ST. LOUIS—The St. Louis Public School District has approved a three-year, $30 million contract that it hopes will solve the district's problems with student transportation.

Zum, a California-based firm that operates in districts in the Kansas City and Chicago areas, will replace a patchwork of transportation options the district is using this year after the Missouri Central School Bus company canceled its contract a year early.

"Ensuring that our students arrive at school safely, on time, and ready to learn is a top priority for Saint Louis Public Schools,” said Dr. Millicent Borishade, Interim Superintendent of SLPS. “Through our partnership with Zum, we are embracing atransportation model that prioritizes safety, equity, and innovation. This collaboration will provide families with greater visibility into their child’s ride to and from school while also improving operational efficiency for our district.”

The contract includes online tools families and schools can use to improve on-time performance. SLPS students and families can expect a seamless transition to Zum’s services beginning in the 2025-26 school year. In the coming months, the district will work closely with Zum to ensure a smooth implementation, providing additional details on routing, driver hiring, and onboarding for families.

All current drivers are eligible to work with the incoming provider, but are required to finish out the 2024-2025 school year and maintain good attendance.

For more information about Zum, visit www.ridezum.com.