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What to do if you find a bus defect The Office of Defects Investigation at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigates...
What to do if you find a bus defect The Office of Defects Investigation at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigates safety-related defects to determine whether they pose an unreasonable risk. It conducts approximately 200 investigations a year, many of them prompted by complaints from vehicle owners. If one of your buses has a safety-related vehicle defect, you should report the problem to NHTSA by calling (888) 327-4236 or by visiting www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline. K-Day relieves stress on parents, children North Penn School District in suburban Philadelphia holds a school bus primer for incoming kindergartners and their parents. K-Day, as it is called, provides an opportunity to get the kindergartners acquainted with drivers and their roles, rules of riding and safety concepts. Parents and children also receive a short ride in the bus. North Penn Transportation Director Marianne Cleary says the program has relieved the anxiety of parents and children. Source: Pupil Transportation Association of Pennsylvania newsletter Rider of the month Rewarding students who follow the rules on your school bus doesn’t require expensive gifts or other compensation. All it requires is access to a computer and some inexpensive software that creates certificates. Using this software, it’s possible to create an attractive certificate that can be posted in the bus for a month and then given to the deserving student.
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School Bus Contractors Expand Through New Deals, Acquisitions & Partnerships
STA's Canadian division acquires Ontario-based G&L Stevenson Transport while Durham School Services adds a new district contract in California, First Student adds a New Jersey contract, and Minnesota Coaches acquires Halo Transportation.
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Logan Bus Company Rolls Out AI Phone System for NYC School Bus Families
A summer pilot found that AI agents could handle most routine calls, freeing up time for customer service staff to focus on emergencies and complex family concerns.
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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.
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NAPT Names 2026 Award Recipients
Who earned national recognition for their work in student transportation? This year, NAPT named five recipients of its 2026 awards for service, safety, and leadership.
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2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Driver shortages. Rising costs. Growing safety expectations. More data, but not enough time to act on it. The 2026 State of Student Transportation Report reveals what transportation leaders say is putting the most pressure on their operations—and where they’re investing next. See how your priorities compare.
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How to De-Escalate an Angry Person: 5 Steps for Handling Workplace Conflict
What makes emotions run high, and how should you handle an angry colleague or parent? Follow these steps for staying calm, listening, showing empathy, and resolving conflict.
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What Readiness Looks Like This School Year
Learn about the challenges shaping the 2026–2027 school year, from persistent driver shortages and budget pressure to technology and readiness gaps. See how school districts are responding and adapting in Zonar’s 2026 Back-to-School Readiness Report.
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Changing Lanes: Executive Moves at Summit School Services, Zum, STA, Cummins, Transit Technologies, Driventic, & Cadex
See who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and private contractors.
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Industry Moves: Companies Expand Fleet Service & EV Infrastructure Footprints
The new facilities and regional hubs could mean faster access to shop equipment, charging support, and transportation technology for fleet operators.
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Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty
With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.
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