PODCAST · news
School Transportation Nation
by School Transportation News
For nearly 30 years, you've known School Transportation News magazine and STNonline.com as the premier sources of pupil transportation news and analysis. Now, join the School Transportation Nation podcast, as STN Publisher Tony Corpin and Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray discuss the day's pertinent issues and talk with guests about the business of getting children safely to and from school and related activities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Episodes
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Child-Centered Decision Making: Decades of Special Needs Transportation Focus
Analysis on safety conversations revived by a fatal Florida crash that killed a student and motorist, School Bus Safety Month, and discussion at the recent National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference & Trade Show. Consultant Sue Shutrump is a retired occupational and physical...
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Safety Through Training: School Bus Rollovers, Child Dragged, Staff Abuse
We analyze safety and training lessons from the leadership-themed October issue of School Transportation News, the question of seatbelts in two scary school bus rollovers in Texas and Indiana, a child dragged by school bus loading doors in New York, and a driver and aide arrested for spraying...
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Calvin & Christina: Safety-Conscious Student Transportation
The student transportation industry faces questions after a 7-year-old student rider in a wheelchair died on her bus. Additionally, rising fuel costs alongside declining enrollment complicate matters. Gabrielle Marie Kelley aka "Gabie the Author," former school bus dispatcher and current office...
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Student Transporter Struggles: Tackling Staffing, Funding & Training
We discuss how non-domiciled CDL restrictions exacerbate the school bus driver shortage, new research on school zone and bus stop safety, reframing the student transportation conversation, and conference updates. Consultant Launi Harden, who served as the former transportation director at...
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Better Outcomes: Expert's Insider Advice on Transporting Students with Disabilities
School startup across the U.S. comes with noteworthy snafus at Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland, tragic student fatalities, and speculation on electric bus mandates and funding. Glenna Wright-Gallo, vice president of policy for software provider Everway, leverages her personal...
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Building Trust: Alternative Transportation Supports Consistent Education Access
We examine the potential fallout from proposed changes to the Head Start program, increased danger as students return to school, a tornado that devastated a Wisconsin bus contractor, and updates from NAPT and TSD Conference. Parker Muirbrook, strategic sales director at EverDriven, discusses new...
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The Mission: Supporting Education & Independence for Students with Special Needs
School districts focus on service and safety amidst students returning to school nationwide and new research on cellphone distraction among motorists. Plus, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services reiterated its support of lap/shoulder seatbelts on school…
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Unpacking Updates: Legal Eagle Illuminates U.S. Department of Education Shifts
Back to school safety is forefront as an illegal passing PSA features a retired Detroit Lions offensive lineman; meanwhile, a South Carolina student was fatally shot at a school bus stop. Plus, send your best school bus photos to [email protected]. Special education attorney Julie Weatherly...
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Been Around the Block: Transportation Director of the Year Expertise & Advice
Taylor sits down for a special extended conversation with STN's 2025 Transportation Director of the Year Keba Baldwin, director of transportation and fleet services at Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. He talks school startup operations, parent and media communication, AI and...
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Trying to Make A Difference: 40 Years of Service & Leadership Honored
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...
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Industry Innovation: 26-Year-Old Contractor Star & Evolving School Bus Tech
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…
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Recap STN EXPO West: Harmonicas, Great Gatsby, Transportation Teambuilding
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…
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Onsite at STN EXPO West, Pt. 2: Oregon District Tackles Driver Shortages, Student Behavior
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…
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Onsite at STN EXPO West, Pt. 1: Hear From Repeat Top Transportation Team Winners
Communications came in #3 on procurement lists created by Transportation Director Summit attendees at STN EXPO West. Business Development Manager David Weber discusses how School Radio supports reliable communication for the professionals transporting precious cargo on school buses. Joel…
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Put People First: School Bus Driver Shortages & Retention Advice
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…
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Student Transportation Never Sleeps: AI, Bathroom Breaks & Elephants
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...
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Leadership & Lawbreakers: Top STN EXPO West Picks, Illegal Passing Deep Dive
Tony and Taylor are back with their recommendations on sessions you must attend at STN EXPO West 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…
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The School Bus Ecosystem: Adapting to Multi-modality & Building a Brand
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...
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Summer's Here & So Is a Budget Cliff: Advocating for Transportation Solutions
Summer break is upon us but student transporters are already ramping up for the new school year amid financial challenges. Plus, the June issue 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…
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Past & Future: Fuel Volatility, 10 Years of School Transportation Trends
We analyze what 188 school districts shared in a survey about fuel prices, the impact of world events and the upcoming Clean School Bus Program, timely discussion planned for STN EXPO West in July, and a California school bus driver recognized by the state. With 10 years' experience in the...
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Buy With Confidence: Fuel Price Frustration, School Bus Buying Tips
We discuss fuel cost anxiety and the impact of a proposed federal fuel tax suspension, plus safety lessons to learn from the latest student pedestrian fatality in New York City. What should you consider before buying a bus? Isaac Linson, CEO of BusesForSale.com, joins us to discuss current school...
