Zūm Partners with Rockford Public Schools to Modernize Student Mobility Operations in 2026
On April 20, 2026, Zūm announced a strategic partnership with Rockford Public Schools in Illinois aimed at upgrading the district’s student transportation services beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. This significant collaboration is designed to modernize how students travel to and from school, providing reliable, efficient, and safe transportation with cutting-edge technology.
Zūm, a leading name in the Connected Mobility Experience (CMX™), will be responsible for hiring a substantial workforce to ensure the seamless operation of student transport services in Rockford. Specifically, the company is looking for 88 bus drivers, 131 van drivers, and 38 attendants to support the district’s extensive needs. Zūm will host hiring fairs on April 23 and 24, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott Rockford, during which existing drivers and new applicants can apply for these positions.
The hiring events will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Zūm is encouraging all interested parties, including current drivers, to attend. The company offers competitive compensation packages with starting salaries ranging from $21 per hour for non-CDL drivers to $32 per hour for experienced CDL drivers, including a guaranteed six-hour minimum shift for each driver. In addition to financial incentives, Zūm provides modern buses, enhanced equipment, and comprehensive training, ensuring a comfortable and secure environment for students and staff alike.
Rockford Public Schools serves approximately 27,000 students enrolled in 41 schools. This three-year partnership underscores a mutual commitment to improving student mobility and ensuring that all family members feel secure about their children's transportation options. According to Charles Smilinich, the Executive Director of Transportation at Rockford Public Schools, Zūm’s expertise in technology and operations enhances the expected transparency and punctuality that families desire while simultaneously addressing the persistent challenge of driver shortages faced by school districts nationwide.
Ritu Narayan, the Founder and CEO of Zūm, emphasized the company's mission to provide safe and dependable transportation for students. She stated, "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."
Zūm is not only transforming student mobility in Rockford but is also setting a precedent that many educational institutions across the country are keen to follow. Through its technology-driven approach, Zūm offers features that improve safety, enhance communication, and optimize operations — all vital elements in delivering a reliable service that promotes student attendance and success.
Families will benefit from real-time bus tracking features, proactive notifications, and previously unattainable operational visibility. With a 98% average on-time performance rate, Zūm significantly reduces transportation-related student absences.
The parent-friendly Zūm app delivers real-time updates regarding bus locations and student pickup/drop-off status, contributing to an overall satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from families across more than 1.7 million reviews. Such metrics underscore Zūm’s commitment to enhancing user experience through innovation and operational excellence.
Currently, Zūm services over 4,500 schools across 17 states, including major urban districts in places like Los Angeles, Omaha, Kansas City, Oakland, Roanoke, and San Francisco.
The partnership with Rockford Public Schools is part of Zūm’s broader initiative to reshape the landscape of student transportation for educational districts nationwide. To discover more about how Zūm is leading the charge in safe and reliable student mobility, visit www.ridezum.com.
Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (CMX™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real-time within the $50 billion student mobility market. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and strong operational execution, Zūm has achieved recognition from various leading business publications and is backed by prominent investors such as Sequoia Capital and SoftBank.
Zūm, a leading name in the Connected Mobility Experience (CMX™), will be responsible for hiring a substantial workforce to ensure the seamless operation of student transport services in Rockford. Specifically, the company is looking for 88 bus drivers, 131 van drivers, and 38 attendants to support the district’s extensive needs. Zūm will host hiring fairs on April 23 and 24, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott Rockford, during which existing drivers and new applicants can apply for these positions.
The hiring events will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Zūm is encouraging all interested parties, including current drivers, to attend. The company offers competitive compensation packages with starting salaries ranging from $21 per hour for non-CDL drivers to $32 per hour for experienced CDL drivers, including a guaranteed six-hour minimum shift for each driver. In addition to financial incentives, Zūm provides modern buses, enhanced equipment, and comprehensive training, ensuring a comfortable and secure environment for students and staff alike.
Rockford Public Schools serves approximately 27,000 students enrolled in 41 schools. This three-year partnership underscores a mutual commitment to improving student mobility and ensuring that all family members feel secure about their children's transportation options. According to Charles Smilinich, the Executive Director of Transportation at Rockford Public Schools, Zūm’s expertise in technology and operations enhances the expected transparency and punctuality that families desire while simultaneously addressing the persistent challenge of driver shortages faced by school districts nationwide.
Ritu Narayan, the Founder and CEO of Zūm, emphasized the company's mission to provide safe and dependable transportation for students. She stated, "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."
Zūm is not only transforming student mobility in Rockford but is also setting a precedent that many educational institutions across the country are keen to follow. Through its technology-driven approach, Zūm offers features that improve safety, enhance communication, and optimize operations — all vital elements in delivering a reliable service that promotes student attendance and success.
Families will benefit from real-time bus tracking features, proactive notifications, and previously unattainable operational visibility. With a 98% average on-time performance rate, Zūm significantly reduces transportation-related student absences.
The parent-friendly Zūm app delivers real-time updates regarding bus locations and student pickup/drop-off status, contributing to an overall satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from families across more than 1.7 million reviews. Such metrics underscore Zūm’s commitment to enhancing user experience through innovation and operational excellence.
Currently, Zūm services over 4,500 schools across 17 states, including major urban districts in places like Los Angeles, Omaha, Kansas City, Oakland, Roanoke, and San Francisco.
The partnership with Rockford Public Schools is part of Zūm’s broader initiative to reshape the landscape of student transportation for educational districts nationwide. To discover more about how Zūm is leading the charge in safe and reliable student mobility, visit www.ridezum.com.
About Zūm
Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (CMX™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real-time within the $50 billion student mobility market. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and strong operational execution, Zūm has achieved recognition from various leading business publications and is backed by prominent investors such as Sequoia Capital and SoftBank.
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