Back to School 2024: Alameda, Calif.

On Wednesday Zūm’s back-to-school events continued with a celebration in Alameda, Calif., for Zum drivers and staff.

The 2024-25 school year marks the second year Zum will deliver safe, reliable and equitable student transportation to families and schools for Alameda Unified School District (AUSD).

“We’re honored to partner with Alameda Unified, and our school bus drivers deeply value the roles they play in families’ lives,” said Liz Sanchez, Executive Vice President of Student Transportation at Zum. “We’re looking forward to another great year of safe, reliable and equitable rides for this vibrant school community.”

In June, Zum announced that it had been awarded $32 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. The funding is enabling Zum to deploy electric school buses to several district partners across the U.S., including Alameda Unified.

Zum prioritizes safety with extensive driver training, top-of-the-line equipment and advanced technology. Training and certification programs include extensive ongoing training in transporting students with diverse needs and disabilities. Additionally, all Zum drivers engage with an easy-to-use technology platform that includes route optimization; GPS tracking; a state-of-the-art AI camera system for training and student safety; and a driver tablet for navigation, tracking student attendance and keeping tabs on items left behind on the bus.

“Our drivers are looking forward to getting back on the road here and serving the students and families of Alameda,” said Luis Leiva, Alameda General Manager at Zum. “We’re fortunate to have such a highly trained and motivated team, and we’re excited for the year ahead.”