Zum Partners With Rockford Public Schools, Will Host Hiring Fair April 23-24

Rockford Public Schools (IL) has partnered with Zūm to modernize district-wide student mobility operations beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. 

Zum will be hiring 88 bus drivers, 131 van drivers and 38 attendants in Rockford. On April 23 and April 24, 2026, Zum will hold hiring events from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott Rockford (7676 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108). Existing drivers, monitors and van drivers, as well as new applicants, are encouraged to attend and apply. For more information, please visit Zum’s hiring page.

Zum offers competitive wages and benefits for all drivers and staff, with starting pay of $21/hour for non-CDL drivers and $25/hour for CDL drivers, top CDL pay of $32/hour, and a guaranteed six-hour minimum for drivers. Additionally, Zum provides top-of-the-line buses, equipment and technology to enhance safety and comfort for students and drivers. Advanced training and certification programs include extensive training in transporting students with diverse needs and disabilities.

Rockford Public Schools serves 27,000 students across 41 schools. The three-year partnership with Zum reflects a shared commitment to delivering safe, reliable, transparent transportation for students and families while providing a superior experience for all stakeholders.

“Zum’s technology and operational expertise deliver the transparency and on-time performance families expect, in addition to improving reliability and addressing driver shortages in school districts across the country,” said Charles Smilinich, Executive Director of Transportation

at Rockford Public Schools. “We encourage existing drivers and new candidates to attend these upcoming hiring events as we prepare for the 2026-27 school year.”

“I founded Zum to bring reliability, transparency, and modern technology to student mobility,” said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum. “Every student deserves a dependable ride to school each day, and parents deserve peace of mind in knowing their child arrived safely. We are excited to set a new standard for reliable student mobility and build a strong driver workforce in Rockford.”

Today, Zum serves more than 4,500 schools across 17 states, including districts in Los Angeles, CA; Omaha, NE; Kansas City, MO; Oakland, CA; Roanoke, VA; and San Francisco, CA.

We look forward to building Zum’s team in Rockford and meeting candidates at these events!