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Sci-Fi School Bus? ACT EXPO Takeaways on Tech, Robots, Propane & More
Tony and Ryan discuss takeaways from the ACT EXPO this past week in Las Vegas, which took a deep dive into clean fuel choices, autonomous vehicles, robotics in manufacturing, electrification interest and more. Director of Transportation Anthony Jackson joins us to discuss the operational, cost…
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It's Your Job: Industry Legend Dick Fischer Talks School Bus Safety, Training
More U.S. Environmental Protection Agency news and webinars on funding, plus how clean energy demand intersects with AI's need for resources. Conversations continue at ACT EXPO this week and the Green Bus Summit at STN EXPO West in July. "The tragedy will never leave you." Shocking real-life...
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Bus Drivers as First Responders: School Transportation Active Threat Response Training
Safety and training are forefront as the NTSB is investigating a Tennessee school bus crash that killed two teenage girls and an Oregon school bus driver was arrested for allegedly transporting students while intoxicated. Plus, new Clean School Bus program details are incoming, just in time for…
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Moose in the Road: Making School Bus Operations Work in Alaska
We cover industry shoutouts, conference connections, a terrifying bus vs. train encounter and Diesel Emissions Reduction Act updates. "One thing about transportation [is] it's never boring."Transportation Supervisor Melody Best offers a behind-the-scenes look at how operations are handled in…
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Technology Tools for Bus Drivers: No More Struggling with Paper Route Sheets
Conversations on a fatal Texas school bus crash that killed two girls last month, a new funding strategies playbook that includes transportation opportunities, and the National School Bus Inspection Training Program offered at STN EXPO East and STN EXPO West. Keith Corso identified operational...
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STN EXPO East: Connection, Leadership & Quality Transportation Products
Tony and Taylor review the most compelling takeaways from STN EXPO East in Charlotte, Noth Carolina this past week. From rock star leadership and workplace culture advice, to a bus mirror training that went viral, to the latest in cutting edge tech shown on the Trade Show floor, attendees and...
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Fuse Your Ideas: Connection & Innovation Onsite at STN EXPO East 2026
Christopher Faust, transportation director for Sangamon Valley CUSD #9 in Illinois and John Daniels, vice president of marketing for Transfinder, discuss utilizing multiple "finder" technologies to assist in operational and procurement challenges at the district. They also share how and why to...
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Meeting Needs: Answering Questions on Alternative Student Transportation
Learn more about our upcoming April magazine, inflation and fuel prices, internet for school buses, record revenue for Zum, district efforts amid ICE enforcement, and a driver dressing to impress. Michael Signer, chief policy and legal officer for EverDriven, discusses the evolution of…
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Green Evolution: Clean Bus, Fuel Choice Updates for Transportation Directors
We 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...
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Deep Dive into Safety: Illegal Passing & Child Restraints, Plus Green Bus Funding
We unpack the National Action Plan for School Bus Safety which sheds light on the non-fatal effects of illegal passing, as well as transportation director comments on green buses during a recent EPA Clean School Bus webinar. Denise Donaldson, the editor and publisher of Safe Ride News…
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Technology Has Blossomed: School Bus Mirrors & Student Safety
More updates on green bus funding from the EPA via the Clean School Bus Program. Plus, we dive into our March issue on optimization and efficiency, whose cover features the smiling school bus team from Loudoun County in Virginia. We see mirrors on school buses every day, but how much have you...
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Something That's Going to Work: Federal Updates + Future of School Bus Communications
We consider what recent headlines mean to the school transportation industry: proposed updates to the Clean School Bus Program, Blue Bird fully acquiring Micro Bird, Trump tariffs being struck down and safety conversations at STN EXPO East this March. Mike Ippolito, chief operating officer of...
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Boots to Buses: Military Formed Georgia Student Transportation Leader
We discuss the potential impact of the national jobs report on school district budgets, the DOT's non-domiciled CDL final rule and cutting-edge technology takeaways from the Geotab Connect conference. "It's all about service: I went from servicing my country to now servicing my community."…
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Community, Not Individual: Maine Superintendent Collaborates for Student, Staff Success
Insights on national school bus contractor First Student's purchase of Chicago area contractor Cook Illinois Corp., the Blue Bird 2026 Q1 earnings report, and a California study on lap/shoulder seatbelt efficacy. "Make sure the right people are on the right seats on the bus." Heather Perry,...
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Emergencies & Training: Lessons Learned From Texas School Bus Crash
The February edition of STN magazine is out, where we continue discussions on the oversight of autonomous vehicles and alternative student transportation. Plus, sign up for school bus inspection training and many more learning opportunities at STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina, this…
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Fighting For Every Dollar: Transportation Funding & Education Access
We cover a harsh winter ice storm, takeaways from the 2026 NSTA Midwinter Meeting, updates to the U.S. EPA's Clean School Bus Program and illegal passing by Waymo autonomous vehicles. Industry consultant Tim Ammon gives tips for transportation budgeting and business efficiency while maximizing...
