Today, Summit School Services introduced Catalyst, its new connected approach to student transportation that combines technology, real-time data, transportation expertise, consistent standards, and accountability into one integrated solution.

Catalyst is Summit’s answer to defining a new chapter in student transportation, reducing unreliability and uncertainty and connecting its technology to the people who need it most. As part of this approach, Catalyst powers each piece of technology used — including BusZone, Samsara, and Bytecurve — within its system to share information and communicate in real-time across its operations and the districts and families it serves, enabling greater efficiency, effectiveness, and proactivity.

“What Summit has is a collection of best-in-class systems for operations, maintenance, safety, and scheduling,” said Adam Silbernagel, senior vice president of information technology, Summit School Services. “And what Catalyst does is bring all of those systems together to operate in a way that makes each and every ride more visible so that school districts can focus on safely getting their kids to and from school, and parents can wake up in the morning and not have to wonder if or when their student’s bus will arrive. Student transportation should work consistently, safely, reliably, and without disruptions to those who count on it, and that’s exactly what Catalyst delivers.”

Districts can integrate Catalyst’s technology solutions into their existing platforms, giving them the flexibility to customize technology solutions to their needs.

Catalyst’s technology stack provides:

Advanced, Proactive Safety

• Smart dash cameras inform drivers in real-time of potential risks, adding an extra layer of protection for not just students, but also pedestrians and fellow motorists.
• Driving behavior monitoring allows for greater, proactive coaching opportunities, which means driving patterns and habits can be anticipated and addressed early on.

Elevated, Timely Visibility

• Mobile bus tracking and notifications for timely updates on route changes and near real-time bus locations that are communicated to parents, districts, and transportation teams.
• Real-time visibility into enroute buses and direct access to on-board footage to allow for clearer communication, clarity, and prompt accountability when districts and local teams need it most.

Smarter, Efficient Performance

• Vehicle telematics identifies emerging maintenance care needs in advance, minimizing disruption risks and ensuring efficient vehicle performance.
• Route optimization powered by real-time GPS and geofencing and automated scheduling maximizes route efficiency and performance.

“Delivering safe, reliable transportation to the districts and families we serve is, and will always be, our priority,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Summit School Services. “Through Catalyst, we are truly setting a new standard in the way districts and families can trust and rely on student transportation and transforming how successfully our teams operate. It’s revolutionary, and it has been really inspiring to see all the hard work my teams have put into bringing Catalyst to life.”