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

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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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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- Subscribe to our videos on YouTube ➡️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolbusfleet⁠