JUNE 2026 As summer conference season gained momentum, NAPT leaders and members continued connecting with transportation professionals across the country through state association events and professional development opportunities. From Colorado to New York, June provided valuable opportunities to share expertise, strengthen partnerships and advance student transportation excellence. Colorado State Pupil Transportation Association Conference […]
School BUSRide spoke with Ron Chaffin, Transportation Supervisor for Putnam County Schools (TN). He spoke about being an early adopter of electric vehicles, his dual role as a county commissioner and transportation supervisor, and his thoughts on what NAPT does best for its membership. How did you get started in pupil transportation, and what […]
The NAPT Foundation has announced the appointment of two respected student transportation leaders to its Board of Directors: Alex Robinson, M.Ed., CDPT, of Chula Vista, California, and Frank Marasco, CDPT, of British Columbia, Canada. Both Robinson and Marasco bring decades of leadership experience, industry expertise, and a longstanding commitment to advancing student transportation through professional […]
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 […]