Tag: School bus transportation

9 Qualities of a Great School Bus Transportation System

Posted on by TSB Super Admin

 

School bus transportation still remains the safest means of transportation for school children. It is designed and manufactured to ensure safety and protection of students. At the time of manufacturing a school bus, it should conform to a set of federal and state standards. There are certain characteristics often associated with the school bus.

 Some of the essential qualities of great school bus transportation are as follows:

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 School Bus Transportation: Is Bullying a Serious Concern?

Proper Compartmentalization

School buses are constructed on the basis of the compartmentalization concept, which indeed provides a passive restraint system instead of seat belt usage. Seats are arranged higher off the ground so that the average sized opposing vehicles on the road are beneath the feet of students. 

Apart from this, compartmentalization also makes use of seats padded with energy absorbing construction covering all metal parts. Spacing is also closer when we compare it to the passenger vehicles.

Emergency Facility

There are so many escape routes in a school bus like a rear emergency door, side emergency operation windows, front service door and roof hatches designed to offer ventilation or fully open ones. Apart from that, escape should be possible through every side window. Students should be given training to use those evacuation drills in the case of emergency.

Maintenance of Discipline

Discipline is a serious issue with regard to  school transportation. Without proper discipline, drivers will not be able to give proper attention to the roads. There should be a proper set of rules and regulations for the school bus students. Installation of video cameras and regular monitoring of students can reduce issues related to their misbehavior. Drivers have a huge role to play, when it comes to maintaining discipline inside the school bus.

Installing GPS Tracker Software

Integration of GPS school bus tracking system can help the school authorities as well as parents to know the real time location of the school bus. With the help of the GPS software, the parents or school authorities are notified whenever the child boards or gets off the school bus.

Use of stop arms

Adding stop arms to the school bus transportation has always been a great idea for ensuring better safety. Whenever a school bus stops to load or unload children, stop arms will be extended from the side of the bus, giving a proper warning to the other vehicles. Use of stop arms has now become a common safety standard in most of the school transportation vehicles.

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Introducing RFID tags 

RFID tags can be introduced for improving the efficiency and safety of the school bus. The RFID School Bus Tracking System automatically sends an instant notification to parents if their child's school bus is approaching.

Proper Planning of Navigation

Proper navigation or trip planning adds to the efficiency of the school bus transportation. It helps the driver to schedule the trip in advance and thus know the whereabouts of each student at each pick up points. In case of any issues such as traffic jam, unfavorable climatic conditions etc., the drivers should have an idea about alternative routes. This will help to save time as well as to augment school bus safety.

Providing Appropriate Training to Drivers

School bus driving is indeed a risky business to handle. Minimum age for school bus drivers should be above 25 years. Usually, people aged less than 25 years are more prone to rash or careless driving. This becomes a huge threat to the safety of school children. The school bus drivers should be given training regarding rules to be followed on road and efficient management of students in the school bus. Such training should be made mandatory for every school bus driver, which would indeed give them a rough idea regarding school bus driving.

Planning Good Design for School Transportation

Extra care should be taken while designing school buses, especially in the loading and unloading areas which enable the students to safely board and exit the school bus. Non bus riders and other vehicles should not be allowed to trespass in the areas where students board or get off the school bus. The school management should provide appropriate space for drivers to safely enter and exit the school bus.

All the above qualities can make school bus transportation safe and successful. Safety is the prime criteria to be looked upon, while considering school bus transportation. If proper arrangements are made to ensure safety in a school bus, the parents will feel more confident to depend on school transportation.

14 Most Read TrackSchoolBus Blogs of 2016

Posted on by TSB Super Admin

 

2016 has been an eventful year here at trackschoolbus as we strived hard to create child road safety awareness among the masses. People from around the globe were interested and their interest in reading our blog was proof of this. 

Below is a list of blogs that held the interest of our readers through the year. 

1. 10 Important Road Safety Rules to Teach Your Children – One of the most popular blogs in the year 2016, this blog talks about the essential road safety rules for children. Road safety is an emerging issue as the number of vehicles on the road keep on increasing every day. Students represent the future of a nation and hence rules should be taught to them. This blog tries to impart valuable information to ensure student safety education

2. Top 10 School Bus Companies – Maybe it is the curiosity to know which bus company is actually the best or it might be the surprise that there are actually companies that specialize in making school buses. Either ways, this was one of the most read blogs the past year. The popularity of this blog might also indicate that a lot of people are interested in 'branded school buses'. 

