School system tests app that allows you to track child’s bus ride

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — School districts are finding ways to improve the school bus system.

In New Hanover County, tracking your child on the school bus and even lowering the shortage of bus drivers is a top priority.

Imagine if your child’s school bus trip could be in the palm of your hand.

“I think it would be extremely helpful for both parents, bus drivers, babysitters, whoever is getting the kids that day,” babysitter Samantha Scott said.

New Hanover County Schools is in the testing phase of adding a device to the buses. New Hanover County Director of Transportation Ken Nance said it will let the drivers put in their routes and show where the bus is at all times.

“We’ll have to see how the testing goes, but hopefully it works as well as we hope it will and we’ll be able to put it in place in the fall,” Nance said.

But even with this new device it is not a resolution to bus driver shortages.

“It’s always been an issue, but it’s a bigger issue now then I’ve ever seen. And again it’s a common issue in North Carolina and through out the United States,” Nance said.

The school board recently passed that newly hired teacher assistants will be required to get their CDL and drive a bus.

“I mean that’s what we really want because no matter if you have this system or not if the buses are late, they’re still late and they’re still late getting the kids to school each day and they’re missing part of their educational opportunity,” Nance said.

Meanwhile, parents are hopeful the device will be approved.

“I think the idea of the bus having a GPS allowing parents to track it is a great idea,” parent Donna Kaiser said.

Nance say getting additional drivers will hopefully offer a little relief that kids will get picked up and dropped off on time.

Right now they have ordered two of the tablets for their testing. If approved, Nance said it will be sometime in the fall, but the biggest concern is the bus driver shortage.