Smithville, MO – Six Durham School Services’ maintenance teams in Missouri have been bestowed the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) for their commitment to safety. The teams awarded were Central, Kearney, Lawson, Savannah, Smithville, and Pleasant Hill. Notably, the Smithville team has earned this award for the first time after beginning its transportation service to the community just last fall.
Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, Stock Transportation, and all other Brands in the NEXS Portfolio to be Included in Acquisition
Jacksonville, FL –Durham School Services celebrated more growth and expansion with the grand opening of its new bus yard facility in Duval County today, which will serve students from Arlington to the Beaches. Team members, school district transportation staff, and local media attended the event.
Hutchinson, KS – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves, has funded the wrapping of two activity buses for Hutchinson Public Schools. The buses will be used to transport students to and from sports events and activities.
Expands Footprint in Illinois
Emphasizes the Importance of CPR and Safety Training
Buses Will Begin Serving Students This Spring
Durham Spotlights Their Story and Experiences
Cumberland, RI – Blackstone Valley Prep (BVP) and Durham School Services will officially unveil their twenty-four new electric school buses at a ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, January 28, at 12 p.m. at Durham School Services’ transportation depot located at 1 John C Dean Memorial Blvd, Cumberland, RI 02864. Governor McKee will be in attendance at the event, and all are welcome to attend and will have an opportunity to tour the bus.
Lisle, IL – Durham School Services and its sister brands are once again shining a much-deserved spotlight on its latest and greatest group of revered ASE Master Technicians and Blue Seal locations. These talented individuals continuously strive to elevate their skills and knowledge to become top maintenance experts and in turn are recognized for these efforts and skills by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) by certifying them as Master Technicians. ASE-certified technicians are considered experts in their field and at the forefront of industry standards.
Lisle, IL – For the holiday season, Durham School Services’ team members have once again demonstrated their continued commitment to giving back to their communities. Team members from across the country participated in various community events such as holiday food drives, fundraisers, clothing and toy drives, school bus donations, providing complimentary transportation, holiday parades, volunteering at food banks, and more.
Wellington, KS – Durham School Services (DSS), a student transportation leader committed to serving and giving back to its communities, has donated a school bus to Freewill Baptist Church to use for transportation to community events.
Meridian, ID – Durham School Services recently welcomed Mayor Simison of Meridian to its new facility and introduced its advanced fleet of buses.
Lisle, IL – Durham School Services’ team member Kayla Miller, Area Director of Safety, has been named a Rising Superstar by School Transportation News (STN). Every year, STN selects ten individuals from an impressive list of nominees submitted by industry peers. These individuals have demonstrated unparalleled dedication to providing exceptional service and creating positive impact in the student transportation industry. This year, over 80 nominations were submitted.
San Bernardino, CA – Durham School Services, a student transportation leader dedicated to giving back to their communities, has donated three buses to the All-American Boys Chorus to transport the choir and their equipment to concerts, field trips, and other activities. The buses will be delivered in the coming weeks just in time for the holiday concert season.
Edmonton, AB, Canada – As part of its continued commitment to safety and giving back to the community, Stock Transportation donated two buses for live emergency training exercises. A total of 80 individuals from the Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Fire Department, as well as the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Hazardous Material Response teams participated in the emergency exercises. A special thanks to Kimberly Van Veld, General Manager of Stock Transportation’s Calgary location, and former safety supervisor of the Edmonton location, who played a pivotal role in planning the event over the past year and contributing to its success.
Goshen, OH – Petermann Bus, a student transportation leader dedicated to safety, has donated a school bus to Goshen Township Fire and EMS for emergency rescue training focused on large vehicles, which includes school buses, cement trucks, semis, and more.
Announces Five-Year Partnership Extension Through June 2029
Jacksonville, FL – Research shows riding a bus is the safest way for students to get to and from school. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, students are almost 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a bus instead of traveling in a vehicle. To highlight this fact, Durham School Services is inviting council members to “Get on the Bus: Safety Starts Here” on Oct. 8 from 2 – 4 p.m. in front of City Hall (117 W. Duval St.).
Casa Grande, AZ – Durham School Services’ bus driver Arthur Hicks has been awarded the Congressman Juan Ciscomani American Dream Inspirational Educator Award for Transportation. The award is presented annually to recognize Casa Grande Union High School District (CGUHSD) support staff, teachers, and administrators for their dedication to their students. This is the second year in a row that a Durham team member has been recognized with the award.
Holds True to Safe, Best-in-Class Service Commitment and to Be Recognized at November School Board Meeting
Ann Arbor, MI, Greensboro, NC, and Irving, TX – National Express School team members have once again demonstrated their dedication to cultivating and perfecting their craft through their latest participation in Thomas Bus Institute’s three-day advanced training sessions for both electric and standard school buses.
Tulsa, OK – National Express School maintenance team members recently participated in IC Bus University’s three-day Level Two Advanced Training.
Calgary, AB – Stock Transportation is off to a great start and school year with its partner, the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD). The school district’s first week of the new school year ended on an overall positive note, with students getting to and from school safely thanks to the tireless work and efforts of Stock Transportation’s team members.
Will Electrify 100% of School Bus Fleet and Emerges as a New Leader in Sustainability
Grayslake, IL—The Durham School Services team in Grayslake recently celebrated its most tenured team members, who have dedicated 20+ years of service to the Company and community, by inducting them into their “Grayslake Platinum Club.” The newest team members, Brian Baker and Melinda Leavings, were inducted during the team’s start-up meeting in late July to recognize their two-decade-long service milestone.
