SafeStop releases 2nd-generation bus app for parents
The new version of the app, which provides a real-time bus locator and other features, improves the parent interface and experience, according to SafeStop.
DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. — SafeStop Inc. will reveal a new version of its mobile application that connects parents and school officials with vehicles transporting their students, company officials announced on Monday.
The second-generation SafeStop app and an updated parent portal website will be on display at the National School Boards Association trade show in Nashville, Tenn., which starts on Saturday.
The SafeStop app features a real-time bus locator with mapping, predictive arrival times and a messaging area to display service updates to help parents and students get to the bus on time. Company officials said that the new version of the application will include all of those features while improving the parent interface and experience.
Demos will be conducted in booth #601 at the National School Boards Association show, and attendees will be able to view the updated parent portal website.
"We listened carefully to our real customer, the parents already using our app, and found an easy and secure sign-up process was very important to them, along with a seamless app experience," said Keith Engelbert, chief technology officer for SafeStop Inc. "Not only has the look and feel of the app improved, but the speed at which the company can on-board new customers has accelerated tremendously. This will allow us to increase the number of parents using the app in a more expedited fashion."
The app first became available to select school districts in New York, Florida, South Carolina and California. Company officials said that parents in additional school districts in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, Texas and Missouri will be able to utilize the SafeStop app when the 2015-16 school year starts.
SafeStop can serve public and private school vehicles on traditional home-to-school and special-education routes. It requires a GPS system already installed, or one can be provided by SafeStop.
The company recently launched a partnership with Transportation Sector Consultants to provide its customers an introductory program to utilize the app for the remainder of the school year.
Also, SafeStop officials said that they are in discussions with several contractors and school districts for licensing agreements, and they are working with school business officials to include the SafeStop app in their transportation bid specifications.
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