3. 10 Cool School Bus Games – Its no surprise this blog became popular. Bus games are interesting not just to students, but also to transport managers and drivers. The games do help in keeping the students engaged and distracts them from involving in other activities. School authorities were certainly busy trying to find methods by which school bus journey would become entertaining for kids.

4. 12 Surprising Facts You Never Knew About GPS – GPS systems have slowly but steadily stamped its influence over various fields of everyday life. This blog has been a long time favourite of our readers. It was originally written in early 2015. A significant number of visitors still arrive every day to read it. The interesting title certainly helps.

5. 20 Must-know School Bus Safety Tips for School Bus Drivers – School bus drivers are responsible for safely transporting students to school. But unfortunately, they don't get their due often. From the popularity of the blog, it is clear that people want to know as much as possible about the safety guidelines for school bus drivers.

6. 10 Important Points on Student Road Safety and Suggestion for Improvements – Most students are unaware about road safety and it may be the reason why the blog got such popularity. A number of accidents happen not on the bus but while on the road. The blog discusses the most important aspects of road safety and even offers some suggestions to improve road safety.

7. 25 School Bus Safety Tips For Kids – A child's safety is given highest priority by parents and school authorities. This blog offered school bus safety tips for students, parents, and other vehicle users safe around school buses. It is in fact a must read if you know a kid.

8. How Well Do You Know about School Bus Dimensions? – Indeed school bus dimensions have an important role to play if you are planning to start a school bus business. Proper dimensions helps ensure safety to students during a crash or other accidents. People may be unaware of the appropriate school bus dimensions recommended for student safety. This blog gives an idea about the required school bus dimensions. 

9. Scope of RFID School Bus Tracking Systems in Security Measures at Schools – RFID school bus tracking system gives peace of mind to parents as well as school authorities. RFID school bus tracking is approved by many schools to ensure better student safety and the popularity of the blog shows readers' interest in knowing the scope of this innovative technology.

10.  Safety Issues of School Bus Rides and their Solutions – Even though school bus is said to be one of the safest transportation for school students, there may be several issues associated with a school bus ride. It is a good idea to know these issues and take proper measures against it for ensuring better student safety. 

11.  6 Awesome Technologies Used in Modern School Buses – Technology is progressing everyday and it enhances the quality of people's lives.  Each year school buses get  new technologies for better student safety. It is evident from the blog popularity that people are obviously curious about awesome technologies that can be implemented in modern school buses.

12.  Importance of School Bus Safety Tips –  Millions of children transport to school via yellow school buses. Children are the future and their safety is our responsibilty. This blog includes certain school bus safety tips for drivers, parents, and children and why they are actually important. 

13.  How Important is the School Bus Driver? –  School bus driving is a matter of perfection and care. And the goodwill of an institution lies in the hands of a school bus driver. There are many responsibilities for school bus drivers, and the school authorities should ensure that their school bus drivers never try to violate rules. 

14.  7 Qualities of a Great School Bus Transportation System – Let's face it. Not all school bus transportation are the same. Some of the transportations offered are shabby, and others come with advanced features. But what qualities should the perfect school bus transportation system have to be awesome? 

Issues Faced by a School Bus Travelling Student in a Day [Infographics]

Posted on by TSB Super Admin

 

Riding a school bus is a unique atmosphere for your school going child. School bus transportation is the safest and most secure means transportation to and from school. The risk rate for school bus crashes is low since they have more safety features compared to other vehicles on the road.   

You may prefer school bus over other means of transportation as you have strong faith on school bus transportation. But students have to deal with certain issues while travelling on a school bus. You may not be aware of these issues as your child may never speak out about these issues out of fear.

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 25 School Bus Safety Tips For Kids

It is not fair to always blame your child's school bus drivers. They may not be able to watch students inside the school bus constantly. One of the prime duties bestowed upon them is to ensure a safe student transportation and they will try to accomplish it more than anything.

So, let's take a closer look at the common issues that are faced by your child on the school bus and take the necessary steps to ensure everything goes as well as it is supposed to be. This, in turn makes your child's school bus journey safe, comfortable and fearless.

Issues Faced by a School Bus Travelling Student in a Day

 

How to Make School bus Journey Entertaining

Posted on by TSB Super Admin

 

School bus transportation is said to be the best mode of transportation for assuring safety of students. It is extremely boring for you to spend a long time in a school bus. Your school bus trips can be made interesting with a little bit of creativity. When you involve yourself with various activities, you may never feel lousy.