Respectively Named Winners of the Special Needs Transportation Award and School Bus Driver Trainer of the Year Award
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK – Durham School Services (DSS), a student transportation leader, will begin a new partnership this fall with CCS Early Learning, a nonprofit organization that provides early childhood education programs and family services for children up to five years of age.
Philadelphia, NY – Durham School Services and the Indian River Central School District are excited to announce their new five-year partnership, which starts this fall and will run through 2029. This new partnership is a major milestone, given that the Indian River Central School District is the largest school district by area in the North Country. In addition to Durham’s growth in the North Country, Durham also recently announced two other new partnerships in the East Coast – City School District of Albany in New York and the Columbia Borough School District in Pennsylvania.
Albany, NY – Starting this fall, Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, will begin providing transportation for the City School District of Albany’s students. Durham School Services currently serves 12 communities in New York and is excited to start its new partnership with the City School District of Albany. This new partnership is a significant development coming off the heels of another new East Coast partnership announced by Durham in late June with the Columbia Borough School District in Pennsylvania.
To Integrate Eight EV School Buses into Fleet with Prestigious EPA EV Grant Funds
Columbia Borough, PA – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, will begin a new two-year partnership with the Columbia Borough School District (CBSD) starting this fall. Durham School Services currently serves five communities in Pennsylvania, while its sister brand, Petermann Bus, serves an additional five.
To Date, the Company Has Been Awarded Over $72M in EPA Grant Funds for 219 Buses
Lisle, IL -- National Express School (NEXS) is proud to shine a light on the latest group of its highly distinguished and talented expert Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technicians and Blue Seal locations. This new group of ASE Master Technicians joins an esteemed list of the Company’s ASE-certified industry experts.
Casa Grande, AZ – To award students who have exhibited academic and/or athletic excellence, Durham School Services has donated $10,000 in scholarship funds to its partner, Casa Grande Union High School District (CGUHSD). Both Vista Grande High School (VGHS) and Casa Grande Union High School (CGUHS), which are part of the Casa Grande Union High School District, received $5,000 each to award their students.
Will Bring Reputable and Unparalleled Safe Service to Smithton R-VI School District and Tipton R-VI School District this Fall
Anne Albarran and Amanda DeMar Awarded for Dedication to Service Excellence and Safety
Illustrates the School District’s Immense Trust and Satisfaction with Their Transportation Service
Aubrey and Wichita Falls, TX – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, is delighted to share news about its extended partnerships with both the Wichita Falls Independent School District (WFISD) and Aubrey Independent School District (ISD).
Highlights Latest Achievements and Initiatives for Earth Day
Expands Breadth of Renowned Safe and Reliable Service in Alberta
Aurora, IL – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, is honored to share news of its extended five-year partnership with West Aurora School District 129. The extension begins this July and will run through 2029.
Upholds Ongoing Commitment to Safety and Sustainability with Bus Donations
Middletown, OH – Petermann Bus, a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to Middletown City Schools’ music department and school district to transport students and staff to music competitions and community events. The “Middie Music Bus” as the school has fondly named it, will also be used for new teacher orientation, community tours, and as a promotional vehicle for back-to-school events.
New Britain, CT – National Express School (NEXS) technicians have once again demonstrated their commitment to becoming electric school bus experts with their latest participation in Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Electric Vehicle (EV) training with Navistar and DeVivo Bus. The training session was kept small in size to optimize hands-on training and time to familiarize themselves with the vehicle equipment.
To Provide Student Transportation Services for the Next Five Years
Recognized for Caring Nature and Outstanding Service Towards Student
Debuts New Five-Year Partnership to Safely and Reliably Serve Smithville Students and Community
California, MO – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, continues to uphold a strong commitment to safety and sustainability with its recent bus donation to the California Rural Fire Department. The fire department is utilizing the bus to perform emergency situational training and extraction drills.
Tallmadge, OH – Petermann Bus, a leader in student transportation, has provided a one-of-a-kind customized school bus to Tallmadge City Schools to transport its Blue Devil Marching Band to and from its events.
Bolsters Goal of Becoming 100% Zero-emissions by 2035
Spotlights New ASE Master Technicians and Blue Seal Locations
LISLE, IL – In celebration of International Volunteer Day, National Express LLC (NELLC) is proud to highlight the recent community outreach efforts our team members have participated in for the holiday season.
To Strengthen Positive Community Impact in Duval County with a Fleet of Over 400 buses
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – WeDriveU, the leader in shuttle solutions for campuses and workplaces, today announced that Paul Benigno has joined the Commercial team as Head of University and Hospital Growth.
LISLE, IL – In appreciation of Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada last week, National Express School (NEXS), recognized its North American veteran and military personnel team members with personalized veteran-themed vests as a token of appreciation for their service and bravery. Each vest is stitched with a flag to indicate the team member’s representative country of service and Company logo.
North Bay, ON – Stock Transportation, a leader in student transportation, is proud to recognize its school bus driver, Gary Bowen, for his heroic action of helping save the life of a man who had fallen through the ice on a lake. Gary was officially recognized and presented with a Commissioner’s Citation for Lifesaving by the Ontario Provincial Police.
Honoring Bus Drivers of the Year, Safety Star, Ally, Community and Other Categories
Hutchinson, KS – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, continues to uphold its commitment to supporting its community and sustainability with its recent bus donation to the Hutchinson Community College. The college is using the donated bus to expand their CDL Training Program to train more prospective school bus drivers. With this new bus donation, the school now has two school buses to utilize for the program. The other bus currently used for the program was also a donation from Durham. Drivers possessing a CDL are in high demand, and having this bus will help the Hutchinson community in providing another option to conduct driver training.
