The units, which can track everything from a bus driver’s position during their route to the time and location of each stop the buses make, provide several benefits for the district, said Mike Braun, who serves as transportation coordinator and dean of students at Triad.
He noted most of the district’s drivers have numerous years of experience, and already are extremely familiar with local roads. But by coordinating efforts between the new units, input from drivers, and routing software, bus routes overall this year have been trimmed by about four hours a week, saving the district money on items such as gasoline.
“To me, it’s another tool to make the bus routing more efficient,” Braun said.
Jodi Knief, who’s worked as a driver in the district for 28 years, said most drivers barely notice the devices. But they can be helpful for new drivers and substitutes who might not be as familiar on their routes.
Craig Meredith, superintendent at Triad, said the district typically pays about $2,000 a year for its routing software. The district was able to use grant money to cover the one-time cost of $7,000 to install the GPS systems.
The systems could help make the district’s buses safer as well, Meredith said.
During a snow storm earlier this year, Meredith said one of the buses became stuck on a local road and district officials had to determine its location so it could be towed. The new systems will be particularly helpful if a similar situation arises again, Meredith said.
From his office in a modular building near the elementary school, Braun can track the location of each bus from a live feed.
Braun said the devices also have been helpful in the few cases in which residents have questions about whether a bus made a stop in the correct location or at the correct time. Previously, the district would be have little evidence to provide that information, but now the devices track each stop and can show what time the bus arrived.
He said most parents aren’t likely aware of the units.
“That’s something they don’t see because the buses are running like normal and the bus drivers were doing what they’ve always done,” Braun said.
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