Fresno Unified School District has expanded its partnership with Zūm to provide full-service transportation across 172 special education routes. The move builds on a year of successful technology implementation and marks a significant step toward enhancing student mobility, safety, and operational efficiency across the district.
Building on Technology-Driven Success
The expansion follows the district’s adoption of Zum’s proprietary transportation technology platform last year. According to district officials, measurable improvements were recorded, including optimized routing, shorter commute times, and smoother daily transportation experiences for students.
Paul Rosencrans, Transportation Director at Fresno Unified, stated that the collaboration has strengthened service reliability while reinforcing the district’s commitment to student safety and equitable access to education.
Operational Details: Hiring and Infrastructure Expansion
To support the expanded service model, Zum plans to hire 190 school bus drivers in Fresno. A three-day hiring event will take place from March 3 to March 5 at Courtyard by Marriott Fresno. Certified drivers and individuals seeking a new career opportunity are encouraged to apply, with training programs available for non-certified candidates.
Zum offers competitive hourly wages ranging from $25.98 to $32.02, alongside benefits, advanced safety technology, and specialized training focused on transporting students with diverse needs and disabilities.
Strategic and Economic Impact
The expanded partnership is expected to create local employment opportunities while modernizing transportation infrastructure within the district. Zum equips its fleet with advanced safety systems and air-conditioned buses, aiming to improve both student comfort and driver working conditions.
Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum, emphasized that the company’s mission centers on safety, reliability, and equity in student transportation — priorities that align closely with Fresno Unified’s operational goals.
National Presence and Broader Significance
Zum currently serves more than 4,000 schools across 15 U.S. states, partnering with several major urban districts nationwide. The Fresno expansion reflects broader momentum in modernizing student transportation through integrated mobility platforms and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) innovation.
As districts nationwide seek scalable, technology-driven mobility solutions, the Fresno Unified–Zum partnership signals continued transformation in the $50 billion student transportation market.
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