Presented by Safe Fleet Illegal school bus passing is a nationwide epidemic risking student safety each day. With high stakes, a dependable and effective solution like the Safe Fleet Stop Arm Violation Enforcement System (SAVES™) is crucial. Already proven in Florida pilot programs, SAVES™ embodies the “Danger Zone” safety net now primed for nationwide deployment, offering unmatched student protection. Why SAVES™ is a Game Changer School districts across the U.S., including Florida with 10,140 illegal passes in the 2023-2024 school year, need reliable enforcement solutions. SAVES sets the standard using AI technologies for capturing actionable and legally robust violations, revolutionizing student safety. Addressing Industry Shortcomings Traditional manual enforcement methods have failed due to their reliance on overwhelmed law enforcement. SAVES addresses these shortcomings by automating the entire process, improving awareness, and helping slash daily violations. What Sets SAVES Apart High Accuracy: Over 98 percent precision in detecting violations using AI and sophisticated algorithms. 2. Superior Evidence Collection: Employs three high-resolution cameras that provide comprehensive violation context—enabling strong legal cases. 3. Flexible Contracts: Tailored setups meet the unique needs of each district, ensuring cost-efficiency as compliance improves. 4. Proven Technology: Extensively tested and deployed technology trusted by major national enforcement agencies. 5. Nationwide Rollout: With successful Florida pilots and 25 states already legislating school bus stop arm cameras, SAVES is set to expand. It aims to equip more districts to embrace this technology seamlessly, enhancing school bus safety dramatically across the U.S. A Comprehensive Approach to Student Safety SAVES, a critical part of the multi-dimensional Safe Fleet Illegal Passing Suite, offers a unified solution to combat illegal passing. This comprehensive approach includes: Heighten Visibility: The Safe Fleet Illuminated Stop Arm and Driver Alert Device inform drivers behind the bus about an upcoming stop, enhancing bus visibility and reducing the likelihood of illegal passes. 2. Proactive Warnings: The Predictive Stop Arm™ (PSA) combines radar and predictive analytics to warn students of imminent danger, giving them 3-4 seconds to respond from potential harm. 3. Enforcement: The AI-powered SAVES captures HD video evidence of illegal pass-bys, facilitating optimized, law enforcement ticketing and reinforcing safe driving behaviors. Looking Ahead Achieving zero injuries is a community effort. Together with policymakers, educators, and communities and leveraging top-tier solutions like SAVES, we aim to ensure absolute safety for every child’s school commute. For more information, please contact Safe Fleet at schoolbus@safefleet.net or download our white paper.

The start of the school year is always a whirlwind for transportation professionals. With challenges like driver shortages and fluctuating student numbers, coordinating transportation can quickly become overwhelming. Amidst these challenges, one group of students requires special attention—McKinney-Vento students. Understanding McKinney-Vento Students The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.” This includes students: • Sharing housing due to loss of housing or economic hardship • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations • Residing in emergency or transitional shelters • Staying in places not meant for regular sleeping accommodations (e.g., park benches, public spaces, abandoned buildings) According to the Learning Policy Institute, the number of students experiencing homelessness is rising, with a 39 percent increase in the last ten years. These students often move frequently, making it challenging for school districts to plan consistent transportation routes. Their needs require a flexible, adaptive approach to ensure they have the same educational opportunities as their peers. McKinney-Vento students face numerous challenges that can impact their education. The instability in their living situations makes it hard to establish a routine. They may also face social and emotional difficulties due to their circumstances. Ensuring that these students have reliable transportation to and from school is crucial in providing them with an opportunity to proper education. Impact on School Districts Routing Changes: McKinney-Vento students move often or live in temporary housing, making it difficult to establish consistent transportation routes. The frequent need to reroute buses for a small group of students may strain resources and increase operational costs. Geographical Spread: McKinney-Vento students may live far from their school of origin, requiring long and complex routes. Coordinating these routes while maintaining efficiency and safety is a significant logistical challenge. Focusing on McKinney-Vento students can result in delays and inconsistencies for other students, causing inconvenience and affecting attendance. Alternative Student Transportation can play a vital role in addressing these challenges efficiently and effectively, alleviating strain and ensuring reliable services for all students. McKinney-Vento students face numerous challenges that can impact their education. The instability in their living situations makes it hard to establish a routine. The Case for Alternative Transportation Efficiency and Flexibility: Alternative Student Transportation can adapt quickly to the changing needs of McKinney-Vento students when traditional bus routes may not be feasible due to their unpredictable schedules and living conditions. Alternative transportation solutions, that use smaller vehicles, offer the flexibility to accommodate these variations without disrupting existing routes. Save Time and Resources: Rerouting an entire bus system for a small group of students can be both time-consuming and resource intensive. By incorporating alternative transportation, school districts save time by avoiding frequent route adjustments and can focus on optimizing their primary routes while still ensuring McKinney-Vento students receive the consistent transportation they need. Safety First: Safety is the top priority for any student transportation program, and alternative