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Roles and Responsibilities of School Bus Inspectors and Technicians

Posted on September 26, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

School bus is the safest mode of transportation for students to and from schools. As a result of this, for many years, most of the parents are opting school bus for the transportation of their children.

But there are certain key people those who made it the safest means of transportation for students. Two key people among them are school bus technicians and inspectors as their roles and responsibilities play a major role in student safety in the school bus.

Considering this, we are describing below the roles and responsibilities of school bus technicians and inspectors which can help you know about them in deep.

School Bus Inspector

The school bus inspector ensures that the bus conforms to all the safety rules of the government of the region. The inspector conducts both schedules as well as unscheduled inspections in order that the bus stops, school children and the buses are all operating within the stipulated rules and regulations that are laid down for the purpose.

The Inspector serves as the liaising point among the drivers of the school bus, the teachers and other personnel, technicians and the public. The inspector is allowed a reasonable amount of independent judgment under the guidelines laid down by the Superintendent of Education.

Roles and Responsibilities

Conduct visits to the different bus stops to monitor the loading and unloading of the schoolchildren into the bus.
Conduct visits to the drop off points and bus stops to ensure that premises, personnel and children follow all the laid down guidelines and rules.
Conduct inspections of the motor vehicles and school buses as required according to schedules.
Document the deficiencies and non-compliance so as to inform the relevant department personnel for appropriate enquiry/investigation/action.
Receive complaints related to the buses or the bus stops, conduct relevant investigations and prepare relevant reports for the same; take corrective action within the scope of responsibilities that are assigned.
Coordinate and train all children on bus safety procedures.
Conduct safety check on the bus stop to ensure that distances from curbs and intersections are maintained and report findings to appropriate authorities.
Check files and records for maintenance according to rules.
Review and analyse the competency of bus drivers and other supervisory personnel.
Gather, organize, collate data and prepare relevant reports.
Compile and maintain records and statistics pertaining to school bus inspections.
Develop, coordinate, schedule and conduct on-the-job training for different personnel such as drivers, supervisory staff and technicians.
Serve as an expert and provide guidance to all other personnel related to school buses and their safety.

Knowledge and Skills Required

Departmental statutory procedures, rules, regulations pertaining to school bus inspections.
Federal and local school bus traffic safety codes.
Safety precautions and occupational hazards related to school buses and other vehicles
Methods and practices of sourcing material and equipment required for the inspection of school buses.
Know the principles of supervision.
Communicate in English as well as in the local language with clarity.
Handle restricted information and maintain secrecy as required.
Interact with students, school bus staff, employees, parents, and public as and when required
Maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.
Respond to relevant information.

Physical Demands of the Job

The school bus inspector has lot of works to perform during work times. So, he/she may be required to reach out with hands and arms. As far as vision capabilities are concerned, they should be able to read the fine print, read out from a PC monitor or a hard copy printout.

Finger dexterity is required to manipulate objects. Ability to drive is also necessary. Communication skills are also demanded.

This list is not exhaustive and may include other duties and responsibilities as per the directives of the Superintendent of the Department of Education

School Bus Technicians

School bus technicians’ work under and report to the school bus inspector, the transportation manager, the lead mechanic and the Executive Director of the school. They help to plan, schedule and conduct the repair of the school bus fleet.

They also help in the maintenance and repair of cars, trucks and other motorized equipment within the school premises. In addition to ensuring the availability of vehicles in safe operating conditions, they also maintain written documentation to comply with governmental regulations.

Basic Qualifications Required

They should have at least 3 years of experience in repairing and servicing school buses/medium-sized trucks. They should have a good understanding of school bus repair.

They should have the ability to overhaul both diesel and petrol engines. They are also expected to have a basic knowledge of safety inspection procedures of a school bus according to the Registry of Motor Vehicles guidelines.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Remove and reassemble different body parts and chassis components of the school bus; diagnose problems if any, clean and rebuild, inspect and reassemble the new/original parts and make necessary adjustments.

• Diagnose potential malfunctions using computerized detection equipment for repairs and replacements.

• Inspect, adjust, clean, repair, tighten, minor items such as reflectors, lights, bulbs and lenses.

• Perform engine tune-ups.

• Repair spring pins, leaf springs, shocks and kingpins.

• Do regular maintenance of school bus.

• Perform tire repairs; change lube oils and filters; replace broken mirrors.

• Perform minor road service.

• Perform changing and balancing of tires. They should ensure that the school bus operates on safe tires.

• Respond to emergency situations that may arise during or after work hours.

• Resolve immediate safety concerns.

• Resolve emergency breakdowns.

• Train mechanic helpers to learn correct and safe methods of repair and maintenance of school buses.

• Perform snow removal during winter months.

• Inspect vehicles and conduct necessary repairs prior to inspection by Registry of Motor Vehicle.

• Maintain inventory of all parts and supplies related to the school buses.

The school bus technician may have to interact with the teachers at school and the parents of the children. They may also have to interact with the public from time to time. The technician is responsible for the utmost safety and well-being of the school students.

The school bus technician is expected to perform each of the roles in a responsible fashion.

Skills Required

The technician is expected to perform all technical tasks and also upgrade his/her skills with a change in technology and job conditions. Specific skills related to operating the machinery to maintain the school bus, planning and managing repair projects, and maintaining accurate records have to be in place.

Knowledge Required

The school bus technician is expected to have a basic knowledge of mathematics that will enable him /her to perform simple calculations.

They should be in a position to read and understand technical information related to the school bus and its repair/replacement. The technician should know the safety procedures and provisions of the statutory codes related to school buses and other vehicles.

Expected Abilities

Ability to gather, collate and classify relevant information related to equipment is an ability that is required for a school bus technician. They should be able to work along with a diverse batch of individuals and also with groups.

Problem-solving skills will help the technician to select the best action plans. Mechanical aptitude, communication skills, working to meet deadlines and attention to detail are abilities that will help.

The school bus technician should be capable to work within a specified budget and utilize resources as per the requirement.

Physical Abilities

During work hours, the school bus technician should be in a position to stand walk and talk as the situation demands him/her to do. He/ She should be able to crawl, crouch, kneel, or stoop. He/ She must be able to use their hands with dexterity to do the jobs.

The school bus technician is expected to work in a reasonably noisy environment and as far as vision standards are concerned, possess clear peripheral vision as well as the close vision to be able to read the typewritten material.

This list is not exhaustive and may include other duties and responsibilities as per the directives of the Executive Director of the school.

