Advertise on podcast: The Route presented by School Bus Fleet

What happens when school transportation takes a more hands-on approach to student behavior? Sam Freshner, dean of transportation at North Clackamas Schools, joins us live from SBFX 2026 to share how a pilot program is changing the way his district handles school bus discipline, supports drivers, and builds relationships with students and school administrators. Hear lessons learned, strategies for addressing the root causes of behavior, and ideas other districts can put into practice. The Route is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IC Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, proudly offering vehicles and solutions that are ahead of their class. 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

What's the difference between a great school bus driver and a great driver trainer? According to Bret E. Brooks of Gray Ram Tactical, they're not always the same person. In this conversation with School Bus Fleet, Brooks shares the biggest mistakes he sees districts make when selecting trainers, why adult learning principles matter, and the six most common challenges affecting driver training programs across the country. He also discusses state training requirements, measuring program effectiveness, driver retention, and how transportation leaders can strengthen their training programs heading into the new school year. The Route is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠IC Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠, proudly offering vehicles and solutions that are ahead of their class. 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

School bus drivers perform a pre-trip inspection before every route. But what if there's another safety check that's just as important? It’s time to look inward! In this episode of The Route, School Bus Fleet Executive Editor Amanda Huggett sits down with emotional intelligence educator and author Kellie Doyle Bailey to discuss the connection between driver well-being, student behavior, and transportation safety. Drawing on her work from a transportation pilot in Maine, Doyle Bailey explains how simple practices like "pre-tripping yourself," emotional regulation, and self-awareness can help drivers navigate stress, build stronger relationships with students, and create calmer rides. Learn more at this link👉 Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation: https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/digital-cover-features/why-emotional-intelligence-matters-in-student-transportation Topics include: Emotional intelligence for transportationprofessionalsWhy bus drivers are often students' first school connectionThe "Pre-Trip Yourself" conceptHow to practice radical self-careManaging stress, change, and workplace conflictLeadership lessons for transportation directorsPractical strategies drivers can use immediatelyThe Route is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠IC Bus⁠⁠⁠, proudly offering vehicles and solutions that are ahead of their class. 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, what can the history of student transportation tell us about the future? In this episode of The Route, School Bus Fleet Editor Amanda Huggett sits down with National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Executive Director Curt Macysyn for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of the school bus industry, current legislative priorities, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the years ahead. Topics include: Student transportation's place in American historyThe evolution of school bus technologyNSTA's advocacy efforts on Capitol HillThe Driving Forward Act and school bus driver shortagesIllegal school bus passing and national awareness campaignsThe Clean School Bus ProgramArtificial intelligence in student transportationWhy community-minded leadership still matters The Route is sponsored by ⁠⁠IC Bus⁠⁠, proudly offering vehicles and solutions that are ahead of their class. 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

Why are school buses yellow? When did students first start riding buses to school? How did the school bus become one of the most recognizable symbols in America? As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Brad Beauchamp from school bus manufacturer Blue Bird explores the surprising history of the American school bus, from horse drawn wagons to today's connected, technology-driven vehicles, and how it differs from the American transit bus system. We discuss the rise of the suburbs, school consolidation, safety innovations, National School Bus Yellow, and the role transportation played in expanding educational access across the United States. Whether you're a transportation professional, history buff, or lifelong school bus enthusiast, this conversation offers a unique perspective on one of America's most recognizable vehicles —and where it’s headed next. 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

From trucking to school busing, Craig Beaver is retiring after 43 years in transportation, but not before sharing some hard-earned lessons from one of Oregon’s largest school districts. In this episode of The Route, the soon-to-be-former Beaverton School District transportation director sits down with School Bus Fleet to reflect on the evolution of student transportation, his experience with alternative fuels and EVs, the rise of AI, and the leadership philosophy that helped shape his department’s culture. Together, we cover: Building a strong transportation team culture Driver recruitment and retention strategies Electric buses vs. propane and diesel How AI could reshape routing and operations Leadership lessons from 43 years in the industryManaging organizational change successfully andmapping out how not to failWorking with unions and resolving grievancesPreparing the next generation of transportationleaders Why kindness and consistency still matter mostThe Route is sponsored by ⁠IC Bus⁠, proudly offering vehicles and solutions that are ahead of their class. 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

Let’s sit down with a true trailblazer! In this episode of The Route, BusRight co-founder and CEO Keith Corso shares how the BusRight platform is transforming student transportation with smarter routing, real-time GPS tracking, and seamless communication between drivers, parents, and transportation teams. But this isn’t just about technology. Corso shares the personal story that inspired BusRight, how a single bus route can change a student’s life, and why “magical hospitality” is at the core of building better solutions for schools and communities. Learn more at these links: 👉 https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/news/busright-raises-30m-to-enhance-platform-features 👉  https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/articles/2026-trailblazer-keith-corso-of-busright 👉  2027Trailblazer nominations: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8645507/2027-SBF-Trailblazers-Award-Nomination-Form-copy 👉 Learn more and apply to attend SBFX: https://www.schoolbusfleetconnex.com The Route is sponsored by IC Bus, proudly offering vehicles and solutions that are ahead of their class. 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

