Zūm Honored at 2025 Reuters Global Sustainability Awards for Innovation in Student Transportation

Zūm Earns Recognition in Global Sustainability Awards

Zūm, a frontrunner in modern student transportation, has recently been celebrated at the 2025 Reuters Global Sustainability Awards, securing a 'Highly Commended' accolade in the Product Innovation category. This prestigious event acknowledges companies that are leading the way in sustainable business practices, focusing on the transition to a net-zero future. Other well-noted recipients this year include major players like Cisco Systems and Coca-Cola.

Ritu Narayan, the Founder and CEO of Zūm, expressed enthusiasm about the recognition, stating, "Zūm has gained incredible momentum and support for its mission to increase the safety, efficiency, and equity of student transportation while enhancing grid resilience for communities nationwide." Narayan emphasized the company’s dedication to modernizing the industry for families, drivers, and schools alike.

What sets Zūm apart in the educational transportation landscape is its innovative technology that enhances various aspects of student transit. By unifying parents, students, school administrators, and drivers on a single platform, Zūm offers unprecedented visibility and accountability through its app. Parents can track their child's transportation in real-time, view profiles of bus drivers, and receive notifications regarding pickup or drop-off statuses. This not only improves the experience for students and parents but also optimizes the operational efficiency for schools.

In a significant step toward environmental sustainability, Zūm took a remarkable leap in 2024 by launching the first fully electrified school bus fleet in Oakland, California. This fleet of 74 buses is integrated with cutting-edge vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. This advancement not only allows the buses to provide energy back to the local grid but also boosts grid resilience during periods of high demand.

Zūm currently operates across more than 4,000 schools in 14 states, including notable districts in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston. The company is recognized for its transformative approach and has been featured in significant publications, including Fast Company and the Financial Times.

The growing emphasis on safety and accountability in the realm of student transit is crucial as schools seek to create safer environments for young learners. Through its technology, Zūm aims to provide not only modern but also safe and reliable transportation solutions that address the evolving needs of families and educational institutions.

As the demand for innovative and sustainable solutions continues to rise, Zūm stands at the forefront, leading by example in the transportation industry. Companies wishing to follow a similar path can look to Zūm’s model as a beacon of innovation and responsibility toward sustainability and community engagement.

For more details on their operations and initiatives, one can visit Zūm’s official website. This recognition at the Reuters Global Sustainability Awards marks a significant milestone in Zūm’s journey and highlights a growing trend within the industry toward improved transportation solutions that are in tune with environmental needs and community values.