School Transportation Nation
212 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago -For nearly 30 years, you’ve known School Transportation News magazine and STNonline.com as the premier sources of pupil transportation news and analysis. Now, join the School Transportation Nation podcast, as STN Publisher Tony Corpin and Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray discuss the day’s pertinent issues and talk with guests about the business of getting children safely to and from school and related activities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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Episodes
Safety, Security & Promises: Responding Rightly to Student Transportation Challenges
May 03, 2022 01:21 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBSafety & security is the focus for STN’s May issue and the annual NASDPTS survey is gearing up to record how bad illegal passing is still today. Also, details were released on the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, but questions arise on the feasibility of rapid electrification. Author and speaker Jason Hewlett, who will be presenting the entertaining, musical keynote “The Promise” at STN EXPO Indy in June, discusses what current events like Will Smith’s slap can teach the student transportatio...
The Human Element: Making Things Better For Employees & Customers
April 26, 2022 17:50 - 32 minutes - 30 MBExciting things happening at STN! The upcoming May issue covers many exciting topics such as smart cameras that can capture actions and provide training opportunities. Be sure to check out our site stnonline.com for numerous scholarship opportunities to attend STN EXPO in Indy or Reno. Judith Crawford, CEO of the U.S.’s fourth-largest school bus contractor Beacon Mobility, discusses the importance of training and partnerships, marketplace trends, and how to maximize support for both her t...
Adjust the Archetype: Why Alt-Fuel Buses Are Becoming More Popular
April 19, 2022 17:09 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBThe electric buzz continues to spread as more districts, notably those in New York and Boston, embrace EV implementation. Conversations on replacing buses intensify as gas prices rise and federal clean bus funding grows. Eric Little, transportation director for Baldwin County Schools in Georgia, discusses collaboration with his superintendent, efforts to combat the driver shortage in the district, and plans to use federal funding for electric school buses. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/el...
Bus Stop Safety Prioritized: Tragedy Leads to Anna’s Law in Colorado
April 12, 2022 21:35 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBDavid Hartzell, director of transportation for Harrison School District Two in Colorado Springs and president of the Colorado Pupil Transportation, discusses the tragedy of an 11-year-old girl who was killed by her school bus as well as how student transporters are fighting through the dire driver shortage and building a team culture to keep students safe at bus stops. He also reviews the 4-day school week and electric bus plans in the state. Lea Bogle, CEO of Premier Wireless, shares how ...
Collaborate & Optimize: Secrets for Enhancing Transportation Ops
April 06, 2022 01:09 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBIndustry veteran Nicole Portee discusses starting as assistant superintendent of operations for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina as well as the teamwork and technology necessary to support students at the 17th largest district in the U.S. Read more about her at stnonline.com/go/nov18. Tony Civitella, president & CEO of technology provider Transfinder, talks about fleet optimization’s overall benefits on a transportation operation. –– Read the April issue: stnonline.com...
At The Helm: Diversity & Female Leadership in Transportation
March 29, 2022 23:04 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBRyan and Taylor discuss opportunities and considerations for districts as new federal funds open up for bus Wi-Fi and cleaner school buses. Stay updated at stnonline.com/green-bus and join the conversation at STN EXPO Reno’s Green Bus Summit (stnexpo.com). Teresa Fleming, executive director of transportation at the School District of Philadelphia, discusses the value of diversity, meeting local student needs, working with vendors, data-driven technology decisions, and electric bus implemen...
School Bus Heroes: Calif. District & Community Fights Fires and COVID-19
March 22, 2022 00:38 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBRyan and Tony talk March Madness picks, new stats from NSTA that shed light on the driver shortage, and the EPA’s comment period on new emissions standards. School bus driver trainer Chris Rinesmith and driver Sherry Barnes discuss the impact of the Camp Fire of 2018 and then the COVID-19 pandemic on Paradise Unified School District in California, as well as how staff stepped up to help the community recover. Read about more outstanding women in the school bus industry at stnonline.com/tag...
Tell Your Story: Join National Conversations on Alt Fuel, Contractors
March 16, 2022 00:15 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBAlternative fuel conversations surge as gas prices rise and the federal emissions standards are set to change. Learn more at stnonline.com/green-bus. In celebration of women's month, we highlight Carina Noble’s leadership as president at contractor National Express and via the National School Transportation Association (NSTA). She discusses advocating for school transportation, fleet electrification, coming out of COVID-19, recognizing bus drivers’ sacrifices, and the embrace of technology. ...
