Latest news with #studenttransportation
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Public Schools to cut some yellow buses, place more middle schoolers on Metro
More than a thousand additional Cincinnati Public Schools students, most of whom are middle schoolers, will ride public transportation this year. The district's board of education approved moving the seventh- and eighth-grade students from yellow school buses to Cincinnati Metro during a recent business meeting. The cost-cutting measure comes as the district works this month to bridge a roughly $50 million budget gap between the current fiscal year and the upcoming one before the June 30 deadline. That gap was prompted by a decrease in government funds, and not, according to the district, due to overspending. The change impacts 1,260 students across 13 schools, the district's Chief Operating Officer Chris Burkhardt said, and will save the district almost $3 million per year. Most of Cincinnati Public Schools' high school students already ride Metro buses, as do some seventh and eighth-graders. Roughly 10,500 students rode Metro buses for school transportation last school year and roughly 2,800 of them were seventh and eighth graders. The board approved moving seventh and eighth-graders who attend grades seven to 12 schools to Metro busing last July. The decision to increase student ridership was made despite recent concerns about teen violence in Downtown and Oakley connected to students from Cincinnati Public Schools riding the Metro buses. A handful of high schoolers riding Metro were involved in brawls and an assault at bus stations in 2024. Metro and the district said they have been working to address safety concerns. School board member Ben Lindy said moving more students to Metro was a difficult decision. However, district officials said they meet regularly with Metro to address student safety concerns. "Given our experience these past few years and the work our transportation team has done," Lindy said, "I think this is a tough but right decision." This upcoming school year, students will ride Metro buses even if they attend a school that also serves younger grades, such as a K-12 school or one with kids from sixth through eighth grades. The switch also affects some high schoolers who were not assigned to ride Metro in the past. The following schools are impacted by the change: Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies. Academy of World Languages. Hartwell School. LEAP Academy. Mt. Washington School. Oyler School. Pleasant Hill Academy. Roberts Academy. Roselawn Condon School. Sayler Park School. School for Creative and Performing Arts. South Avondale School. Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students. High schoolers at Sayler Park School and Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students will now ride Metro if they choose to use a bus system. The district said it anticipates saving about $2.9 million annually based on internal cost comparisons. Yellow bus service costs an average of $3,085 per student, while Metro costs approximately $364 per student. Students can choose which high school they want to attend, and with Metro, the district doesn't need to hire a yellow bus to take a small number of students to and from a specific school, Burkhardt said. Metro has pre-determined routes that can carry students across the city. Burkhardt said he meets weekly with Metro to discuss student safety and to determine if changes need to be made. One of the areas they've worked to address is Government Square. In January 2024, there were multiple high-profile attacks in Downtown, which police traced back to students who congregated at Government Square. Individuals from the district, Metro, Cincinnati police and the city of Cincinnati worked together to create a larger adult presence at the bus station. A group of community outreach specialists has been staffed at the stop, watching the students and passing out flyers for job opportunities and various programming since February 2024. Metro spokesperson Brandy Jones said the community ambassadors will continue to be at Government Square and the Northside Transit Center every day during the upcoming school year. The district said it also tries to ensure that only students who absolutely need to transfer through Government Square do so. "It takes a village," Burkhardt said. "It takes all of us working together to make sure that students not only are safe, but that they feel safe." Jones said Metro has several measures in place for the safety of all passengers. Metro buses and transit centers have cameras and security monitors. Metro also contracts with the Cincinnati Police Department to staff transit centers and to conduct random rides on routes. If students have any issues while riding, Jones said, they are encouraged to notify the bus operator, who will address the concern or call for assistance. "Historically, we rarely have any safety issues involving students riding with the general public," said Jones. Officials from the district and transit company said they are working together to help students who are new to riding Metro. Jones outlined the following reminders to help students adjust to public transportation: The bus service encourages parents to ride the route with their student prior to the first day of class. Parents can ride with their student to class free of charge during the first week of school. Metro staff members will attend orientation sessions at schools to answer questions and help parents identify the best route for their student. Parents can visit for answers to frequently asked questions. Jones said Metro has provided transportation to students for more than 50 years. "What we have found, year over year … is that students are pretty adaptable," she said, "and it's a pretty smooth travel experience to and from class." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools places 1,200 more students on Metro buses
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
EverDriven Expands AI Video Safety Partnership with Powerfleet to Enhance Student Transportation Across 34 States
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Powerfleet (Nasdaq: AIOT), a global leader in AI-powered data intelligence, today announced an expanded deployment of its advanced AI video safety solution with EverDriven Technologies, a trusted leader in alternative student transportation across the United States. EverDriven operates across 34 states with 9,000+ drivers completing over 2 million trips annually. Due to the overwhelming interest from their school district partners, EverDriven will complete a major AI video safety deployment, scaling its relationship with Powerfleet to circa 4,000 subscribers. This initiative enhances driver safety, automated coaching, and real-time risk detection, reinforcing EverDriven's safety-first mission. "Our growing partnership with EverDriven highlights the increasing demand for Unity's AI-powered safety solutions in North America," said Steve Towe, CEO of Powerfleet. "We are proud to support EverDriven in delivering safer, more reliable mobility for students across the country. This collaboration further demonstrates the growth of our Unity safety solutions in our number one priority market." Powerfleet Unity's AI video technology leverages machine learning and computer vision to detect critical events, assess driving behavior, and provide real-time interventions. By identifying risks and enabling targeted coaching, it improves student safety and school district confidence. "At EverDriven, our primary mission is to ensure that every student has access to safe, reliable transportation to and from school," said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven. "Our exclusive partnership with Powerfleet and the implementation of AI video technology marks a significant advancement in our safety protocols. The AI-powered capabilities have already proven to enhance driver performance, provide peace of mind, and, most importantly, help ensure the well-being of the students we serve. With the growing adoption of this technology across districts, our decision to significantly expand deployment reflects our confidence in the benefits of AI video and our commitment to setting new standards in student transportation." For more information on Powerfleet's AI-driven Unity safety solutions, visit About Powerfleet Powerfleet (Nasdaq: AIOT) is a global leader in AI-powered data intelligence, optimizing mobile asset performance, safety, and sustainability. Powerfleet's award winning Unity SaaS solution portfolio integrates AI, machine learning, and IoT connectivity to provide mission-critical insights for industrial, logistics, and transportation sectors. With 48,000 customers across 120 countries, Powerfleet empowers businesses with data-driven intelligence to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and workforce productivity. Learn more at About EverDriven EverDriven is the trusted leader in alternative student transportation, dedicated to ensuring that the most vulnerable children in the U.S. have access to safe and reliable transportation. Operating across 34 states with a network of over 9,000 drivers completing more than 2 million trips annually, EverDriven partners with school districts nationwide to eliminate transportation barriers and support student success. For more information, visit Powerfleet Investor ContactsCarolyn Capaccio and Jody BurfeningAlliance Advisors IRAIOTIRTeam@ Powerfleet Media ContactJonathan +44 7921 242 892 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Powerfleet
