Conver sations For more information visit
stnonline.com or contact us at
info@stnmedia.com.
School Transportation News
School Bus Driver Shortages Create Wider Consequences for Students
stnonline.com/go/pr
I drove a school bus back in high school, 1976- 1977. We had student drivers. The buses were governed to 35 mph and interstate restricted. Best safety record. Now, I earned my CDL to drive an activity bus for my district. Pay is OK but should be more for the responsibility we have. If your district needs drivers, make it worth it. Facebook/Doug
Thomas
CONTRIBUTORS: Linda F. Bluth, Ed. D. Carol Brzozowski Debbie Curtis S.Z. Estavillo Kari Lydersen
Due to driver shortages, districts are consolidating routes or often completely changing routes. Often these changes are software driven. However, the software doesn’t take into account the human factor. Due to “optimization,” routes change and drivers get all different students. The ability for drivers to get to know students is critical for safety and discipline. That is being damaged by the trend of consolidation of routes. Not to mention routing software typically doesn’t understand the safety issues that may affect a given route. Drivers do. Facebook/Robert
Owensby Join the conversations
It’s not as easy as a lot of people think. You have to pass a background check. Pass a physical. Get a Class B CDL driver’s license and a School Bus Driver Endorsement (both requiring written and road tests) for starters. Not to mention drive a 40-foot, 16,000- to 22,000-pound vehicle having to deal with weather, inattentive drivers, bus stop violations, road rage, wildlife and disrespectful students with questionable district support. But other than that, it’s a great job! Facebook/Vinny Valdez
School Transportation News Published by STN Media Group
5334 Torrance Blvd. 1st Floor Torrance, CA 90503
Tel: 310-792-2226 Fax: 310-792-2231
stnonline.com
President & Publisher Tony Corpin
Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray
Managing Editor Taylor Ekbatani
Editorial Assistant Merari Acevedo
Technical Editor At-Large Robert T. Pudlewski
Lead Designer Kimber Horne
Graphic Design Maria Molina
Circulation Andrea Dugmore
Chairman of the Board Bill Paul
Vice President Colette Paul
Client Services/ Digital Media Coord. Claudia Newton
Event Manager Alice Hung Sabedra
Sr. Event Coordinator Amy Yamakawa
Event Coordinator Trynne Fournier
Events Assistant Kristine Hannon
Accounting Lisa Douglas
Creative Consultant Vincent Rios Creative, Inc.
Amanda Pampuro Jim Romeo Mark Rowh David Volz Eric Woolson
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Mike Bullman, South Carolina Department of Education Denny Coughlin, Consultant Michael Dorn, Safe Havens International Ned Einstein, Transportation Alternatives Launi Harden, Consultant Pete Meslin, Consultant Alexandra Robinson, Consultant Michael Shields, Consultant
HOW TO CONTACT STN: School Transportation News welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and are subject to editing for grammar, style and space. Submissions must be legible, include a signature, job title/employer name, valid mailing and/or email address, and telephone number. Unsigned letters or letters signed only with a pseudonym or initials will not be used. Email letters to:
ryan@stnmedia.com or send via U.S. mail to:
School Transportation News P.O. Box 789 Redondo Beach, CA 90277
The views and opinions in School Transportation News are those of the editorial staff. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the members of the Editorial Advisory Board or their organizations. Individuals serving on the board are advisors only and are not responsible for the editorial content.
For permission to reuse materials in this publication, contact STN Editor Ryan Gray, at
ryan@stnonline.com, or by phone at 310-792-2226 or by fax at 310-792-2231. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. Printed in the U.S.A.
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40065374 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Winsor, ON N9A 6J5 Canada
12 School Transportation News • SEPTEMBER 2026
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