“Why Not Try?” Meet the Idaho Superintendent Who’s Also A School Bus Driver
March 08, 2022 17:25 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBMask requirements are being relaxed by the CDC as well as state and local governments as the pandemic becomes endemic. Additionally, international events continue to affect fuel choices and the supply chain. Wendy Moore serves as the superintendent as well as a school bus driver at Genesee Joint School District No. 282 in Idaho. She shares how involvement and support among both district staff and community members is helping improve the driver shortage and resulting in better relationships...
Meet Their Needs: Understanding Student Riders With Special Needs
March 01, 2022 23:46 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBThe March issue of School Transportation News magazine is out! Read about driver wages, student Medicaid reimbursement, onboard behavior, the supply chain and more at stnonline.com/go/mar22. Amy Tiedens, transportation manager at Intermediate District 287 in Minnesota, talks about her passion for students with special needs. She discusses using vans, working with contractors and training staff to transport them with care even amid COVID-19 and a driver shortage. Read more at stnonline.com/ta...
Our 100th Episode! Texas District Conquers Driver Shortage
February 23, 2022 00:53 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBThanks for being with us for 100 episodes of our podcast! Join us for some stats on our journey since March 2020, as well as analysis on conversations still happening two years later, such as onboard masking and the driver shortage. Starting school bus driver pay going from $17.50/hour to $25/hour? Better believe it. Josh Rice, president for the Texas Association of Pupil Transportation, discusses taking over transportation and fleet services at Barbers Hill Independent School District in ...
Blaze the Path & Make a Difference: Black Leadership in School Transportation
February 15, 2022 18:36 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBDerrick Agate, retired transportation supervisor for Hopkins Public Schools, two-time past president of the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation and now a consultant, joins Ryan to highlight Black History Month, the struggles of being a black transportation director years ago, black representation in the industry, and the impact of connections between bus drivers and their student riders. Read more about him at stnonline.com/go/b3. Additionally, Pam Caro, director of sales at Nuvve...
Snow, Super Bowl & School Bus Love
February 09, 2022 00:31 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBOur podcast guest got hit with some winter weather, so Ryan & Taylor hold down the episode and talk about February highlights like incoming snowfalls, the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day and Love the Bus month. There are some exciting keynotes for STN EXPO Indy, STN is conducting research into school bus driver training & compensation, and a California bill proposes universal school transportation. Get all the details at stnonline.com.
Good Foundation & Solid Plans: Running a Business in COVID Times
February 01, 2022 23:35 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBTony and Taylor discuss the latest headlines: STN’s February magazine release, new online articles, the Feb. 7 ELDT deadline, federal clean transportation funding and new mask recommendations. Matthew Stevenson, the new president & CEO of school bus manufacturer Blue Bird, talks people-focused leadership, opportunities amid COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions, future predictions, and alternative fuels. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/leadership.
Awareness & Lightheartedness: Coping in Uncertain COVID Times
January 25, 2022 23:49 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBSchools are closing due to COVID while the federal government is distributing 400 million free N95 masks which are actually not designed for students. Meanwhile, districts will soon be able to use ESSER funds for bus cleaning and student health. Tony speaks with Transfinder CEO Antonio Civitella on technology trends for 2022, such as increased student tracking for parent peace of mind. “Take the situation seriously and take yourself lightly,” advises humorist Tim Gard. He shares more on ...
Fresh Perspectives: Driver Shortage, COVID-19 Pandemic, Propane Buses
January 19, 2022 00:48 - 39 minutes - 35.8 MBConversations continue on how wages and the CDL process affect the driver shortage. Districts are struggling with a new wave of school closures and reduced bus ridership because of COVID-19, but is this an endemic rather than a pandemic? Tony and Steve Whaley, Director of Autogas Business Development for the Propane Education & Research Council, discuss propane school buses, infrastructure, implementation plans and available funding. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/coronavirus and stnon...
