Now Online: School Bus Fleet's April/May 2025 Management Issue
From our Admin of the Year interview to the 2025 Trailblazers announcement, mechanic recruitment, driver retention, and creative routing, don't miss these articles.
Check out award winner profiles in the April 2025 issue of SBF.
Photo: School Bus Fleet
The latest issue of School Bus Fleet is now available, and it's our annual management edition!
In this issue, you'll find:
2025 Administrator of the Year: Kimberly Jones’ Servant Leadership: With major successes addressing the driver shortage and serving disadvantaged students, Kimberly Jones takes a holistic, student-centered approach to student transportation in the Windy City.
Meet the 2025 Trailblazers: Inspirational Leaders & Change Makers: Meet 12 inspiring up-and-coming leaders in student transportation from this year’s crop of SBF award winners.
How Creative Routing Can Keep You Prepared for the Unexpected: Here are some tips for keeping the bus rolling and building adaptability into routes to get students to school on time, no matter what the day brings.
Preparing the Future: Programs to Train the Next Generation of School Bus Mechanics: Need more help in the garage? One method of recruiting more techs in your shop is to look inside. Here’s how.
5 Questions: First Student on Driver Recruitment, Retention & Contracting: Join us for a conversation with First Student’s COO as we talk all things student transportation drivers, including how they attract and retain an engaged and skilled workforce, and the role of contractors in a changing industry. (Coming soon!)
Editor's Note: Lessons in Leadership... So Far
NSTA Advocacy in Action: NSTA Alarmed by NHTSA Illegal Passing Study Results
More Management
Zum Reaches 19 States With New York Expansion
The addition of the Empire State to the student transportation company's roster marks a growing expansion in the Northeast as it scales its tech and school bus services.
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First Student Updates Its Parent App
First View connects both yellow bus and alternative transportation, giving families one platform to track student trips for the new school year, with 15 languages supported.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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