Beloit, WI – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, is pleased to announce that its Beloit team was presented with an Outstanding Community Partner Award from its partner, the School District of Beloit, for supporting the school district’s “Cram the Bus” event. Each month, the school district recognizes deserving community partners who go above and beyond in their outreach efforts and support to its students, families, and the district. The Durham team is no stranger to this award, having been recognized on several other occasions for supporting other district-related events.
Grayslake, IL – Durham School Services is proud to shine a light on our bus driver Beverly Raddatz’s recent heroism that led to saving the life of a high school athlete who went into sudden cardiac arrest.
Highlights safety events for School Bus Safety Week
Lisle, Illinois, USA - National Express, LLC (NELLC) today kicked-off its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration by announcing a partnership with the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), a non-profit dedicated to the employment, development, and advancement of current and aspiring Latino professionals.
Durham Schools Services – an NEC subsidiary – continues its mission of best-in-class, safe, reliable student transportation services, with school bus electrification at its forefront
Becomes First Durham Bus Driver to Receive Distinguished Award
Certificate of Safety Achievement Recognizes Outstanding On-the-Job Safety and Health
TULSA, OK - To gear up for school start-up, National Express School (NEXS) maintenance team members recently participated in IC Bus University’s three-day Level One (Basic) and Level Two (Advanced) training sessions for school buses. Several sessions for each training level were offered throughout the summer. Three groups of NEXS’s team members attended the Level One training sessions, and one group participated in the Level Two training sessions. Hands-on training sessions were led by representatives from various vendors that covered a wide range of topics. Summertime is the perfect opportunity for our team members to go “back to school” and attend training sessions such as IC Bus’ to enhance their skills to provide safe, dependable service for the upcoming school year.
Talawanda, OH – Petermann Bus is proud to announce that Heather Schnitker-Blume, maintenance technician, at its Talawanda, OH, location, has been selected as a School Transportation News (STN) Garage Star finalist. Heather is the only woman finalist this year out of the ten selected and is featured on the cover of the August issue of STN’s magazine for her accomplishments. The magazine spotlights Heather, as well as the other finalists. STN’s annual Garage Star aims to bring more recognition to maintenance professionals' vital role in school bus safety. Individuals are nominated and then selected based on a graded criteria system. Over 120 individuals were nominated for 2023, including another fellow teammate Humberto Aguayo, from Petermann’s sister brand, Durham School Services, in Grayslake, IL.
Pittsburgh, PA – National Express LLC’s (NELLC) Carina Noble, Senior Vice President of Communications and External Affairs and National School Transportation Association (NSTA) President Emeritus, and Bob Ramsdell, NELLC Chief Safety Officer, were both honored at the 2023 NSTA Annual Meeting and Convention.
Little Egg Harbor, NJ – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has donated a mini school bus to the Little Egg Harbor (LEH) Police Junior Recruits to use for their youth program events. The program was created for community youth interested in becoming involved in the military or law enforcement. The children in the program are highly involved in their community and often volunteer at food pantries, community clean-ups, and local school projects. In addition to being used for the youth program, the bus will also be used for safety and emergency transportation.
Collierville, TN – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, is pleased to announce the continuation of its long-standing partnership with the Shelby County Municipal Consortium for the next three years. Durham’s fleet of 135 buses will serve the Shelby County Municipal Consortium through June 2026.
House Springs, MO – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, and its partner Northwest R-1 School District, are delighted to continue their partnership for the next three years starting this July. Durham will run a total of 71 routes for Northwest R-1 School District with its fleet of 84 buses.
Lisle, IL -- National Express LLC (“the Company”), a division of National Express Group PLC, today announced that Tim Wertner has been appointed CEO of Student Transportation (“School Bus”).
Rochester, MI – Durham School Services is proud to announce that twelve of its team members have received community awards for their dedication to and excellence in service. Ten team members were awarded the Rochester Community Schools (RCS) Sparkle Award; three received special recognition, and two received the Oakland Schools Excellence in Transportation Award. As part of our ongoing Company value initiatives, we are dedicated to rewarding, acknowledging, and fostering the exceptional talents of our team members.
“Welcome to the Graffiti Bus: Where Everyone Matters”
Bus Operator Jacqueline Williams Places Third in Bus Roadeo
Southgate, MI – National Express LLC (NELLC), is proud to share that eight of its team members from its Durham School Services (DSS) and Trinity Transportation operations have received the 2023 Wayne County Excellence in Transportation Award. This annual community award is peer nomination based and is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated service excellence and dedication to their students and community. Over 90 nominations were submitted, and a total of 33 individuals were awarded.
Highlights Latest Sustainability and Electric Vehicle Endeavors
Shuttle and Transit Division Extends LIT Diamante Membership
BURLINGAME, CA – WeDriveU, a National Express company leading shuttle solutions for workplaces and campuses, today announced 11 customers were named Best Workplaces for Commuters and Best Universities for Commuters across more than 15 locations served by its shuttles.
Lisle, IL – National Express LLC (NELLC) is proud to announce our newest Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal locations and Master Technician team members. These outstanding individuals join an extensive list of other ASE-certified technicians at the Company. ASE-certified technicians are considered to be experts in their field and at the forefront of industry standards.
Fairbanks, AK – Durham School Service (DSS), a leader in student transportation, is proud to share that its team member Ed Simon, technician, has become the Company’s very first Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technician in Alaska. ASE Master Technicians are experts in their field and are described by ASE as the “best of the best”— the gold standard for technicians across the United States. To become an ASE Certified Technician, a technician must complete one or more individual certifications. Upon achieving the first level of certification, a technician can then achieve ASE Master Certification by earning all certifications in their vehicle class and passing a series of rigorous testing.
