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ZŪM: TRANSPORTATION LESSONS FROM THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR LAUNCH


It’s the tail end of Back to School—the perfect time to reflect and learn from this year’s launch.


Zūm shares key takeaways on how districts can address common challenges.


Z


ūm, the leading national provider of modern- ized student transportation to school districts like San Francisco Unified, Oakland Unified, Los Angeles Unified, Seattle Public Schools,


San Bernardino City Unified, Spokane Public Schools and Howard County Public Schools in Maryland has authored this case study to address the three most common student transportation challenges today—1) school bus driver shortages, 2) changes to/stacking of bell schedules, and 3) outdated routing, transportation management, and communication technology—and what school districts can do to solve them.


1) Solving School Bus Driver Shortages


Challenge School bus driver shortages are nothing new, but the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated staffing issues, encouraging many in an already aging workforce to retire. Howard County was particularly hard hit. In its student transportation RFP for the 2023-2024 school year, Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) disclosed to all bidders that incumbent contractors were short by 100+ school bus drivers—20% of the District’s needs—and had been for years. In Zūm’s experience, this shortage exists because: 1. Driving an outdated, analog school bus isn’t attractive to Gen Z professionals, who are technology-native and want to be at the forefront of innovation;


2. Bus drivers aren’t compensated well (poor hourly rates, limited medical benefits, no 401K), and can earn more driving for Amazon, UPS, or city transit;


3. Contractors use antiquated recruitment and training methods.


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