Massachusetts district modernizes fleet by going electric

LAWRENCE, Mass. – As gas prices remain an ongoing concern, too many districts continue paying a premium to keep fleets moving. In addition to contending with the cost of fueling school buses with diesel fuel, is the issue of significant emissions. Looking to the future, officials announced plans Monday to update the district’s fleet on […]

School bus driver recruitment bouncing back after pandemic shortage

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM, Aug. 29) – This week marks the first day of school for many across western Massachusetts. We know the pandemic worsened the nationwide school bus driver shortage and last school year, some districts faced bus route delays because of it.“I kind of looked at it and I was like, ‘Hey, I’ve driven […]

Push to recruit bus drivers in MA before first day of school

LAWRENCE, Mass. — Students in Massachusetts will be heading back to school in a few weeks and transportation companies are making a late push to recruit more bus drivers. Beacon Mobility, which provides transportation for children in more than 60 school districts across the state, said it is facing a driver shortage of about 10%. […]

Proposed school bus cameras would capture driver violations

BOSTON – A new school bus technology that would make it safer for children to ride the school bus is being considered by legislators. The legislation would allow video cameras on school buses to capture vehicles who don’t stop for buses with their lights on and ultimately take action against that driver. “When they’re crossing […]

The Human Element: Making things better for employees, customers

On April 26, School Transportation News rolled out a podcast, featuring Beacon Mobility CEO Judith Crawford. During the podcast, the discussion revolved around the importance of training and partnerships, marketplace trends, and how to maximize support for both her team and the school districts that Beacon serves. Listen in on the podcast, to learn how […]

Salter driver once again helps Boston Marathon runners to start

Boston Marathon runners being transported by a Salter Transportation bus.

HAMILTON (CBS) — For the last 22 years, Linda Heitz has been helping runners get to the starting line of the Boston Marathon. “We all have a job to do here. And my job is to get you to the start line. Your job is to get to the finish. And I’m wishing you the […]

Mass. National Guard steps in to aid in school transportation

Massachusetts National Guard begins training for 7D certifications to begin transporting students.

READING – It usually takes longer than one day to become a school bus driver but more than 60 members of the Massachusetts National Guard were able to go through the entire process Tuesday at Camp Curtis Guild and they’ll be ready to hit the streets this week. Sixty-seven members of the National Guard left […]