Wi-Fi Makes Long Student Commutes More Comfortable
Students — especially those in rural areas — face unusually long commutes. Average commute times for students taking the school bus vary by state and can range from 24 minutes in North Carolina to 47 in Arkansas, and can be even longer in more rural areas.
On top of these long commute times, families are experiencing additional delays as a result of the bus driver shortage.
While there’s no easy solution for a shortage of drivers, adding Wi-Fi to school buses can give students more time to complete homework and other assignments. “The bus ride itself becomes another learning environment,” says Akilah Willery, education strategist for CDW•G. “The kids could be studying, watching YouTube, or doing things on their phone, but they would be a lot more comfortable with a Wi-Fi connection.”
Because hotspots are connectivity solution, administrators can use ESSER or Emergency Connectivity Fund resources to upgrade their bus fleets with Wi-Fi.
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RFID Technology Shows Where Students Are Boarding the Bus
Radio-frequency ID is another option for K–12 transportation teams. RFID tags could help parents and schools ensure that students are taking the bus and that they get on and off at the correct stop. This information can help schools plan more efficient routes, in addition to giving parents peace of mind about their child’s safety.
The technology is easy to implement with ESSER funds, as it requires only a tablet or mobile device on each bus and an RFID tag for each rider.
GPS Tracking Helps Drivers Determine the Best Route
GPS tracking is another way to use funds to improve school bus efficiency in K–12 districts. In the U.S., most transportation systems have tracking capabilities. For public transportation systems, such as buses and metros, riders can easily find tracking apps and receive notifications. Ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft show exactly where their drivers are located. Even pizza delivery can be tracked with fair reliability.