transportation options are no exception. The smaller vehicles used in alternative transportation provide a secure and controlled environment for McKinney-Vento students. Equipped with modern safety features and driven by trained professionals who understand these students’ unique needs, the students’ well-being will be ensure every step of the way. Implementing Alternative Student Transportation Partner With Experienced Providers: Collaborating with an Alternative Student Transportation partner can help school districts seamlessly integrate alternative transportation solutions into their existing programs. These providers have the expertise and resources to handle the logistical challenges associated with transporting McKinney-Vento students, ensuring a smooth and efficient process. Maintain Quality and Accountability: When selecting a transportation provider, it’s important to choose one that prioritizes safety, reliability, and accountability. Look for a partner that conducts thorough background checks on drivers, provides ongoing driver education, maintains high standards through ongoing safety checks, and has a proven track record of delivering quality service. By partnering with a reputable provider like EverDriven, school districts can ensure that McKinney-Vento students receive the best possible transportation experience. A Flexible, Efficient, and Safe Solution Navigating the complexities of transporting McKinney-Vento students can be challenging, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming. School districts can provide a more flexible, efficient, and safe solution for these vulnerable students using Alternative Student Transportation. Partnering with an alternative transportation provider can set transportation professionals and McKinney-Vento students up for a successful school year, ensuring every student can thrive. Courtney Zell, EverDriven’s vice president of marketing, is a dedicated leader with a passion for student safety. With a rich background in strategic marketing, Courtney is devoted to building a brand that represents all students, ensuring that EverDriven’s services are inclusive and equitable for every child in need. Learn more about EverDriven at www.EverDriven.com.

Presented by Q’STRAINT As Q’STRAINT rockets into its 40th anniversary, they celebrate their out-of-this-world contributions to the safety of school bus transportation for students with disabilities. Since its launch in 1984, Q’STRAINT has been a trailblazer, engineering wheelchair securement solutions that have not only set industry standards but have also propelled the lives of countless students into new realms of safety, accessibility, and independence. This milestone is more than a countdown to success—it’s a celebration of the liftoff and flight path that has brought Q’STRAINT to the forefront of school bus safety for four decades. At the core of Q’STRAINT’s mission is a commitment to launching students into a future of safety, independence, and confidence. This mission is particularly crucial in school transportation, where the ability to travel safely to and from school is fundamental to a student’s education and overall well-being. Q’STRAINT securement systems have played a key role in empowering students with disabilities, giving them the confidence to embark on their journeys independently. For many students, the school bus is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s a launch pad for their daily adventures, enabling them to participate fully in school life. By ensuring that these students can travel safely and securely, Q’STRAINT has helped dismantle barriers to education and inclusion, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to soar. The Early Launch: Addressing a Critical Need In the early 1980s, the need for safe and reliable transportation solutions for wheelchair users was becoming increasingly apparent. School buses, in particular, were facing challenges in accommodating students with disabilities safely. Many schools lacked the necessary equipment to secure wheelchairs effectively, leading to potential safety risks during transit. It was in this context that Q’STRAINT introduced its first wheelchair securement system, revolutionizing the industry by providing a solution that was both easy to use and highly effective. Q’STRAINT’s first wheelchair securement system was the catalysts  that ignited a new era in transportation safety. By introducing the original Q’STRAINT system, featuring a four-point securement method. This breakthrough provided a safe, reliable, and easy-to-use solution that was particularly significant for school buses, where the need for intuitive and effective securement systems was mission-critical. Expanding the Orbit: Innovations in School Bus Securement Over the past 40 years, Q’STRAINT has continued to push the boundaries, introducing cutting-edge products designed to meet the evolving needs of the school bus segment. The company’s relentless pursuit of innovation has led to the development of advanced securement solutions that address the specific challenges faced by students with disabilities, ensuring they can board their buses with confidence and security. One of the key innovations in this area has been the development of the QRT-360. This product was designed with the school bus environment in mind, providing a robust solution that ensures the safety of wheelchair-using students during their daily commute. The QRT-360’s ease of use, combined with its advanced safety features, has made it a popular choice among school districts across the country. The Power Behind the Mission: Our Committed Sales Team Q’STRAINT’s success in the school bus segment is not only the result of its innovative products but also the dedication and passion of its committed sales team. This team of professionals has been instrumental in driving the adoption of Q’STRAINT securement systems across school districts nationwide. With their deep understanding of both the product and the unique needs of their clients, Q’STRAINT’s sales team has helped to build strong, lasting relationships with school districts, transportation providers, and advocacy groups. “At Q’STRAINT, we understand that every securement solution we provide is more than just a product—it’s a commitment to the safety and well-being of students with disabilities. