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Sept. 21-23, 2026 | Scottsdale, AZ

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Management

Management

Find strategies for running an effective school transportation operation, from leadership and workforce challenges to routing, budgeting, procurement, and fleet planning. This channel also covers the people and business developments shaping the industry.

Graphic showing hands counting $100 bills with text reading, “How to Finance Your Next School Bus: Municipal Leases, VPAs, Residuals.”

How Tax-Exempt Municipal Leases Can Help Finance School Buses

Let’s explore school bus financing options, including municipal leases, vendor payable accounts, and balloon payments, and how they can help stretch fleet budgets.

Graphic featuring several yellow school buses with the headline, “The Most Expensive School Bus Resale Mistake,” and images representing maintenance, auctions, and resale value.

Digital Cover Features

The Most Expensive Thing You Do Before Selling a School Bus: Wait

Group of School Bus Fleet 2026 Trailblazers above a graphic announcing that nominations are open for the 2027 SBF Trailblazers, with submissions due Dec. 14, 2026.

Nominate Rising School Transportation Pros Under 40!

Graphic for School Bus Fleet’s September 2026 “Changing Lanes” personnel roundup featuring headshots of seven school transportation industry professionals who recently changed roles.

Changing Lanes: BusWhere, EverDriven, InterMotive, Summit School Services, Switzer-Carty & Thomas Built Buses

a woman stands in front of a school bus holding a tablet

Articles•by Elora Haynes•December 30, 2025

Where Is All This Tech Taking Us in 2026?

AI and industry technology shifts from reports to real-time coordination in 2026, unifying platforms, boosting safety tech, and making parent transparency the norm.

School bus driver stands with arms crossed in front of a yellow Sunrise school bus, with text reading “A Look Into the Driver Shortage” and “2026 Trends to Watch” from School Bus Fleet.

Articles•by Amanda Huggett•December 30, 2025

What’s Driving the Driver Shortage in 2026?

From wages to routing to culture, districts are rethinking how to solve the school bus driver shortage. Details here, with tips and real-world success stories.

Articles•Cover Story•by Staff•December 26, 2025

6 Student Transportation Trends to Watch in 2026

In the year ahead, school transportation faces a mix of familiar and emerging challenges, safety tech, illegal passing, and alt fuels among them. Here’s a look at what’s coming and how to stay ahead.

A person reviewing data with text overlay reading "10 Steps For Vetting New Tech."

Articles•by Elora Haynes•December 23, 2025

Planning Before Purchasing: A 10-Step Framework for Vetting Tech

New tech tools can drive real impact or real frustration. Here’s how pupil transportation leaders can make smarter, safer, and budget-friendly tech decisions using a vetting process.

Image of a bus dashboard with text reading "Biz Briefs."

News•by Staff•December 22, 2025

School Bus Business Briefs: More Safety Solution Expansions & Great Start Program Launch

From a software expansion to a new alternative transportation support program, an AI dashcam reveal, and ridership milestones, here’s the latest supplier news.

a woman stands in front of school buses with text overlay that says "new on the job? top tips for transportation director success."

Videos•by Amanda Huggett•December 19, 2025

Top Tips for New Student Transportation Directors [Video]

Stepping into a transportation leadership role? Both new and veteran directors share practical advice here to help new leaders succeed from day one.

Red and white graphic with text reading "2025 Year in Review: Top School Bus Fleet Videos."

News•by Staff•December 18, 2025

Pressed Play: 2025 Year in Review, Video Edition

You watched, shared, and replayed these videos all year long; see School Bus Fleet’s most-watched coverage on safety, policy, tech, and leadership.

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

News•by Staff•December 17, 2025

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!

A multi-color (red, blue, orange, and yellow) graphic with text reading "Behind the Editor's Desk: Our Favorite 2025 Stories."

Articles•by Staff•December 16, 2025

From the Editor’s Desk: Our Favorite 2025 Stories You May Have Missed

Explore the 2025 stories we can’t stop thinking about, complete with behind-the-scenes insight from our editors.

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Sponsored•December 15, 2025

Inside IC Bus: Electrification, Technology & What Lies Ahead

Check in with IC Bus with us! We unpack the company’s standout wins from 2025 and reveal what transportation leaders should prepare for in 2026. From next-gen CE updates, expanding EV options, and customer-driven upgrades, this is the inside scoop. Sponsored by IC Bus.