13 Features of a School Bus With State-Of-The-Art Safety System

Posted on September 14, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

All those parents who sign up for school bus transportation will agree with the fact that school buses come in as the safest means of commute for their kids. If you compare it with either riding your private vehicle or going by walk to school, the former alternatives pose threats to student safety.

It is for a simple reason that school buses come equipped with state-of-the-art safety systems. Hence, you as parents will be buying peace of mind with every school bus ride.

For all those people who are extremely concerned about the safety of children, below is the rundown of all the features of a school bus which is secured with the benefits of a modern safety system.

A closer look at all these features will reinforce the common belief that it is always better to be safe than to be sorry and school buses are the best alternatives.

The following are the striking features of a school bus fitted with state-of-the-art safety mechanisms.

1. GPS Systems

Parents and school administrators can now operate with the numerous advantages offered by a high-definition GPS system. With this system in place, you will be in a position to pinpoint the exact location of a school bus.

With a simple tap on your mobile app, you will also get to know the running speed of your school bus.

Offering the dual benefits of convenience and security, the GPS location is a vital information for both parents and school administrators.

2. RFID Tags

A major safety drawback is when students are left alone to wait for the school bus at their designated pickup point. This situation can be avoided through the RFID tags.

These tags enable parents to know the exact location of their kid and once the kid boards the bus, parents receive a notification on their smartphones. That is when parents can have a sigh of relief that their kid is now in the safe hands.

3. Indicators

School buses come fitted with extended stop arms and flashing lights. These are safety systems that help motorists to maneuver their vehicles while the children are boarding or alighting a school bus.

4. Emergency Exits

Life is uncertain and you never know when an unforeseen eventuality can throw your peace out of gear. It is for this reason that school buses should clearly mention emergency exits.

5. A Child Check Alarm

Many a time, school bus drivers forget to drop off sleeping children. To ward off such instances, school buses can rely on an electronic alarm. This alarm prompts the driver to walk up to the rear of the bus to check for any kids who missed their drop points as they fell asleep.

6. A Bus-Empty Sign

Similar to the child check alarm, a bus empty sign is another noteworthy safety mechanism that is designed to prevent leaving an unattended kid on the bus.

This display sign hangs from the rear window after the driver walks through the bus to identify any unattended student and finds none.

7. Safety Seating

Modern school buses which go by the rule that the safety of their students is paramount will invest in comfortable and safe seats. Along with raised backrests, these sturdy school bus seats offer strong padding. Through these measures, you can ensure that your kids travel seated in well-anchored and protective seats.

8. Seat Belts

When every seat comes attached with a seat belt, you are securing the safety of your kids. It is hence a wise move to make the installation and use of seat belts mandatory for school buses so that kids are secured in their seats while travelling or at the time of a collision.

9. Specialized Systems for Preschoolers

When it comes to ensuring the safety of preschoolers and students with special abilities, it is the need of the hour to offer specialized restraint systems.

Along with equipping school buses with wheelchair locks and car seats, you can also hire an assistant onboard who will keep a watchful eye on the needs of such kids. Additionally, it is good for preschoolers and differently-abled kids to be transported via smaller school buses.

10. Regular Maintenance to Fleet

It is always better to be safe than to be sorry, especially with kids who are commuting via school buses. It is for this reason, the school bus-in-charge should conduct periodic preventive maintenance inspections.

When school buses are thoroughly inspected by certified mechanics, you will be adhering to stringent safety protocols meant for the overall safety of your students.

11. Concept of Compartmentalization

A noted measure to protect school buses against crashes comes in the form of compartmentalization. For the simple fact that school buses are heavier and larger when compared to private vehicles, compartmentalization steps in as a noteworthy feature. Through this safety concept, school buses experience a different treatment being given to collision forces when compared to how a strong impact damages passenger cars or other private vehicles.

12. School Bus Safety Consumables

School buses should always be prepared for any sort of eventuality. It is for this reason that every school bus comes with a first-aid box. It is also very important for buses to have fire extinguishers.

13. The Yellow Color Says It All

All in an attempt to attract the attention of pedestrians and bikers on roads, the bright yellow color of school buses does the trick.

Increasing the visibility of people on the road, this yellow color helps motorists take notice of a school bus. This bright color is easily noticeable paving the way for the safety of school students plying via school buses.

Closing Thoughts

School bus fleets which are equipped with the above-mentioned modern safety mechanisms stand to gain when they guarantee the security of school students. While some assist the drivers to keep track of unattended children, others are meant to bestow peace of mind to parents and caretakers.

All these state-of-the-art safety systems together make school buses the safest means of transportation. It is hence the need of the hour for school districts to look into these safety measures and implement them on their fleets so as to completely avoid the instances of students getting hurt, unattended or stranded on the road.

15 FAQs about School Bus Automation

Posted on September 12, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

School bus tracking takes pride in implementing the state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence powered school bus automation features to all the school districts. If you are looking to avail these technological innovations in the sphere of school bus transportation, here are 16 questions and its answers that will crop up in your mind.

Here we are showcasing AI features in school bus tracking system such as Auto Optimization, Auto Routing, and Auto Allocation.

Questions and Answers Concerning the Auto Optimization Feature

In what way does auto optimization improve the durability of your school bus fleet?

A: Auto Optimization helps you come up with optimized start points and the end points (terminus) of every school bus trip. When the school bus manager is aware of these, he/she can cut down the running time of the fleet. This will bring down the unnecessary wear and tear of vehicles, in turn improving their durability.

What are the two sub-modules that are facilitated by this feature? What are their individual characteristics?

A: Route Optimization and Pick-Up Optimization are the two sub-modules that come under the umbrella of Auto Optimization. Route Optimization, true to its name helps transport managers to come up with the shortest bus route. It also helps them optimize various pickup points that should be covered in a single route, alongside adding a pick-up point according to a changed situation.

Speaking of the Pick-up Optimization feature of TrackSchoolBus, this feature helps school bus managers to recommend an exact pick-up point for every student by referencing it with the historical data points.

How does auto optimization present the exact metrics concerning the optimum distance for a single school bus trip?

A: Given the fact that transport managers can lay hands on the exact start and drop points of students through the Auto Optimization feature. Through this feature, school bus routes and pick up points are optimized automatically and can update the pickup point in case of any relocation.

How can you adjust the route and school bus seating capacity through the auto optimization feature?

A: Every school bus has a certain capacity and certain buses ply in certain pre-allocated routes. Through the auto optimization feature, school bus managers can assign a particular bus to a route in keeping with the seating capacity of students who should be either picked up or dropped off at the end of the day. They can base their judgment purely on the data provided by this intelligent feature called Auto Optimization.

In what ways does auto optimization help you to alter the school bus route caused by a change in pickup points?

