David Johnson, Executive Director, Iowa Pupil Transportation Association School BUSRide spoke with David Johnson, executive director of the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association (IPTA) about his career in pupil transportation, the needs of Iowan student transportation professionals, and state collaboration with NAPT. Please tell us about your path into student transportation and what led you […]
Spring conference season and professional development opportunities continued to keep NAPT members moving across the country throughout May, with transportation leaders gathering to collaborate, strengthen leadership skills and share best practices that support student transportation operations nationwide. At the Missouri Association of School Business Officials (Missouri ASBO) Annual Conference & Expo, Molly McGee-Hewitt and Keith […]
Welcome to the May 2026 issue of School BUSRide! One of the things I value most about our industry is that we never stop learning. Student transportation is constantly evolving. New challenges emerge, technology continues to change, leadership expectations grow, and every school year brings new opportunities to improve how we serve students. That is […]
Connecting Across the Industry On the Ground: Conversations That Matter Angela Kelly and Judi Victor were onsite working the booth at STN Expo East to create a space for connection, conversation, and collaboration across the student transportation community. Angela is pictured here with Rick Brit from Bus Patrol. Expanding Our Voice in Canada NAPT Board […]
President Submits 2026-2027 Budget Request Basic Story President Trump has submitted his proposed 2026-2027 Budget Request. This is his recommendation to the Congress which will now act on its contents and elements. The Details The President’s request, according to our federal partners at AASA (The Superintendent’s Association) does not vary much from the […]
Heather Free, a seasoned pupil transportation professional with a diverse background spanning contractor operations, public school districts, and state government, was recently elected as the Regional Director for Region 3 on the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Board of Directors in a January 2026 special election. Free, who serves as a program administrator with […]
A new chapter of NAPT, told by those who live the work. By Angela Kelly, CMP, Director of Marketing and Events, NAPT On behalf of NAPT leadership and professional staff, I am incredibly proud to introduce the inaugural cohort of NAPT Influencers, a new initiative that reinforces the association’s communication efforts and vision […]
NAPT: Driven Together By Molly McGee-Hewitt, PhD, CAE NAPT Executive Director & CEO Have you ever heard the cliché, ‘the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over ad expecting different results?” I have and it has always resonated with me. I understand doing positive and productive things repeatedly but it’s important […]
Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD) has signed an agreement to acquire Girardin Group’s stake in the 50/50 Micro Bird joint venture, thereby, taking full ownership of the enterprise. Blue Bird will pay approx. $200 million for Girardin’s joint venture share, with 30% in cash and 70% in Blue Bird common stock. The transaction is expected […]
NAPT is pleased to announce the results of its recent Special Elections for Region 3 and Region 6, held January 13–14. These elections were conducted following the approval of the 2025 bylaw amendments and leadership advancements within the association. Region 3: Heather Free Elected Regional Director NAPT members in Region 3 elected Heather Free as […]