School Transportation Nation

Exciting headlines on School Bus Safety Week, a look at vintage school buses, Blue Bird bus manufacturing investment, more Lion Electric controversy, how politics affect clean bus funding, and a closer look at Thomas Built Buses products.  Brad Hayn, director of transportation for Hoover City Schools in Alabama, discusses his district's repeat wins of the Top Transportation Teams award presented b...

School districts feel the pinch at the fuel pump, await news on Clean School Bus Program funding, and deal with extreme weather events threatening operations. Plus, the TSD Conference presents advice on leveraging AI as a tool. Prosper Independent School District in Texas is hosting the hands-on evacuation training as well as The Roadeo Competition at the TSD Conference in a few weeks. Director of...

Analysis on safety conversations revived by a fatal Florida crash that killed a student and motorist, School Bus Safety Month, and discussion at the recent National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference & Trade Show. Consultant Sue Shutrump is a retired occupational and physical therapy supervisor for Trumbull County ESC in Ohio, co-chair of NAPT's Special Needs Advisory Committee...

We analyze safety and training lessons from the leadership-themed October issue of School Transportation News, the question of seatbelts in two scary school bus rollovers in Texas and Indiana, a child dragged by school bus loading doors in New York, and a driver and aide arrested for spraying disinfectant on a student with special needs. Read more about training and safety . Episode sponsors: Tran...

The student transportation industry faces questions after a 7-year-old student rider in a wheelchair died on her bus. Additionally, rising fuel costs alongside declining enrollment complicate matters. Gabrielle Marie Kelley aka "Gabie the Author," former school bus dispatcher and current office manager for Irving Independent School District in Texas, takes us behind the scenes of the web series sh...

We discuss how non-domiciled CDL restrictions exacerbate the school bus driver shortage, new research on school zone and bus stop safety, reframing the student transportation conversation, and conference updates. Consultant Launi Harden, who served as the former transportation director at Washington County School District in Utah and is the new executive director of the Florida Association of Pupi...

School startup across the U.S. comes with noteworthy snafus at Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland, tragic student fatalities, and speculation on electric bus mandates and funding. Glenna Wright-Gallo, vice president of policy for software provider Everway, leverages her personal experience having a disability and her experience as the former assistant secretary for the U.S. Departme...

We examine the potential fallout from proposed changes to the Head Start program, increased danger as students return to school, a tornado that devastated a Wisconsin bus contractor, and updates from NAPT and TSD Conference . Parker Muirbrook, strategic sales director at EverDriven, discusses new research and real-world examples that show how alternative transportation assists both district financ...

School districts focus on service and safety amidst students returning to school nationwide and new research on cellphone distraction among motorists. Plus, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services reiterated its support of lap/shoulder seatbelts on school buses. Board Certified Behavior Analyst Patrick Mulick, the director of student engagement at Auburn School...

Back to school safety is forefront as an illegal passing PSA features a retired Detroit Lions offensive lineman; meanwhile, a South Carolina student was fatally shot at a school bus stop. Plus, send your best school bus photos to taylor@stnmedia.com . Special education attorney Julie Weatherly discusses how recent federal changes to the U.S. Department of Education affect school transportation and...

Taylor sits down for a special extended conversation with STN's 2025 Transportation Director of the Year Keba Baldwin, director of transportation and fleet services at Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. He talks school startup operations, parent and media communication, AI and autonomous technology, leading STN EXPO sessions, alternative transportation and more. Read more about lea...

We discuss the postponement of the New York state electric mandate, feedback on the annual NASDPTS illegal passing survey, the impact of Daylight Savings Time conversations on students, and accolades for former STN Transportation Director of the Year Teresa Fleming of the School District of Philadelphia at Zum's Mobility Summit. See how mentorship and teamwork star in the noteworthy career of Sand...

We analyze the conversations at the National School Transportation Association's annual convention, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study on autonomous vehicle safety, and how student transporters can respond to the evolving trends of AI and new technology. Cameron Wood, the lead electric vehicle performance analyst for school bus contractor Student Transportation of America, shares how...

