SPRINGFIELD, Minn. — The owner of a school transportation company here lost most of his operation in a fire last week, just four months after he had bought it, Mankato Free Press reports.
The fire destroyed the garage, 10 school buses and a couple of semi-truck tractors belonging to Joe Schieffert, the owner of Superior Transportation Services, according to the newspaper. He recently bought the business after having been co-owner of the Sleepy Eye school bus company along with his dad and uncle for a decade before branching out on his own this year.
About an hour after the fire, Schieffert made phone calls to bus dealers and got a response from North Central Bus Sales in St. Cloud, which provided six new buses on Sunday, according to Mankato Free Press. Those buses, along with four that weren't damaged in the fire, were enough to complete school routes on Monday. The fire marshal who inspected the scene told Schieffert the cause of the fire is most likely not arson, according to the newspaper.
Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Keith Kottke told Mankato Free Press Schieffert’s quick actions despite the loss are impressive. Schieffert told the newspaper he appreciated the firefighters, the bus drivers who offered to help him, and the school, and that he hopes to rebuild the company in the same location.
To read the full story, go here.
School bus company owner bounces back from fire
Joe Schieffert, the owner of Superior Transportation Services in Minnesota, lost 10 buses and the garage in a fire four months after buying the business. He was able to get six buses from a dealer to complete school routes soon afterward.
More Safety

Autonomous Vehicles Aren’t Built for Student Transportation [Op-Ed]
Driverless cars may feel the future, but student transportation requires more than navigation. Here’s why it demands human judgment, empathy, and oversight.
Read More →
New York Girl Killed by School Bus Hit & Run
An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.
Read More →
Disaster Readiness Starts Before the Storm [Call for Experts]
The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.
Read More →
How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
New York 5-Year-Old Killed by School Bus, Investigation Ongoing
A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.
Read More →
Prevent School Bus Dragging Incidents: Anti-Pinch Door Sensors and Maine’s New Mandate
As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.
Read More →
8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations
What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.
Read More →
Survey: Most Parents Want Automated Enforcement on School Buses
A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.
Read More →
State Grant Program Advances School Bus Safety Upgrades Across Ohio
$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.
Read More →
Waymo Scrutiny Intensifies as NTSB Launches Investigation
After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.
Read More →
