Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses
Release Date: 03/18/2025
Supportive, not Punitive: Collaborating for Improved Student Rider Behavior
School Transportation Nation
Dive into school bus safety, technology and data security in the new STN . We also analyze a Canadian study on electric bus equity and the school bus industry's lobbying efforts in the U.S. Lisa Navarra, certified child behavior specialist, author and upcoming keynote speaker, discusses bringing together education and transportation personnel to support good behavior in student bus riders with special needs. Read more about . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School-Radio.
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Overcoming Tragedy: Newtown School Shooting Creates Classroom, Bus Safety Advocate
School Transportation Nation
Headlines on the 2025 National Association for Pupil Transportation award winners, a new study on the financial savings of electric school buses, and the clean fuel choices districts are making. “Our work is nowhere near done.” Mother and educator Michele Gay joins us for a heartfelt conversation about her daughter with special needs, losing her in the 2014 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, subsequently co-founding Safe and Sound Schools, the continued need for classroom and bus safety advocacy, and her upcoming keynote. Read more about . Episode sponsors:...
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A Lot of Uncertainty: IC Bus VP & GM Discusses What Customers Need to Know
School Transportation Nation
Tony and Ryan discuss regulatory updates, the importance of vendor partnerships, a sensationalized incident involving a Texas school bus, and this year’s Garage Stars. Charles Chilton, vice president and general manager of IC Bus, discusses his engineering and school bus driver background, navigating the uncertain clean bus market, and supporting IC Bus customers. Read more about . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus.
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Not Just a Job: Hear From Dick Fischer School Bus Safety Scholarship Award Winner
School Transportation Nation
More EPA regulatory changes in the truck and bus market prompt continuing clean fuel conversations. Also, learn more about the crucial training at the upcoming . Kara Sands, transportation lead trainer and driver at Hanover Community Schools Corporation in Indiana, was selected to receive the inaugural Dick Fischer School Bus Safety Scholarship for STN EXPO West this year. She discusses ways to promote safe school bus operations and her takeaways from STN EXPO. Read more about . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus.
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Legacy & Leadership: Award-Winning Suffolk Transportation Talks NY Operations
School Transportation Nation
Ryan and Taylor evaluate a U.S. Department of Energy report questioning electric grid safety and share breaking news on the . New York contractor Suffolk Transportation was recently honored with the National School Transportation Association’s Contractor of the Year award. Assistant Vice Presidents Joseph and Johnny Corrado, along with Chief Operating Officer Tommy Smith, discuss upholding the family business legacy, providing students with safe service and navigating operations in an ever-modernizing environment. Read more about . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus.
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Learning Curve: EPA Surprise, Young Michigan Asst. TD Talks Leadership
School Transportation Nation
Big news as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency looks to greenhouse gas regulations. How will school bus manufacturers and school districts respond? Also read the new of STN magazine. Nashawn Craig, assistant director of transportation and fleet at Taylor Schools in Michigan, discusses aspects of leadership including being promoted as a younger person, retaining staff, collaborating with administration and implementing new technology. Read more about . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus.
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I Believe in This: Illegal Passing Drops & Michigan Pupil Transportation Leader Speaks
School Transportation Nation
A deep dive into the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services’ 13th National Stop Arm Violation Count as well as updates on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Funding program and electric bus manufacturer LION. Hear from Katrina Morris, who is the transportation director for West Shore Educational Service District in Michigan, executive director of the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, and this year’s Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence . Her Proactive Response Training for School Bus Drivers is being taught in...
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Recap STN EXPO West: It All Comes Back To Safety & Training
School Transportation Nation
Magic tricks, Wi-Fi updates, an OEM panel, data security, leadership advice, evacuation training in a smoking bus and more! Tony, Ryan and Taylor discuss highlights from STN EXPO West that wrapped up last week in Reno, Nevada. Read more . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School-Radio, RIDE.
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Onsite at STN EXPO West: Innovations & Partnerships for School Transportation Success
School Transportation Nation
David Weber, business development manager for School-Radio, analyzes new bus radio and communication technology solutions that can optimize district operations. Regional Sales Manager James Holtz gives us a glimpse of the innovative new electric school bus Blade Battery from RIDE. Amidst rapid developments in the clean fuel school bus market, Francisco “Paco” Lagunas, general manager of the North American bus market for Cummins, and Richard Garvin, director of strategy and commercial business development, present answers from the energy leader. Director of Transportation Teri Mapengo...
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Tornado Warning: Illinois Rising Star Discusses Leadership, Operations
School Transportation Nation
Learn more about STN’s Innovator of Year in the new July issue and get excited for STN EXPO West this month. Additionally, Washington D.C. experiments with speed limiters. Christopher Faust, transportation director for Sangamon Valley CUSD #9 in Illinois and a 2024 STN Rising Star, discusses leading a new district, surviving tornadoes and a windstorm that blew away part of a facility, facilitating technology and teamwork improvements, and anticipation for STN EXPO West. Read more about and see the . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, RIDE, School-Radio.
info_outlineAnalysis on NAPT‘s new three-point, lap-shoulder seatbelt recommendation, the New York City Department of Education’s large technology RFP, and hands-on school bus emergency training in Texas.
Participate in more discussions about safety and technology at STN EXPO Charlotte and STN EXPO Reno, which both include the Bus Technology Summit and the Green Bus Summit.
“We’re not looking for a buyer, we’re looking for a partner.” Jason Yan, vice president of sales at RIDE Mobility, discusses how battery safety and development enhances electric school bus operation and range.
Read more about operations.
Episode sponsors: Transfinder, RIDE.