Zūm

We are excited to announce that Zūm has been honored on Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025! The annual list recognizes companies that are moving the needle for business and culture. Zum ranks at No. 3 in the Sustainability category on this year’s list. “We are honored to be recognized on Fast Company’s prestigious list of Most Innovative Companies for our work in modernizing student transportation for families, drivers and schools across the country,” said Ritu Narayan, CEO and Founder of Zum. “Our innovations have transformed the safety, efficiency and equity of the school bus system, with the added benefit of improving grid reliability and resiliency using vehicle-to-grid technology to power the grid with electric school bus batteries. We’re grateful to our partners who share our commitment to reshaping the future of the industry.” “Our list of the Most Innovative Companies offers both a comprehensive look at innovation today and a playbook for the future,” said Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. “This year, we recognize companies that are harnessing AI in deep and meaningful ways, brands that are turning customers into superfans by overdelivering for them, and challengers that are introducing bold ideas and vital competition to their industries. At a time when the world is rapidly shifting, these companies are charting the way forward.” The complete list of Most Innovative Companies can be found at https://lnkd.in/ekxmwYzp. Learn more about this announcement and how Zum is modernizing student transportation for thousands of schools: https://lnkd.in/gHGmHXVF

Millard Public Schools has awarded a four-year transportation contract to Zūm. Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this partnership will enable the Nebraska district to deliver superior service built around the needs of students and families along with the teachers, administrators and drivers committed to creating the best educational experience for children. “We are very excited for our partnership with Zum,” said Millard Superintendent Dr. John Schwartz. “Safety always comes first, and we also place a high priority on the service we provide for students and families. Zum offers several unique features that will improve both. Through our partnership, families will now be able to track their child’s ride. Additionally, the buses will be new, will include air conditioning, and will also be propane, which is the most reliable during the winter months.” "We are honored to partner with Millard Public Schools, a district that has been recognized for its academic excellence and engaged student population,” said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO at Zum. “We are excited to launch this partnership in the 2025-26 school year and provide greater visibility and transparency to parents, students, drivers and schools.” Learn more about this partnership here:? https://lnkd.in/dGriVJaP

Zūm CEO and Founder Ritu Narayan has been named to Journey To Lead’s 2025-26 class of Fellows, recognizing her leadership and innovation in student transportation. Journey to Lead is a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the diversity and trajectory of women in leadership. Each year, the organization selects 25 Fellows who are proven innovators and “barrier breakers” with exceptional potential to impact the world. Narayan was nominated for the award by Julie Schlosser, Executive Director and Founding Partner at Journey to Lead. Schlosser, whose children travel to and from school each day via Zum school buses in Seattle, was so impressed with Zum’s transportation solution for Seattle Public Schools that she thought Narayan deserved recognition. “I am honored to be part of the new class of Journey to Lead Fellows in the company of such accomplished and inspiring leaders,” Narayan said. “I started Zum with a mission to change the status quo in student transportation, and I won’t stop until every child has access to safe, reliable and equitable rides to and from school each day. I look forward to connecting with this incredible community of women working to create a better world.” Congrats to Ritu on this achievement!

We are excited to announce that Saint Louis Public Schools [SLPS] has awarded a three-year transportation contract to Zūm. The decision signals the district's commitment to a safe, efficient, transparent and more equitable solution for students and families. SLPS serves more than 18,000 students in more than 60 schools. Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this partnership with Zum will enable the district to deliver superior service built around the needs of SLPS students and families along with the teachers, administrators and drivers committed to creating the best educational experience for children. “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 a transportation 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.” "We are delighted to partner with Saint Louis Public Schools, a district that shares Zum’s vision of a future where student transportation advances equity, accessibility and student-centered transportation solutions,“ said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO at Zum. “We look forward to working with families in the SLPS community and encourage all those interested in driving, both experienced and new, for Zum to apply and attend our upcoming hiring events." We’re thrilled to welcome Saint Louis Public Schools as a school district partner! https://lnkd.in/gKK_brf5

In a new feature from Ulu Ventures, Zūm Founder and CEO Ritu Narayan talks about Zum’s rapid expansion and industry-leading technology platform. “Zum is using digitization and technology to bring peace of mind and transparency to school transportation for every parent and student,” Narayan says.“In addition, we’re changing the infrastructure, and making it cleaner and more sustainable for the communities we serve.” Narayan adds, “My dream is for every single school district to have Zum and have all 27 million students nationwide commuting on a safe, reliable and efficient transportation system.” Thanks to Rusty Dornin for the insightful interview, which you can watch here: https://lnkd.in/gd8W6RtK

Zūm is excited to share the latest Our Climate Journey interview, with our very own Jake Olafson: "To me, sustainability is about re-using what we have–and I mean everything." Read the full, inspiring interview on our blog! https://lnkd.in/gsp5u2AX

Thanks to WFXR reporter Zoe Mowery for a report about how Zūm’s safe, efficient student transportation has impacted students, parents, and teachers in Roanoke City Public Schools! “(At the) beginning of service, we got a call from one of the middle schools saying it was the first time in 10 years school started on time. That’s a wonderful tribute,” said John Gray, Zum location manager in Roanoke. He added that, at another school, teachers and administrators were “shocked that they got to go home on time for the first time in about 7 to 10 years.” Since partnering with Zum this school year, Roanoke City Public Schools has an on-time arrival rate of 96%, an increase of almost 20%. See the full story here:? https://lnkd.in/g_Naapch

On the latest episode of the Supercool podcast, host Josh Dorfman speaks with Zūm CEO Ritu Narayan about how Zum’s industry-leading technology and modern buses are shaping the future of student transportation, making it safe, efficient and more equitable. “Student transportation has not changed in 80 years,” Narayan says in the interview. “Kids commute the same way you and I did, or our grandparents did. And interestingly, no technology had touched this area, which led to little transparency – parents can track their pizza and their packages, but they don’t know where their kids are.” Narayan also shares her founding story: “It has to be a painkiller. In our case, I have two children. That's the reason the company was founded. Every single morning and every single afternoon, you feel the pain. If that system doesn't work, nothing else works. You can't go to work. You can't take care of any other thing. Transportation directors used to tell us they would stay back till seven o'clock working on walkie-talkies till the last student was delivered safely. And in our case, they have everything on the tip of the mobile app and their systems.” Listen to the episode here, or wherever you get podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gh7b2UUA Thank you to Josh for an engaging and thoughtful conversation!

Zūm is thrilled to kick off 2025 with another Our Climate Journey interview, this time Don Davidson: "To me, sustainability is paying attention to the long chain of cause and effect–how everything we do impacts something else down the line." Check out Don's excellent full interview on our blog: https://lnkd.in/ejRsxeVf

Zūm is excited to share the latest in the Our Climate Journey interview series, this time with Eric N. Huegerich: "To me, sustainability is all about maximizing the use of the resources you already have." Find the full interview on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gRQkX_FJ