SAN ANTONIO — At Star Shuttle, safety starts before drivers even get behind the wheel. Each morning, many receive a text message with a quick safety question, part of a program designed to keep them alert and thinking about best practices on the road. The company also sends out a monthly safety newsletter and quizzes drivers during meetings, offering prizes to those who know the answers.
These extra steps are among the reasons the San Antonio-based transportation company has been recognized again by the National Safety Council. Star Shuttle earned an Innovative Practices in Traffic Safety Award through the annual Our Driving Concern Texas Employer Traffic Safety Awards, presented by the Texas Department of Transportation.
It is the fourth time Star Shuttle has been honored, with awards coming in 2018, 2019, and 2024.
“It’s through nomination. Normally, somebody within our company will nominate us, or sometimes our partners do,” said Savannah Fernandez, a 12-year Star Shuttle employee and part of its driver pool since 2019. “We work hand in hand with Our Driving Concern on a regular basis, so they’ve seen firsthand the programs we implement to keep our drivers and passengers safe.”
Keeping safety in mind
One program praised by NSC was Habit Builder, a pilot project that delivered daily safety reminders by text.
“At first, drivers wondered why they were getting a message every morning,” Fernandez said. “We reminded them it’s safety first. Before you start your day, you get a safety message to keep the basics fresh in your mind. Even if you’ve driven the same route for months, you still have to be alert to what’s happening around you.”
The company’s safety newsletter, launched in 2024, pulls resources from the United Motorcoach Association, the American Bus Association, IMG, and NSC. Supervisors test drivers on the content to keep it top of mind.
“It helps us make sure everyone is getting the messages we want to share,” Fernandez said. “It keeps everyone engaged and focused.”
Mark Chung, executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy at NSC, said winners like Star Shuttle show others how to make a difference.
“These organizations aren’t just following best practices, they’re leading the way on the Road to Zero — zero crashes, zero injuries, zero fatalities,” Chung said.
Credits UMA resources
Still, crashes remain a major concern in Texas. In 2024, one person was injured in a crash every two minutes and five seconds, and a reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds, according to the NSC.
This year’s awards were presented Aug. 20 at the TxDOT Traffic Safety Conference in Austin. Other recipients included Arlington Independent School District, the city of San Antonio, Port of Corpus Christi, and Global Animal Products.
Star Shuttle leaders also credited outside partners for helping them reach this achievement, pointing to the training and resources provided by the United Motorcoach Association as a key part of their safety programs.
Fernandez added that she still occasionally drives routes herself, both to help train drivers and to stay connected with them.
“Just being out there shows them we’ll do the same things we’re asking of them,” she said. “It builds trust and rapport.”