A: A sudden change in pickup point need not disrupt the earlier school bus route. Transport managers can rely on the auto optimization feature which makes use of historical data and suggest an exact pickup point for every student. This way, a changed pickup point will help managers assign students to a bus that will cater to the new requirement.

What are all the ways in which auto optimization can help schools save time and money?

A: This feature is one system intelligent feature that automatically reduces the running time of school buses. This will lead to a cutting down of fuel costs alongside improving the durability of the fleet by keeping a watchful eye on the exact distance that should be covered to complete a trip. Undoubtedly, these not only save money but also help school districts deal with happy transport managers and drivers as this feature reduces their efforts to manage a changed situation in the most efficient manner.

FAQs about Auto Allocation Software and Their Answers

What is the primary objective behind the implementation of this feature?

A: As the name suggests, this feature is concerned about optimizing the fleet to match the requirements of every school trip. It is all about running a school bus with full capacity so that every route is given its due importance.

In what ways does the ‘Smart Allocation’ algorithm address the common concerns of routing faced by school districts?

A: It is indeed a challenge for school bus transport managers to chalk out the best route for every school trip that matches the seating needs of students. This intelligent algorithm helps the school bus-in-charge to suggest the best route for every bus depending upon its seating capacity.

How is a pickup location assigned and optimized?

A: The Auto Allocation feature collates the residential addresses of students. It is through this repository of historical data that school bus transport managers can step in assign pickup points for students. Optimizing of pickup points is another positive characteristic of the auto allocation feature that deserves a special mention.

What are the automated data points that you can lay your hands on through the auto allocation feature?

A: This feature automatically suggests optimized school bus routes and pickup points. Based on historical data (the stored residential addresses of students), this feature also helps to create optimized vehicle assignments (which school bus should ply on which route).

How is the auto allocation feature a boon to transport managers?

A: The auto allocation feature can indeed be called the best friend of transport managers since it helps them come up with a perfectly optimized school bus route, in a jiffy. They need not get bogged down by the number of pickup points or the student density that should be facilitated. The auto allocation reduces their strain and efforts by suggesting and planning the best route in minutes.

FAQs about Auto Routing Feature with Answers

How does auto routing address the common issues of school bus managers concerned about route optimization?

A: It is indeed a tight-rope walk for school bus transport managers to periodically look out for ways and means to bring down the operational costs of the entire fleet. They are ordained to constantly keep a watchful eye on the bus routes, the seating capacity and the running time of school buses. These will be herculean tasks if they are performed manually. This is where the Smart Routing algorithm comes into play, providing automatic solutions to all the above concerns.

What are the reference points that are required to implement the auto routing feature?

A: This feature relies on data points like school bus seating capacity, the route, the number of students that are waiting to be picked-up at their designated points (the student data), the school bus details and the shift of the school bus drivers. All this information can be extracted from the current transportation repository and the registration information that is filled by the parents of all the students who have signed up for school bus travel.

How does the auto allocation feature ensure that your fleet is running efficiently at all times?

A: For a fleet to be efficient, transport managers should come up with suggestions concerning vehicle assignments which should be in line with the demands of every route and trip. The seating capacity of school buses is another significant pointer that should always be considered while planning a trip. All these reference points become valid data for transport managers to not only verify but also to approve a school bus route.

4: How does the auto routing feature enable schools to control their vehicle running costs?

A: It is only when school buses are put to their optimum use that school districts will be able to cut down the operational costs of the fleet. It is with this endeavor that the auto allocation feature helps school districts to optimize the usage of their school buses, keeping a close watch on the data points like distance of every school trip and the running time of every school bus. With the help of all these data points, transport managers will be in a strong position to improve the durability of the fleet.

Closing Thoughts

The above question bank of 15 FAQs concerning the AI features sheds light on all the numerous ways in which schools will benefit from automating school bus transportation systems.

Answers to these frequently asked questions are essentially the benefits of the auto allocation, auto optimization and auto routing applications that can save a great deal of time, effort and monies of school districts.

Additionally, these features indirectly ensure the convenience of school students through optimized school bus routes.

How to Properly Organize and Manage School Field Trip

Posted on August 16, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Planning a field trip and knowing exactly how to go about doing it is an essential skill. The idea of field trips works excellently for both the teachers and students.

While the idea is to take students out of the classroom and help them experience some real-life learning, it is also beneficial for teachers as they got to know a student’s interest.

It is no wonder that school boards these days have become increasingly cautious about allowing field trips. If planned well then a field trip can indeed be a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved!

Planning and Organizing a Field Trip

Some of the below mentioned stages can be a good guide on how to organize and plan a school trip:

Decide where to go and think about places that enhance and reinforce your curriculum goals.
Ask your administrator and jot some notes before presenting the idea. Tell her why you want to go, where you want to go, what dates you are thinking of, and what the cost will be.
Arrange for transportation and decide how you are going to get the little kids there and back.
Decide on where and when you will stop for meals. Some of the common options available are either everyone including children bringing their own lunch, or stopping at a restaurant or café on or off sight.
Make a plan and understand the time that each activity takes to perform keeping the interest and attention span of students in mind.
Arrange for supervision depending on the number of students going for the trip and number of adults needed in order to handle the children. This also varies depending on the behaviour of age and maturity of the students.
Create a permission form that includes all the necessary details about the field trip, like the date, time, venue, pick-up, drop-off, food to be carried, money to be carried, dress code if any and other such details that is necessary for parents to know before they sign and give their children the permission.
Tie in the field trip with the student’s curriculum by deciding the kind of assignment and learning that can be done on the trip. This usually requires pre-learning and background reading to be done by the teachers.

