The Route presented by School Bus Fleet
The Route podcast from School Bus Fleet magazine covers news and explores issues related to pupil transportation, including new technology, safety features, driver staffing, and industry trends.
Episodes
This special episode of The Route marks two major milestones: Episode 100 of the show and 70 years of School Bus Fleet serving the student transportation industry.
To celebrate, host Amanda Huggett is joined by three former School Bus Fleet editors — Wes Platt, Nicole Schlosser, and Tom McMahon — for a look back at the moments, people, and issues that shaped the industry, and the publication, over the decades.
From alternative fuels ...
2025 was a big year for IC Bus, with record production, next-gen tech upgrades, and big moves in electrification. In this new episode of The Route, IC Bus' VP of Sales Ryan Kauffman breaks down what really happened this year… and what’s about to hit the industry in 2026.
Whether you spec buses, manage a fleet, or just want to stay ahead of the curve, this is your insider look at the trends shaping the future of K-12 transportati...
Illegal school bus passing remains one of the most persistent and dangerous threats to student safety — but technology is helping to turn the tide. In this interview, School Bus Fleet sits down with Mike Hagan, president of Safe Fleet, to explore how innovative solutions are transforming the way we protect students on and around the bus.
From predictive stop arms and driver alert systems to AI-powered dashcams and partnerships with ...
School bus drivers aren’t just behind the wheel — they’re often the first line of defense when it comes to keeping students safe. In this episode of The Route, we talk with Jim Levine, CEO of S.T.A.R.T., about how training and preparedness can make all the difference in an active threat or emergency situation.
From scenario-based training to new safety standards, you’ll learn how districts can support drivers with the tools, confide...
What happens when a traditional school bus isn’t the best fit for a student’s needs? In this episode of The Route, SBF editor Amanda Huggett sits down with EverDriven CEO Mitch Bowling to discuss the growing role of alternative student transportation.
From serving students with disabilities and housing challenges to tackling driver shortages and out-of-district trips, Bowling explains how smaller vehicles and tech-enabled solutions ...
The school bus may be the safest form of ground transportation, but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible. When the worst does happen, we’re able to learn from what went wrong and take new actions to prevent similar tragedies down the road.
In this episode of The Route, we sit down with NTSB accident investigator Meg Sweeney to unpack how real crash investigations are driving change. We cover how factors like where we load and unload s...
Human trafficking may not be the most comfortable subject to talk about, but it’s an important topic to understand. And it can and does happen to students who ride the school bus. Meaning bus drivers who know their riders well may be one of the best people to spot changes and warning signs thatsomeone vulnerable might be in danger.
In this episode of The Route, SBF Executive Editor Amanda chats with two industry individuals highly i...
There’s one event every five years that sets the tone forschool transportation across the country — the National Congress on School Transportation (NCST). From school bus specifications to special-needs matters, activity buses, and alternative transportation, decisions made here matter.
In this episode of The Route, SBF Executive Editor Amanda Huggett brings you firsthand insights from four industry leaders who attended the 17th NCS...
Let’s talk trends in school bus contracting! In this episode of The Route, we reveal a few key takeaways from our recent Contractor Survey. Then, get to know SBF’s 2025 Contractor of the Year, Michael Brown, founder of Michael’s Transportation Service. Learn his fated but unconventional start in the industry, the values of transitioning to an employee-owned business, changes he’s witnessed, experience with electric buses, and what ...
Get to know some of the faces behind student transportation in this special episode of The Route. Today, executive editor Amanda Huggett tells the stories of our 12 Trailblazer Award winners. Then, we interview the 2025 Administrator of the Year, Kimberly Jones of Chicago Public Schools. Jones shares about her leadership journey and a typical day in the life, the Chicago Public School transportation model, fleet, and team, how she ...
Get caught up on the latest news in student transportation in the March 2025 edition of The Route. Today, executive editor Amanda Huggett shares top headlines and hot topics in pupil transportation. Then, we’re joined by the executive director of the National School Transportation Association (NSTA), Curt Macysyn, to talk about recent events and thoughts on what’s going on in Washington, D.C. Together, we dig into NSTA’s recent and...
In the February 2025 edition of The Route, editor Amanda Huggett shares with you top headlines and hot topics in pupil transportation. Then, we’re joined by CALSTART’s Lead Project Manager on the Electric School Bus team, Alise Crippen on Cal Fleet Advisor. Together, we dig into the technology and infrastructure, what to make of the federaladministration’s recent moves, and how school bus fleets can get started on their electrifica...
We’re kicking off the first Route video of 2025 with some very special guests! First, get the latest news and trends, including 2024 bus sales and transportation stats, federal funding grants, a telematics merger, and more, from Executive Editor Amanda Huggett. Then meet our Editorial Advisory Board, who each takes a turn at the mic to tell you their 2025 predictions and wishes.
For the last time in 2024, Amanda Huggett takes the mic to tell you about the pupil transportation industry news you need to know. We’re covering the state of Kansas’ recent report on children killed while getting on or off their bus, updates on rulemakings from the FMCSA that will affect CDL holders and vehicle technologies, 10 tips for equity in youth transportation, big news from Micro Bird and record earnings from Blue Bird, a...
Get up to speed on the biggest headlines in K-12 student transportation. This month, SBF celebrates a life well lived for one of our own whom we recently lost. Listen in as Executive Editor Amanda Huggett covers how we’re remembering Ed Donn, what’s new from School Bus Logistics and EverDriven, Verra Mobility’s safety toolkit, news that we haven’t covered yet from GreenPower and Blue Bird, and what the heck V2G and V2X means, and w...
This time on School Bus Fleet's The Route, Executive Editor Amanda Huggett takes the mic to tell you all about the latest news, headlines, and hot topics in the school transportation industry. We cover the latest crash-related statistics, new leadership at two of the biggest OEMs, two new services announced by First Student, the latest round of EPA funding for clean school buses, survey data on what fleets are saying about their op...
In this special episode of The Route, Wes Platt, contributor for School Bus Fleet, talks with Kendra Eads, Thomas Built Buses’ vice president of engineering and technology. Together, they walk through how the OEM maintains its reputation for upholding safety during accidents, recent innovations to safety and durability, how TBB empowers drivers through design and technology. Thanks for stopping by!
This episode is sponsored by Th...
Wes Platt, for School Bus Fleet, goes over the recent news headlines in school transportation, including wrongful death lawsuits, the expansion of HopSkipDrive, results from the recent International Safety Competition, digs into EV school bus manufacturing grants, and talks about NHTSA's proposal for stronger seating standards. This episode is sponsored by Thomas Built Buses, a leader in pupil transportation: https://thomasbui...
Wes Platt, for School Bus Fleet, reviews recent news in school transportation, including the latest consolidation of the Type A school bus manufacturing market with Forest River Bus's acquisition of Trans Tech Buses. This episode is sponsored by Thomas Built Buses, a leader in pupil transportation.
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Executive Editor of School Bus Fleet, Wes Platt, talks with Kevin Bangston, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, about the bus manufacturer's plans and opportunities. This episode is sponsored by Thomas Built Buses, a leader in pupil transportation.
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