Student transportation provider Zum to deploy 238 electric school buses for San Francisco Unified School District

San Francisco Unified School District and Zum have launched what is described as the largest electric school bus deployment in the United States.

Zum is a California-based company specializing in student transportation services, fleet management software and electric school bus operations, announced on 21 May the deployment of an all-electric school bus fleet for San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

The project combines electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, routing systems and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities through the company’s Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) platform. According to Zum, the initiative will create the largest bidirectional electric school bus fleet currently planned in the U.S. market.

Zum says it currently operates in 17 U.S. states and serves more than 4,500 schools. In December 2025 it was commissioned a contract for the deployment of a fully electric fleet for Branford Public Schools, a project described by the company as the largest fully electric school district fleet in the U.S. Northeast.

Staying on the US electric shool bus market, recently New York State delayed electric school bus mandate by five years amid cost and infrastructure concerns.

238 electric school buses planned for San Francisco

The first phase of the project will see 104 electric school buses enter service in August 2026.

The deployment plan foresees additional vehicles being introduced ahead of the 2027-2028 school year, bringing the total fleet to 238 electric buses operating in San Francisco. The buses will provide student transportation services across the district while also participating in energy management activities through vehicle-to-grid operations.

Zum states that the fleet will be capable of returning approximately 3 GWh of electricity annually to the local grid during peak-demand periods through its V2G infrastructure.

The project is supported through funding and incentive programs involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, the California Energy Commission, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and utility company PG&E.

Connected Mobility Experience platform at the core of the project

The deployment is based on Zum’s Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) platform, which integrates vehicle operations, routing, dispatching, charging infrastructure, driver management and passenger information systems within a single operating environment.

According to data released by the company, SFUSD’s transportation operations under the Zum platform have recorded an average on-time performance of 98%, complete route coverage without driver shortages and annual transportation cost savings of approximately $3.5 million for the district. The platform also provides real-time vehicle tracking, estimated arrival times and communication tools for families through a dedicated mobile application.

Ritu Narayan, CEO of Zum, said: “Today marks a major achievement in Zum’s national electrification efforts as well as an exciting evolution of our successful partnership with San Francisco Unified School District. This state-of-the-art electric fleet, combined with Zum’s CMX technology, will improve the mobility experience for students, families, and drivers while strengthening grid reliability and resiliency for the entire community.”

SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Maria Su stated: “This investment reflects our commitment to improving the daily experience for students and families by providing safer, quieter, cleaner, and more reliable transportation to and from school, while also advancing the district’s long-term operational and sustainability goals.”

California State Senator Scott Wiener said: “These electric school buses will deliver cleaner air and a quieter ride for students, giving them the best possible start to the school day. During peak demand hours, the buses will return energy to the local grid, improving affordability and resiliency for the city.”