By Molly McGee Hewitt, PhD, CAE
2026 is here. The school year is in full swing. It’s Love the Bus Month. So… now what?
Each year, as we prepare the Love the Bus campaign, we remain mindful that our members already carry full schedules and heavy workloads. Running a transportation department, serving as a trainer or router, or leading a team can be demanding. Adding a new initiative or program can sometimes feel impossible. That’s why, even with a small professional staff, NAPT works hard to provide programs and materials that truly make your work, and your life, easier.
If you read my opening letter, you learned about our Driven Together campaign. This is the most ambitious and comprehensive initiative NAPT has ever undertaken. Spanning 16 months, it addresses every aspect of student transportation. It was designed to raise public awareness and strengthen support for the yellow school bus. We genuinely believe it can make a meaningful difference in our industry.
You may be asking, “Why do we need this?” The answer is simple: communication.
Despite our outstanding safety record, our dedicated employees, and decades of service, many people still lack awareness about why we are so safe and so effective. If we allow others (particularly those who focus only on our challenges) to tell our story, the narrative becomes biased and incomplete. While employment challenges exist in 2026, as they do in many industries, there are also voices that spread negativity and doom. That message does not serve our profession.
One of the things I love most is following members of our industry on social media. If I’m honest, the bus drivers are my favorites. I admire their enthusiasm for their work and the children they serve. I love when they share their world with me, and I’m continually impressed by the professionalism and pride they bring to their roles and to our industry. Although NAPT is a management organization, we deeply honor, respect, and appreciate our drivers, district teams, and business partners.
To succeed in 2026, you must be both a strong leader and an effective communicator. Communication is often the skill that separates good leaders from great ones. The better we tell our story, the better you tell your story, and the more resources you have at your disposal, the more respected and successful you will be in your role.
Driven Together will provide 16 months of materials and messaging you can share confidently. It is designed to help us communicate with clarity, power, and integrity.
Some people believe communication is a natural talent. I disagree. I believe it is a learned skill—one that each of us can develop and strengthen. Because it is learned, where and how you hone that skill matters. NAPT wants to be your partner in your professional journey. Our PDS courses, certifications, regional events, leadership training, and annual conferences are all designed to educate and equip you. Our success is connected. Driven Together is another powerful tool to help advance your work and your career.
Too often in life, we “white-knuckle” it. We try to do everything ourselves and take pride in simply pushing through. But Driven Together, along with the Love the Bus campaign, offers an opportunity to participate and grow. It’s a chance to strengthen your communication and leadership skills while elevating our entire industry.
It truly is a win-win. Will you join us?