Stratford, CT – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the Fairfield Regional Fire School for safety training. The fire school, along with other fire departments in the community, will share the donated bus to simulate emergency situations and perform trainings such as strut stabilization and passenger extrication.
JEFFERSON HILLS, PA – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the West Jefferson Hills (WJH) School District to renovate into a mobile “Chill Room/Makerspace” for its students. The Chill Room will allow students to seek innovative ways to help manage stress, anxiety, and focus on mental health. The donated bus will be renovated and designed into the mobile Chill Room with help from Thomas Jefferson High School’s technical education and graphic design students. It is slated to be completed during the 2023-2024 school year.
Donation Bolsters Sustainability Efforts and Commitment to Transitioning to a Zero-Emission Fleet by 2035
LISLE, IL – National Express LLC (NELLC) is pleased to spotlight the various community outreach efforts of our teams this holiday season. These outreach efforts are a part of NELLC’s company-wide Partners Beyond the Bus (PBTB) community outreach program, an on-going effort to serve students' growing, diverse needs and increase the positive impact we make on their lives beyond school and their communities.
LISLE, IL AND BURLINGAME, CA – National Express LLC today announced Erick Van Wagenen, President and CEO of National Express North America Shuttle (WeDriveU) and Transit, has joined the Board of Directors of the North American Transit Alliance (NATA), representing the largest private transit contractors in the U.S. and Canada.
North Bay, ON, Canada – Stock Transportation, a leader in student transportation, is proud to announce its very first Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal of Excellence location – North Bay, Ontario. The Blue Seal of Excellence is awarded to businesses that are comprised of the highest trained technicians who work continuously to improve their knowledge and skills while being at the forefront of industry standards.
BURLINGAME, CA– WeDriveU, the leader in shuttle solutions for workplaces and campuses, took top honors in the Association for Commuter Transportation’s 2022 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Excellence Awards. WeDriveU received ACT’s Transportation Provider award in a ceremony at the TDM Forum with winners in its Employer, University, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Municipality, Innovation & Technology, Advocacy and Leadership categories.
San Gabriel, CA – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, recently provided transportation services for the East San Gabriel Valley (ESGV) Special Education Local Plan Area’s (SELPA) special education (SPED) students to their 8th Annual Community Advisory Committee Arts Festival. The arts festival allows SPED students from all over the ESGV to come together to celebrate art and participate in activities such as jewelry making, sidewalk chalk design, face painting, clay sculpting, dancing, and more. This year, the arts festival’s theme was Mighty Forces, Moving Forward Together, and staff and students dressed up as their favorite superhero character.
TUCSON, AZ and LISLE, IL – National Express Transit, a complete mobility solutions partner, today announced it has signed a three-year contract with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Pima County in Arizona. The services took effect Oct. 1, 2022 and build on a partnership that began in 2012. The contract includes two one-year options to extend.
First Group of Graduates of the Inaugural Program
Brookhaven, NY – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the Gordon Heights Fire Department to conduct critical extrication safety drills. The drills took place earlier this month over a span of two days and also featured extrication tool demonstrations from a certified Hurst – Jaws of Life tool instructor. The fire department is led by Chief Moonee Rivers, the first female fire chief in the history of the fire department.
LISLE, IL – National Express LLC, (NELLC) is proud to announce that Nick Voisard, Senior Director of Electric Vehicles, has been selected as one of ten Rising Superstars in Student Transportation by School Transportation News (STN). The award aims to recognize individuals in the student transportation field for their exemplary operational leadership or innovation. Over 40 individuals were nominated for the recognition, including NELLC team members Rodney Booth, Chief Engineer and Sho Kalache, Region Manager. Nick is featured in the October issue of STN’s magazine.
LISLE, IL – National Express LLC, (NELLC) is proud to announce that Region Manager Sho Kalache has been selected as one of ten Rising Superstars in Student Transportation by School Transportation News (STN). This award aims to recognize individuals in the student transportation field for their exemplary operational leadership or innovation. Over 40 individuals were nominated for the recognition, including NELLC team members Rodney Booth, Chief Engineer and Nick Voisard, Senior Director of Electric Vehicles. Sho is featured in the October issue of STN’s magazine.
Lisle, IL – National Express LLC (NELLC) is proud to announce that six of its team members recently achieved Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technician status, including one as a Quadruple ASE Master Technician. These individuals join a long, impressive list of other ASE certified technicians.
PHILADELPHIA, PA and BURLINGAME, CA – WeDriveU, a National Express company leading shuttle solutions for campuses, workplaces and hospitals, has been selected by the University of Pennsylvania to support the Penn Transit Services and Parking team’s on-demand transportation operation. Penn’s program serves faculty, staff, students and guests from Penn, St. Joseph’s University and the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS).
To Bring Safe, Customer-Focused Service to Richmond Community
LISLE, IL AND BURLINGAME, CA – National Express LLC announced several key executive appointments to lead the growth of its newly combined North America Shuttle and Transit business. The new structure supports the company’s strategy to deliver transportation solutions for connected communities, campuses and workplaces as part of National Express Group, a global mobility leader serving nearly 800 million passenger journeys in 11 countries.
Tulsa, OK – National Express Maintenance team members recently participated in IC Bus University’s three-day training sessions at their school bus plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the training sessions, participants received hands-on training on how to service different engines, transmissions, and other bus components from various vendors. Representatives from each participating vendor led the trainings for their respective bus components. Two different training sessions were held: level one basic training for first-time attendees and level two advanced training for returning attendees.
