Zum, an end-to-end student transportation solution, has introduced a safety technology, driver training, and certification program called SafeGuard. According to a press release, the comprehensive program ensures the quality and experience of each Zum driver gives drivers the skills to deliver the best experience to each student on every ride and provides drivers access to its technology platform.

The program's enhanced training curriculum is meant to improve driver safety and performance, provide specialized training for transportation professionals and implement new vehicle safety technology.

During the qualification process, drivers go through an extensive background check, including fingerprinting and a comprehensive driving test which is vehicle- and state-specific. Once verified with Zum, they participate in a multi-module training course, which Zum developed in partnership with industry leading safety experts as well as its in-house team of state certified trainers.

Zum has added specialized modules focused on behavioral science, response and de-escalation tactics, and effective communication with parents and school districts. The transportation provider reports the courses are geared toward creating a safe and respectful environment on the school bus and will better equip Zum drivers with a variety of skills and methods to provide personalized care, emergency response and increased transparency between the drivers, parents and school district staff.

The new program is an addition to safety features already available on the Zum app. The app allows parents to see the profile of their child's driver, along with real-time information about vehicle location and their child's pickup or dropoff status. With Zum drivers are equipped with a GPS-enabled tablet that provides real-time route updates, personalized information on students' needs, as well as incident reporting capabilities.