Green Evolution: Clean Bus, Fuel Choice Updates for Transportation Directors
Release Date: 03/17/2026
School Transportation Nation
We discuss the postponement of the New York state electric mandate, feedback on the annual NASDPTS illegal passing survey, the impact of Daylight Savings Time conversations on students, and accolades for former STN Transportation Director of the Year Teresa Fleming of the School District of Philadelphia at Zum’s Mobility Summit. See how mentorship and teamwork star in the noteworthy career of Sandy Dillman, a longtime school transportation director and certified driver trainer who was named the 2026 Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence winner at STN EXPO West last month. Read more...
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We analyze the conversations at the National School Transportation Association’s annual convention, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study on autonomous vehicle safety, and how student transporters can respond to the evolving trends of AI and new technology. Cameron Wood, the lead electric vehicle performance analyst for school bus contractor Student Transportation of America, shares how his technical background led him to brainstorm an EV charging solution and accept the Innovator of the Year award at STN EXPO West this month. Read more about Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC...
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Tony, Ryan and Taylor go over the highlights from STN EXPO West last week which focused on not only skills, technology and training but also teambuilding, workplace culture and making emotional connections. Highlights included focused inspection and special needs trainings, a musical keynote, Great Gatsby and Alice in Wonderland themed networking events, multiple awards given, a Mr. Bus Driver appearance, a military leadership panel, the Green Bus Summit and Bus Technology Summit, an AI track, and the Pete & Dick Show. Read more Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus, School Radio.
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Nicole Wheeldon, North American general manager of buses for Cummins, and Matt McGinn, senior director of e-mobility sales for Accelera by Cummins, examine exciting product innovations and meeting customer needs amid school bus energy options, rising costs and tightened budgets. Enterprise Account Manager Chase Cloyd shares how Netradyne’s AI-driven cameras and technology take a proactive approach to school bus driver coaching, safety around the bus and incident review. Co-founder Michael Tinter reviews how the universal, easily installed Magnetic Mic radio mounts, which got their start in...
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Communications came in #3 on procurement lists created by attendees at . Business Development Manager David Weber discusses how School Radio supports reliable communication for the professionals transporting precious cargo on school buses. Joel Stutheit, former transportation director who now serves as senior manager of Autogas business development for the Propane Education & Research Council, shares why propane makes financial and operational sense for school districts, such as Oregon’s Beaverton School District which has seen great success with the fuel. Matt Reich, who oversees...
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Transfinder announced its annual Top Transportation Teams award winners, the industry is concerned about autonomous vehicles ignoring school bus stop arms, and two federal grants provide opportunities for school transportation emergency training. Veteran transportation leader Jim Schiffler draws on his personal and family experience in the school bus industry to offer thoughtful advice on building stronger teams and healthier workplace cultures, from company values and unions to recruitment and promotions. He’ll share more at in July. Read more about Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School...
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Summer plans, school bus driver fatigue, diesel dominance and a student transportation safety reminder after an elephant killed a mother walking to school with her kids in India. Director of Transportation Richard Jimenez shares why AI is not something to fear and how he leverages it in his operations at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in Southern California. He will participate in a panel on the topic at this July. Read more about Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.
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Tony and Taylor are back with their recommendations on sessions you must attend at in July. It’s a packed conference and trade show including an in-demand mentorship program, CEO Tech Talks, military-inspired leadership and the Best of the Dick & Pete Show. Dr. Michael Hout, professor of psychology and kinesiology at New Mexico State University, joins Ryan to discuss research into illegal school bus passing, effective ways to count incidents, the brains of offenders, the role of technology and AI, and his upcoming STN EXPO West session on the topic. Read more about Episode sponsors:...
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We examine a school bus shooting in Pennsylvania, how the federal BUILD 250 Act would cut Safe Streets and Roads for All funding, and transportation’s role in student absenteeism. Speaker, author and branding expert Bruce Turkel shares why it’s important for school bus operations to build a brand in an age of increasing multi-modality, discusses leveraging emotions over facts to reach the right audience, and previews his musical training in July. Read more about Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.
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Summer break is upon us but student transporters are already ramping up for the new school year amid financial challenges. Plus, the of School Transportation News magazine is out, and a camera caught a scary illegal passing incident that injured a student in Florida. Ryan Hahn, owner of Strategic School Consultants and a former transportation director, sheds light on current school district financial hardships, creative and collaborative operational strategies, and his upcoming sessions on the topic at this July. Read more about Episode isponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.
info_outlineWe 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.