Brookhaven, NY – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the Ridge Fire Department for safety drills and training. The fire department recently conducted a Res-Q-Jack® drill to train new team members and refamiliarize current team members with the critical tool used in vehicular accidents.
Aurora, IL – Durham School Services (DSS) is proud to announce that Fernando Magana, Maintenance Supervisor at its Aurora, IL, location, has been selected as a finalist for School Transportation News’ (STN) Garage Star. Fernando is one of ten recognized finalists and is featured in the August issue of STN’s magazine. The annual Garage Star feature aims to bring more recognition to maintenance professionals' important role in school bus safety. Individuals are nominated and then selected based on a graded criteria system. Over 160 individuals were nominated for 2022.
Casa Grande, AZ – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, provided charter transportation services for the 2022 National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports event hosted solely for military veterans with disabilities. The event seeks to foster wider respect for all people with disabilities and took place in Tempe, Arizona. It featured over 600 military veteran participants.
Lisle, IL – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, is proud to announce that it was awarded the National School Transportation Association (NSTA)’s Go Yellow, Go Green Award on Tuesday night, July 26, at NSTA’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Convention for demonstrating strong commitment and initiative to clean fleets and environmental responsibility. The award recognizes Durham School Services and two of their operations located in Norwalk, Connecticut, and Fairbanks, Alaska, for the steps they’ve taken to transition to a green fleet. As a leading, environmentally responsible company, Durham School Services aims to transition to an all zero-emission fleet by 2035.
Lisle, IL – National Express LLC (NELLC), is proud to announce that David Armitt, Senior Vice President of Operations – East Area, was awarded the 2022 National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Golden Merit Award for his excellence in operations on Tuesday night, July 26, at NSTA’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Convention. The award recognizes excellence in service, safety, and community responsibility, as well as achievements in operational areas such as safety, driver training, and maintenance.
Brookhaven, NY – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in student transportation, donated a school bus to the Sound Beach Fire Department to use for extrication safety training, which took place in late June. During the training, firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) simulated various school bus accident scenarios where they rescued victims, played by their junior firefighter members (local youth in the community). This donation is one of several made this summer to local fire departments in and around the Brookhaven community.
Phoenix, AZ – National Express Transit (NEXT) is proud to announce that Reno Navarette, Vice President of Customer Success, has been re-appointed to serve on the Arizona Transit Association’s (AzTA) Board of Directors for a three-year term. AzTA is a statewide, not-for-profit association that represents the public and private sectors, including Valley Metro, the regional transit system in and around Phoenix, in advocacy and education for public transportation services and programs.
Greenville, SC– National Express LLC (NELLC) continues to be a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) field through its participation in EV maintenance training hosted by Proterra, a leading manufacturer in electric transit buses. This participation further supports National Express’ transition to an all zero-emission fleet by 2040.
Philadelphia, PA – National Express LLC (NELLC) has donated a school bus to Pennco Tech, a trade school in Blackwood, NJ, to use as a vital training tool for their Diesel Technology Program. The trade school offers diesel, automotive, and collision repair programs, among other trades. The donation, made as part of NELLC’s company-wide Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program, will allow Pennco Tech students to gain hands-on learning experience working on school buses.
Becomes First School Bus Driver in District 300 History to Receive this Prestigious Award
Fleet Includes 50 Propane-Powered Vehicles with Full Fleet Transition by 2023
Lisle, IL and Wasilla, AK – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in school transportation, will begin a much anticipated and exciting 10-year partnership with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) in Wasilla, AK starting this July. This will be DSS’ second venture in Alaska as it currently serves the students of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. The new partnership with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District will allow DSS to expand its role as a positive change agent in Alaska, contributing to the betterment of the Wasilla community through its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program.
Team Members Successfully Complete Lion Electric’s Train the Trainer Program
LISLE, IL – National Express, LLC (NELLC) is proud to celebrate Earth Day and continue its active role in protecting and preserving the planet by advocating for and participating in sustainability initiatives. In celebration of Earth Day this year, National Express’ WeDriveU shuttle division is holding nationwide events promoting shared alternatives to driving to work alone, showcasing EV demos and Earth-friendly seed card passenger giveaways made in the U.S.A. of organic, handmade paper incorporating elements from nature including flower petals and seeds.
TALLMADGE, OH – Petermann Bus, a leader in student transportation, is proud to share that its driver, Paul Kraszewski from Tallmadge, Ohio, has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Tallmadge, honoring and recognizing the outstanding, impactful service he puts forth every day to his students and community. Paul was presented with the certificate by Jonathon Bolas, Ward 3 Councilman, at a city council meeting last month.
LISLE, IL – National Express LLC is pleased to introduce Nick Voisard in his new role as its Senior Director of Electric Vehicles for North America. Nick is an industry veteran who has over ten years of experience in the contracted school transportation industry, including working with manufacturer, Lion Electric. Prior to his new role, he served as Director of Business Development for National Express.
LAKOTA, OH – Petermann Bus, a leader in student transportation, recently provided complimentary transportation service to the West Chester ∙ Liberty Chamber Alliance for their Leadership 21 – Criminal Justice Session, a program designed to give leaders a better understanding of the community’s local criminal justice system, as well as to open and maintain constructive dialogue to make the community a better place to live and work. The donation of transportation service to the chamber alliance was made as part of Petermann Bus’ company-wide Partners Beyond the Bus program.
Transit Veteran Rick Pulido Appointed to Latinos In Transit Board of Directors
Cameron, MO – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the Cameron United Methodist Church to aid in driving children to community events and church mission trips. The donation to the Cameron United Methodist Church was made as part of Durham School Services’ company-wide Partners Beyond the Bus program.
