SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

2025 Year in Review: Your Most-Read School Bus Fleet Stories

The top 2025 reads covered legislation, behavior tips, mechanic training, accountability, and leadership. Here’s what headlines rose to the top!

December 17, 2025
A red and orange graphic with text reading "2025 Year in Review: Top 10 School Bus Fleet News, Articles, Videos and More."

From legislative proposals to tips on behavior management, training younger school bus mechanics, the impact of accountability on driver retention, and spotlights on inspirational leaders in pupil transportation, thanks for reading these stories the most!

Credit: School Bus Fleet

4 min to read


That's right, it's our annual best of the web. Welcome back! It feels like everyone has their own "wrapped" now, even YouTube and Amazon (still nodding to you, Spotify), but we're not just joining the ranks this time.

Every year, we take a look at our Google Analytics and compile a list of the posts that you, SBFreaders, read more than anything else this year.

Ad Loading...

What rises to the top often says a lot about the challenges, trends, and conversations defining the industry. So, let's review the biggest stories of 2025!

Top 10 Articles of the Year

Which were the top videos of the year?

Find where discussions on alternative transportation, school bus accidents, human trafficking, and more rank in this video roundup!

1. Announcing the 2025 School Bus Driver Hero: Jackie Wilkerson Brown 

Meet our inaugural Driver Hero, who has become attuned to the needs of students, stepping in to support Dean Transportation and the Lansing School District in ways that go far beyond her role. 

2. The State of School Bus Contracting [2025 Survey Results] 

Discover North America’s largest contractors, their fleet fuel makeup, average pay, plans, and top challenges in this annual report. 

3. 2025 Administrator of the Year: Kimberly Jones’ Servant Leadership in Action in Chicago 

Learn more about the 2025 School Bus Fleet Administrator of the Year, who takes a holistic, student-centered approach to student transportation in the Windy City. 

4. Preparing the Future: Programs to Train the Next Generation of School Bus Mechanics 

See how school districts are tackling the mechanic shortage with work-based learning programs and internships. 

Ad Loading...

5. Tips for Managing Angry Parents 

Follow these tips for handling conflict with parents amid emotionally charged situations on the school bus. 

6. The Science Behind Improving Student Behavior on the School Bus 

Here’s what you need to know about child development to better understand the riders on your bus. 

7. 5 Inspiring Women in School Transportation

Learn about five standout women shaping pupil transportation, each with a unique story and message for the industry’s future. 

8. 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. 

9. Electric Buses in The Shop: How to Be Prepared for EV Maintenance 

Electric buses may resemble their diesel counterparts, but their maintenance is a different story.  

Ad Loading...

10. The Role of Accountability in Retaining School Bus Drivers 

Driver disengagement and lack of accountability fuel vacancies — here are eight ways to strengthen accountability across your team. 

Top News Stories of the Year

1. No Train, No Stop? FMCSA Considers Rule Change for School Buses 

A new federal proposal would end the requirement for school buses to stop at inactive railroad crossings, aiming to improve traffic flow and reduce costs. 

2. Convicted Student Who Killed Tennessee Bus Driver Has Record Expunged 

The first U.S. bus driver killed by a student, Joyce Gregory, is remembered as her shooter’s conviction is overturned and the record wiped. 

3. Tariffs & the School Bus: What We Know So Far 

Newly imposed U.S. tariffs on neighboring countries raised concerns that school buses and supplies could soon become more expensive. 

4. Grant Uncertainty: Clean School Bus Funds in Limbo 

Earlier this year, districts were unable to access Clean School Bus and Heavy-Duty Vehicle funds despite the federal funding pause being lifted. 

Ad Loading...

5. Texas Student Dies After Being Hit by School Bus 

A 5-year-old boy attending Granbury ISD was struck by the front of the bus while trying to load. 

6. Cummins Unveils Two New School Bus Engines 

The newest gasoline-powered B6.7 Octane engine is fuel-efficient and EPA-certified for 2027, and the B7.2 offers an additional diesel option. 

7. National Express Acquired by Investment Firm 

All brands under National Express' portfolio were included in the agreement, including Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, and Stock Transportation. 

8. New NTSB Investigation Report and Safety Alert Addresses Distracted Driving 

The final investigative report found that texting behind the wheel led to a fatal school bus crash in 2023.

9. Videos Show Close Calls from Illegal Stop-Arm Passings 

BusPatrol and other recent video footage show too many close calls from illegal school bus passings.  

Ad Loading...

