SAN ANTONIO — A school district here has equipped its school buses with stop-arm cameras, cameras on the inside and outside of the bus, and Wi-Fi in an effort to improve student safety.
The San Antonio Independent School District’s (ISD’s) school buses now have stop-arm camera systems from American Traffic Solutions, according to the district’s Facebook page. The technology was installed by the company at no cost to the district.
Nathan Graf, the district’s senior executive director of transportation and vehicle maintenance, said that the district will also install other exterior and interior cameras on its 200 buses, according to the San Antonio ISD website.
“We will have a 360-degree view of everything in and around the outside of the bus,” Graf said, according to the website. “If a bus is hit from any side or if one of our drivers misses a stop sign, we will be able to see it.”
He added that he hopes the new stop-arm cameras will help raise motorists’ awareness of school buses.
Motorists in the area who illegally pass a stopped school bus will receive a warning notice until Sept. 30, according to the district’s website, which features a page addressing frequently asked questions (FAQs) about stop-arm cameras. As of Oct. 1, motorists who are found to have committed a stop-arm violation will receive a $300 citation under a local ordinance passed by the San Antonio City Council in 2016.
The FAQs page also includes information on how the stop-arm cameras work and the law regarding stopping for school buses.
Additionally, as part of the contract with Verra Mobility, San Antonio ISD is installing Wi-Fi on all of its buses. The district's goal is to have at least 30% of its school buses outfitted with the technology by December, and the rest by the end of the 2018-19 school year.
With Wi-Fi, students will be able to do homework and download books from an all-digital library, which is part of the district’s Rolling Readers program. Seven of the district’s buses are already equipped with Wi-Fi as part of that program.
Texas District Installs Stop-Arm Cameras, Other Tech on School Buses
San Antonio Independent School District equips its buses with stop-arm cameras, and is also outfitting them with other exterior and interior cameras and Wi-Fi.
More Safety
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026
Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.
Read More →
NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck
A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: Driver Shortages, EV Debates & Safety Upgrades
From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Senate Report: Autonomous Car Companies Hiding Reliance on Remote Operators
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.
Read More →
Industry Suppliers Offer Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminders
Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.
Read More →
NTSB Names Michael Graham Vice Chair: Where He Stands on School Bus Safety
A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.
Read More →
'A Train Is Coming': Florida School Bus Close Call Highlights Critical Railroad Safety Reminders
Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.
Read More →