Advertise on podcast: School Transportation Nation

We cover industry shoutouts, conference connections, a terrifying bus vs. train encounter and Diesel Emissions Reduction Act updates. "One thing about transportation [is] it's never boring."Transportation Supervisor Melody Best offers a behind-the-scenes look at how operations are handled in Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Alaska amid adverse weather, multiple school closures, budget cuts, technology needs and even moose in the road. She also shares the benefits of participating in the STN EXPO East Mentorship Program in Charlotte, North Carolina last month. Read more about operations. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio, RTA.

Conversations on a fatal Texas school bus crash that killed two girls last month, a new funding strategies playbook that includes transportation opportunities, and the National School Bus Inspection Training Program offered at STN EXPO East and STN EXPO West. Keith Corso identified operational challenges while riding his high school bus, then went on to co-found technology provider BusRight. Now as CEO, he discusses tools to support student transporters and recent success at Poughkeepsie City School District in New York. Read more about operations. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio, RTA, BusRight.

Tony and Taylor review the most compelling takeaways from STN EXPO East in Charlotte, Noth Carolina this past week. From rock star leadership and workplace culture advice, to a bus mirror training that went viral, to the latest in cutting edge tech shown on the Trade Show floor, attendees and vendors connected in meaningful ways. Last year, bus window and glass provider Lippert acquired seating supplier Freedman Seating and HVAC manufacturer Trans/Air. Dan Cohen, vice president of sales for Lippert's transportation products group, and Austin Lehnert, regional sales manager for Trans/Air by Lippert, join us to share new safety technology innovations. Read more STN EXPO East coverage. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio, RTA.

Christopher Faust, transportation director for Sangamon Valley CUSD #9 in Illinois and John Daniels, vice president of marketing for Transfinder, discuss utilizing multiple "finder" technologies to assist in operational and procurement challenges at the district. They also share how and why to participate in the Top Transportation Teams challenge, which is led by Transfinder and currently accepting signups. Marty Savino, national account manager for School-Radio, explains communications upgrades that districts can make for increased safety and security during incidents like school shootings. Michelle Summers, assistant director of transportation for Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Texas, discusses the value of coming to conferences and participating in the inaugural STN Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program, as well as superintendent relationships and technology upgrades. Read more STN EXPO East coverage. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School-Radio.

Learn more about our upcoming April magazine, inflation and fuel prices, internet for school buses, record revenue for Zum, district efforts amid ICE enforcement, and a driver dressing to impress. Michael Signer, chief policy and legal officer for EverDriven, discusses the evolution of alternative student transportation from safety and regulatory perspectives to help school districts meet student needs alongside yellow buses. Read more about operations. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, EverDriven. 

We examine the impact of the war in Iran and Clean School Bus program updates on district fuel choices, as well as a Pennsylvania school bus driver arrested after driving over 50 students while intoxicated.  We are joined by Nate Springer, vice president of market development at TRC Companies, the presenter of the upcoming Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) EXPO. He unpacks the reasoning behind various fuel choices available to school districts today and funding options amid changes to the Clean School Bus program. Read more about green buses. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, EverDriven. 

We unpack the National Action Plan for School Bus Safety which sheds light on the non-fatal effects of illegal passing, as well as transportation director comments on green buses during a recent EPA Clean School Bus webinar. Denise Donaldson, the editor and publisher of Safe Ride News Publications and a frequent trainer at STN EXPO and the TSD Conference, previews her STN EXPO East workshop on when to use child safety restraint systems (CSRS) in school buses or alternative vehicles. Read more about safety. Episode sponsors:Transfinder, EverDriven.

More updates on green bus funding from the EPA via the Clean School Bus Program. Plus, we dive into our March issue on optimization and efficiency, whose cover features the smiling school bus team from Loudoun County in Virginia. We see mirrors on school buses every day, but how much have you thought about the decisions behind their placement? Dave McDonald, president of Safe Bus Consulting and retired executive vice president for Rosco Vision Systems, discusses everything from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 111 to driver distraction, plus techniques and technology for student safety in the Danger Zone. Hear more from him at STN EXPO East in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina this month. Read more about safety. Episode sposnors: Transfinder, EverDriven.

We consider what recent headlines mean to the school transportation industry: proposed updates to the Clean School Bus Program, Blue Bird fully acquiring Micro Bird, Trump tariffs being struck down and safety conversations at STN EXPO East this March. Mike Ippolito, chief operating officer of School Radio, discusses the future of bus communications – including multi-carrier SIM cards and satellites – and what school districts looking to the future should know to maximize safety and efficiency. Real-world emergency scenarios and radio as a service are also examined. Read more about operations. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, EverDriven, School Radio.

We discuss the potential impact of the national jobs report on school district budgets, the DOT's non-domiciled CDL final rule and cutting-edge technology takeaways from the Geotab Connect conference.  "It's all about service: I went from servicing my country to now servicing my community." Bernando Brown, director of student transportation for DeKalb County School District in Georgia, shares how his military experience shaped his work ethic, leadership style and focus on training and mentorship. He also discusses handling retention, budgeting and operational challenges. Read more about leadership. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, EverDriven, School Radio.

Insights on national school bus contractor First Student's purchase of Chicago area contractor Cook Illinois Corp., the Blue Bird 2026 Q1 earnings report, and a California study on lap/shoulder seatbelt efficacy. "Make sure the right people are on the right seats on the bus." Heather Perry, superintendent of Schools for Maine's Gorham Public Schools, was named as one of four finalists for the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year Award by AASA, The School Superintendents Association. She discusses her leadership journey, winter transportation operations, the value of collaboration and staff support, and a robust student career support program. Read more about leadership. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, EverDriven, School Radio.

The February edition of STN magazine is out, where we continue discussions on the oversight of autonomous vehicles and alternative student transportation. Plus, sign up for school bus inspection training and many more learning opportunities at STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina, this March. In the aftermath of a high-profile school bus rollover last August at Leander Independent School District in Central Texas, Director of Transportation Tracie Franco talks lessons learned in emergency response, lap-shoulder seatbelt enforcement, first responder collaboration and staff training. Read more about crashes. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, EverDriven, School Radio.

We cover a harsh winter ice storm, takeaways from the 2026 NSTA Midwinter Meeting, updates to the U.S. EPA's Clean School Bus Program and illegal passing by Waymo autonomous vehicles. Industry consultant Tim Ammon gives tips for transportation budgeting and business efficiency while maximizing educational access for students. He will lead sessions at STN EXPO East this March in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina. Read more about operations. Episode sponsor: Transfinder.

Ryan and Taylor discuss upcoming student transportation awards, the NTSB investigation of a fatal school bus dragging, and a Florida bus aide arrested for child abuse. "Education, engineering and enforcement." Student safety is a passion of Derek Graham, an industry consultant and former state director of pupil transportation with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as well as past president of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS). He joins us to discuss NASDPTS' annual illegal passing survey and additional safety efforts which he will present about at STN EXPO East this March in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina. Read more about safety. Episode sponsor: Transfinder.

Back-from-break headlines cover winter weather conditions, rockstars and leadership at STN EXPO East, updates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and what impact recent developments in Venezuela could have on the school bus industry. Keynote speaker and best-selling author Jim Knight, who rubbed shoulders with musicians and celebrities during his tenure with Hard Rock International, discusses building a student transportation brand and improving workplace culture. He will present a keynote and Transportation Director training at STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina this March. Read all our latest news. Episode sponsor: Transfinder.