Freehold, NJ – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the Freehold Independent Fire Company in Freehold, New Jersey. The fire department will utilize the donated school bus to conduct safety and rescue training for fellow firefighters. The donation to the Freehold Independent Fire Company was made as part of Durham School Services’ company-wide Partners Beyond the Bus program.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – Stock Transportation, a leader in school bus transportation, has received a Certificate of Recognition (COR) for workplace safety for its Edmonton, Alberta location through the Alberta Association of Safety Professionals.
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada – National Passenger Services (NPS), a leader in school transportation, is proud to announce that its driver Lloyd Ayres has won the title of Favourite Driver of the Year as part of a contest held by Safety Services Nova Scotia for their School Bus Safety Awareness Campaign. Drivers were nominated by parents and students from all over the Nova Scotia, focusing on the importance of safety.
Lisle, IL and New Orleans, LA – A&S Transportation, a leader in charter school transportation, is pleased to share that its partnership with Warren Easton Charter High School (WECHS), which started in August, is off to a solid start. Despite recent challenges related to the COVID pandemic and Hurricane Ida, A&S Transportation has been able to deliver safe and reliable service to the students of WECHS.
LISLE, IL – National Express Transit (NEXT), is pleased to welcome veteran transportation executive, John King to the Company to serve as Senior Vice President of Business Development. NEXT is a trusted expert who uses top of the line safety technology to drive service excellence and long-term partnerships. In recent years, more cities have trusted NEXT as their transportation partner than any other provider.
National Express Transit (NEXT) and UZURV - the Adaptive TNC - Recruit and Fully Onboard FTA Compliant Drivers in Just 50 Days
Lisle, IL and Grosse Ile, MI – Trinity Transportation, a leader in student transportation, will begin serving the students of Grosse Ile Township Schools in Gross Ile, Michigan, this month for the next three years. Grosse Ile is the largest island in the Detroit River and acts as the border between the United States and Canada. This new partnership is significant as it will strengthen Trinity Transportation’s existing community ties with the Detroit metro area.
MACOMB, IL – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the Industry Assembly of God, a local church in Industry, Illinois, which is located less than 20 minutes from Durham School Services’ Macomb bus facility. The church will utilize the donated bus to drive students with special needs to youth programs and provide transportation to their elderly community members who attend their church. The donation to Industry Assembly of God was made as part of Durham School Services’ company-wide Partners Beyond the Bus program.
LISLE, IL and PARKERTOWN, NJ – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the Parkertown Volunteer Fire Company. The donated bus will provide the fire company with an additional means to transport equipment during emergency situations. The donation is a testament to Durham School Services’ commitment to safety, and a part of its company-wide Partners Beyond the Bus program, which was established to strengthen customer and community partnerships through volunteering, as well as to raise awareness of those volunteer efforts.
Lisle, IL and Akron, OH – Petermann Bus, a leader in student transportation, will serve the students of Akron Public Schools for the next five years starting this month. Petermann Bus currently serves numerous public schools and districts in the state of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
LISLE, IL – The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) has awarded Jan Hilliard, Durham School Services General Manager, and Michelle Simon, National Express Vice President of Safety Compliance, the Golden Merit Award for their achievements in safety and service. The award was created in 1969 to recognize school bus employees for their achievements in safety, driver training, business practice, vehicle maintenance, and superior service to the school, community, and the student transportation industry.
Lisle, IL and South Park, PA – Matthews Bus Company (owned by National Express, LLC), a leader in student transportation, will bring its customer acclaimed bus fleet to the South Park School District in South Park, Pennsylvania to service the district’s students for the next five years beginning in August 2021. This new partnership further expands National Express’ ever-growing footprint in Pennsylvania and follows a recent announcement by National Express’ Durham School Services and their new partnership with Reading School District located in Reading, PA.
Lisle, IL and Reading, PA – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has formed a new partnership with Reading School District in Reading, PA. Durham will begin serving the students of Reading School District at the end of August of this year.
Lisle, IL and Johnston, RI – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has been chosen by the Johnston School District in Johnston, Rhode Island, to provide transportation services to its students for the next three years. Services will begin this summer, starting July 2021.
Lisle, IL and Robbinsdale, MN – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has been selected by the Minnesota district, Robbinsdale Area Schools, to provide transportation services for their students beginning in July 2021.
Birmingham, United Kingdom and Lisle, IL– National Express Group PLC and National Express LLC are pleased to welcome Carolyn Flowers as an Independent Non-Executive Director and as a member of the Board’s Safety & Environment Committee. Flowers’ role will start June 1, 2021.
Lisle, IL – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, was selected by the Utica City Schools in New York, to transport approximately 10,000 students for the district, to and from school each day for the next five years. Beginning in July, Durham will operate 120 routes that service the students of Utica City Schools.
Lisle, IL and San Clemente, CA – National Express LLC and ALC Schools, safety leaders in student transportation, are excited to announce a new partnership. Through this new partnership, both National Express and ALC Schools will build upon and further grow their existing portfolio of services to the communities and students they currently serve, with an emphasis on the underserved.
Lisle, IL and Fairbanks, AK – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, announced today that new school buses began arriving in Fairbanks, Alaska, for their partnership with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. The contract will run for ten years, starting August, 2021. The Company will operate 130 routes and will house its fleet out of two brand new Durham facilities. With this new contract, Durham will hire and train more than 220 team members to safely provide transportation to the students of Fairbanks.
LISLE, IL and TAUNTON, MA — National Express Transit (NEXT), the fastest-growing transit company in North America, in conjunction with the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) and Spare, a leading provider of on-demand mobility software, are pleased to announce the launch of a new on-demand microtransit service in the tri-town area of Franklin, Foxboro, and Norfolk.