Training, Technology & Teamwork: Pennsylvania District Ready to Go in 2022
January 12, 2022 00:28 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBRyan and Tony discuss headlines bringing us into the new year: impacts of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the status of the federal Build Back Better plan and school bus electrification strategies. Transportation General Manager Jenny Robinson recaps a full year of 2021 operations at Bethlehem Area School District in Pennsylvania, including safety concerns like illegal passing and MAP-21 driver training. Her 2022 plans include data and technology implementation which must also be accompanied...
Struggles, Innovations & Community: A Look Back at Student Transportation in 2021
December 14, 2021 22:36 - 28 minutes - 26 MBTony, Ryan and Taylor take a look back at an eventful 2021 in which districts continued to serve students in the midst of COVID-19 uncertainties, staff shortages, supply chain delays and more. STN resumed its three in-person conferences this year, where attendees engaged in thought-provoking conversations on everything from leadership and workplace culture to clean school bus implementation. Read more at stnonline.com and learn more about our 2022 events at stnexpo.com.
Conversations at STN EXPO Reno: Twin Rivers USD’s Electric School Bus Journey
December 09, 2021 17:54 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBSTN Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray catches up with Tim Shannon, director of transportation at Twin Rivers Unified School District near Sacramento, California, at the STN EXPO in Reno, Nevada. Shannon, a pioneer in electric school bus implementation, discusses the district’s journey, funding sources, resulting benefits in his operations and on student riders, vehicle-to-grid charging and the exciting changes happening in the EV market now. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/electric-bus.
Onsite at the TSD Conference: A Heart For Vulnerable Student Populations
November 24, 2021 00:28 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBAt the Transporting Students With Disabilities and Special Needs Conference and Trade show this past week, Ryan caught up with industry veterans and conference trainers Alex Robinson and Theresa Anderson from the Women in Transportation (wit.) organization. They agreed that both new and seasoned attendees in this field display impressive passion and heart. Together, wit. and the TSD Conference foster mentorship, connection and interactive safety training so student transporters can gather, n...
What We Do Matters: From FBI Agent to School Bus Driver
November 17, 2021 00:22 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBMike Mason, former FBI agent and member of the marine corps, and now a school bus driver for Chesterfield County Public Schools in Virginia, joins Ryan to discuss why he wanted to join this workforce to make an impact. He looks at driver training, assigned duties, on-the-job safety and the driver shortage from a law enforcement perspective. Additionally, he lends insight into specifically transporting students with special needs. Read more about Mason at stnonline.com/go/wisdom.
Vigilance & Community: Tragic Headlines, Child Vaccines & Special Needs
November 09, 2021 22:30 - 39 minutes - 36 MBRecent illegal passing incidents, gun violence and school bus crashes have left school bus drivers and student riders injured or killed, highlighting the need for constant vigilance and safety focus. The COVID-19 vaccine is becoming more mainstream, recently receiving CDC approval for 5-11 year olds, but how will this affect its acceptance? Patrick Mulick, a board-certified behavior analyst and autism expert, will present an engaging opening keynote at the TSD Conference later this month. ...
A Team Like Family: Meet the 2021 STN Transportation Director of the Year
November 02, 2021 16:44 - 48 minutes - 44.1 MBBig headlines include potential new money for clean fuel school buses as part of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better plan. Kayne M. Smith, Ed.D., director of transportation services for Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, displays stellar leadership and teambuilding skills which earned him the award of Transportation Director of the Year, yet he knows the value of relationships and still drives a school bus. Smith discusses how he got started, influences through his 19 ...
It’s All About People: Zeroed in on Student Safety & School Bus Driver Hiring
October 26, 2021 23:06 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBThis year, School Bus Safety Week focuses on the ‘Danger Zone’ around the bus. Director of Transportation Shannon Weber shares how Arizona’s Florence Unified School District #1 focuses on student training for increased safety and on driver recognition for improved teamwork. Randolph Jerreld, transportation director for Rotterdam-Mohonasen Central Schools, reviews the harsh school bus driver landscape and dives into the pros and cons of efforts being taken in New York to curb the shortage. ...
Utilize Your Tools: STN Rising Superstar Leads Texas District With Insight
October 19, 2021 21:17 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBRick Walterscheid, director of transportation and special projects at Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District in Texas, is STN’s featured Rising Superstar who graces the front cover of the October issue. He shares his story of struggle to leadership and what it takes to helm a transportation operation – including succession planning, school bus driver retention, informed uses of technology, community relationships, vendor and peer partnerships, and more. Read more at stnonli...
