they will stay on for a predeter- mined time after the ignition has been switched off, which has been very helpful.”


Moving Forward In moving ahead with


digital radio or other com- munication options, a careful approach is a must, Hudson- ville’s Matthews emphasized. “Carefully vet your vendors


when opening bids and se- lecting a partner,” he advised. “Two-way radio communi- cation is a mission-critical element of student trans- portation. You need to know that you’re partnering with an experienced and reliable business partner.”


Two-way radio communication is a mission-


critical element of student transportation.


You need to know you’re partnering with an


experienced and reliable business


partner.” -Rob Matthews,


Hudsonville Public Schools in Michigan


That includes careful selection of equipment and software suites using proven technologies with which the vendor is experienced. “Technology and change can be scary and challenging at times, but very useful if given an opportunity to try something new,” Hayes said, adding that while there are some aspects of transportation that are fine with the “don’t fix what isn’t broken” mentality, communications isn’t one of them. “While there are also endless


opportunities out there to ‘im- prove what isn’t broken’ as well, some of that improvement just may require an open mind to trying a new technology or tool,” he concluded. ●


TRANSPORT NATIONWIDE INC.


It’s Easy to Join Our E-mail List!


Get STN’s Digital Magazine, E-News and More.


Visit stnonline.com/go/enews


BUS TRANSPORTATION 614.822.9062


NATIONWIDE


Robert.SprinterTransport@gmail.com 46 School Transportation News • FEBRUARY 2025


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