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously, and we’re proud to be part of a team that helps schools across the country launch safer journeys every day.” — Trisha Nolen, Southern Regional Manager Looking Ahead: The Future of School Bus Safety As Q’STRAINT celebrates its 40th anniversary, the company is not only reflecting on its past achievements but also looking ahead to the future. The challenges faced by students with disabilities are continually evolving, and Q’STRAINT is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation in this area. Another area of future development is the expansion of Q’STRAINT’s training and education programs. As new securement technologies are introduced, it will be essential to ensure that school bus drivers and aides are fully trained in their use. Q’STRAINT is committed to providing the resources and support needed to ensure that its products are used to their fullest potential. Q’STRAINT’s 40th anniversary is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to transportation safety and innovation. Over the past four decades, Q’STRAINT has made significant contributions to the school bus segment, ensuring that students with disabilities can travel safely and confidently to and from school. Through its pioneering securement solutions, advocacy efforts, and partnerships, Q’STRAINT has set the standard for school bus safety and has had a profound impact on the lives of countless students and their families. As Q’STRAINT looks to the future, the company remains dedicated to advancing the cause of transportation safety for all wheelchair users. By continuing to innovate and collaborate with industry partners, Q’STRAINT will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of school bus safety for the next generation of students, ensuring that every journey is a launch toward a brighter, safer future.

As one of the fastest growing districts in Texas, Prosper Independent School District understands the critical role that the right technology can play in safely and efficiently transporting its students. With 215 buses split between 72 general education routes and 37 special needs routes, the district’s transportation department is responsible for transporting nearly 9,000 students daily. According to Teri Mapengo, director of transportation for the district, this volume of transportation requires an effective system to not only keep schedules on track but enable parents to feel secure about the whereabouts of their children. “One of the district’s key advancements in recent years has been its adoption of Transfinder technology,” Mapengo said. “The parents in Prosper are huge supporters of the district, and they want to make sure that their kids are safe. Transfinder has helped make that possible.” Thanks to her prior experience, Mapengo was already familiar with the Transfinder technology when she transferred to Prosper ISD last December. “After my previous appointment as transportation director in another district I was introduced to the Transfinder system and I absolutely loved it,” Mapengo said. “When I heard that Prosper had Transfinder, I was so excited.” At the time when Mapengo came on board, the Prosper transportation department was in the process of adopting Transfinder’s driver app Wayfinder and parent app Stopfinder. “When I first came on, they had already done a lot of the research on the new systems and we ended up piloting the technology with two of our elementary schools at the end of last year,” Mapengo said. “It just showed us that this was going to be an amazing tool, not just for the parents of Prosper ISD, but also for our drivers, because the system has been a huge recruiting tool.” The Wayfinder application not only helps to manage and complete forms like pre/post inspection but enables drivers to substitute resources, take attendance, and navigate with voice or on-screen directions. It also can help manage driver shortages, assist with resource management and ensure student safety, all from a mobile device. “All of our active buses currently have the Wayfinder navigation on them and eventually all 167 buses will have the system,” Mapengo said. “We have also fully implemented the parent application, Stopfinder, which has been such a huge help.” For parents, knowing that their child’s bus will arrive on time is a significant relief. Stopfinder, the parent-facing app by Transfinder, plays a crucial role in this reassurance. It allows parents to track buses in real-time and receive notifications when the bus is approaching. This proactive communication reduces the number of frantic calls to the transportation department, which can be particularly valuable during periods of high demand or staffing shortages. “I can’t believe the number of calls that we did not have this year,” Mapengo said. “Usually within the first two weeks the transportation department is bombarded. This year was the smoothest startup I have ever had.” With so many routes and students to manage in the coming school year, a seamless software rollout was imperative for Mapengo and her team, who made it a priority to work closely with Transfinder on training and implementation. “I was honestly nervous about introducing such a comprehensive system because you never know how staff members are going to respond but Transfinder had a step-by-step plan, they communicated well with my team and really made sure that we were hitting all of the marks, that this was our goal,” Mapengo said. “We had someone from Transfinder on site with us for three days helping train our drivers, get the routing team set up and just be on site to assist with troubleshooting any issues we were having.” While introducing new technology can come with challenges, Mapengo says that overall, the experience has been a huge success, and her district is looking forward to what comes next. There is still room for improvement and that is the great thing about this system,” Mapengo said. “We are still exploring all the available features because with Transfinder’s Stopfinder and Wayfinder, there are so many more avenues to look into and that keeps us looking forward.” To learn more about Transfinder’s solutions, visit Transfinder.com, call 800-373-3609 or email getplus@transfinder.com