Spotlight on Safety: Student Wellbeing Requires Driver Training & Public Awareness
October 12, 2021 21:51 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBConversations at the recent STN EXPO Indy showed how the school bus industry is crowdsourcing solutions to shortages in staffing as well as in materials due to shipping issues. School Bus Safety Week is coming up Oct. 18-22, presenting an opportunity to shine a spotlight on student safety. Recent bus stop injuries and deaths show the need for increased community awareness and school bus driver training. Read more at stnonline.com/safety.
Conversations at STN EXPO Indy 2021: Indiana District Stays on the Cutting Edge
October 06, 2021 00:20 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBOnsite at the STN EXPO in Indianapolis, Tony and Ryan are joined by Director of Transportation Nathan Oliver from technologically forward Monroe County Community School Corporation in Indiana, who shares how student tracking, tablets and lap/shoulder belts are improving both student safety and driver retention. He also discusses the district’s current process of fleet electrification, resulting maintenance benefits, the partnerships and training that needed to happen, and some unintended b...
There’s A Lot To It: Solutions Proposed to the School Bus Driver Shortage
September 29, 2021 00:32 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MBThe school bus driver shortage is the latest pandemic sweeping the nation. Assigning National Guardsmen to driving buses, paying parents to drive their kids – are these actual solutions, or temporary fixes? Transportation Supervisor Anthony Pollard offers analysis, discusses what’s going on at Alabama’s Baldwin County Schools, and shares why specific training is crucial to driver retention. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/bus-driver-shortage.
Back to School Efforts: National Guard Drivers, Vaccine Mandates
September 22, 2021 00:06 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBAdjustments to CDL requirements are being considered to ease the burden on districts already struggling to find school bus drivers. Plus, new pressure from the Delta variant means more focus on getting company employees and children vaccinated. Tony and Taylor discuss the reception to such mandates. National Guard troops have been deployed in Massachusetts to help drive school buses. Chelsea Public Schools Superintendent Almi G. Abeyta discusses the project and how it’s being implemented t...
Strategic Student Transportation: Responding to the Pandemic & Driver Shortages
September 14, 2021 23:23 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBVaccine and mask requirements, natural disasters like Hurricane Ida and the rise of illegal passing complicate the return to school, but student transporters are facing the challenges. Rosalyn Vann-Jackson, executive director of enrollment & support services for Oklahoma’s Broken Arrow Public Schools, talks strategically managing school bus operations as students return to in-person classes amid an ever-persistent pandemic and driver shortage. Plus, Lea Bogle of Premier Wireless discusses ...
Industry Buzz: Excitement for Electric School Buses & Driver Shortage Solutions
September 08, 2021 00:43 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBIn-person conferences return with a passion as thousands gathered to discuss the intersection of transportation and technology at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo held in Southern California. Federal and industry interest continues to center on electric school buses. Transportation Supervisor Joseph Cervone talks operations amid the pandemic at New York’s Sachem Central School – everything from avoiding driver shortages to managing contractor relations to getting ahead with tec...
A Complicated Start: Managing School Bus Ops Amid Confusing Mandates
August 31, 2021 21:06 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBStates face internal struggles over mask and vaccine mandates, all while districts struggle to stay staffed with bus drivers for the new school year. Jennifer Vobis, executive director of transportation for Clark County School District in Las Vegas, talks leadership, driver shortages, technology, student safety, EV integration and more as she discusses the challenges and opportunities of taking over school bus operations at the nation’s 5th largest district. Read more at stnonline.com/op...
Passion for Kids, Respect for Drivers: Tips for Safe, Smooth School Bus Ops
August 24, 2021 23:04 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBBack to school adjustments for school districts include dealing with debates over mask mandates and the national school bus driver shortage, while keeping staff and families satisfied. Transportation Director Katrina Morris shares the current state of COVID-19 precautions and mask mandates for student health as Michigan’s West Shore ESD reopens in early September. She also discusses how pursuing driver training efforts and illegal passing legislation improves overall operations. Read mor...
