Articles

A yellow RIDE Type D electric school bus is parked along a tree-lined street outside a school.

Alternative Fuels•by Elora Haynes•September 25, 2026

The Secret Life of an Electric School Bus Battery

Batteries change throughout years of daily routes, but degradation doesn’t necessarily mean the end. Here’s what operators should know about performance, safety, and second life.

School Bus Fleet graphic announcing Annette Brown of Wa-Nee Community Schools as the 2026 School Bus Driver Hero, featuring Brown smiling inside a school bus alongside the award and AngelTrax sponsor logos.

Management•Cover Story•by Elora Haynes•September 22, 2026

Annette Brown Always Takes the Extra Time: Meet Our 2026 School Bus Driver Hero

For more than 30 years, the Wa-Nee Community Schools driver has treated students like family, combining safety, compassion, and servant leadership to make a lasting difference on and beyond the school bus.

Graphic showing a DEF header beside the text, “Better DEF Header Technology Can Mean Fewer Repairs.”

Maintenance•by Jimmy Jimenez, Shaw Development•September 18, 2026

The Evolution of DEF Header Technology: What School Bus Operations Should Know at Replacement Time

See what school bus fleets should consider when replacing DEF headers to improve reliability, reduce repeat repairs, and control maintenance costs.

From Our Partners

The Right Ride for Every Student: Navigating the New Student Transportation Ecosystem

What Makes a Great School Bus Driver Trainer?

Choosing the right school bus driver trainer takes more than experience. Learn six keys to selecting and developing trainers and evaluating program effectiveness.

Firefighters spray water on a smoking Marietta City Schools school bus during a fire response drill.

Safety•by Amanda Huggett•September 8, 2026

What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help

School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.

Graphic that reads “What I Learned About Leadership” over photos of school transportation professionals participating in discussions and networking at the TAPT leadership event.

Management•by Fanchon Hines, Cypress Fairbanks ISD•September 4, 2026

From Intent to Impact: What I Learned About Leadership from TAPT

A Texas transportation supervisor shares lessons on self-awareness, accountability, managing stress and building trust — and why investing in leadership development matters at every stage of your career.

Avigilon camera installation at Hamilton Township School District, New Jersey, with text reading "How to Build a More Secure School Bus Yard."

Safety•by Elora Haynes•August 25, 2026

How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours

As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.

Management•by Nick Parsa, CharterUP•August 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.

A female teacher sitting in front of elementary school classroom, giving a lesson to several students.

Management•from EverDriven•August 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.

A yellow school bus with its red stop arm extended is stopped to load or unload students as a blurred child crosses in the foreground, illustrating the importance of motorists stopping for school buses and protecting students in the loading zone.

Alternative Fuels•by Joel Stutheit, PERC•August 12, 2026

The Fuel Budget You Can Actually Predict: How Propane Autogas Keeps Money in the Classroom

Learn how propane autogas helps school districts manage fuel costs with predictable pricing, lower maintenance, and reduced emissions from former transportation director Joel Stutheit.

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