Looking Back: Contractor Roundtable: After-School Transportation and Driver Shortages
Zum Expands California School Transportation Service
The tech-enabled student transportation provider has been awarded a five-year contract, worth about $79.5 million, to serve San Bernardino Unified School District (SBCUSD).

The San Bernardino City Unified School District serves about 47,000 students in 72 schools.
Image: Zum
San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) in California has awarded Zum a five-year, $79.5-million contract for its tech-enabled student transportation services.
The district, which serves 47,000 students in 72 schools, joins other U.S. school systems that have selected Zum, including Los Angeles Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, Oakland Unified School District, Metro Nashville (Tennessee) Public Schools, and Seattle (Washington) Public Schools.
"With this decision, San Bernardino will be able to deliver superior service built around the needs of students, families and the teachers, administrators and drivers committed to creating the best educational experience for children," said Ritu Narayan, founder and CEO of Zum. "Zum is at the forefront of a transformation in student transportation, helping schools move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to safer, greener, more reliable transportation services."
"San Bernardino City Unified looks forward to adding Zum to our transportation system," said Marie Espinosa, transportation director for SBCUSD. "Our students deserve the best, and Zum will help us bring a higher level of service to our school community. San Bernardino City Unified School District challenged all of our transportation partners to add real-time communication about the location of buses for parents and invest in a greener fleet that will make neighborhoods along bus routes healthier. Zum was chosen because they met our high expectations."
More Management
13 Industry Leaders Describe School Transportation in One Word
What word best describes the school bus industry today? We posed that question to over a dozen manufacturers, resulting in a revealing mix of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Read More →
Tyler Technologies Adds New AI, Transactions Leadership Roles
Two company executives are promoted to newly created C-suite positions to accelerate the company's long-term growth in both artificial intelligence and payments.
Read More →
Pro-Vision Acquires Convoy Technologies
The deal aims to broaden customer relationships and adds specialized vehicle video capabilities for commercial fleets.
Read More →
Durham School Services Maintenance Teams Earn Missouri Fleet Excellence Awards
Eight of the contractor’s school bus fleets achieved a distinction few maintenance teams earn during the state’s rigorous annual inspection program.
Read More →How Incentives, AI, and Energy Markets Are Reshaping School Transportation
Sit down with Joe Annotti of TRC Companies to talk district grant funding, utility challenges, AI, and why school buses are evolving from transportation assets into energy assets.
Read More →
Inside the Contracting Shift: What School Transportation Operators Are Seeing Now
School transportation contractors weigh in on recent trends, costs, driver shortages, and the rise of multimodal student transportation.
Read More →The No-Idling School Bus AC System
Take a peek at ExoAir Systems’ battery-powered cooling solution designed to run for up to 10 hours without the engine on, reducing fuel use and improving comfort for drivers and students.
Read More →Geotab on Three Major Trends in School Transportation
School bus fleets are becoming more proactive than ever. From AI driver alerts to vehicle-to-grid opportunities, Geotab outlines the biggest technology trends transforming school bus operations.
Read More →
Gatekeeper Lands Major School Bus Deals as Revenue Surges
The video solutions provider announces contracts with Atlanta Public Schools and other fleet operators as it records quarterly revenue growth and expanding subscription business.
Read More →
Building Leaders Who Last: Creating a Successful Mentorship Program in Student Transportation
Discover five strategies for building an effective mentorship program to strengthen leadership development and support staff retention.
Read More →