Here follows a list of activities that you have to follow for switching your mood from boring to exciting:

1. Try to Look Out of the Window

You can take time to enjoy scenery outside the window and entertain yourself with unusual sights. Search for beautiful landscape, animals, vehicles or anything that might drive your boredom away.

2. Complete Your School Work

Completing some of your school work on school bus can reduce the burden on your shoulders and thus time spent on the bus can be used productively. Doing homework on a moving bus is not advisable, as you may feel nauseous and uneasy.

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3. Read Books

You can read interesting books and magazines to pass the time. These books can be shared with the one who is sitting next to you, make friendship and thus lessen your boredom. If you are reading books, handle it carefully and never lose those books as you may have to pay fines for losing.

4. Use Electronic Gadgets

If there is permission for you to carry portable devices such as a music player, video games or a mobile phone, you can use it to while away your time. Try to keep those gadgets charged, otherwise you may get bored and unhappy, thereby, spoiling the whole journey. The only thing you should care about is the size of gadgets. It is better to carry devices which are smaller and handy.

Always take care of your music player, phone or whatever it may be and keep them in a safe place during your trip.

5. Try to Sleep

It is better to take a nap during the long bus ride as you have to wake early in the next morning. While sleeping, you can keep a sweater or jacket for using it as a pillow. Use earplugs or headphones to avoid loud noise of your fellow mates.

6. Pass Notes

When you are separated from your friends or if it is a noisy atmosphere, it is fun to exchange notes. If your friend sits far from your seat, it is not possible to send messages quickly and also make sure that your personal messages are safe.

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7. Practise Drawing

Even though it is difficult to draw pictures in a moving vehicle, you can try sketching for making your school bus trip bearable. Based on your creativity, you can draw pictures and comic strips. You can let other people participate in your drawing and thus complete the activity together.

8. Play Paper Games

Some of the popular paper games that can be played inside the bus include Hangman, Mash and Tic Tack Toe. These games can be played either with one person or groups.

9. Create a Fantasy World

You can create an entirely new world with your imagination. Based on this imagination, you can draw pictures of creatures and people who inhabit in the world you created. Similarly, you can allow your imagination to take control of your entire mind and thus create a fantasy world around you.

10. Practise Writing

Writing is an excellent way to drive your boredom away. If you are creative enough, you can make stories, poetry or jokes which can be shared with your friends and adding their contribution to it.

In addition to the above activities you can also pass time by writing a schedule, listing the things you like , writing song lyrics or poetry, learning history and facts. If you plan accordingly, school bus transportation becomes one of the comfortable, enjoyable and interesting journey for you.

How can School Bus Transportation Promote Education

Posted on by TSB Super Admin

 

School bus transportation provides safe and environment friendly journey to millions of children daily around the world. It is said to be the most regulated and carefully designed transportation vehicles operating in today's world. And it provides the safest transportation of getting students to and from school.

It is widely known that there are more number of school buses than any other type of vehicles. Every school bus reduces traffic by 36 cars. But unfortunately most of the children travel by their individual private vehicles. It supports academic achievement with access to a variety of educational opportunities.

Based on the survey, it is found that students are more likely to arrive at school alive if they take the school bus rather than take a car or ride with friends. It is designed specifically to protect students with several safety measures attached to it.

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Importance of School Buses:

School bus transportation has become an integral part of the educational system. By promoting greater use of school buses, some of the environmental problems can be easily solved. Convenience and cost savings are the major benefits of using school bus transportation services.

Certain students are having access to educational system only by means of school buses. Without school bus, educational opportunities will be risky for such students.

Why Ride the School Bus?

  • Help the Environment

Rate of pollution is decreased with the help of school buses. Fuel costs and traffic are significantly reduced using school buses.

  • Gateway to Education

All students have equal access to education and its opportunities. Also, it satisfies various kinds of parental needs.

  • Keep Kids Safe

We all know that school bus is the safest vehicle for kids. Kids are safer with the help of dedicated professionals available in the school.

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Environmental Benefits offered by School Bus

  1. Money

Parents can receive economic benefits if they allow their children to travel by school bus. With the rise in the price of gas, you can save money by avoiding the fuel costs, which may otherwise spend on child's travel to and from school. Those saved money can be used for other things and also enables to save money for emergencies.

  1. Fuel Consumption

School bus drivers never accelerate and brake aggressively. When they are accelerating, it is better to use the torque of the diesel engines. Also, they closely follow speed limits which thereby reduces fuel consumption.

  1. Pollution

School bus can prevent many individual cars that may otherwise run on the road. Pollution caused by those cars can adversely affect the environment greatly. Hence, by using buses, pollution caused by cars can be significantly reduced and make the air cleaner.

