CINCINNATI — The new year brings increased safety for the more than 23,000 Memphis School District students transported by First Student, North America’s largest school transportation provider. More than 300 buses are being equipped with Zonar GPS, an electronic- and satellite-based tracking system that provides the exact location and speed of each bus at any given time.
The addition of Zonar GPS adds an additional element of safety to First Student buses. In the event of an emergency, First Student dispatch can pinpoint the bus’ exact location and provide quick response. In addition, if there is a traffic jam or other delay, dispatch is immediately notified and can begin contacting school officials as necessary.
Zonar GPS also includes an electronic vehicle inspection component, which tracks the bus’ fuel usage and idling times, and immediately identifies any maintenance issues. Coupled with each driver’s daily bus inspections, Zonar GPS ensures buses are operating at maximum efficiency.
“The safety and security of the students we transport to and from school each day within the Memphis School District is our core value,” said Chris Pedde, First Student regional operations manager. “The installation of Zonar GPS is a preventative measure that helps ensure the safety of each student and one of the many safety features on our buses.”