Lewiston Public Schools in Maine stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. With a student body of nearly 6,000 (of which roughly 4,500 rely on some form of school transportation), the district faces logistical complexities magnified by urban density, linguistic diversity, contracted services, and a growing population of newly arrived families. Alisa Roman, […]
By Bella Ma, RIDE In my role as an account manager for RIDE, I frequently work with school transportation teams who are new to EV technology and looking for answers about what it really means to operate battery-powered school buses. From my eight years at RIDE (where I’ve worked in purchasing, supply chain, project […]
By Joe Jenkins With 16 years in the alternative fuels space, including electric, hybrid, propane, and natural gas, I have worked through the evolution of vehicle technology from early aftermarket conversions to today’s purpose-built, factory-designed electric school buses. At IC Bus, I focus specifically on supporting customers through the transition from internal combustion to […]
By Brad Beauchamp As EV Product Segment Leader at Blue Bird, I work closely with customers across the U.S. and Canada to ensure that our electric school buses not only meet performance expectations, but also the highest safety standards. With more than three decades of experience in the alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies […]
Each year, the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) shines a spotlight on the professionals who set the standard for excellence in student transportation. As someone who has spent years covering this industry, I’m always inspired by the stories behind these awards — the innovation, leadership, and unwavering dedication to serving students and communities. […]
By Molly McGee Hewitt, PhD, CAE As we kick off the 2025-26 school year, everyone is in full swing! We are focused on numerous details, including meetings, emails, onboarding new employees, and ensuring the retention of our drivers and teams. Oh, and let’s not forget about routings, schedules, regulatory compliance, and effective communication! The […]
Traditionally in the United States, most public schools began the first week or September following the Labor Day holiday. However, like many customs, this practice has faced challenges, resulting in schools across the nation starting anywhere from early August to mid-September. The variation in opening schedules reflects the unique needs of local districts and communities, […]
Welcome to another fantastic edition of School BUSRide! As we embrace the fall season, our work year is in full momentum. The summer days have concluded for many of our districts, with some transitioning in the coming weeks. Regardless of where you find yourself in this late summer, early fall period, I am confident that […]
For school districts navigating the challenges of accessible student transportation, the task of securing wheelchair passengers safely, quickly, and consistently is often one of the most demanding responsibilities that drivers face. Between training, time constraints, equipment variability, and physical strain, traditional four-point securement systems (though reliable) can become operational challenges. Recognizing this need for innovation, […]
School BUSRide spoke with Kara Arundel, senior reporter for K-12 Dive (www.k12dive.com), about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) marking its 50th anniversary. She spoke about the milestone’s significance, the impact of IDEA on transportation, and how transportation professionals can continue to stay involved and enhance services for students with disabilities. We are marking […]