Car pooling to school manages unnecessary idling of vehicles, higher emissions, wastage of fuel and money, and safety concerns.

Reasons Why Parents Consider School Bus Transportation as Ideal One:

  • They believe school bus as the most reliable form of transportation and it enables the students to have easy access to the educational system

  • Able to get benefits like convenience and cost savings

  • Student achievement of millions of children would be declined if bus services are ceased

  • Students would be absent more often if there are no proper school bus transportation services

Obviously,school bus transportation is a gateway to education. Each and every parent need their children to stay in school. They all deserve an education. If the school bus is at risk, then opportunity for children to access education is also at risk.

School Bus Safety Tips for First Time Rider

Posted on by TSB Super Admin

 

It is a known fact that riding to school bus is safer than riding in a personal vehicle. Yet there will be some degree of anxiety and fear in the minds of parents. First time riders as well as parents will be equally anxious about school bus transportation. They will face so many difficulties in understanding the norms and rules of school bus transportation. In the case of first time riders, everything will be new for them.

 

School Bus Safety Tips for First Time Rider

 

It is obvious that parents worry about their child if they are going to school for the first time. They worry about how their child recognizes the bus number, bus driver and how they interact with others. Once they learn their routine, school bus would offer them an opportunity for growth and independence.

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There are certain tips to first time riders for carefully handling such situations:

  • Always Try to Stay Calm

It is better for parents to remain calm. If they are nervous, it will naturally reflect on their children as well. Instead, they can tell their child how it is to travel in a bus, and stress the importance of listening to the directions of the bus driver.

  • Attend Orientation Programs

Many schools conduct orientation programs before the start of each academic year. Sometimes parents may accompany their children while they go to school for the first time. These orientation programs may help them to tackle this uneasy situation.

  • Know the Bus Stop and Route

Parents can tell the parents where is the bus stop and try to drive them in the same route the bus takes. This would give them an idea about the routes and where they have to wait for the bus.

  • Parents can Interact with Other Parents

Parents can communicate with other parents whose kids are also getting from the same bus stop. It would be particularly useful when one kid's parents are not able to monitor bus due to some inconvenience. Also, they can take shifts in bus monitoring.

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  • Review Bus Safety Rules and Behavioral Expectations

Parents can review rules that they heard in orientation programme they attended. Some of the rules to be advised for children by the parents are the following:

  1. Be seated, never walk here and there while the bus is moving

  2. Never hoot or shout inside the school bus

  3. Do not throw head or hands outside the school bus window

  4. Report to the bus driver if there is any problem

  5. Be aware of the traffic once they get off the school bus

  6. Walk several feet away from the bus so the driver could see you properly

  7. Always try to cross in front of the school bus

  8. Tell and alert the driver if they are going to pick up something near the bus

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  • Teach the Child about Go Home Rules

Teach children to tell the driver that they missed stop they are supposed to get down. Also tell them not to get down the stop unless their parents or designated adult are not at the stop.

  • Take Extra Precaution

Give the child a card which specifies their bus number, name, address, name of the guardian and phone number. Hence the child learns routine easily and quickly.

 

All the above school bus safety tips can be a great help to both parents as well as first time riders. It is the responsibility of parents to inculcate self confidence in the minds of their children. 

School Bus Transportation: Is Bullying a Serious Concern?

Posted on by TSB Super Admin

 

School bus bullying is a growing concern to every parents. Knowing the signs of bullying and reacting against it at the right time reduces unnecessary tensions and problems. Otherwise, bullying can negatively impact student's education. It can make them fearful of going to school.

 

School bus bullying can make a torturous experience to students rather than a fun opportunity for learning. It can be prevented by providing a supportive and positive school environment. School authorities should teach the students that bullying is an unacceptable behavior.

 

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Safest Means of Transportation

 

School bus transportation is said to be the safest means of transportation for children. Commonly, school bus is the location for bullying. This could resist parents to keep away their child from such dangers.

 

Sometimes even school bus drivers ignore such bullying and fail to report to school authorities. This encourages bullies to continue doing their wrong doings. It is the responsibility of adults to take action against such misbehavior and help those students who became victims. It can mentally as well as physically destroy the life of the student.

School authorities ignore bullying as they think it is a silly issue. But they never think about the consequences of bullying. Ignoring such issues can encourage such bullying gangs and the issues related to bullying can increase day by day.

