The Route presented by School Bus Fleet

School Bus Fleet
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The Route podcast from School Bus Fleet magazine covers news and explores issues related to pupil transportation, including new technology, safety features, driver staffing, and industry trends.

  1. JAN 15

    70 Years, 100 Episodes: The People, Progress & Purpose Behind Decades of School Busing

    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/

    55 min

  2. 12/12/2025

    Inside IC Bus: Electrification, Technology & What Lies Ahead

    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/

    29 min

  3. 11/11/2025

    Protecting Students with Smarter Tech Aboard the School Bus

    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/

    35 min

  4. 10/14/2025

    When Seconds Save Lives: Active Threat Response & The School Bus

    School bus drivers aren’t just behind the wheel — they’re often the first line of defense when it comes to keeping students safe. In this episode of The Route, we talk with Jim Levine, CEO of S.T.A.R.T., about how training and preparedness can make all the difference in an active threat or emergency situation. From scenario-based training to new safety standards, you’ll learn how districts can support drivers with the tools, confidence, and awareness they need to protect the most vulnerable passengers: our kids. S.T.A.R.T. (School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training) has a national effort to equip drivers and transportation teams with the training they need to recognize, prevent, and respond to active threats before police arrive. For more information, visit www.schoolbusstart.com. Links to reference: 👉 S.T.A.R.T. Launches Back-to-School Active Threat Training 👉  Grant opportunity 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/

    52 min

  5. 09/15/2025

    Beyond the Yellow Bus: Exploring Alternative Student Transportation

    What happens when a traditional school bus isn’t the best fit for a student’s needs? In this episode of The Route, SBF editor Amanda Huggett sits down with EverDriven CEO Mitch Bowling to discuss the growing role of alternative student transportation. From serving students with disabilities and housing challenges to tackling driver shortages and out-of-district trips, Bowling explains how smaller vehicles and tech-enabled solutions are complementing — not replacing — the yellow bus. He also shares insights on safety standards, new legislation like California’s SB 88, and how districts can pilot alternative options with confidence. Key topics discussed: - Why Alternative Transportation - Growth & Demand - Safety Standards & Regulations - Challenges in Alternative Transportation - Technology & Communication - Turning Skepticism Into Trust 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/

    42 min

  6. 08/13/2025

    Safety Lessons from School Bus Accidents with the NTSB

    The school bus may be the safest form of ground transportation, but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible. When the worst does happen, we’re able to learn from what went wrong and take new actions to prevent similar tragedies down the road. In this episode of The Route, we sit down with NTSB accident investigator Meg Sweeney to unpack how real crash investigations are driving change. We cover how factors like where we load and unload students from the bus, use of advanced technologies, and driver education on stop-arm laws and distracted driving can start to turn the tables on accidents and fatalities involving the school bus. Key topics discussed: - What the NTSB Does - What We’ve Learned from Recent Crashes - Why NTSB Supports Seat Belts - Emerging Transportation Safety Issues - Key Takeaways for Transportation Teams 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

    19 min

  7. 07/14/2025

    Human Trafficking & The School Bus

    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 involved in human trafficking efforts to share what you need to know. Hear from: · Greg Jackson, director of client success and industry engagement, School Bus Logistics, and a former Colorado district transportation director · Lexi Higgins, director of industry engagement, TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking Key topics discussed: · Stats about human trafficking and the school bus. · Learn about TAT and its student transportation program. · Red flags to watch out for. · How to report a concern and build a policy. · One real-life story of how a school bus driver’s intuition helped bust a Colorado ring. · The one key takeaway to know to inspire you to know the warning signs and get involved in helping spot human trafficking. 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

    47 min

  8. 06/17/2025

    Reactions to & Highlights from NCST

    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 NCST in Des Moines, Iowa: -Mike LaRocco – Chair of the NCST & Indiana’s state transportation director-Max Christensen – Sr. Safety Advocate, First Light Safety Products, and former Iowa state director and NCST committee member-Teena Mitchell – Special Needs Coordinator, Greenville County Schools, and NCST committee member-Alex Spann – Tennessee’s state transportation director and delegate Key topics: -What the NCST is and why it matters -Behind-the-scenes prep from committee members -The most debated topics on the floor -What’s new with alternative transportation -What these outcomes mean for school districts 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

    42 min
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The Route podcast from School Bus Fleet magazine covers news and explores issues related to pupil transportation, including new technology, safety features, driver staffing, and industry trends.

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