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Ideas, People & Solutions: Three-Pronged Approach to 'Danger Zone' Safety
Ryan and Taylor discuss upcoming student transportation awards, the NTSB investigation of a fatal school bus dragging, and a Florida bus aide arrested for child abuse. "Education, engineering and enforcement." Student safety is a passion of Derek Graham, an industry consultant and former state...
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2026 Kicks Off: Winter Weather, the World Stage & Rock 'n Roll Leadership
Back-from-break headlines cover winter weather conditions, rockstars and leadership at STN EXPO East, updates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and what impact recent developments in Venezuela could have on the school bus industry. Keynote speaker and best-selling author Jim Knight,...
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2025 in Review: Top STN Online Articles
Tony, Ryan and Taylor discuss the most-read online articles from stnonline.com during 2025, which focused on illegal passing incidents, school bus driver misconduct and students injured or killed. Training is needed for students, parents and drivers. Read all our latest news. Episode sponsor:...
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2025 in Review: Top STN Magazine Articles
Tony, Ryan and Taylor discuss the most-read School Transportation News magazine articles from 2025, which focused on student safety, operational efficiency and technological advancement. STN also recognized outstanding individuals and teams in the industry through programs like Innovator of the...
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End of Year Review: Safety & Technology Trends of 2025
The school bus industry focuses on safety and service amidst students killed by both passing motorists and their own school buses as well as federal shifts in funding and changes to the Department of Education. Plus, we revisit the 2021 murder of a school bus driver and school bus security. From...
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This Is My Path: Washington State's Youngest Transportation Directors
Analysis on the annual National School Bus Loading and Unloading Survey which found six students were killed by school buses over the 2024-2025 school year, a safety PSA in the works around the upcoming Super Bowl, and new plans to dismantle the Department of Education. We are joined by the two...
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Always Something to Learn: Special Needs Takeaways from TSD 2025
Tony, Ryan and Taylor recap the lessons, experiences and takeaways from the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs (TSD) Conference and Trade Show last week. It covered evacuation training in a smoke-filled school bus, legal issues like onboard sexual assaults or objectionable...
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Onsite at TSD 2025 (Part 2/2): Solution-Driven Partners + TD of the Year Interview
EverDriven CEO Mitch Bowling reviews how the alternative transportation company prioritizes safety standards and promotes collaborative brainstorming to provide safe service to the ever-growing population of students with special needs. AlphaRoute CEO John Hanlon shares real-life stories about...
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Onsite at TSD 2025 (Part 1/2): Mission-Critical Partners for Special Needs Transportation
Marty Savino, national account manager for School-Radio, shares how reliable bus radios support student safety and provide dependable communication services for school bus operations. For the three-year anniversary of the founding of FirstAlt by First Student, Vice President Gregg Prettyman...
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Catalyst for Change: Electric School Bus Safety, Inspired Texas Rising Star
Discover the new STN Transportation Director of the Year featured on our November issue cover. Other headlines include a NHTSA investigation after a driverless Waymo car illegally passed a stopped school bus and NTSB recommendations on seatbelts following a Texas school bus crash. Frank Girardot,...
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Nuts and Bolts: Transportation Director of the Year Talks Data-Focused Oregon Ops
After a year of being STN's Transportation Director of the Year, Craig Beaver of Beaverton School District in Oregon joins us to discuss the ins and outs of running a large mixed-fleet school bus operation, pushing the limits with technology and data, navigating current federal changes, and…
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Encourage, not Discourage: NY Top Transportation Team Talks Work Culture
Headlines on "The Lost Bus" movie set during recent California wildfires, a school bus Wi-Fi solution for fiscal year 2025, a $10 million Ohio safety grant for seatbelts, and a Maryland school bus driver union sending flyers home with students to gain parental support of a strike. Gregg Fox,...
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Expert Advice: Special Needs Legal Spotlight, Technology & Top Teams
Headlines include federal restrictions on undocumented workers obtaining CDLs and an investment into education technology. Transfinder President and CEO Antionio Civitella shares how the company's technology tools support students with special needs and discusses the value in participating in the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
For nearly 30 years, you've known School Transportation News magazine and STNonline.com as the premier sources of pupil transportation news and analysis. Now, join the School Transportation Nation podcast, as STN Publisher Tony Corpin and Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray discuss the day's pertinent issues and talk with guests about the business of getting children safely to and from school and related activities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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School Transportation News
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School Transportation Nation currently has 326 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is School Transportation Nation about?
For nearly 30 years, you've known School Transportation News magazine and STNonline.com as the premier sources of pupil transportation news and analysis. Now, join the School Transportation Nation podcast, as STN Publisher Tony Corpin and Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray discuss the day's pertinent issues...
How often does School Transportation Nation release new episodes?
School Transportation Nation publishes regularly with 326 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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School Transportation Nation is created and hosted by School Transportation News.
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