Tips for Field Trip Behavior Management

While planning a field trip, teachers are usually worried about kid’s behaviour outside the school premises as they don’t how they are likely to behave outside the school setting. Some tips that teachers must remember while planning for a school field trip are:

If some students have significant trouble meeting the behaviour expectations on a day-to-day basis, they should hold a frank discussion regarding the same with the parents.
Always think of an alternative plan for students that you think would not be able to cope with the trip circumstances.
Tell students they are under observation a week before the trip and reward the ones that behave appropriately as this will also give them an insight about the kind of behaviour that is expected from them.
Keep into consideration the medication schedule of kids from their parents
Hold an open discussion with students about the purpose of the trip and expectations of their roles and responsibilities on the same.
Consider keeping a low teacher-student ratio to reduce chances of mishaps

Field Trip Safety Tips for Teachers

While taking children on a field trip, teachers have a huge responsibility of their safety. And as children are usually not so responsible and old enough to be at their best behaviours, teachers must keep a tab of the below tips as they are helpful in ensuring student safety:

Make students get their parents’ signature on a no-objection form which gives the school permission to take children on a field trip
Divide children into groups and assign a monitor to be able to give equal attention to all students and avoid mishaps.
Inform children about the place they are going to visit and prepare them about what they are going to be doing there.
Educate children about the safety tips for the trip and let them know who they are supposed to reach out to when they need any help.
Let the students know they are going to be divided into groups and also let them know who they are going to be with so that they can be comfortable around the people.
Choose a safe transport. Instead of hiring private vehicles, school buses that children travel are safer and more preferred during field trips.
Carry a first aid kit and also water and juices in case to avoid students from feeling dehydrated and low on energy

Here's a video of how teachers can able to track students while on a school field trip or an excursion

Field Trip Rules for Elementary School Students

For students of elementary school going for a field trip, certain rules are mandatory that make trip a pleasurable experience for all like:

Be along with your group at all times
Respect what the monitor says and obey her commands
Help keep noise and confusion at a minimum
Know who to talk about any problems that you are facing
Help others in your group
Take care of your belongings and do not indulge in any inappropriate behaviour while on the trip
Discuss if there is any problem with the teacher
Abstain from using any foul language or showing any disrespect

Field Trip Rules for Middle School Students

Just like students of elementary school, it is very essential for students of middle school to follow rules and regulations as the middle school usually have trips that are for more than just a day and usually are outside the city.

This makes it more important for them to abide by the rules to ensure their safety. The students must remember to:

Stick to the instructions given by teachers and chaperones courteously and respectfully
Keep the transport vehicle, hostel or hotel room clean at all times
Not go beyond the mentioned boundaries of the place they are staying at
Strictly adhere to the time lines and report on time, as suggested by teachers.
Carry appropriate clothes according to the weather and the place
Not ride any form of public transportation during their free time
Make no excessive noise in hotel or the hostel through music or shouting
Follow the buddy system and leave no student alone in his or her hotel room

Impact of Field Trip on the School Environment

A field trip is one of the best tools that we can use to provide every student with real-world experiences.

By taking children out once in a while where they begin to see that what they learn within the classroom walls, schools promote a more efficient way of learning for the students.

It helps them solve the problems they see in the world around them and can have a direct impact on who they become as people. Field trips make learning relatable and faster for students making the school environment more lively and interactive.

Therefore, encouraging school trips is promoting a better learning program for schools and also enabling a healthy development amongst students making them more self-aware and confident.

Great School Bus Drivers – A Short Guide

Posted on August 13, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

It will not be an overstatement to mention that great drivers are the life-blood of any school district aiming at an efficient and problem-free fleet. It is through these professionally trained men that kids, parents and everyone concerned can heave a sigh of relief.

It is because of these men who are always behind the wheels of school buses that your school-going kids reach home safe and on time. With so much being said about school bus drivers, this exhaustive blog points out every facet of hiring, training, retaining and attracting them.

It also sheds light on all the qualities of a school bus driver that will stand as a testimony for him to be called “Great”. Before you try to understand all the above-mentioned aspects of great school bus drivers, let us first focus on the duties of a school bus driver.

School Bus Driver Duties

Every job comes with a detailed job description speaking of the “good to have” and “must have” skills so as to hire the most befitting candidate.

So is the case with school bus drivers who are supposed to match their job description so that they move on from being considered as mere vehicle-operators to friends of both students and their parents.

On the flipside, every job entails upon certain duties that should be fulfilled by an employee. Here are certain duties of a school bus driver:

The one that tops the list is the ordained duty of picking up and dropping school kids at their designated points.
It is also his duty to follow the routes that are mentioned by the school authorities.
He is required to keep his eyes and ears open to weather and traffic conditions.
In addition to meeting timelines, he should ensure the safety of kids onboard at all times.
He should periodically test the tires, brakes and other bus-body parts and suggest timely overhauling and maintenance procedures.
It is also the prime duty of a school bus driver to ensure that kids maintain a safe environment while onboarding.

Qualities of a Great School Bus Driver

There are many things that separate a good school bus driver from a great school bus driver. While a good school bus driver may follow all the traffic rules, a great school bus driver goes beyond these requirements.

Since it is all about ensuring the safety of school kids at all times in addition to effectively managing the fleet through timely maintenance, here are the “must have” characteristics of a great school bus driver.

Sticks to rules and ensures safety of school kids

The topmost quality of a school bus driver is his adherence to rules. All for the sake of ensuring the safety of school kids, he is expected to demonstrate a great deal of professionalism that manifests in the form of:

Punctuality both in terms of pickup and drop timings and parking the vehicle in the school garage
While following all the traffic rules, he should also wear seat belts so as to ensure his safety which is indirectly linked to the safety of the kids onboard
He is expected to honor the signals at railway crossings
In addition to driving according to the traff ic signals, he is also expected to have an eye on the speed limit

When it comes to handling kids, patience tops the list of qualities

It is the innate quality of kids to be fidgety and mischievous. School bus drivers who deal with kids all the time are expected to exercise a great deal of patience.

While it takes all sorts of well-behaved and unruly kids to make a school trip, a great school bus driver is the one who not only drives carefully but also has an eye on the kids. Hence all those bus drivers who have patience can become great school bus drivers.

Timely responses to issues

Life is uncertain and it does not take more than a second for a calm situation to turn into an eventuality. Things are meant to go wrong with a number of unexpected issues cropping up en-route a school trip.

Hence a great school bus driver is expected to react fast to issues and take remedial steps to avert the extent of damage that can affect kids and the vehicle.

His decision making skills coupled with his strong presence of mind in averting accidents can be the perfect blend of must-have traits in a great school bus driver.

A well-informed driving professional

In addition to knowing how to use the state-of-the-art routing software that is offered by TrackSchoolBus, a great school bus driver should demonstrate routing and time management skills.

He can become an asset to any school as he is well-informed about all the school bus routes which help school management save a lot of time, money and effort.

Should never use school buses for personal use

A great school bus driver, alongside demonstrating his driving skills should reach the garage on time every single day. This mirrors the fact that he has not used the bus to fulfill personal obligations.

Should understand the world of differences between a car and a school bus

School bus drivers should know that maneuvering a passenger car is way too different from being at the wheel of a school bus. School bus drivers are expected to exercise caution while driving. Hence the motto should be to drive slowly and steadily.

Why is there a Shortage of School Bus Drivers?

Topping the list of challenges faced by school districts across the globe is the shortage of school bus drivers. Enabling you to get the right picture of this biggest challenge, here are the main reasons that are leading to an acute scarcity of school bus drivers.

