A group of Scottish soccer fans donated $15,000 to a Massachusetts charity supporting students in need after an unexpected experience riding American school buses became one of the highlights of their World Cup visit, reported WBUR News.
According to the news report, the donation from Scotland’s famed “Tartan Army” was inspired by the yellow school buses that transported hundreds of fans between Boston and Gillette Stadium for Scotland’s FIFA World Cup matches last month.
“It was always going to be a good experience,” said Mike Teevan via the article, a Scotland resident who organized transportation for traveling supporters. “But the school buses were just another level.”
Teevan originally planned to charter private coaches for Scotland’s June 13 match against Haiti and June 19 match against Morocco. Interest quickly exceeded expectations, growing to 21 buses before one transportation provider withdrew, leaving organizers facing an additional $14,000 in transportation costs.
After reportedly learning another group of Scottish soccer supporters based in Providence was using school buses operated by First Student, Teevan changed plans despite concerns from passengers about the lack of air conditioning, onboard restrooms and what they expected would be a two-hour trip through Boston-area traffic.
Instead, more than 560 supporters reportedly boarded a dozen yellow school buses for each World Cup match and embraced the experience. With windows down, fans sang throughout the ride, stopped to purchase about 8,000 cans of beer across both game days and reached the stadium in about 75 minutes, including the stop.
“The American school bus is something that everybody knows here, mainly due to ‘The Simpsons,’” Teevan told local news reporters. Although passengers had paid about $60 for transportation, none requested refunds after the last-minute switch from private coaches.
Instead, Teevan reportedly said riding on school buses prompted him to find a way to give back to the students whose buses they had used. The Scottish soccer fans donated the savings to The Massachusetts Child, a charity administered by the Massachusetts Teachers Association that provides grants to school districts for books, school supplies, clothing and other essentials for students experiencing financial hardship. The organization distributed more than $60,000 to 50 school districts last year.
A separate group of Scottish soccer fans staying in Providence also donated $10,000 to Hasbro Children’s Hospital during the tournament.
Related: LA Metro Has Contracted with Zum for Transportation During FIFA World Cup 2026 Tournament in Los Angeles
Related: Stuff the Bus Drive Launches on California’s Central Coast Helping Students
Related: North Carolina School’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ Drive Returns to Support Local Students
Related: Salvation Army Hosts Stuff the Bus Donation Drive in Indiana
