Transportant recently announced that Jerome School District in Idaho will integrate its technology into its buses for the 2025-2026 school year.

Jerome is the first district in Idaho to put the technology to use, installing it on 28 buses that travel 24 routes, serving seven schools with 1,900 students. The decision is part of a transition to the district's operation of student transportation.

“Student safety and driver support are priorities for our district,” said Tim Hicks, transportation director at the district. “The planned transition to district operations this year gave us time to thoroughly research and prepare the best service possible by incorporating the latest technology to support our students, transportation team members, and the community of Jerome.”

Preparing for the New Technology

To prepare for the unveiling of the buses next fall, Transportant is working with the district to create routing samples and complete training on the new technologies, including:

• New live cameras and two-way communication in each bus allow administration to monitor student behavior and intervene to diffuse unsafe situations while on the road. New AI technology will also enable nighttime views to safeguard buses when parked, detecting if any kids, intruders, or other items are present.

• New external stop-arm cameras will identify cars that illegally pass a stopped bus and record license plates for police.

• Electronic passes for students to check on and off the bus, accounting for them and ensuring they are dropped at the right locations.

• Tablets and software for drivers will help them build better relationships with students when they see photos and names of their riders. They will also create seating charts for compatibility and accommodating special needs. GPS turn-by-turn directions for drivers will eliminate distracting paper maps and aid new and substitute drivers.

• A mobile app for parents to monitor where their buses and children are, particularly useful during field trips and for working parents who may be away when kids get on and off the bus, and if buses need to shelter kids in place during an emergency. Teens can also use the app to prepare for their bus’s arrival.

“Our goal is to proactively address these issues by redesigning the school bus experience, which averages 146 hours per year per rider,” said Martin Staples, Transportant CEO. “Jerome’s new technology was inspired by consumer transportation technology like Uber, Google Maps, and DoorDash. You know when to expect an Amazon package and when dinner will arrive – it makes sense to know that your most precious cargo is being safely delivered.”

Transportant’s technology will be utilized in 18 states now, with more than 2,800 school buses being equipped with the technology.