The Route presented by School Bus Fleet

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.

🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends a...

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, discusses the possible reclassification of marijuana, proposed changes to EV school bus safety standards, the EPA's Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Grant program, and PERC's new hire. Plus, an interview with Vinny Riscica, senior project manager for clean transportation at NYSERDA! This episode is sponsored by Thomas Built Buses, a leader in pupil transportation. 

• DEA May Re...

Executive Editor of School Bus Fleet, Wes Platt, discusses New York City's congestion pricing exemption for school buses, National School Transportation Association's 2024 Bus-In, and the persistent question of Daylight Saving Time. Plus, an interview with Liz Thies, School Bus Fleet's Administrator of the Year for 2024! This episode is sponsored by Thomas Built Buses, a leader in pupil transportation.

• SBF Ad...

Executive Editor of School Bus Fleet, Wes Platt, discusses a memorial bus ride in remembrance of a Tennessee school bus driver. Plus, an interview with Alfred Karam of Shenendehowah Central Schools in New York! This episode is sponsored by Thomas Built Buses, a leader in pupil transportation. 

• Tennessee Bus Drivers Roll in Remembrance of Aleita Gladson: https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/10216964/tennessee-bus-drivers-roll-in-rem...