SPECIAL REPORT
er tablets not only provide turn-by-turn navigation but also re-route if traffic or a safety hazard is ahead, ensur- ing drivers are on the safest and most efficient route. The tablets also take the drivers through a post-trip inspec- tion, which includes a child search feature to make sure no students are left on board after route completion. Several of these incidents have already been reported nationwide this school year. One driver group member commented, “Once I leave the immediate district, I usually only have five miles before communicating with base or even other drivers close to me becomes impossible. There is simple mode on the radios, but some are convoluted to switch back and forth on. I would say, however, that having con- ventional radio as a backup probably would be a good practice. As far as safety goes … communication can sometimes mean lifesaving minutes saved.” Rubio said that the importance of radio communica-
tion is often overlooked. “When drivers use their two-way radio to call in to base and report anything during a trip, dispatchers use (chat app) GroupMe as a way to com- municate to multiple stakeholders. Through this quick and efficient method, we are able to raise awareness of unsafe events related to traffic or student conduct,” she explained. “This helps our schools address concerns as soon as possible. This helps drivers feel supported and gives First Student visibility in all action items taken by the school to address and amend any concerns.” Many of the comments in the driver groups men-
tioned cameras as an important tool for driver safety. Hipps said White County Schools in Georgia uses video footage to “review video of driving habits and student behavior that is not typically seen while doing your route due to drivers focusing on the road and bus stop safety.” This kind of footage review can lead to the overall
safety that drivers need, as voiced by a former school bus driver on Facebook. “Support from the school adminis- tration so that students learn there are rules that must be followed for everyone’s safety,” the driver added. “If we get less distractions from the students, we can keep our complete focus on the road and the other drivers. Lucki- ly, I have that support from the schools I drove for.” Hipps said it is important that transportation leaders
support their drivers. “We provide them the tools and support needed when dealing with student management. You are the liaison between the student, parent, admin- istration and the bus driver,” she added. “This helps with communication and shows your employee you are there to assist them and their peace of mind to follow through.” Student behavior is an ever-present challenge that
drivers face, Rubio noted. “Safety begins with training,” she said.
20 School Transportation News • SEPTEMBER 2024
KIPP Texas drivers use the First Student FirstServes
program, which is designed to reduce onboard be- havioral incidents by using positive interventions and prevention/de-escalation techniques. “Each driver and attendant receives hands-on training
from education and transportation safety experts through an extensive curriculum, equipping them with the tools to provide a safer and improved experience for students,” continued Rubio. “These resources are designed to pre- vent or, if necessary, resolve incidents on the bus.” Keeping technology partners in the loop regarding
drivers’ needs is also top priority for Rubio, who said she holds weekly meetings with her team and First Student to give feedback, ask questions, find solutions and dis- cuss points that need attention. Rubio noted that the First Student Driver Scoring
program allows for detailed documentation of driving habits, which in turn leads to opportunities for coaching and improvement. By tracking hard braking, rapid accel- eration, speeding, and idling, transportation leadership or local managers can offer training specific to their driver’s needs. “The technology has strengthened our safety culture, and the Driver Score program creates some healthy competition between drivers to up the ante with safety. We have drivers actively seeking out coaching because they want to be the best, they want to have the best score,” she said. Sean McCormack, the chief information officer at
First Student, commended the dedication of KIPP Texas on transportation safety. “Our technology and tools help drivers get where they’re going, do so safely, and improve their performance over time so that students arrive at school ready to learn and return home safe at the end of the school day,” he said. “We innovate to expand the possibilities for safe, clean and reliable trans- portation and we are lucky to have partners in KIPP who embrace technology, driver training and other tools to strengthen safety culture.” A recurring theme from the over 200 comments
gathered in the Facebook driver groups was the need for school administrators to recognize the necessary multi-tasking drivers perform each day as well as tech- nology that can track the other safety issues, such as motorists illegally passing the buses and student behav- ior that could affect the safety of all passengers onboard the bus, including the driver. “The administration [has] to stop looking at what the
driver [is] doing and look at the situation and see what caused the problem,” said one Facebook commenter. “The driver has more to deal with other than the kids, traffic [and] other drivers.”
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