Enhancing School Bus Safety: Premier Wireless Urges School Districts to Embrace Vital Technologies

The 2023 school has started, and along with it, reports of very young school children being left at the wrong bus stop:

• Edmond, OK: Moment five-year-old boy rings doorbell for help after he and another child were dropped off at the WRONG stop by school bus driver
• Katy, TX: ’I was lost’ | Kindergartener let off at wrong Katy ISD bus stop, spent 45 minutes wandering the neighborhood alone
• Loveland, CO: School bus drops 5-year-old student over a mile from home

As a technology solutions company, it pains us to hear of these stories because we know these events are preventable. With the new school year underway, student safety is at the forefront of every parent and educator's mind. While school buses have long been a staple of the education system, the reality is that many school districts lack the essential technology needed to ensure the safety of their youngest riders.

Improving Student Ridership

The technology exists for parents, school administrators, and bus drivers to pinpoint exactly where a student boarded and disembarked the bus on any given day. To ensure student safety, especially for our youngest riders, this technology is essential. Accurate and real-time student ridership software should be a fundamental component of every school district's safety communication plan. With this technology in place, the worry of students boarding the wrong bus or getting off at the wrong stop becomes virtually non-existent. Moreover, if a concerned parent calls, the school can promptly verify whether the student used the bus service that day and locate both the student and their bus.

In instances where a student has exited the bus, and their whereabouts are unknown, districts armed with student ridership technology can swiftly provide a last known location. This information is a focal point for parents and law enforcement, streamlining search efforts and maximizing the likelihood of safely reuniting the child with their caregivers. This technology eradicates unnecessary searches and ensures resources are allocated where they matter most.

GPS: Navigating Safely

GPS technology isn't just about convenience; it's a fundamental tool for school bus safety. Equipping buses with GPS enables real-time tracking, allowing transportation departments and public safety personnel to pinpoint a bus's location instantly, anytime, anywhere. Beyond location data, this technology provides vital information like speed monitoring, stop reports, and geo-fencing. Deviations alert transportation departments, ensure drivers stay on track, and confidently navigate their routes stress-free.

Internet Access Unlocks Real-Time Insights

With high-speed 5G cellular networks available in most school districts coupled with affordable rate plans, not having buses equipped with WiFi is unacceptable. Every bus should have internet connectivity to ensure the safety of the school buses. This technology enables law enforcement and school officials to have real-time situational awareness. Principals can remotely access camera footage to resolve issues promptly and accurately. The combined impact of GPS, student ridership software, and Wi-Fi allows for real-time video surveillance during emergencies, creating a safer environment for all on board.

Modern Tech: Investment in Safety and Peace of Mind

Embracing cost-effective technology isn't just about safety—it's about fostering trust between schools and parents. A parent app providing real-time bus location and boarding/deboarding times quells parental concerns. Simultaneously, administrators gain immediate access to camera footage, expediting issue resolution. For transportation directors juggling multiple responsibilities, modern technology streamlines data collection, eliminating outdated and inefficient processes.

As students eagerly return to school, it's the responsibility of school districts to ensure their safety. Embracing technology like GPS, student ridership tracking, and internet access transforms school buses into safer, more efficient environments. With these tools in place, parents can rest assured, educators can respond effectively, and students can embark on their educational journeys with confidence.

Premier Wireless Business Technology Solutions, Inc. has 30 years of experience working with school districts nationwide to improve safety. Our ConnectED Bus portfolio of solutions includes all the school bus safety technologies mentioned above, plus more:

• GPS & Turn-by-Turn Directions: Real-time global positioning determines where and where the bus has been. Helps new or substitute drivers and ensures efficiency along routes.
• Student Ridership & Parent App: Enables historical records of school transportation usage and real-time peace of mind to parents and administrators regarding students’ locations.
• Bus Wi-Fi for Cameras and Students: Provides high-speed internet access to enable real-time camera access for school administrators and emergency personnel. Students can extend their learning time by researching, studying, or doing homework during their commute.
• Push-to-Talk Cellular Radios: Ensures reliable and efficient communication for drivers, dispatchers, administrators, and first responders.

To watch a recent webinar by Premier Wireless President & CEO, Lea Bogle, click here. If you’d like a quote on our products or services, email, sales@pwbts.net.

To download a printable PDF, click here.