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 […]
Welcome to our January edition of School BUSRide! We are grateful that you are a subscriber and that you are taking the time to read our publication! Each time I write “2026,” I pause for a moment. How did we reach 2026 so quickly? It feels like the new millennium was just yesterday. The old […]
As part of the upcoming NAPT Special Election scheduled for January 13–14, 2026, members in Region 3 are invited to review the candidate profiles ahead of voting. This special election is being held to fill the Region 3 Regional Director seat following Melody Coniglio’s election as President-Elect. Three dedicated transportation leaders have stepped forward […]
O2 Cool Manufacturing has emerged as a player in the school bus space by applying decades of bus HVAC experience, vertically integrated engineering, and flexible installation models to meet the diverse needs of pupil transportation providers. O2 Cool’s roots in the school bus HVAC market are deeply tied to industry legacy. The company is […]
NAPT and the NAPT Foundation will soon launch a new partnership with the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute (PTSI) that is set to enhance professional development opportunities across the student transportation industry. Effective January 1, 2026, PTSI will become NAPT’s online professional development provider, creating a collaborative approach focused on delivering accessible, high-quality training and resources […]
November 4: Transportation Director’s Executive Forum: Leading Up The final day of NAPT ACTS featured the highly anticipated “Transportation Director’s Executive Forum: Leading Up,” an exclusive program tailored for directors’ school transportation. Designed to empower leaders who often feel unheard or undervalued within their districts, the forum provided practical strategies for elevating the […]