An estimated 5,000 students ride school buses, and parents can monitor the bus rides to and from school by registering on the Here Comes the Bus mobile app, said Libby Brown, CCS director of community services.
The tracking app uses GPS technology that enhances the safety, convenience and efficiency of student transportation, Brown said.
The resource provides parents, guardians and school administrators with real-time tracking and communication capabilities of school bus routes.
"We encourage all parents to participate," said Jay McCarraher, CCS transportation director.
"Providing parents with information regarding their child's bus ride is a top priority in the transportation department, and this program reflects our commitment to the safety and well-being of all students."
Real-time bus tracking is a key feature of the Here Comes the Bus app, which allows parents to track their child's bus ride on a map and track the onboarding and departure times, Brown said.
Other features include the bus number and bus stop location. The app will sent email notifications when a bus nears the bus stop and whenever students are boarding a bus that is different from the one they have been assigned to, Brown said.
This app is available on a smartphone, tablet or a personal computer.
To complete the download and registration process, parents will need to enter the information provided by the school administrative office and enter their student's name and identification number.
Detailed instructions on how to sign up for the app can be found on the transportation department's website at caldwellschools.com/Page/24460.
The public school bus system is important for children in the county with families continuing to rely on the dependability and safety of school bus transportation, Brown said.
At the start of the school year, an estimated 95 school buses covered 123 routes, Brown said.
The school system employs nearly 1,800 employees and operates 25 elementary, middle and high schools in the county.
©2023 the News-Topic (Lenoir, N.C.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