Maplewood, MO – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the Maplewood Fire Department in Maplewood, Missouri, used for multijurisdictional fire department extrication training. Clayton, Brentwood, and Richmond Heights fire departments recently combined forces with Maplewood Fire Department for the set-up of training using our school bus to review extrication and lifting techniques to safely check access in the event of an actual emergency involving a school bus.
Harvard, IL – Recently, the Harvard Community School District (CUSD) 50 Board of Education recognized Christina Briggs, General Manager for Durham School Services, for her incredible contribution to the District throughout the pandemic. In a joint effort with Harvard CUSD 50, Durham School Services proudly provided food to students every school day since the beginning of the pandemic, totaling more than 230,000 meals.
Lisle, IL – National Express LLC, a safety leader in student transportation, recently announced the promotion of Liz Sanchez to Chief Operating Officer (COO), North America Student Transportation. Liz is an industry veteran and proven leader in the student transportation business. With more than 30 years of experience, she most recently served as COO & Senior Vice President of the West region for Durham School Services. Liz will oversee the Company’s North American school bus portfolio, including Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, Trinity Transportation, and Stock Transportation.
Lisle, IL and Boise, ID – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, proudly brings industry-leading safety standards to the students of Boise School District. As part of the phased approach to return to in-person learning formed by the district, Durham began safely transporting students as of September 21.
LISLE, IL and DURHAM, NC— National Express Transit (NEXT), the fastest-growing transit company in North America, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a three-year service contract with GoTriangle to operate their paratransit service, GoDurham ACCESS. The contract includes a two-year option following the initial three-year agreement.
LISLE, IL—National Express Transit, the fastest-growing transit company in North America, is proud to announce the return of former CEO, Gary Waits. As the active CEO for National Express School, Gary will transition into the role of CEO of NEXT starting September 1, 2020 and manage both functions. At that time, he will begin to oversee both divisions of National Express LLC (NELLC).
LISLE and CHICAGO, IL—CDT, owned by National Express Transit (NEXT), proudly donated a caravan vehicle to Housing Forward, a non-profit committed to transitioning people from housing crisis to housing stability. The vehicle donation will be used to support their Hotel to Home Initiative.
PHOENIX, AZ - Valley Metro and Total Transit, as part of National Express Transit, honored bus operator Jeff Ivans for driving one million miles without a preventable accident. Jeff has been driving buses since being hired by Total Transit for over 11 years and has demonstrated a dedication to excellence and safety.
This is a time of great pain in our Nation’s history. We stand united with those impacted by racism and inequality; we will not accept such behavior across our organization and we will work to be a part of positive change in the communities we serve.
We want to assure you that we have taken swift and proactive measures to combat COVID-19 as it relates to our operations. The United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses, and for this reason, we have put into place new cleaning protocols across our business. Each day, our teams will be cleaning and disinfecting our vehicles by using CDC recommended cleaning solutions. We have also advised our employees to adhere to the CDC guidelines on COVID-19 to reduce transmission of germs and shared posters and additional resources from the CDC website with them to print and post in our sites.
Lisle, IL – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, was selected by the Boise School District in Boise, Idaho, to transport approximately 6,000 students for the district, to and from school each day for the next five years. The contract was signed with a potential five-year renewal agreement. Beginning in July, Durham will operate 117 routes that service the students of Boise.
Lisle, IL – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, today announced a new school bus contract with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District in Fairbanks, Alaska. The contract will run for ten years, beginning August, 2021. The Company will operate 130 routes and will house its fleet out of a brand new Durham facility. Durham will hire more than 220 team members in Fairbanks.
LISLE, IL and TUCSON, AZ - Total Transit Enterprises, a National Express Transit Company (NEXT), is proud to announce that it has been selected to operate the Sabino Canyon Crawlers. After more than two months of service, Total Transit Enterprises will begin managing the emission-free electric fleet and provide transportation to the guests of Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.
Lytx®, a leading global provider of machine vision and artificial intelligence-powered video telematics solutions for commercial and public sector fleets, today shared impressive safety improvements from Durham School Services' full-fleet deployment of the Lytx Driver Safety program.
LISLE and CHICAGO, IL—CDT, owned and operated by National Express Transit (NEXT), is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a seven-year renewal contract which includes a three-year extension with Pace Suburban Bus (Pace), serving its elderly and disabled customers throughout the Chicagoland area. The company is one of four vendors to be awarded the Pace contract. The renewal is based in part on the Company’s proven partnership with Pace and its best-in-class customer service excellence and innovation.
National Express Transit Corp has acquired Fox Bus Lines, Inc., also known as Silver Fox Coaches, a premier provider of motor coach transportation in the Boston area. This new acquisition allows National Express to further expand its base of retail and contracted coach operations in a key market.
Lisle, IL —National Express is pleased to announce that five separate locations have been granted renewal of the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Blue Seal of Excellence. In addition one new location has recently been awarded the Blue Seal.
Lisle and Chicago, IL – Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, has donated a school bus to the Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) organization based in Chicago, IL. The bus will be retrofitted, painted and decorated to become a mobile office to help serve the legal needs arising from the lack of opportunity, and racial inequity experienced within the City of Chicago, Cook County and the State of Illinois.
Lisle, Il – Durham School Services driver Sergio Duenas from San Bernardino, CA (competing in transit) placed second. He had won third place in the same category in 2018. Sergio has been a driver with Durham for eight and a half years. He acts as a behind the wheel trainer for recently hired drivers and prides himself in mastering driving to perfection.
