusses the recruiting philosophy and several factors he's found to have positive results when hiring drivers. Julius emphasizes the importance of flexibility in the process a...

 This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Kyle McClellan, Practice Leader, NSM Insurance Brokers, a new NSTA Vendor Partner Member. Kyle highlights NSM insurance and outlines his background and his journey to Practice Leader at NSM Insurance Brokers. The duo discuss the unique NSM partnership with the 42 Group and the many benefits it has for school bus contra...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Ronna Weber, Executive Director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation (NASDPTS). Ronna highlights the return of the National Congress on School Transportation (NCST) for the first time in ten years, which will take place from May 3-7, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. The duo outline the proces...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Doug Campbell, Director of Sales with NSTA Vendor Partner, First Light Safety Products. Doug and Curt recap the school bus equipped with illegal passing technologies that First Light Safety showcased at the 2024 NSTA Annual Meeting and Convention in Nashville, TN in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Greg Jackson, Director of Business Development, School Bus Logistics, a new NSTA Vendor Partner Member. Greg outlined his background and his transition from Transportation Director to School Bus Logistics. Greg and Curt highlight strategies contractors can utilize when heading into the back-to-school period for their ro...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Mark Miller, Substitute Bus Driver, Bellingham Public Schools. Mark outlines his background and discusses his journey to becoming a school bus driver in addition to his role as a pilot. He recaps his experience at the 2024 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition, as Mark won the Type-D (Transit Style) Competi...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Kim Martin, Industry Engagement Consultant, Tyler Technologies, an NSTA Vendor Partner. Kim and Curt recap the recent On-Board Technology Panel at the 2024 NSTA Annual Meeting and Convention in Nashville, TN. Kim provides some best practices as operators enter the back-to-school period and how new technology can be impl...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Keith Galloway, SVP Business Development & Mergers and Acquisitions, Student Transportation of America. Keith outlines his journey in student transportation starting from the family business to STA. Keith and Curt discuss the various projects that the Business Development Committee works on. Keith and Curt look into...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Gerry Wosewick, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association. Gerry and Curt discuss several of the ongoing advocacy initiatives that PSBA is currently working on in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Gerry and Curt delve into the Under the Hood Exemption. Gerry outlines the state funding formula and how...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by ackie Bell, Inside Sales Representative, Scraper Systems by Rite Hite, an NSTA Vendor Partner. Jackie delves into her background and what led her to Scraper Systems. The duo discusses the importance of efficient snow removal. Jackie then outlines the various snow removal solutions Scraper Systems has. Lastly, the duo hi...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Martiza Valentin, Contract/National Account Manager, AMF Bruns, an NSTA Vendor Partner. Maritza gives some insight on what operators should be looking for when transporting students with mobility issues. Maritza gives some helpful hints on how often operators should be reviewing seating positions and much more!. Become...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Wes Platt, Publisher and Editor of South Point Access News, previously of School Bus Fleet. Wes outlines his new publication South Point Access News and what inspired him to found this news outlet. Wes recounts his time in the school transportation industry and highlights what he learned from the industry. Wes forecasts...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Steve Whaley, Alternative Fuels Manager, Blue Bird. Steve delves into his background and the road from School Teacher to Alternative Fuels. The duo highlight different alternative fuels options and the operational situations where they could be a fit for an operator. Steve then outlines what considerations need to be ta...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Matt Jandrisavitz, Partner, RC Kelly Law Associates . Matt outlines his background and what led him to RC Kelly Law and the school bus industry.  Matt and Curt discuss the recent reclassification of Marijuana by the United States Department of Justice. The duo outline what Contractors should know about this recent chang...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Tommy Smith, COO, Suffolk Transportation Service, President, New York School Bus Contractors Association. Tommy outlines his background and talks about growing up in the industry. Tommy highlights some recent advocacy initiatives of the New York School Bus Contractors Association. The duo discuss recent trends in the in...

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn is joined by Sam Davidson, CEO, Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Sam will be featured as the Keynote Speaker for the 2024 NSTA Annual Meeting and Convention in Nashville, TN on July 22, 2024. Sam outlines his background and extensive experience in the start up realm. Curt and Sam discuss the recent boom that Nashville has seen over th...