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UTAH COUNTY -- The Alpine School District says new GPS devices on its 256 school buses are helping it be more efficient and safe.
District spokeswoman Rhonda Bromley told KSL many people remember the big snowstorm of a few years ago when some buses got stuck and lost radio contact.
"If those buses would have had GPS systems installed in them, it would have very much helped us knowing the circumstances of the buses, and the safety of the kids on those buses," she said.
Bromley said the district can check speed and efficiency of bus routes and that should help the district save money. Also, parents sometimes call about a late bus. Now officials can check the time of arrival of any bus.
Bromley said right now the district's transportation department, superintendent, board members and cabinet members have the capability to track the buses because they are the ones who are usually called with concerns.
"Whether or not that will be open to the public will be a future discussion. It's something that they know in the future they will need to look at," she said.
Bromley said the GPS technology also came with Zonar devices that the bus driver will use when checking their buses, like trying to prevent a child being left on the bus and more.
"They walk around to different parts of the bus and they are checking off different things, like making sure the bus is safe before picking up any students. They can do that with these Zonar devices," Bromley said.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