Tony, Ryan and Taylor go over the highlights from STN EXPO West last week which focused on not only skills, technology and training but also teambuilding, workplace culture and making emotional connections. Highlights included focused inspection and special needs trainings, a musical keynote, Great Gatsby and Alice in Wonderland themed networking events, multiple awards given, a Mr. Bus Driver app...

Nicole Wheeldon, North American general manager of buses for Cummins, and Matt McGinn, senior director of e-mobility sales for Accelera by Cummins, examine exciting product innovations and meeting customer needs amid school bus energy options, rising costs and tightened budgets. Enterprise Account Manager Chase Cloyd shares how Netradyne's AI-driven cameras and technology take a proactive approach...

Communications came in #3 on procurement lists created by Transportation Director Summit attendees at STN EXPO West . Business Development Manager David Weber discusses how School Radio supports reliable communication for the professionals transporting precious cargo on school buses. Joel Stutheit, former transportation director who now serves as senior manager of Autogas business development for...

Transfinder announced its annual Top Transportation Teams award winners, the industry is concerned about autonomous vehicles ignoring school bus stop arms, and two federal grants provide opportunities for school transportation emergency training. Veteran transportation leader Jim Schiffler draws on his personal and family experience in the school bus industry to offer thoughtful advice on building...

Summer plans, school bus driver fatigue, diesel dominance and a student transportation safety reminder after an elephant killed a mother walking to school with her kids in India. Director of Transportation Richard Jimenez shares why AI is not something to fear and how he leverages it in his operations at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in Southern California. He will participate in a...

Tony and Taylor are back with their recommendations on sessions you must attend at STN EXPO West in July. It's a packed conference and trade show including an in-demand mentorship program, CEO Tech Talks, military-inspired leadership and the Best of the Dick & Pete Show. Dr. Michael Hout, professor of psychology and kinesiology at New Mexico State University, joins Ryan to discuss research into il...

We examine a school bus shooting in Pennsylvania, how the federal BUILD 250 Act would cut Safe Streets and Roads for All funding, and transportation's role in student absenteeism. Speaker, author and branding expert Bruce Turkel shares why it's important for school bus operations to build a brand in an age of increasing multi-modality, discusses leveraging emotions over facts to reach the right au...

Summer break is upon us but student transporters are already ramping up for the new school year amid financial challenges. Plus, the June issue of School Transportation News magazine is out, and a camera caught a scary illegal passing incident that injured a student in Florida. Ryan Hahn, owner of Strategic School Consultants and a former transportation director, sheds light on current school dist...

We analyze what 188 school districts shared in a survey about fuel prices, the impact of world events and the upcoming Clean School Bus Program, timely discussion planned for STN EXPO West in July, and a California school bus driver recognized by the state. With 10 years' experience in the industry, Griffin Scott, supervisor of fleet advisory and analytics at RTA: The Fleet Success Company, discus...

We discuss fuel cost anxiety and the impact of a proposed federal fuel tax suspension, plus safety lessons to learn from the latest student pedestrian fatality in New York City. What should you consider before buying a bus? Isaac Linson, CEO of BusesForSale.com, joins us to discuss current school bus market trends and tips for buying or selling buses remotely. Read more about operations. Episode s...

Tony and Ryan discuss takeaways from the ACT EXPO this past week in Las Vegas, which took a deep dive into clean fuel choices, autonomous vehicles, robotics in manufacturing, electrification interest and more. Director of Transportation Anthony Jackson joins us to discuss the operational, cost and health benefits of propane usage at Bibb County School District in Georgia. Read more about green bus...

More U.S. Environmental Protection Agency news and webinars on funding, plus how clean energy demand intersects with AI's need for resources. Conversations continue at ACT EXPO this week and the  Green Bus Summit at STN EXPO West in July. "The tragedy will never leave you." Shocking real-life stories abound in this special extended episode as 91-year-old industry legend and consultant Richard "Dic...