Heather Boushey, the chief economist for the Invest in America Cabinet at the White House, praised Zum, a company founded by Indian immigrant Ritu Narayan, for its efforts in modernizing student transportation and promoting sustainability.
During her visit to Zum’s San Francisco bus yard on March 4, Boushey toured the company’s advanced facilities, experienced a ride on one of its electric buses, and engaged with the leadership team, including founder and CEO Narayan. Zum utilizes technology, particularly AI, to efficiently manage private school bus fleets, offering school districts a sustainable and cost-effective solution for their transportation needs. Currently, Zum serves over 4,000 schools across the United States, including cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.
Recently, Zum secured a $26 million grant through the Biden administration’s inaugural Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The grant aims to support school district partners in electrifying their bus fleets. With this funding, Zum plans to accelerate the transition to fully electric fleets for the San Francisco Unified School District and the Oakland Unified School District by the conclusion of the 2026-2027 school year.
Ritu Narayan appreciated hosting Heather Boushey and highlighted Zum’s technology, which is transforming the $50 billion student transportation sector. Narayan highlighted the company’s commitment to a connected platform, enhanced safety measures, and dedication to equity and sustainability.
Boushey reiterated President Biden’s commitment to economic growth from the middle-out and bottom-up, emphasizing the administration’s focus on infrastructure development, cost reduction, and opportunities for families, workers, and small businesses. She emphasized that the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition would stimulate the economy, create high-paying jobs, and improve air quality for children and families.
During her visit, Boushey also participated in a roundtable discussion alongside Zum leadership and other dignitaries, emphasizing the importance of accelerating the transition to electric school buses for a sustainable future.
