About Us
Our Journey
Linda Howard, Founder and CEO
My journey began with aquiring a London-based home-to-school transport service, driven by a deep passion for ensuring the safety of all children. The goal was to create a service that parents and schools could trust, confident that their children were cared for by dedicated and valued employees. By prioritising safety in line with international best practice standards, a service was developed that could be a source of pride. The company became the first bus service to implement Safer Recruitment standards, committed to hiring the best people to create a safe and supportive environment for each child.
Over the last 20 years, collaboration with international and independent schools, transportation providers, and government bodies across Asia, Europe and the Middle East has been key. Throughout this period, the same passion that sparked the journey has remained. For children who use a school bus, the school day begins and ends with their bus journey.
This passion for safe school bus services stems from a deep understanding of transportation's crucial role in a child's daily life. The school bus is more than just a vehicle; it is an extension of the school environment, where children should feel secure and cared for. Each journey is an opportunity to ensure that children start and end their school day positively and stress-free.
A steadfast commitment to safety involves rigorous driver training programs, continuous evaluation of safety protocols, and the integration of advanced technologies to monitor and enhance the safety of each journey. Every driver and staff member must be carefully selected and trained to uphold the highest standards of care, creating an atmosphere of trust and reliability. Innovation in safety measures is also the cornerstone of any responsible operating company's approach. From implementing GPS tracking systems to ensuring regular vehicle maintenance checks, every detail must be meticulously planned and executed. This dedication to safety should not just meet but exceed regulatory requirements and set new benchmarks in the industry.
Moreover, building strong relationships with parents and schools is essential. Open communication channels and regular feedback ensure that the service continually evolves to meet the needs and expectations of the community. Parents can rest assured knowing that their concerns are heard and addressed, fostering a collaborative environment focused on the well-being of the children. In essence, every service aspect must be designed with the child's safety and comfort in mind. The school bus should mirror the school's culture of care and daily safety practices, providing a seamless transition between home and school. This vision is about transportation and creating a safe having on wheels where every child feels valued and protected.
Our commitment to this vision is unwavering. We believe that every child deserves a safe and nurturing journey to and from school. This dedication to safety and excellence defines the essence of every journey, shaping a future where school bus services are synonymous with trust, reliability and care.
Our Mission
To provide our clients with the knowledge and structure to deliver a child friendly, safe and efficient school transport service.
Core Values
Supports our mission, defines our work ethic which enables us to meet client needs.
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Listen: We strive to understand the real problems so we can offer the best solutions.
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Value Centric: We minimize time waste through transparency and a clarity of objectives.
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Passion: We strive to pass on our passion for safety and quality school transportation.
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Focus: We focus on delivering our very best through communication, reliability, and dependability.
Linda Howard,
Director
Qualifications
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International Transport Manager CPC
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Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician/Instructor
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Designated Safeguarding Lead and Safer Recruitment Certification
Memberships
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Chartered Member CiLT
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Women in Logistics & Transport
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Confederation Passenger Transport
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National Association for Pupil Transportation
Steve Burnell,
Senior Advisory Consultant
With over three decades of extensive experience at the Senior Management/Director level in the public transport sector, Steve brings a wealth of expertise to his role at School Transport Management Ltd. Prior to relocating to the UAE in 2007, Steve held pivotal positions at renowned organisations such as Virgin Atlantic Airways and National Express. From 2007 to 2017, he made significant contributions to Serco Middle East, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the Dubai transportation landscape.
During his tenure at Serco, Steve spearheaded the development of innovative transport services and introduced an efficient model of student transport systems for the esteemed United Arab Emirates University. His strategic insights and collaborative efforts were instrumental in supporting the RTA's Public Transport Agency in implementing an integrated bus network, thus enhancing mobility across the region.
Since 2017, Steve has been a driving force at STS Group Ltd in the UAE, where he has continued to innovate and lead in the school transport sector. Under his leadership, STS Group Ltd has expanded its services across the GDD and developed recognised safe and innovative services for over 200,000 student journeys daily.
Steve's dedication to advancing the logistics and transport sector is further evidenced by his role as a UAE committee member for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). He actively promotes vocational development initiatives in this capacity, underscoring CILT's contributions to the UAE's public transport sector.
Steve's profound industry knowledge and passion for driving positive change make him an invaluable asset to SchoolTransport Management Ltd. His strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to support our organisation's pursuit of greater success.
Experience
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Managing Director, STS Group (2017 - present)
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Contract and Bid Director, SERCO (2008 - 2017)
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Operations Director, National Express (2007-2008)
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Head of Service Delivery, National Express (1992 - 2007)
Memberships
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Fellow Member CiLT
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Member of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
Chris Coles,
Advisory Consultant
One of the most efficient methods of levelling up children from all backgrounds is for their education to be successful. A great part of success is to remain stress-free and there is no one more passionate that each child’s journey to and from school should be an enjoyable part of their day as opposed to one that delivers them to school stressed and unable to concentrate on their studies.
Chris has been involved in school transport in all capacities, from managing small school transport operations with Section 19 permits up to the role of Operations Director for Kura where he had oversight in the transportation of ove 11,000 children each day. More recently, Chris assisted local authority councils, driving improvements in their school transport operations.
Experience
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Operations Manager (Transport), Queenswood School
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Transport Manager, St John’s School
Operations Director, Kura -
Interim School Transport Manager, Central Bedfordshire Council
Memberships
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Fellow of the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning
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Chartered Member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport
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Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management
Jayne Hadlow, Consultant
Jayne brings over 20 years of experience in Local Authorities, specializing in Independent Travel Training (ITT) programmes and working with SEND students facing diverse challenges. She is passionate about ITT training, viewing it as a transformative journey that empowers young people and adults with learning disabilities to gain independence and confidence, thereby expanding their world and opportunities.
Jayne began her career in 2003 with Essex County Council, where she guided the ITT program to award-winning success. Her expertise has been sought by numerous local authorities, including Suffolk, Southend, Sussex, and various London boroughs, to establish travel training programs and provide staff training.
More recently, Jayne coordinated the successful ITT program for Birmingham County Council, integrating it into school curriculums and securing its place as a permanent offering for SEND students. Under her guidance, the program graduated over 80 students in its first year, achieving life-changing results.
Jayne excels in developing dedicated teams that collaborate to deliver top-notch training for all students in her programmes. She provides ITT Training Level 2 Open Awards Certification to all trainers under her management, a valuable certification that boosts the confidence of parents, carers, and educational establishments in working closely with trainers and the programme lead.
Jayne's expertise and passion for ITT, combined with her extensive experience in Local Authority transport departments, make her the ideal person to lead STM in developing an ITT offer for clients. Her team leadership skills and ability to deliver the best service to each student are exemplary. Jayne's experience with SEND adds additional expertise to the STM team and strengthens the commitment to provide our clients with the best solutions to meet the needs of their student travellers.
Experience
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2022 - Present Birmingham City Council ITT Programme Coordinator
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2018 - 2022 Chelmsford College - T Level Programme Manager
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2003 - 2018 Essex County Council - ITT Programme Manager
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2002 - 2003 Interact ITT - Travel Trainer