Transportation Services Interim General Manager John Wilcots IV has been selected to permanently oversee the district’s transportation department.

A transportation industry veteran, Wilcots has served as interim general manager since September 2018. Since then, he has been credited with leading the department through focused efforts to improve student bus service by increasing route efficiency and addressing critical staffing needs.

His new position is effective Jan. 28.

“The experience and knowledge that John brings to the table has given him a steady hand at the helm of the Transportation Services department,” HISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby said. “I’m glad to have his leadership as we continue to improve departmental operations.”

Wilcots brings more than 15 years of varied transportation experience to the position, including stints as a bus driver, area manager, and terminal manager for the district’s Central Terminal. He also has served in management positions at all four of the district’s bus terminals.

During his tenure as interim general manager, Transportation Services executed an extensive review of bus routing and scheduling to streamline operations and increase efficiency across the system. That review led to a significant decrease in routes and in the number of buses arriving at school late each day.

Wilcots also oversaw the implementation of the Student Badge Program, which provides the district with real-time ridership data and allows parents who sign up for the service to receive alerts when their children get on and off the bus.