The main obstacle that comes in the way of school bus drivers is the fact that they need to wait for up to 6 months to clear the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exam.
Next in line are the monetary requirements that entail upon a driver’s job. Alongside expecting better benefits, school bus drivers are required to spend their time and efforts in getting a CDL.
The number of hours that are required to be put in by a school bus driver is another concern impacting the deficiency of school bus drivers.

From the school administration perspective, here is the main reason for the shortage of school bus drivers.

The fact that mechanics are available only for 4 hours a day is an impediment for school bus drivers to address to breakdowns.

Also when it comes to regular maintenance of school bus fleet, school bus drivers have to rely on these trained mechanics to perform routine safety checks.

Hence it is because of maintenance requirements that schools are unable to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of school bus drivers.

How to Attract School Bus Drivers?

It is the responsibility of every school to attract many applications from school bus drivers so that their fleet requirements are filled in. In an attempt to experience a steady flow of applications, it is the need of the hour to look out for creative ways to recruit school bus drivers.

While the conventional newspaper ads and fliers may yield results, sometimes the informal communication between people can fill in a school bus driver vacancy. If you are looking for other compelling means that will help schools fill their school bus driver positions, here they come.

Billboards Can Make Their Presence Felt

Notwithstanding the fact that the bright yellow-colored school buses make their strong presence felt on city roads, you may go ahead and cash in on the strength of attractive billboards.

Billboards in the form of attention-grabbing vinyl signs can display the message of a vacancy. These billboards when displayed on school buses can create an impact on the readers and riders.

These people can in-turn spread this message to school bus drivers who are looking for an employment.

Maintain a Rapport with PTA

It is important for transport organizations to foster their relationship with the Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs).

Once transport conglomerates start building a rapport with PTAs, they will be able to collect data points about good school drivers who used to ferry their kids when they were small.

PTAs serve as effective means to fill in the drivers’ seats of school buses since they can vouch for the behavior of all those school bus drivers who transported kids on time and safely.

Unleash the Power of Direct-Mailing

Directly mailing prospective candidates for the role of school bus drivers is another means to fill the vacant positions.

It comes as an intelligent move to send a recruitment letter supported by a poster and the job application to people who might be interested to work as school bus drivers. These professions come with flexible schedules which can come as a blessing to fill up school bus driver vacancies.

How to Train School Bus Drivers?

Training school bus drivers is a significant part to ensure the safety of school students. Training is also about informing drivers with emergency planning tactics along with harping on the importance of common sense while being at the wheel.

And to impart this training to drivers, you can bank upon the knowledge imparted by school bus driver training programs.

Given the fact that a majority of these training programs focus only on how to maneuver and drive a school bus, it is the need of the hour to equip them with details concerning safety issues and crises management.

With an intention to prepare the school bus drivers for any sort of eventuality that might arise while driving, below are certain training measures that should be taken by school authorities.

School bus drivers should be informed about the latest trends in school violence so as to avert any such incident.
They should be trained to deal with bus supervision issues.
School bus drivers who have a thorough knowledge of their vehicle will be in a position to conduct pre & post trip inspections. Along with periodical checkup of brakes, they should be trained to adjust their mirrors and reference points so as to avert accidents.
Every school bus driver should be taught about various driving situations including how to maneuver the bus at an intersection, how to safely reverse the bus and the precautions that need to be taken at railroad crossings.
Prevention and effective management of violent incidents that take place in the bus also form a subject to learn.
School bus drivers should be equipped with information concerning bus emergency strategies and exercises that need to be conducted as part of crises management.
They should be informed about all the ways in which school buses can become targets to terrorist attacks.
School bus drivers should be trained about safe bus stops along with having an eye on sleeping children. It is very important for every school bus driver to be taught about the nuances concerning student management.
Last but not the least, it is very important for every school bus driver to identify distractions while driving so that he/she can focus on the road ahead. This is an important part of training that will help the driver exercise his/her presence of mind to avert an accident.

Tips To Retain School Bus Drivers

It is a well-known fact that while good school bus drivers are scarce, then to retain them is quite a difficult task. All the transportation departments looking for means to retain professional and trained drivers can check out these 12 workable tips.

School districts should look at the salary structure of school bus drivers and strive to offer them competitive salaries. Once health and retirement benefits come as perks, they will attract more and more school bus drivers to stick to their jobs.
If school bus drivers are encouraged through adequate support and training, they feel valued and hence will stick on to their jobs.
Any reason for a driver’s unruly behavior should be immediately brought to the notice of supervisors who should be ordained to take timely action.
In an attempt to value the opinions of school bus drivers, it is important to conduct periodical staff meetings. As part of the agenda, supervisors should allow the drivers to say their opinions about anything that is of concern to them.
It is also very important to offer an unbiased treatment to all the school bus drivers.
School administrations inclined to retain school bus drivers should have procedures and policies along with certain best practices that should be followed by them.
Respect for drivers is another factor that will go a long way in retaining them.
A pat on the back of drivers for any positive trait such as accident-free driving or regular attendance is sure to retain them for long.
To top it all, financial incentives like rewards and bonuses can come in as attractive means to retain good school bus drivers.

Closing Thoughts

Given the fact that good school bus drivers are an asset to every school, it pays for school authorities to pay heed to their concerns and demands. Only then they will be encouraged to take pride in their job.

Along with training, appreciating and respecting school bus drivers can bring in a great deal of accountability to their ordained duty of transporting students safely and on time.

11 Crucial Elements for Managing School Transport Effectively

Posted on July 20, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Providing school transportation to students is an added advantage for parents these days as it takes care of the conveyance of children with a pick up and drop off point as well as time. It helps children as well as parents to get into a routine and reach school on time and safely. But on the other hand schools need to exercise caution when providing transportation for students.

Once the school starts to provide the facility of transportation to students, it thinks of responsibility for compliance with several regulations.

It takes responsibility of students’ safety in all conditions. They also become answerable for the condition of transport vehicle and must also have a system for customary inspections and for reporting defects in the vehicle.

Some of the below mentioned elements must be kept in mind and practiced by schools to manage school transport effectively.

1. Manage Bus Routes – The biggest challenge for the school transportation department is to come up with convenient, time-saving routes that cover all the students in a manner that is cost-effective, fuel efficient as well as time effective. The job is much more difficult than it sounds as preparing routes for multiple vehicles and ensuring that the routes don’t overlap or cause any confusion.

6 School Bus Auto Routing Features from TrackSchoolBus

2. Create Bus Stations – Another extremely important element of this procedure is to create convenient as well as accessible bus stations for all students. While creating bus stations, transportation department must keep in mind that they should be convenient for all students and also located at a place where it is safe for students to wait for the vehicle.

