school year is the ability for parents to track their stu- dents’ buses and expected arrival times. The BusPlanner Chipmunk app will be used to provide this service. For St. Johns transportation leaders, diversification has been a guiding principle. “We have found the most success when we diver- sify our technology portfolio,” Paxton said. “We have made the conscious decision to not put all our eggs in one basket by allowing a single company to provide all of our technology solutions.” That means using separate providers for cameras, GPS,
radios, fleet management software and routing software. Several types of advanced technology support opera-
tions at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, including Here Comes the Bus GPS tracking from CalAmp. The platforms provide real-time location data to students and parents, enhancing transparency and communication, noted Delvico Dunn, executive director of transportation. This software is installed on all school buses in the district fleet, which transported approximately 78,000 students during the 2024–2025 school year.
“Technology has been highly effective in improving
communication with families and reducing uncertainty around bus arrival times,” said Dunn, who started his career as a school bus driver for Charlotte Mecklenburg and was director of fleet before being named executive director earlier this year. He added that GPS tracking and fleet management tools have been crucial in maintaining efficiency and ensuring on-time performance. “Tracking and visibility allow our team to proactively address route adjustments, reduce response time to issues and better serve our stu- dents and families.” Engaging families and students through technology is
a key part of delivering excellent customer service, Dunn said. “Consistent updates and access to current informa- tion improves communication, increases trust and helps set clear expectations.” Since 2021, the fleet of more than 2,000 school buses and 500 white fleet vehicles at Gwinnett County Public Schools in Lawrenceville, Georgia has been equipped with a telematics platform from Samsara. That move has
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