American school buses constitute the largest mass transportation system in the country. Every day, these vehicles transport nearly 25,000,000 children to and from school, and they do it remarkably well. School bus technology has changed a lot in recent years, particularly in the field of school bus tracking.
Why do school buses need to be tracked, anyway? A better question is why they’re not already. School buses have a responsibility to safety and they’re also very expensive for school districts. Here are a few reasons it makes sense to track them.
Tracked Buses Offer More Transparency
Transparency for who? For everyone. School bus trackers give districts visibility on the state and location of their buses: where they are, how their systems are functioning, and whether they’re on time. That kind of information, in turn, allows decision-makers to better plan routes and pick-up/drop-off locations for the future. It also allows managers to ensure bus drivers are maintaining their route at all times. Bus tracking systems with parental access allow parents to know when their kids’ bus arrives providing transparency of movement and giving them more peace of mind.
School Bus Tracking Saves Districts Money
School buses cost up to $100,000 to purchase outright and their annual operation costs anywhere from $3,000-$6,000 per bus. For districts with hundreds of buses? That can add up to millions a year. Optimizing school bus routes shaves valuable dollars off the cost of gas and maintenance for bus fleets – it also saves time. Some software platforms can actually relay maintenance information directly from buses themselves. When buses operate more efficiently, everyone wins.
Tracking Makes Students Safer
Student transportation is more complicated than ever. Only about 70% of children live with two parents, a change of over 15% since the late 1960s. Many kids today split their time between households, presenting logistical challenges for schools. When parents – and schools – are able to see where their buses are as well as be alerted when they’ve arrived at their associated stop, those students are safer. Bus tracking technology also allows bus managers to make route changes based on safety concerns in the field like ice or accidents. Bus tracking also helps keep buses on schedule, reducing the amount of time kids spend near the road waiting for a late bus.
The Technology is Available
School bus tracking technology has been drastically simplified in recent years. Mounted GPS devices can be installed in each bus cost-effectively, relaying location and diagnostic information directly to administrators. Some particularly tech-forward bus tracking solutions utilize the mobile functionality of tablet devices, too. Integrated tracking technology platforms can provide additional services to districts such as content-restricted WiFi access and HD video recording of bus activities. As platforms compete to create the best school bus tracker on the market, these technologies have become even more affordable for school districts.
Viafy is making school bus tracking technology better.
Our technology is affordable, secure, and easy-to-use. Contact us today to find out why your school needs bus tracking technology.