Back to School 2024: Branford, Conn.

Zūm is thrilled to kick off the 2024-2025 school year in Branford, Connecticut. Drivers, staff and community members all gathered at a launch event at the Zum bus yard. These events aren’t simply parties — they’re a recognition of our teams, how hard they work, and the final step in a monthslong process to get everyone in lockstep before the first day of school. That way, Zum is ready to deliver A+ student transportation from day one.

This particular kickoff event was special because it was the first in Branford. In March, Zum announced its new student transportation partnership with Branford Public Schools — yet another expansion for Zum, making 2024-2025 a banner year.

“First, it’s important to celebrate our team in Branford, which has been working around the clock to hire and train the best drivers around,” said Liz Sanchez, Executive Vice President of Student Transportation at Zum. “That will make sure we’re delivering safe, reliable rides to and from school every day this school year. On top of our cutting-edge technology, it’s an unbeatable combination, one that will bring peace of mind to parents and improve the well-being of children, families and school administrators alike.”

“Drivers are at the heart of what we do,” said Charlotte Charbono, Branford General Manager at Zum. “And I can say that we really have assembled an absolutely top-notch team. We can’t wait to start serving this community.”

The kickoff comes on the back of additional momentum: 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 enables Zum to deploy electric school buses in several school districts across the U.S., including Branford Public Schools. Within five years, Zum will transition Branford to a 100% electric school bus fleet, the first in Connecticut.

Zum manages and operates safe, reliable, equitable and sustainable student transportation in 14 states nationwide, and takes pride in being a “choice employer” in any city where it has partnerships.