Lisle, Il - The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) awarded Durham School Services Vice President of Operations, Rick Klaus and Area General Manager, Rhonda McKown the Golden Merit Award for their work in safety, advocacy and customer service. NSTA’s Golden Merit Award was established in 1969 to recognize school bus employees for their achievements in safety, driver training, business practice, vehicle maintenance and superior service to their school district, community and the student transportation industry.
Phoenix, AZ -- Valley Metro and Total Transit, as part of National Express, honored bus operator Julie Castillo for driving one million miles accident-free behind the wheel of a bus. Castillo has been driving buses since being hired by Total Transit for over 11 years ago, and has since demonstrated a dedication to excellence and safety.
San Francisco, CA and Lisle, IL -- Kango, the award-winning app-based rideshare and childcare service for busy families, today announced a $3.6 million dollar Series A funding round. The round was led by a strategic investment from National Express, the premier transportation firm which operates a fleet of more than 25,000 vehicles, that includes serving 600 school districts in 30 states, and transporting 1.2 million students on a daily basis. As part of the funding agreement, David A. Duke from National Express is joining Kango’s board.
Chicago — City Tech Collaborative today announced the launch of a new Advanced Mobility Initiative to drive urban mobility innovation, building on the organization’s growing portfolio of solutions designed to make cities work better for their residents.
LISLE, IL--National Express is pleased to announce the acquisition of Total Transit Enterprises, LLC and Discount Enterprises, Inc. (collectively “Total Transit”). The Company provides Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) as well as taxi services in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ.
Bob Ramsdell, Chief Safety Officer, Named to TSA’s Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee (STSAC)
Accelerates WeDriveU’s next stage of growth in corporate and university shuttle markets BURLINGAME, Calif., and LISLE, Ill., April 11, 2019 – WeDriveU, Inc., the leader in transportation solutions specializing in corporate and university shuttles, today announced that National Express Group Holdings Limited has made a strategic investment in WeDriveU. National Express Group Holdings is a subsidiary of National Express Group, PLC, one of the premier transportation firms in the United Kingdom. Serving 30M combined annual passengers, the deal enables customers to leverage the resources, best practices and safety commitment of both transportation industry leaders.
Bismarck, ND – National Express Transit (NEXT), a leading provider of transit services in North America, will begin operating Bis-Man Transit in November 2017. Bis-Man Transit establishes NEXT's first area of operations in North Dakota.
Manteca, CA – National Express Transit (NEXT), a leading provider of transit services in North America, has been awarded the contract to serve the residents of Manteca. NEXT is slated to take over operations in November 2017.
Warrenville, Ill - National Express Transit (NEXT), a leading provider of transit services, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Cook DuPage Transportation Co. Inc. (CDT).
Warrenville, Ill. –National Express Transit (NEXT), a leading provider of transit services in North America, will begin operating Modesto Area Transit (MAX) in July, 2017. Modesto Area Transit is the fourth area of operations in California for the organization, including the cities of Vallejo, Kern County and Merced.
Warrenville, Ill – National Express Transit's subsidiary Trans Express has partnered with Hornblower to oversee the operations to provide shuttle transportation to New York's Rockaway Ferry.
Warrenville, Ill – Durham School Services—a leading provider in student transportation—has expanded its operations in the New England area, being selected to serve North Providence Public Schools.
Warrenville, Ill – Durham School Services—a leading provider of student transportation—has been selected to serve the students of Carbondale Elementary School District 95.
Warrenville, Ill. – The Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART), operated by National Express Transit—a leading transportation provider in North America—earned the 2016 Gold Safety Award by the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL).
Warrenville, Ill – Durham School Services—a leading provider in student transportation—is expanding its operations in Texas, being selected to serve the Coppell Independent School District (ISD).
Spokane, WA - Durham School Services, a leading provider of student transportation, earned recognition from the prestigious Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal Program. At least 75 percent of technicians performing diagnosis and repairs at a location must be ASE certified in order to qualify for the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition Program. Each area of service offered in the maintenance shop must be covered by at least one ASE-certified technician.
Centralia, IL - Durham School Services, a leading provider in student transportation, has launched the Durham Bus Tracker app—now available for the parents and guardians of Centralia City grade schools and Centralia JR High, School District # 135 in Centralia. The app allows them to view the location of their child’s bus in relation to their assigned bus stop.
Halifax, NS - Stock Transportation maintenance technician, Ian Moulaison, has earned the prestigious Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technician certification.
Indianapolis, IN - Maintenance Technician Brad Miller with Durham School Services has earned the prestigious Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master School Bus Technician certification.
Brenham, TX - Durham School Services earned a perfect score of 100 percent on their recent fleet inspection by the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS).
Fairview, PA - Lead Maintenance Technician Dana Alvez with Durham School Services has earned the prestigious Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master School Bus Technician certification.
Everett, WA- Durham School Services, a leading provider in student transportation, maintenance team earned recognition from the prestigious Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal Program.
Flagstaff, AZ - The Arizona Transit Association (AzTA) and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) held their 2016 Excellence Awards ceremony during their Annual Conference earlier this week in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Greensburg, PA - General Manager Gloria Housley of National Express Transit, parent company of Westmoreland County Transit, believes in partnering with the community. To initiate her first community outreach effort, she created the "Stomp Out the Cold" campaign on February 18, 2016. Housley and her team partnered together to achieve the goal of collecting two pairs of shoes every day for 50 days and donate them to the Salvation Army. The team embraced the challenge and went beyond and collectedover 250 pairs of gently worn shoes.
McKinney, TX- Durham School Services, a leading provider in student transportation, proudly received a visit from Van Taylor, State Senator, on Wednesday, February 24.
