Q&A
Challenges in implementing GPS technology on school buses
1:46:17
·
45 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the challenges faced in implementing GPS technology on school buses. John Benson elaborates on the difficulties encountered, particularly with driver adoption of the new system.
- Major challenge: Getting drivers to consistently log in to the GPS system
- Implementation required a fundamental shift in how bus drivers perform their jobs
- Current driver subscription rate is in the mid-80% range, with expectations to reach close to 100% by November
Rita Joseph
1:46:17
What challenges have you encountered in implementing the GPS technology and how are you addressing them?
John Benson
1:46:24
So I outlined some of them.
1:46:26
You know, there's some trial and error, some piloting that has to happen where you gotta make sure the data is secure, the right data is showing up to the right parents, so on and so forth.
1:46:34
One sticking point has been the driver subscription.
1:46:37
This is a fundamental shift for a bus driver in terms of how they do their jobs.
1:46:41
Right?
1:46:41
You know, going back years before this product was in place, the driver's equipment was a set of keys and a bus.
1:46:46
Now it's also a cell phone and a username and password.
1:46:49
There's been some support required to get drivers able to do that type that subscription that's required on a daily basis.
1:46:55
We got in the nineties percentage wise last spring.
1:46:58
We're in the mid eighties this fall so far, and we expect to be closer to a 100% by November