Kathy Calkins didn’t plan on becoming a transportation director, but her journey from school bus driver to Administrator of the Year is a powerful example of what can happen when someone leads with heart. In this episode of The Route, Amanda Huggett sits down with our 2026 district transportation award winner from North Clackamas Schools in Oregon. Calkins shares how positive behavior strategies, strong relationships, and a hands-on leadership style helped her build a culture where drivers feel valued and students thrive. In this discussion, you’ll learn: Kathy Calkins' leadership storyHow PBIS shifted her entire approachThe power of listening and building fun intotheir cultureTips for learning (and remembering) people’snamesNavigating change and managing relationshipsAdvice for aspiring leaders This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IC Bus.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

EverDriven is expanding beyond alternative transportation and into school bus routing. In this interview, Greg Jackson shares how the company’s new Consolidated Routing Services division is designed to support transportation teams facing driver shortages, tighter budgets, and increasingly complex student needs. What you’ll learn in this interview: What prompted EverDriven’s move from alternative transportation to the yellow busWho qualifies to use their consolidated routing servicesWhat EverDriven’s new service is, and what it isn’tThe expertise Greg and EverDriven bring to the new divisionWhat costs are involved and how little it can take to get to a budget surplusExamples of route efficiencies EverDriven can help identify and why it mattersWhat the process and implementation for customers will look likeHow success for the division will be measuredWhere school bus routing is headed and AI’s place in the puzzleHow to be a part of the pilot serviceThis video is sponsored by EverDriven, which provides safe, small-vehicle student transportation that works alongside district bus fleets, supporting students who need specialized routes or more flexible solutions, including special education, foster care, and McKinney-Vento students. To learn more and get started with EverDriven’s consolidated routing services, visit everdriven.com or contact Jackson at [email protected] or 945-227-8300. 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

If you’re a transportation director tired of bidding everything year after year or wondering whether your district is leaving opportunities on the table, we’ve got just the conversation for you. In this episode of The Route, Amanda Huggett sits down with Andy Campbell and Steph Eckes from Sourcewell to talk about all things cooperative purchasing. We cover how group purchasing power can help school transportation departments save time, reduce administrative burden, and protect limited budgets. In this discussion, you’ll learn: • What cooperative purchasing actually means and what product categories it includes • How it compares to traditional bids and state contracts • Why “low bid” isn’t always the best value • How districts can maintain compliance while gaining flexibility • Common misconceptions about cooperative contracts and how to get started This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IC Bus.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

Just in time for Minnesota’s School Bus Driver Appreciation Day during Love the Bus month, meet one local driver with half a century of experience driving students. School Bus Fleet editor Amanda Huggett sits down in Princeton, Minnesota, with Connie Duff, a school bus driver who began her career in 1972 and hasn’t looked back since. From stick-shift buses and no training to today’s rigorous safety standards, Duff shares how the job has changed — and what hasn’t. Watch to hear: • How training has evolved over five decades • The biggest changes in traffic and safety • Lessons learned from emergency situations • Advice for new drivers • Why appreciation matters • And why the industry still needs more drivers

School bus safety doesn’t stop at the wheelchair lift or the steps. In this episode of The Route, Amanda Huggett sits down with Brianna Paauwe, product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user bringing lived experience to an industry that impacts students every day. Paauwe breaks down what “good” wheelchair securement looks like from a rider’s point of view, why refresher training matters (not just one-and-done onboarding), and how small shifts in communication can protect safety and promote dignity. Plus, get the inside scoop on AMF Bruns’ new podcast, Beyond Mobility, created to broaden conversations around mobility, independence, and access. Themes and topics in this episode: Why securement safety is often an application andtraining issue (not just equipment)What drivers, aides, and routers should understand about time, angles, and consistency.Simple ways to support rider dignity through communication and autonomy.Why “one size fits all” approach doesn’t apply.Why there’s hope for the future of transportation mobility and how we can get there together.This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IC Bus.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

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 and electric school buses to seat belt debates, safety legislation, and the everyday heroism of drivers and transportation professionals, this episode reflects on how far school transportation has come and where it’s headed next. Themes and topics in this episode: Technology growth: cameras, safety systems, training toolsThe rise in alternative fuelsSeat belt debates spanning decadesStop-arm violations and tragic incidents shaping policySchool bus drivers as everyday heroesAdvice for transportation directorsThis episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IC Bus.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

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 transportation. This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IC Bus.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/

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 law enforcement, Hagan offers insights into emerging trends, what’s working today, and what’s next for fleets ready to embrace smarter, data-driven safety tools. Links to reference: 👉 The Illegal Passing Problem: Reducing School Bus Stop-Arm Violations👉 Safe Fleet’s Illegal Passing SuiteThis episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IC Bus.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🚌 Stay up to date on all industry news and trends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.schoolbusfleet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow and connect with SCHOOL BUS FLEET on social media: - Connect with SBF on LinkedIn ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/school-bus-fleet/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Like SBF on Facebook ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/schoolbusfleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow SBF on X ➡️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/SchoolBusFleet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠⁠ -Follow us on Instagram ➡️ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/schoolbusfleet/