 

Parents will be afraid of sending their children to school as they are concerned about the school transportation safety of students. But bullying can be prevented by a number of methods. Some of them are as follows:

  • Organize an Anti-Bullying Committee

Organizing an anti-bullying committee can help a lot. Such a committee should consist of a student representative, teacher, and other school authorities. Hence the victims of bullying and witnesses of bullying can easily report to them.

  • Installation of Camera

Camera can be installed in the school bus for closely monitoring the students. It can show who starts fight and who are being bullied at. Drivers can thus get constant updates on the activities of students.

 

But drivers may not be able to concentrate completely on camera as they may increase the chance of accidents. School authorities and drivers can co-ordinate together to find any kind of misbehaving from students.

 

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  • Reporting to Authorities

When bullying is reported at the right time, it can be avoided to an extent. Most of the time, students fail to report bullying at the right time. Hence authorities may not be able to take action against the students who misbehave.

  • Avoid Bullies

It is a kind of silently solving the issue. Try to ignore the bullying ones. When they feel they are ignored, they naturally stop bullying. Being polite to a bully can make them think about his or her actions.

  • Conduct Awareness

School authorities can conduct awareness programs regarding bullying and its effects. This can discourage the students who are bullying and they will also be able to understand the aftereffects of bullying. This will help the school authorities to maintain a good environment in school transportation.

 

Indeed, school bus bullying can cause a devastating effect on students. It can affect a student's mental as well as physical health. Students who are bullied can undergo physical symptoms such as head ache, depression, sleeping deficiency etc.

 

They may also be afraid to go to school, lose interest in school, have trouble in concentrating and become academically poor. Sometimes even suicidal thoughts can come across the minds of bullying victims. Hence school bus bullying is a serious concern in affecting the safety of school transportation. Parents and teachers have a great role to play in creating a bully free environment inside the school bus.

 

5 Important Guidelines to Manage Student Behaviour inside the School Bus

Posted on by TSB Super Admin

 

Students are about 50 times more likely to arrive at school alive relying on school transport services than if they drive themselves or with their friends. It is the safest means to transport children to school. There are a lot of factors that contributes to the safe atmosphere of school bus. The expected student behaviour is one among the greatest contributions from the student- part that ensures safety.

The credit of school bus transportation goes to the various security measures associated with it. For school transportation to live our expectations, positive student behaviour is essential.

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5 Guidelines Begins Here;

Guideline #1 Proper Behaviour

Respecting the comforts as well as the needs of fellow passengers are really important inside a school bus. Make it a point to teach children the importance of good manners. Students who violate the expected behaviour pattern must be expelled from the school bus.

Guideline # 2 Follow the rules

As the school bus transportation provider, it’s the responsibility of the schools to implement the best rules that can make school transportation enjoyable and safe. Children should never be encouraged to use offensive language, fight, spit, eat, and drink inside the bus.

Guideline # 3 Respect the Property

School bus is the private property of the school hence it’s the responsibility of the children to make sure that it is not vandalised.  They should have tenderness towards the school bus. Allow them to decorate their school bus during special occasions.

Guideline #4 Driver Responsibilities

Drivers have got their own part to play. They hold the responsibility of driving the transport in a protected way additionally guaranteeing the well-being and security of all the children. They are expected to react to crisis in a suitable way. Children must obey the driver and their commands.

Guideline #5 Bus Pass

Children must be given special bus passes which they must carry daily to the school bus. Just like an identity card it is essential for the safe travel of children. Students must show the pass to the driver on boarding when requested. Lending or borrowing the pass must be strictly restricted. Like an identity card, passes serves its purpose.

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Dealing with the Inappropriate Behaviour; Things to keep in mind

Depending on the gravity of the incident, students will be punished. Never ignore inappropriate behaviour.

  • Unacceptable conduct like offensive language, disobeying the driver, damaging the school bus eating on the bus, smoking, spitting, distracting the driver and failing to bring travel pass leads to:
  1. Loss of financed school travel benefits for up to two school weeks
  2. Permanent suspension from school transport facilities
  • Dangerous Conduct like bullying other students, letting any part of your body project from the transport, utilizing lighters and other dangerous items leads to:
  1. For the first offence loss of funded school travel privileges for up to four school weeks and 10 school weeks for subsequent offences
  2. Ban from travelling in school bus is also applicable
  • Extremely dangerous behaviour like interfering with the safety equipment inside the school bus, pushing other students outside the bus, harassing the driver and students and destruction of school bus leads to:
  1. Permanent ban from school travel subsidies and privileges
  2. Police will be informed about the incident