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BUS RIDERSHIP
BUS RIDERSHIP

FALL LAUNCH
FALL LAUNCH

In the 2023-2024 school year, we launched the initial testing phase of the
Student Bus Ridership Project. Testing and feedback from the drivers indicated
a problem with the accuracy and latency of the barcode scanners as installed.
After working with the vendor and testing extensively, we arrived at a workable
solution that required updating the firmware of the scanner and an update to
the mobile driver tablet. The scanner updates had to be performed individually
and manually on the scanners, necessitating the vendor to send out a batch
of updated tablets. These were swapped out for the installed scanners; the
removed scanners were sent back to be updated. This ‘rinse and repeat’
process continued until all bus scanners had the new update.

The enhanced pilot phase will continue through October 2024, marking a
significant step forward in improving student transportation efficiency and
safety. The pilot phase will allow for further refinement of the processes prior to
rolling out to the entire fleet of buses. In November 2024, we will launch the live
version of the project, to include all schools and student bus riders.

Bus Ridership is a student tracking system that allows our Transportation
Department to monitor when students scan on and off buses. This provides
peace of mind by ensuring that students are safely transported on the correct
bus in the morning and on the right bus in the afternoon. Students board and
exit buses by placing their school identification badges under the barcode
reader located at the front of the bus. This barcode reader automatically scans
the ID on a student badge and syncs their information with the routing system.
In addition, on special needs routes, the bus driver may manually select the
names of students when entering and exiting the bus by using the tablet
installed next to the driver’s chair.

Student Ridership Verification is an extra feature that allows the driver to
check if the student entering or exiting the bus is at the right stop or should even
be on that bus. It can prevent situations in which students get on the incorrect
bus (either in the morning or upon leaving school) or exit the bus at the wrong
stop, and drivers have an extra layer of protection against younger students
getting off at the wrong stop.This enhancement will help bus drivers operate
more efficiently, which will benefit students, drivers, and the District.

Ultimately, Student Ridership will help with the accuracy of state-required
ridership surveys and provide more detailed ridership metrics and reports.

Transportation staff, in collaboration with the vendor, Synovia, worked diligently
for numerous months to achieve success - well done.
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