Discussions Continue: Mask Mandates, COVID Precautions & A Return to School
August 17, 2021 22:41 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBThe return to school is anything but simple as districts navigate driver shortages, staff vaccination requirements, state mask mandates or lack thereof, and EV funding that may be part of the federal infrastructure bill. Knox County Schools in Tennessee just restarted in-person classes. Director of Transportation Ryan Dillingham discusses proactive leadership, contractor partnerships, mask and vaccine discussions in the state, and lessons learned from a fatal bus crash. Read more at stno...
Uncertainties Persist: School Bus Ops Cope With New COVID-19 Delta Variant and Mechanic Shortages
August 10, 2021 19:05 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBWith the new school year starting, school districts are deciding whether to require masks on the bus because of the COVID-19 Delta variant, as well as dealing with driver and mechanic shortages. Learn how rural Menahga School District #821 in Minnesota never closed during COVID-19. Transportation Supervisor Christina Albin also discusses operational facets like running a bus garage with one mechanic and purchasing two new biodiesel buses with Volkswagen Mitigation Fund monies. Read more ...
All Hands on Deck: Leverage Technology & Partnerships to Prep for New School Year
August 03, 2021 22:45 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBKimberly Raney, executive director of procurement, warehouse & transportation business operations for Oakland USD in California, discusses everything from new electric buses to technology’s assistance with COVID-19 health cautions as she shares how the district works with its vendor partners to prepare for a return to school. Also, Transfinder President & CEO Antonio Civitella shares how procedures and technology can help with the driver shortage. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/back-to-school.
Female Initiative: Emphasizing Driver Training & Electric School Bus Use
July 27, 2021 22:05 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBSchool bus driver trainer Donna Lopez muses on lessons learned from 30+ years of driving buses and shares her unique solution to the driver shortage – a training facility she opened in California. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/bus-driver-shortage. Ritu Narayan, founder & CEO of Zum, shares the transportation company’s plan to get 10,000 electric school buses on the road in 4 years. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/electric.
Shiny New Tech: Using Federal Funding to Support School Bus Ops and Student Success
July 21, 2021 00:24 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBLea Bogle, president and CEO of technology provider Premier Wireless, discusses the need for school bus Wi-Fi and how the Emergency Connectivity Fund helps districts support students in this way. Director of Transportation Manuel Campos Jr. shares how Somerset ISD near San Antonio is using federal COVID-19 funding to improve operations and prepare for the 2021-2022 school year by equipping its school buses with technology like GPS, push-to-talk radios and Wi-Fi. Read more at stnonline.co...
One Super Story: Transformational Transportation Leadership From Indiana to Vermont
July 13, 2021 23:27 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBTony and Ryan review the industry impacts of federal legislation currently being developed, as well as recent leadership changes at school bus manufacturers Thomas Built Bus and Blue Bird. Rene Sanchez oversaw adding Wi-Fi on buses at Indiana’s South Bend Community Schools Corporation and is now bringing improvements to transportation operations and technology in his new role as Superintendent at Champlain Valley School District in Vermont. Read more at stnonline.com/operations.
Coming in Hot: Serving Students With Onboard Wi-Fi and Clean Fuel School Buses
July 07, 2021 00:26 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBComing off the Independence Day weekend and a heat wave affecting parts of the U.S., get details on the Emergency Connectivity Fund deadline for school bus Wi-Fi and $15 billion in federal funding for electric buses & infrastructure. Gregory Dutton, director of transportation for Renton School District #403 in Washington state, talks summer school ops, prep for the 2021-2022 school year, and meeting student needs with school busing. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/operations.
The Clock is Ticking: Feds Spotlight School Bus Safety, Funding & Driver Training
June 29, 2021 20:51 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBBig headlines for the school bus industry and upcoming deadlines to be aware of. Tony & Taylor discuss new federal funding for onboard Wi-Fi, CERTS Act funding relief finally opening for contractors, and the STOP for School Buses Act being considered again. Jeff Cassel, president of the School Bus Safety Co., explains why and how student transporters should prepare for MAP-21 driver training rules ahead of the February 2022 FMCSA deadline. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/safety and stnonl...