The bus station cannot be decided at a place that has heavy traffic or no waiting place as it will become inconvenient for students and parents who are supposed to drop them.

3. Manage Bus Timings – Managing bus timings is a vital step in managing school transportation as all the routes have to be decided keeping in mind the availability of vehicles.

The routes are supposed to be allotted to vehicles in a manner that each vehicle gets buffer time owing to technical problems or traffic delays. The buses are also supposed to be timed in a way that takes the least time during the time of its travel.

4. Create Fee slots – For schools to be able to manage the transportation it is necessary for it to be viable and feasible for them. The bus routes and timings must be decided keeping in mind the cost incurred for the same.

Fee slots must be created for different routes depending on the distance from the school and other important factors. Students must be categorized under different fee slots to ensure that the school is not incurring losses while providing transportation.

5. Allocate Routes to Students / Staff – The next step involves allocation of routes to staff members as well as students. Schools have to keep in mind that each vehicle has a similar student-teacher ratio or at least ensure that every vehicle has a minimum of two to three teachers, one of which stays in the vehicle till almost the end of the route. This is necessary to ensure the children safety and also helps make parents feel comfortable sending their children in school bus.

6. Manage Student Attendance – While talking about the student safety; it is also very essential to keep a head count of the student and also take a roll call/attendance before reaching the school and also after leaving the school.

The attendance helps cross-check the number of students boarding the bus. Schools must ensure this practice to ensure the safety of the children as they are responsible for their conveyance safety to and from school.

7. Ensure Student Safety – This point has been reiterated many times in this article as the safety of the children holds immense importance. The school takes full responsibility of children’s safety while providing them school transportation and therefore must keep a check on the condition of vehicles and speed of the vehicle as well. Schools must come out with great techniques to help track down children’s safety.

8. Track Bus Location – It is extremely important for the buses to be tracked down at all times. Schools must adopt techniques to track the vehicle and its staff at all times especially in emergency or mishaps.

9. Integration with GPS Device – One way schools can track down vehicle location is through GPS tracking device. The GPS tracking device is very efficient in tracking the location of bus, its speed and other relevant details.

This enables the school to stay informed about driver’s driving efficiency and condition of the vehicle. This can help them take a timely decision during the time of concern.

10. Generate Various Reports – Integration with the GPS tracking device can enable schools to take out various reports and compare details such as wear and tear of the vehicles, speed at which it is driven, etc. These reports help compare the efficiency of routes, timings and driving styles, enabling schools to come up with cost and time effective services for the students while also ensuring their safety.

11. Easy Record Search – School transportation must enable video surveillance as well. By enabling this feature the staffs responsible for conveyance also becomes alert and puts forth their best behaviour. It also helps control student behaviour and ensuring no unnecessary nuisance or quarrels.

The elements mentioned above hold equal importance when it comes to managing the school transport efficiently. As we all know it is a job that requires a high level of safety for children while incurring a high cost of accomplishment for the school.

10 Benefits to School Management in Tracking Their Vehicles

Posted on July 18, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

In the present times, with the advent in technology, the safety threats are also growing. The most vulnerable population, which is perhaps at the greatest risk of being exploited, is children. Most of the parents feel very anxious about their children when they are out of their homes.

Schools therefore must be extra careful, and ensure that their students are safe. Vehicle tracking systems help in the efficient management of the school resources and reduce the financial burden of the school management. The documentation process and the accountability off drivers are also enhanced. Installing tracking systems therefore is a one-time investment, which prevent future costs and yield a number of advantages.

How Vehicle Tracking System Works?

Vehicle tracking systems connect the vehicles with software that map their movement, their condition and the events inside the vehicle. These are normally attached to maps, which give the driver information about the routes and the traffic conditions. They record and monitor every movement of the vehicle, and give feedback.

This information, once recorded can be downloaded, and if there is an aberration, immediate notification can be sent to the cell phone of the responsible authority. A misconception is that an elaborate setup is needed to install these systems. However, these systems can be installed in any vehicle and information or notifications can be obtained on any cell phone via the internet.

These systems also present the information in such a way so as to enable easy comprehension and effective presentation. It is a very promising system that can be regarded as the modern day boon as far as the security of the child is concerned.

The following are the specific benefits of using this system to school managements.

The Benefits of Using This System to the School Management Body are:

Increased security

Tracking vehicles can help the school management to ensure the safety and security of their students. One of the major reasons that parents prefer school bus is to ensure safety. Installing tracking devices in vehicles will help the management and parents to be more confident in this regard. The whereabouts of the students in the bus can be known, and in case of an accident or any unforeseen circumstance, the school and the parents both will get informed.

Saves time

One of the most obvious benefits of tracking vehicles by the school management is that it helps save time. It would prevent useless loitering by the driver. The parents can be offered the additional benefit of tracking the vehicles and knowing their time of reaching a particular point. This might lead to more parents choosing school bus for their children.

Decreases costs

A derivative of prevention of loitering is that it might decrease the costs of fuel. Another benefit is that, if a GPS system is installed, it can help the driver know the shortest route, and thus save time and fuel.

Monitoring the driver

It helps in monitoring the behavior of driver by tracking sharp turns, over speeding, sudden breaks etc. This increases safety and accountability. Documentation can also help in dealing with false accusations. The driver will also be more vigilant if he/she knows that the vehicle is being tracked, and reckless behavior might be documented and might lead to punishment. It also gives feedback to the driver as to how he/she can improve her/his driving, thus helping in training.

Sending information to parents can be easier

The parents can be informed if any delays in the bus or any changes in the schedule of the bus. If a child, gets down at the wrong station, or does not board the bus the parents can be notified immediately, thus maximizing the safety of every child.

Better management

Vehicle tracking system can help the school in managing its vehicles in a more orderly manner. It can effectively be known when a child has to be picked up from home, and at what time will they reach school. This is because the traffic conditions and road blockages can be known in advance and better routes can be opted for.

Maintenance of buses

Managements that install vehicle tracking systems can get the real estimate of the condition of their vehicles. This means that they can know in advance if the vehicle requires any repair work and can then act accordingly. The nature and extent of damage can also be known. Action can be taken before the condition of the bus worsens, thus preventing greater costs and the risk of accidents.

Monitoring behavior inside the buses

Installation of tracking facilities and cameras inside the bus helps the management to track the activities inside the bus. This prevents bullying, ragging or misbehavior by the driver. This ensures safety of the students and increases accountability.

