School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Zonar, NAPT Offer 2020 Don Carnahan Memorial Grant

Winners will receive up to $50,000 worth of Zonar fleet management technology.

March 6, 2020
Zonar, NAPT Offer 2020 Don Carnahan Memorial Grant

Winners of the Don Carnahan Memorial Grant will receive up to $50,000 worth of fleet management technology from Zonar. Seen here is the EVIR system. File photo courtesy Zonar

2 min to read


Winners of the Don Carnahan Memorial Grant will receive up to $50,000 worth of fleet management technology from Zonar. Seen here is the EVIR system. File photo courtesy Zonar

ALBANY, N.Y. — Zonar and the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) are again sponsoring the Don Carnahan Memorial Grant, which is now open for applications.

This is the 11th year of the Don Carnahan Memorial Grant, which gives school districts the opportunity to receive up to $50,000 in smart fleet technology, the association said in a newsletter on Tuesday. Since 2010, Zonar has donated more than $500,000 in technology to school transportation providers across the U.S. and Canada through the grant program.

Ad Loading...

"Thanks to this grant and our partnership with Zonar, NAPT members have unique access to innovative technology that can help them improve operations," said Steve Simmons, president of NAPT.

Grant recipients can apply for Zonar fleet management technology, including Electronic Verified Inspection Reporting (EVIR); high-definition GPS fleet tracking with live delivery of vehicle performance, subsystem, and diagnostic information in one device (V4); real-time student tracking (Z Pass); Ground Traffic Control web-based software; and real-time driver coaching (Zonar Coach).

"The Don Memorial Carnahan Grant is special to Zonar — it was named in honor of our former VP of Pupil Transportation, who was a two-time NAPT president and a member of the NAPT Hall of Fame," said H. Kevin Mest, senior vice president of passenger services at Zonar. "We are pleased to announce this grant once again, in partnership with NAPT, to help enhance school bus operations with our technology — ultimately ensuring a more safe and efficient transportation experience for school officials, students, and parents."

To be considered for the grant award, applicants must be current NAPT members at the time of submission. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year and will be considered for full and partial grants worth up to $50,000 in hardware costs.

For additional information on the grant or to apply, go here.

More Management

Back-to-school graphic featuring a chalkboard-style background with the text “Back to School: 6 Ways to Plan Ahead” and the School Bus Fleet logo.
ManagementAugust 20, 2026

The Back-to-School Checklist Every Director Should Complete Before the First Bell

Help your transportation team start the school year strong with these tips for contingency planning, communication, fleet visibility, technology, and trip management.

Read More →
Students with backpacks exit school buses and walk toward a school building as transportation staff assist with afternoon drop-off.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseAugust 19, 2026

How a New York District Cut Nearly $1M in Transportation Costs While Expanding Bus Access

A data-driven overhaul with BusRight reduced Poughkeepsie City School District's planned routes from 26 to 17 while extending school bus service to about 1,200 additional students.

Read More →
A female teacher sitting in front of elementary school classroom, giving a lesson to several students.
SponsoredAugust 17, 2026

Budgets Down, Enrollment Shifting: What the Data Says Districts Should Watch

School transportation departments face two converging challenges this year: tightening budgets and shifting enrollment. Most districts still address these issues separately, but the assumption that either trend will simplify operations is proving incorrect.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
BusRight-branded image showing students exiting a yellow school bus, with the Inc. 5000 logo recognizing America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Managementby Amanda HuggettAugust 17, 2026

These 8 School Transportation Companies Made the 2026 Inc. 5000 List

Find out which school transportation contractors, technology providers, and suppliers ranked among America’s fastest-growing private companies.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet’s The Route podcast thumbnail featuring Kellie Doyle Bailey and host Amanda Huggett with the text “Emotional Intelligence and School Bus Safety.”
ManagementAugust 14, 2026

The Link Between Emotional Intelligence and School Bus Safety

How can emotional intelligence help transportation pros navigate stress, manage change, and build stronger relationships? Listen to find out.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet’s The Route podcast thumbnail featuring Kellie Doyle Bailey and host Amanda Huggett with the text “Emotional Intelligence and School Bus Safety.”
Sponsoredby Amanda HuggettAugust 14, 2026

What Emotional Intelligence Has to Do With School Bus Safety

In this video, discover how emotional intelligence can help transportation leaders and drivers navigate stress, manage change, and build stronger relationships. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School transportation professional holding a two-way radio in front of a row of school buses, with PositionPTT radio and communication accessories pictured alongside him.
Managementby Amanda HuggettAugust 13, 2026

Beyond Two-Way Radios: School Bus Communications Evolve With Push-to-Talk Over Cellular

PRYME Radio and PositionPTT join forces to advance hands-free radio use and reduce distracted driving. See how PoC compares with traditional radios on range, cost, safety, and connectivity.

Read More →
An orange and white graphic with HopSkipDrive's logo and text reading "Districts Adjusts to Persistent Driver Shortages."
Managementby Elora HaynesAugust 12, 2026

Have School Districts Adapted to Bus Driver Shortages or Simply Accepted Less Service?

According to a recent report from HopSkipDrive, many districts appear to have recalibrated what "normal" transportation service looks like.

Read More →
A blue and white graphic with text reading "The Ripple Effect of a Reliable Ride."
Managementby Elora HaynesAugust 12, 2026

Reliable Transportation Linked to Better Student Outcomes, New EverDriven Study Finds

See why new research suggests transportation consistency improves student outcomes while influencing attendance, funding, IEP compliance, and family trust.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A close-up side view of a yellow Switzer-CARTY school bus parked in a bus yard, with the contractor's name displayed on the side panel and additional school buses visible in the background.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseAugust 7, 2026

Switzer-CARTY Enters the U.S. with New Acquisition

The Canadian contractor’s acquisition of Minnesota-based Agnes Corporation marks its first cross-border expansion into the United States and adds 350 vehicles.

Read More →