MENU
SEARCHFrom First Student's sale to the driver shortage to new federal legislation with funding for electric and low-emission school buses, the world of pupil transportation tried to return to normal (or better) in 2021.
In 2021, highlights on the School Bus Fleet website included stories about ownership changes at First Student, new bipartisan infrastructure legislation, and the dire nationwide school bus driver shortage.
Here are the year's most-viewed SBF news stories:
1. FirstGroup Plans to Sell First Student, First Transit for $4.6 Billion(Published: April 23)
The company agrees to sell its North American school bus and public transportation companies to EQT Infrastructure.
2. More States Consider Calling in National Guard for School Transportation(Published: Sept. 16)
State officials in New York, Ohio, and South Carolina, are considering deploying National Guard troops to help drive buses as many school districts face a driver shortage.
3. New Jersey School Bus Company Owners Indicted(Published: Sept. 7)
Ahmed Mahgoub and his wife, Faiza Ibrahim, of F&A Transportation, are charged with conspiracy and records tampering connected to $3.5 million in school transportation contracts.
4. South Carolina School Bus Driver, Students Safe After Hijacking(Published: May 7)
A man with a rifle allegedly forces his way onto a bus at a bus stop, orders the driver to drive the bus, then kicks him and the 18 students off and drives the bus before abandoning it. The driver is credited for de-escalating the situation.
5. President Biden Signs Infrastructure Bill into Law(Published Nov. 15)
School transportation advocates praised the bipartisan legislation, which includes efforts against illegal bus passing, and provides $5 billion for electric and low-emission school buses.
Who knows what 2022 will bring? Be sure to subscribe to our print or digital edition, follow our YouTube channel, and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay in the know about the latest news in pupil transportation.
CalAmp’s updated Here Comes The Bus app introduces enhanced safety controls, streamlined parent onboarding, and expanded features to improve visibility and communication around student transportation.
Read More →
It’s a celebration and a blast from the past in this special anniversary episode of The Route. Take a walk through major industry moments, milestones, and the people who shaped it with some faces you haven’t seen in a while! The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →
From Maine bus safety upgrades to stop-arm camera bills, electric bus funding, and an Alabama workforce solution, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Missed any of last month’s industry news? We got you. Reporting from Minneapolis, here’s your quick recap of updates from Waymo's controversy, technology, and safety legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
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 →
In school bus tech and vendor updates, check in on news from EverDriven, Gatekeeper, Fleetio, Transfinder, RIDE, and new district partnerships.
Read More →
Check out some of the latest personnel moves from across the school bus industry, including new leadership appointments, various promotions, and major restructuring.
Read More →
School closures are inevitable, but transportation chaos doesn’t have to be. Learn how modern routing technology helps districts model closure scenarios before board votes turn into crises.
Read More →
A cleaner layout, improved organization, and a better reading experience are here. Explore what’s new on schoolbusfleet.com!
Read More →
In honor of Black History Month, a firsthand look at how diverse leadership in school transportation builds trust and drives stronger systems.
Read More →