Locate vehicles

Tracking systems can enable the management to locate the vehicles. Locating vehicles which are free and can help the management in assigning tasks to these vehicles, thus reducing the “idle time” of the vehicles and optimizing utilization.

Reduce documentation

The tracking systems record and save all details like the distance travelled, the fuel consumed the schedules of vehicles etc. These details, therefore, do not have to be mapped manually and labor time and costs can be made more efficient. The presentation of these details can also be improved and made more comprehensible. The management based on this data can make better decisions and improvements as well as downfalls can be charted.

Therefore, to conclude, vehicle tracking system is a very viable mechanism for the school management.

How TrackSchoolBus App Improves Bus Attendant’s Efficiency

Posted on July 16, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Like other employees, bus attendants are also subjected to different kinds of training for the work. The preparation is for ensuring their acquaintance is current with the safety and others types of processes. It is the responsibility of the bus attendants to ensure the students reach their school and home safely. They are also accountable for knowing the common area where their school bus stops as well as for getting familiar with the traffic rules.

TrackSchoolBus App Efficiency

When a bus attendant collects the attendance information of the school students manually, there is a chance for the occurrence of errors. These errors can be easily overcome by making use of TrackSchoolBus Attendant app. The app will not only cover the attendance of all students, but it will simplify the process, as well.

This TrackSchoolBus app will also aid bus attendants in taking school bus attendance in a hassle-free way. The app has all the essential features to make the entire work process of school attendant a breeze.

Features

Usually, a school administrator can come across two major problems. The first one is ensuring the student safety in school bus. The second concern is the capable administration of their school bus fleet.

Therefore, it becomes the personal responsibility of school administrators to deal with these two concerns in an effective manner. Choosing an efficient school bus tracking app having bounty of beneficial features is the only way to address these concerns.

Some of these features include:

1. It is designed to work well with all mobile devices with the latest operating systems.

3. Easy and safe to use.

4. It has several other features, such as attendance, tracking, as well as with many other beneficial features to improve efficiency of the bus attendants.

5. The console of our school bus attendant app will aid attendants significantly in taking the attendance of students in a stress-free way.

Moreover, the app helps attendant to solve daily attendance related issues like unnecessary waiting for students, marking attendance, reach the bus stop on time etc.

Above all, in absences of a school bus attendant, the driver can take the student attendance boarding the school bus. The entire process will become more scheduled and organized to the minute detail.

Some of the other notable features that improve the efficiency of a bus attendant include:

School bus attendants will be capable of running a planned or an immediate trip effortlessly. They have no need to remember the routes, students’ pickup point as well as the drop points. The app will provide the attendant with all the required details.
Attendants can find the next stop immediately, along with the contact details, address, as well as the child’s image.
A school bus attendant will be capable of assigning new pickup and drop stages easily and quickly.
Both pick up and drop points can be easily updated or customized if there is any relocation.
Every trip gets included in the trip history of the app automatically, as soon as the trip is confirmed.
Bus attendants will get directions for the total trip and they can view the location priority of the pickup-point in Google maps.
The TrackSchoolBus app will provide attendants with the navigation facility, together with planned route and it will guide for deviations with audio alerts.
Attendants can easily note the boarded and missed students easily and effectively.
The announcement feature of the bus attendant software allows school bus attendants to receive vital messages. They will also get voice instructions from their authorities.

Another important feature that makes the bus attendants work more efficiently is that the details of both pick up as well as drop of students will appear on the screen. Moreover, the absence of the students will be automatically updated. Bus attendants can know the subsequent pickup points of students, as the next bus stop will be visible on the screen and who are all going to get in or get down of the bus.

Bus attendants can constantly keep an eye on the kids to ensure their safety. Additionally, they will get necessary instructions from their school authorities to work in an efficient way.

Another helpful feature of the app that allows attendants to work efficiently is the chat facility. They can chat with the school authorities or with the parents of students regarding the present situation of kids and school bus.

The school bus attendant will be capable of focusing greatly on the student’s board at every pickup point. If any kid has slept in her or his seat, and if the attendant does not notice it, the app will not allow completing the trip and show ‘students still inside the bus’ message on the screen. This will allow the attendants to ensure the student boarding accurately.

Above all, TrackSchoolBus school bus attendant app is safe to use because school authorities and transport manager have the control over their entire fleet even though they are moving. It’s not just a tracking solution for schools; it is the complete package to manage the fleet and users, ensure the safety of students and provides a tension free situation for the parents.

GPS Trackers Vs Bluetooth Trackers – Which is More Beneficial

Posted on July 11, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

As a tracking device, a GPS device is really useful in a vehicle. It could really highlight about position of vehicle, its movements, and location. Immensely fruitful in recording the location, the data gets stored in the tracking unit. It could also get transmitted to a central location database. It is even more helpful through its connection to internet that ultimately could get inserted to mobile devices and used as SMS and GPRS.

Bluetooth tracking came into existence with the evolution of Bluetooth low energy technology. As the technology developed leaps and bounds, Bluetooth tracker was ultimately available as an invention in technology. The tracker is available with a stable connection and little consumption of power.

A Comparative Analysis

Price – When it comes to price, Bluetooth trackers are comparatively cheaper. GPS trackers are costlier and those are available with added subscription fees. The cost of a GPS tracker could vary according to the coverage plan that the user needs. But the Bluetooth trackers do not require any additional fees.

Connection range – GPS tracker always has a constant connection and it could give an updated location at any time. But the Bluetooth trackers could only operate within the maximum range of 200 feet. Such trackers rely most on the strength of the Bluetooth signal between the tracker and the device.

Battery life – Most of the Bluetooth trackers require only small amount of power consumption. Only a few amongst them are available with replaceable batteries. The rest of the Bluetooth trackers have only lifespan of one year and those require replacement after that. But some of the companies give discounted renewal programs after that. In comparison to this, GPS trackers have more power consumption, although those are rechargeable and last maximum up to 3 days.

Sound Alerts – Most of the Bluetooth trackers begin ringing, when the users begin looking for them, using their phones. The users could also put those to use by making their missing phones ring. This gives you the privilege to find the exact location of the device, while making a search in the vicinity. But GPS trackers do not come usually with sound alerts but those having sound alerts included have a higher range of price.

Geofencing – GPS trackers could allow the user to establish more than one area, where he/she could get important notification about the activity of the tracker. Bluetooth trackers are confined to tracking when the user is in the range of the Bluetooth signal. The trackers could send notification when the user is in or out of Bluetooth connection range. As the signal is discontinuous, which could at times take place; even the users keep the tracker and device next to each other.