10. Student Transportation of America Announces 6 New Acquisitions 

The contractor's expanded footprint adds more than 1,000 employees and almost 900 vehicles to its national fleet. 

Photo Gallery of the Year

School Bus Fleet’s 2025 Photo Contest 

Winning images in the 21st edition of School Bus Fleet’s Photo Contest were selected by SBF staff from dozens of entries. 

Most-Read Blogs 

1. What’s Behind the Rise in Special Needs Transportation? 

Special-needs transportation is evolving to better support individuals with autism, mental health needs, and social development. 

2. NSTA Alarmed by NHTSA Illegal Passing Study Results 

A national survey reveals the reasons for illegal school bus passing, sparking renewed efforts for a public awareness campaign. 

3. What’s Next for School Transportation? Challenges and Opportunities in 2025 

Driver shortages, EVs, safety, and budget pressures were forecasted to test the industry in 2025.

Ad Loading...

Be sure to sign up for our enewsletter to stay updated on the latest school bus news and trends.

What do you want to see from us in 2026? What topics matter to you? Please don't hesitate to send in your hot takes, news tips, feedback, and suggestions. Email SBF Executive Editor Amanda Huggett at amanda.huggett@bobit.com to connect.

From the bottom of our yellow hearts, thank you for reading! 

More Management

A red, white, and blue graphic with pictures of Thomas Gray and text reading "Honoring U.S. Veterans: Thomas Gray's Story."
Managementby Elora HaynesMay 4, 2026

What Happens When Battle-Tested Leadership Meets Student Transportation?

See how Thomas Gray brings Marine Corps discipline and logistics expertise to Dayton Public Schools in this article celebrating National Military Appreciation Month.

Read More →
Close-up of fuel pump nozzles at a gas station, representing rising diesel costs and fuel management challenges for school bus fleets.

Diesel Prices Spike: Tips to Cut Fuel Costs with Data and New Geotab Tools

With diesel prices up 46%, new Geotab analysis points to tools that help fleets reduce idling, detect fuel anomalies, and recover hidden fuel costs across operations.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026

Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School Bus Fleet leadership update graphic featuring Transit Technologies and headshots of Lisa Horkins, Nunu Dueman Yates, Michael Lei, Srithal Bellary, and Cristina Wheless.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 30, 2026

Transit Technologies Announces New Executive Appointments

The Bytecurve and busHive parent company has multiple new faces on its executive team as the company focuses on AI platform growth.

Read More →
photo of a woman seated at a desk talking to a man, looking at a tablet
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 29, 2026

IC Bus Introduces ‘My International’ to Connect Fleet Vehicles, Data, and Service

Available on desktop or mobile, the digital ecosystem brings fleet monitoring, service management, vehicle insights, and dealer communication into a single interface.

Read More →
A graphic with an image of a school bus's rear bumper, a Transfinder logo, and text reading "More District Installs Across the U.S."
Managementby StaffApril 29, 2026

More Districts Tap Transfinder for Routing, Tracking, and Communication Tools

See which users in Illinois, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are adopting Transfinder’s routing, tracking, and parent apps.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Sonim XP5plus 5G rugged mobile radio device on orange background labeled “New Product,” highlighting push-to-talk communication and durability for school bus fleet operations.
ManagementApril 28, 2026

AT&T, Sonim Launch XP5plus 5G LMR Device for School Bus Fleets

The new radio combines durability, push-to-talk, and FirstNet connectivity, offering a cost-effective communication solution for fleets.

Read More →
EverDriven graphic over a mountain landscape highlighting high caregiver trust and Washington State milestone, emphasizing student transportation safety, reliability, and service growth.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 23, 2026

EverDriven Celebrates Milestones in Washington; Caregiver Trust Tops 80%

EverDriven marks 18 years and 17 million miles in the Evergreen state while new data shows 8 in 10 caregivers would recommend its student transportation solution.

Read More →
A woman holds a tablet and waves at children disembarking a school bus.
Managementby StaffApril 21, 2026

Zum Raises $100 Million, Cites ‘Transportation Anxiety Crisis’ in New Research

New funding and national research highlight student transportation challenges as Zum looks to scale its Connected Mobility Experience platform nationwide.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a line of pro-vision employees stand in front of branded company vans
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 21, 2026

Pro-Vision Video Installs Now Backed by MECP-Certified Techs

The certification validates expertise in complex vehicle technology installations, making it the first fleet video solutions provider to achieve the milestone.

Read More →