Electrifying News: New ZEV Offerings & How Student Transporters are Responding
June 22, 2021 21:12 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBFleet Manager Raymond Manalo discusses running what is currently North America’s largest electric bus fleet at Twin Rivers USD in Sacramento, California, the importance of staff training, and how EV operation may help combat driver and mechanic shortages. Bus manufacturer BYD, a new entry into the school bus market, recently announced their upcoming electric Type D bus. Hear more about the significance and benefits of this move. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/electric.
Getting Up To Speed: Prepping School Bus Ops For the 2021-2022 School Year
June 15, 2021 22:43 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBFleet optimization is crucial to student transporters for both summer school and the 2021-2022 school year. Transfinder’s President & CEO Antonio Civitella discusses technology considerations for bell time changes, bus routing and parent communication. Additionally, Tim Farquer, superintendent of Williamsfield Schools in Illinois, shares how V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology ties into school bus operations and EV adoption by districts. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/back-to-school.
Can’t Go Back to the Old Ways: Post-COVID-19 Ops, Summer School & New ZEV Players
June 08, 2021 23:42 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MBTony and Taylor discuss handling school bus driver/mechanic shortages in a new way, as well as market disruption caused by new players and offerings in the electric bus space. Hays Consolidated Independent School District in Texas is open for summer school. Assistant Transportation Director Anthony Shields shares how operations have changed since relaxation of COVID-19 rules & discusses planned implementation of student RFID badges and new propane buses. Stay updated at stnonline.com/lat...
Getting Back to In-Person: Tracking Decisions on Student Vaccinations, School Reopening
June 02, 2021 00:12 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBApproval of COVID-19 vaccines for 12- to 17-year-olds may help student transportation get back to normal. Federal legislation targets transportation infrastructure and school bus safety. Brian Trask, director of transportation, facilities & technology at Unatego CSD in New York, shares how technology like routing software and parent communication has helped his district adjust its school bus operations and stay CDC-compliant during and after COVID-19. Learn more at stnonline.com/technolo...
Be At Your Best: Prioritizing Student Learning & Staff Mental Health During COVID-19
May 25, 2021 22:23 - 41 minutes - 37.5 MBAs districts go back to in-person classes, summer school plans and federal funding for school bus Wi-Fi hotspots target student success to make up for lost learning time. Two California transportation directors discuss how to provide the best support and customer service when transporting students. Technology is helping Del Norte County Unified School District, while Corona-Norco Unified School District focuses on staff mental health & wellness. Read more at stnonline.com/special-reports.
The Same But Different: Student Transportation After the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 19, 2021 00:30 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBThings are returning to normal with in-person classes expected nationwide for the 2021-2022 school year, but online learning, bus cleaning, ventilation, and mask usage seem they could be a permanent result of COVID-19. Dawnett Wright, transportation director for University Place School District in Washington state, discusses running propane & electric school buses and shares how decreased ridership caused by COVID-19 impacts operations & budgets. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/back-to-sc...
Do This The Right Way: Electrifying New York City’s School Buses
May 11, 2021 17:25 - 26 minutes - 24 MBCOVID-19 vaccination rates are increasing and there is an update on distribution of the CERTS Act funds for bus contractors. Additionally, major school bus manufacturers made recent headlines in taking their EV businesses forward. Corey Muirhead, executive VP of Logan Bus Company in New York, discusses looking to the future, securing funding and planning for fleet electrification in a city that aims to electrify its school buses by 2035. Read more at stnonline.com/tag/electric.
Summer Hopes: In-Person Classes Resume But Bus Contractors Await Funding
May 06, 2021 03:52 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBHope for normalcy is on the horizon as over 95% of students have returned to in-person classes. The school bus contractor industry, however, still awaits its allocated funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury. Eldridge Black, director of transportation at Beaufort County Schools in South Carolina, talks propane bus implementation, innovative technology use, and recovering operationally from COVID-19. Read more at stnonline.com/operations.
Careful Consideration: Why Planning Ahead is Key for Operational Optimization
April 27, 2021 21:38 - 29 minutes - 27.5 MBThe Biden administration’s ambitious plans for reducing carbon emissions have student transporters carefully studying available clean fuel school bus options and what works for their individual operations. Meanwhile, school bus contractors are bringing the pressure for federal CERTS Act funding that the U.S. Department of Treasury has yet to deliver. Transfinder’s President & CEO Antonio Civitella addresses the role of route optimization in efficient operations. Read more at stnonline.co...