Community help – All the Bluetooth trackers come with community help. Through this facility, the user could ask other tracker users for help when the Bluetooth gets disconnected. The GPS trackers do not give community help as the user gets the continuous connection to either your device or to an external device.

Dimensions – Bluetooth trackers are available in the shapes of coins and those could even be thinner than a credit card. The basic idea behind manufacturing them is to keep them attached to key rings and wallet without the intention of adding any extra weight to the user’s regular necessities. The integrated technology with them could make them depend on the user’s signal from the Bluetooth and hardware inside the devices.

The intention of the manufacturer is to make it lighter to give it a long life. The GPS trackers are bulkier in their sizes as those have more technology and options for recharging inside and for this, the devices need more spaces to accommodate everything. Although, smaller ones are available, those are also comparatively heavier. Though, the manufacture’s idea is to place more capabilities inside such devices, GPS trackers are a little heavier to get carried inside pockets.

Life of the Battery – Both Bluetooth tracker and GPS are rechargeable devices. Life of battery mainly depends on the use by the users. With careful use, the batteries could have really longer lives.

Which one is better- A GPS or Bluetooth?

A Bluetooth tracker gives its best performance in limited and everyday work spheres. For example, if the user is not able to find his/her key, wallet, or cell-phone which is really tough to find, the Bluetooth t racker could really connect to the phone and notify the user about its present location. If the user loses his/her key, the tracking app could help the user to locate it. It would intimate about the last known location. The user could simply go to the location and ring the item to know the exact location.

To add to it, a GPS tracker fits best in bigger and open areas and the user is not exactly familiar with the places. For example, if the user has lost its costly camera and he/she does not remember the exact place, he/she could track it via app would show the exact location of the camera. The user of the camera could retrieve it at any point of time.

As the data gets transmitted through satellites in space, the device would stop notifying about the exact location as soon as the tracker gets close to the lost item within 10 meters due to bad weather. The same could also happen inside a building where internet or tracking facility simply stops functioning.

As both the devices have their specific uses, it is definitely a wiser decision to make combined use of both of them. While tracking has existed in the last decades, excellence in technology could bring in advanced applications in tracking technology. As it has now multiple uses, both Bluetooth and GPS could give combined benefits in every field of search activity.

Top 10 Amazing School Bus Security Features in 2018

Posted on July 6, 2018 by TSB Super Admin

Buying a school bus that comes with a bounty of safety features will not only help school administrators to perform their tasks more efficient, but also offer the highest level of safety to kids and the peace of mind to their parents. School buses are constructed in a unique way that differs from other commercial buses to offer a high visibility to students and their parents.

They also come incorporated with many security features, including cross-view mirrors, flashing red lights, and stop-sign arms. They do come equipped with high crush standards, protective seating, and rollover safety features, as well, by keeping the safety of kids in mind.

Here are the 10 vital safety features that a school bus is supposed to have.

1. Airbags

Airbags play a vital part in offering better safety to kids traveling in a school bus. They could lessen in-bus wounds during the situation of side collisions. A school bus should come equipped with adequate number of airbags to prevent school students from getting wounds due to crashing into the bus sides during the occasion of a disastrous mishap.

2. Comfortable seats

Seating systems is another main feature to consider when comes to school bus security. Spacious and comfortable seats that come with the reclining feature will prevent students from falling down while they are traveling.

Moreover, seats that come equipped with the padded armrest will offer a comfortable grip to kids while the bus comes across bends, likewise, an adequately padded headrest will offer the necessary safety to their necks when they lie back.

These are the most essential features to protect kids in the event of a mishap. These advanced features include correcting their flexibility to keep them compartmentalized and at the same time offering a soft support to reduce neck or head trauma. This means that the interior of school buses protects kids without needing them to buckle up.

3. Shoulder and lap belts

Bus seats that come attached with shoulder and lap belts will offer better security to the school students. Every day kids start with a journey in a school bus between their home and school.

Therefore, every school bus should come equipped with safer seat belts to offer a firmer sitting position to kids while they are traveling. This will prevent them from falling front when the driver stops the bus suddenly. This will guarantee the safest journey for kids, as well.

4. Speed

As a school bus is boarded by both younger and grown-up kids, driving the bus with a reasonable speed ensures the maximum safety to the school students. By no means, the driver should go beyond the posted speed boundary. Slowing down the bus on icy or wet roads will prevent the bus from skidding, thereby, offering better security to kids inside the bus.

5. Tire Pressure

School administrators should check the pressure of the tires of their school buses regularly. They should inspect the bus tires and verify their pressure prior to each use. A bus’s tire, including the spare one, has to be inflated properly and the tread of tires should not be in a damaged condition.

Badly worn or inappropriately inflated tires can show the way to a vehicle control loss and may lead to a bus rollover. Pressure for the back and front tires should be different, and it should be higher than that of the car tires.

6. Spares

The school bus should always be equipped with adequate amount of vital spares to overcome any unforeseen break down. Sometimes, tires may be punctured or exploded, the radiator may experience a minor fault, or the bus may need some minor repairs to proceed further.

Having a spare tire in stock as well as some vital tools to fix minor problems will ensure the safety of school students that will make them reach their home and school on time.

7. Occupancy

The school buses should not be overloaded at any cost. It will not only make kids feel uncomfortable but the bus will be more susceptible to meet with accidents, as well. Driving the bus with the permitted load of students will allow drivers to have better control over their driving capability, thus, the safety of kids is ensured.

8. Cargo

If a school bus happens to be loaded with cargo, it should be positioned forward of the back axle. Overloading bus with excess cargo or placing the loads on its roof should be avoided at all cost to ensure the maximum safety to school students. School administrators are supposed to refer the owner manual for allowing the maximum weight of cargo and school students to decide the towing ability of school bus.

9. Size

Every school bus is supposed to come with sufficient space that should be wider than that of the usual commercial buses to maneuver easily. The bus should also come with extra dependence on the side-view mirrors intended for changing lanes.

10. School bus tracking apps

Installing the best school bus tracking software in every bus will not only aid school administrators to handle their everyday bus operations easily and safely. They will also offer the required security to students and the peace of mind to their parents in knowing that their kids are traveling safely in school bus.

Most apps come with GPS facility, as well, which allows school administrators as well as parents to track their school buses. Moreover, the notifications feature of these school bus tracking apps will send appropriate warnings to the school management and parents during emergencies.

Conclusion

It is a rapid-moving moment for school bus expertise, and many interesting thoughts are being put forward. School districts are supposed to be shrewd to have a constant watch on the technology trends. They should look for opportunities to develop their in-bus safety while the price drops by keeping the safety of school students in mind.