For Star Shuttle, safety isn’t just a policy—it’s a daily practice woven into every shift. Before many drivers even turn the ignition, they’re greeted with a short text message containing a safety tip or reminder. The idea is simple: keep safety top of mind before hitting the road. From there, regular newsletters, driver meetings, and even quiz prizes reinforce the company’s commitment to protecting both employees and passengers.
That dedication has once again earned Star Shuttle national recognition. The San Antonio-based transportation provider has been honored with the Innovative Practices in Traffic Safety Award from the National Safety Council (NSC) through the annual Our Driving Concern Texas Employer Traffic Safety Awards, presented by the Texas Department of Transportation.
This marks the fourth time Star Shuttle has received the award, with previous wins in 2018, 2019, and 2024.
Savannah Fernandez, who has been with the company for more than a decade and joined the driver pool in 2019, explained how nominations happen.
“It’s through nomination. Normally, somebody within our company will nominate us, or sometimes our partners do,” Fernandez said. “We work hand in hand with Our Driving Concern regularly, so they’ve seen firsthand the programs we implement to keep our drivers and passengers safe.”
Building safe habits every day
One standout initiative is the company’s Habit Builder program, a pilot that sent drivers 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.”
Star Shuttle also rolled out a monthly safety newsletter in 2024, pulling resources from the United Motorcoach Association (UMA), the American Bus Association, IMG, and NSC. Drivers are quizzed on its content during meetings, keeping the material active and relevant.
“It helps us make sure everyone is getting the messages we want to share,” Fernandez explained. “It keeps everyone engaged and focused.”
National recognition
Mark Chung, executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy at NSC, emphasized that Star Shuttle’s work sets a benchmark for others.
“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.
But the need for safety innovation remains urgent. In 2024 alone, Texas reported a crash every 57 seconds, with someone injured in a collision every two minutes and five seconds, according to NSC data.
The awards were handed out on August 20 at the TxDOT Traffic Safety Conference in Austin. Alongside Star Shuttle, other honorees included Arlington Independent School District, the city of San Antonio, the Port of Corpus Christi, and Global Animal Products.
A team effort
Star Shuttle leadership was quick to credit its industry partners for contributing to this recognition, highlighting the training and resources supplied by the United Motorcoach Association as a cornerstone of their safety strategy.
Fernandez, who still drives routes from time to time, said staying behind the wheel is part of her leadership style.
“Just being out there shows them we’ll do the same things we’re asking of them,” she said. “It builds trust and rapport.”
With its fourth NSC award now on the shelf, Star Shuttle continues to prove that building a culture of safety requires persistence, creativity, and collaboration.
Image / Source: Bus and Motorcoach News Savannah Fernandez holds the award with Omiyon Toran, Star Shuttle’s Austin operations manager.
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