School Bus Fleet Magazine

The biggest lesson from the 2025-26 school year? Waiting for things to get easier wasn't a strategy.

As budgets tightened, enrollment shifted, and driver shortages persisted, transportation leaders responded by rethinking how they operate. Smarter routing. AI-powered tools. On-demand transportation. Better use of data. More transparency with families.

As EverDriven CEO Mitch Bowling writes: "The 2025–26 school year didn't break the industry. It sharpened it."

Link in the comments!

David Perez, First Student's vice president of safety, was named Samsara's 2026 Technology Leader of the Year after helping deploy AI-powered safety, telematics, and fleet technologies across one of the largest student transportation operations in North America.

It's great to see school transportation providers recognized for their innovation and use of technology. Congratulations, David!

More in comments!

EverDriven is expanding its routing capabilities through a new partnership with Pathwise.

The company has integrated Pathwise EZRouting into its Consolidated Routing Services, combining AI-powered routing technology with transportation expertise to help school districts streamline general education routing, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

More here: https://loom.ly/-xUFZtw

ICYMI: Aaron Sepkowski of Pocono Transportation Inc. was named our 2026 Contractor of the Year.

When Sepkowski took over the family business in 2006, the company operated nine buses. Today, Pocono Transportation manages more than 100 vehicles while building a reputation around safety, technology, and hands-on leadership.

"Just because you have that 90-year-old sticker on the side of the bus doesn't mean you're a shoo-in. We have to work all the harder to maintain that," Sepkowski said.

Full profile in the comments!

/ Pennsylvania School Bus Association - PSBA

Who's excited for a new Magic School Bus?!

‘Magic School Bus’ Live-Action Movie With Elizabeth Banks as Ms. Frizzle Lands ‘Detective Pikachu’ Director A live-action "The Magic School Bus" movie, starring Elizabeth Banks as Ms. Frizzle, is regaining momentum.

The school transportation contracting market is changing fast.

And according to leaders from Beacon Mobility, The Trans Group, Pocono Transportation Inc., Summit School Services LLC, EverDriven, and HopSkipDrive, the biggest shifts go far beyond buses.

Contractors are navigating rising insurance costs, persistent driver shortages, growing technology expectations, electrification challenges, consolidation, and increasing demand for multimodal transportation solutions. Plus, school districts want more than transportation providers. They want partners.

Full Q&A linked in comments!

Last year, Jackie Wilkerson Brown was SBF's first-ever School Bus Driver Hero award winner. 🚌

We've teamed up with award sponsor AngelTrax again this year, and we're looking for outstanding school bus drivers to honor in 2026 for the second annual award. Could this be you? 👀

Nominate the school bus driver you know who consistently goes above and beyond and demonstrates everyday heroism behind the wheel.

Hurry, nominations close in just ONE WEEK!!

Apply here by June 30: https://loom.ly/-K5rDVs

SBF News Update! There's a new face at heavy-duty vehicle lift provider Stertil-Koni USA. Lewis Nelson joins the team, succeeding Scott Steinhardt in the lead role.

Learn more here: https://loom.ly/B31ejJw

Stertil-Koni Announces New Company President Lewis Nelson joins the heavy-duty vehicle lift provider, succeeding Scott Steinhardt in the lead role.

Zūm - Reimagining Student Transportation is continuing its national expansion.

The student transportation provider has entered Rhode Island through new partnerships with Scituate School Department and Johnston Public Schools, launching service in Philadelphia, and providing charter service for the FIFA World Cup 2026 events in Los Angeles.

But that's not all: The company also recently celebrated CEO and founder Ritu Narayan being named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Bay Area Award winner.

More about Zum's recent milestones here: https://loom.ly/H20NkUA

Zum Expands to Rhode Island with 2 New District Partnerships The Ocean State becomes Zum’s 18th state served as the company expands its presence in the Northeast U.S., while launching operations in Philadelphia, and supporting FIFA World Cup 2026.