Emmett ISD Dispatcher Kacie James creates a route in BusRight software. Technology has also moved into fleet maintenance.
Drivers complete pre- and post-trip inspections digitally through Fleetio, and reported defects automatically trig- ger the shop for follow-up. Mechanics must document a resolution, creating what O’Bryan described as account- ability “across the whole ecosystem.”
Texas-sized Solutions Meanwhile, Transportation Director Ben Bennett at Emmett Independent School District in Texas shared that like many school districts, its technology journey started with a need to modernize and streamline opera- tions that originally relied on paper routes. “Over the past few years, we’ve prioritized moving
toward connected, data-driven solutions that improve student safety, driver efficiency and communication with our community,” Bennett shared. Now, he said its technology stack consists of GPS tracking/telematics, driver tablets, digital pre-trip and post-trip inspections, camera systems and digital rout- ing and parent communication software. GPS provides real-time vehicle location, speed monitoring and diag- nostic data, while the tablets provide turn-by-turn route navigation and student roster verification to assist both permanent and substitute drivers. Emmett ISD also uses the BusRight platform, where
drivers can log all inspection results, giving the me- chanics real-time visibility into driver observations and potential issues as soon as they are noted. Routing and a parents app is also integrated through BusRight to connect dispatch, mechanics, bus drivers, and parents in real time. Additionally, high-definition interior and exte-
66 School Transportation News • SEPTEMBER 2026
rior cameras, including on stop arms to protect students as they load and unload. He said investing in technology has directly support-
ed drivers, families and school staff by reducing stress and removing friction from the transportation process. For drivers, real-time route guidance provides an added layer of support while allowing them to stay focused on the road and student safety. Families have also embraced tools such as parent apps and real-time bus tracking, which give parents greater confidence in when the bus will arrive and help students reach the stop at the right time without unnecessary waiting. That same visibility benefits principals, secretaries and other school staff, who can monitor bus locations and make sure teams are ready in the bus lane as students arrive. Altogether, that increased transparency helps strengthen trust between the district and the community it serves. “At the end of the day, all the technology in the world
is only as good as the people who use it and the mis- sion behind it,” Bennett advised. “For us at Emmett ISD, technology, like BusRight, isn’t about replacing human connection. It’s about empowering our drivers, dis- patchers, mechanics, and school staff so they can deliver students safely to school ready to learn every single day. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and grateful for technology partners who share our commitment to student safety and operational excellence.”
Building a Smarter Transportation Operation Jordan School District’s (Utah) transportation tech-
nology journey has evolved significantly over the past 15 years, moving from paper-based processes to a more
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