Technology-First. Customer-Focused. Proven Every Day.
Zūm is redefining student transportation through a technology-first, customer-centric platform that delivers measurable impact and an exceptional experience for districts, students and families.
At thousands of schools across the country, Zum’s integrated technology system is transforming the daily student transportation experience through:
- Real-time bus tracking and proactive notifications that give parents peace of mind
- A 98% on-time arrival rate, ensuring students arrive ready to learn
- State-of-the-art buses equipped with advanced safety technology
- A first-rate experience, earning 4.9 out of 5 stars across 1.3 million parent ratings
- Zero driver shortages, ensuring no student is left without a ride
This is modernization in action – data-driven routing, transparent communication, disciplined operations, and a relentless focus on safety and reliability.
“Branford Public Schools, in partnership with Zum, is committed to delivering a first-class transportation system that prioritizes students and families while setting a new standard for safety, reliability, and sustainability,” said Superintendent Christopher Tranberg.
For Zūm, electrification is the next step in that modernization journey – building on a strong foundation of operational excellence and customer-first experience.
Electrification Expands East — A Historic Milestone in Branford
Zūm is now scaling school bus fleet electrification from coast to coast. In the 2024–25 school year, Zum made history by deploying the nation’s first fully electric school bus fleet in Oakland Unified School District in California. This upcoming 2026–27 school year, Zum will deploy its first fully electric school bus yard on the East Coast. In partnership with BranfordPublic Schools (CT), the district will become the largest fully electric school system with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities in the Northeast. All electric buses will be supported by advanced charging infrastructure with built-in bidirectional capability – positioning Branford at the forefront of both transportation and energy innovation.
“This marks a major milestone in Zum’s continued national electrification expansion and an exciting moment for student transportation,” said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum. “As we expand our electrification efforts to the East Coast and launch our first fully electric school bus fleet in the region, Branford is helping set a new national standard. With Zum’s technology platform and this state-of-the-art EV fleet, we are reimagining what’s possible – building a modern transportation system rooted in operational excellence and a relentless focus on safety that improves the experience for students, families, and drivers, sets kids up for success in the classroom, strengthens grid reliability and resiliency, and delivers lasting benefits to the entire community.”
In 2024, Branford Public Schools awarded Zum a 10-year student transportation contract with the goal of transitioning the district to a 100% electric school bus operation within five years. Through its partnership with Zum, Branford Public Schools is now on track to achieve this transition within the first two years of the contract – three years ahead of schedule.
From Modern Transportation to Energy Innovation
Branford’s electric school bus operation will include vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, allowing bus batteries to return stored energy to the local grid when not in use — strengthening grid reliability and maximizing public infrastructure investments.
Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz delivered remarks at Zum’s school bus yard at a groundbreaking event in February, commending the launch of Connecticut’s first fully electric school bus operation and recognizing Zūm’s leadership in modernizing student transportation across the state.
“Branford is proving that clean, reliable student transportation is possible today,” said Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “By deploying the largest fully electric school bus fleet in the Northeast, we are delivering cleaner air for kids, smarter infrastructure for communities, and a model for the nation.”
“Electric school buses with bidirectional charging capabilities create cleaner transportation for our students today and position our district to support grid resilience in the future by returning stored energy from bus batteries back to the grid,” said Superintendent
Christopher Tranberg.
Branford joins a growing network of forward-thinking districts nationwide – including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Omaha, Boston, and Kansas City – that are embracing technology-powered, electrified transportation.With every deployment, Zum is meeting families where they are – ensuring students have safe, reliable access to education. It begins with transportation that is dependable and efficient – and now, increasingly, clean.
Learn more at www.ridezum.com.
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