Fresno Unified School District Expands Student Mobility with Zūm Partnership

Fresno Unified School District and Zūm Partnership

Fresno Unified School District has announced a significant expansion of student transportation services through a partnership with Zūm, a leader in modern student mobility solutions. This collaboration aims to enhance transportation for 172 special education routes, ensuring a safe and efficient travel experience for students with diverse needs.

This development is not just a continuation of existing services; it’s a full-service implementation that promises improved routing and shorter commute times for students. The technology utilized by Zūm has demonstrated its effectiveness, with measurable success in providing smoother trips for students. Paul Rosencrans, the Transportation Director for Fresno Unified, remarked on the positive outcomes since the introduction of Zūm's platform a year ago, stating, “In the first year of using Zum's technology, we have experienced measurable success that includes better routing, shorter commutes for our students and smoother trips to and from school each day.”

As part of this initiative, Zūm plans to hire 190 school bus drivers to meet the increased demand resulting from this partnership. They will host a hiring event from March 3 to March 5 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Fresno. The event will not only allow certified drivers to apply but also welcomes those considering a career change to school bus driving. Zūm provides comprehensive training for new drivers, ensuring they have the support needed to excel in this vital role.

The competitive pay range for drivers is between $25.98 and $32.02 per hour, accompanied by comprehensive benefits. This attractive offering is part of Zūm's commitment to ensuring drivers feel valued and supported while working. As Eric Huegerich, the regional manager at Zūm, highlighted, “Zum is committed to providing an excellent workplace for drivers, which includes air-conditioned buses and modern technology as well as competitive pay and benefits.”

Zūm is not just about meeting immediate transportation needs; it also actively focuses on improving long-term outcomes for students. Ritu Narayan, the founder and CEO of Zūm, expressed the organization's dedication to enhancing safety, reliability, and equitable access in student transportation. “I started Zum to improve safety, reliability and equity in student transportation. We have seen measurable results in our partner districts nationwide,” she noted.

This partnership positions Fresno Unified among 4,000 schools across 15 states that rely on Zūm’s technology. The platform not only streamlines operations but also includes groundbreaking vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which modernizes vehicles and enhances grid resilience.

As Fresno Unified moves forward with this partnership, the school district aims to provide every child with access to education while ensuring their safety and comfort during travel. By utilizing Zūm’s specialized solutions, they hope to set a benchmark for modern student transportation. For more information about how Zūm is impacting education through improved transport, visit their official website at ridezum.com.