“Our goal is to ensure that transportation is never a


barrier to accessing education, and that requires on- going collaboration between our schools, families and transportation partners,” she said, adding that trust and communication are key, as the transportation partner plays a critical role in the life of the district and families.


Communications Focused Contracting with a transportation company doesn’t


simply mean outsourcing vehicles. It could also mean new technology and better communications. That is true for Elizabeth Robinson, the superintendent for Pocono Mountain School District in Pennsylvania. She said her partnership with First Student introduced the company’s parent app, FirstView. The district provides oversight for the contracting of bus drivers, monitors, maintenance technicians and routing, transporting over 7,000 students daily. “Communication with parents is vital,” she said, adding


that the FirstView app allows parents to track the school bus for arrival times at the bus stop. Additionally, she said First Student and Pocono partnered to purchase an upgrade to the district’s routing software, Routefinder Plus through Transfinder. On the district’s West Campus, there are 48 routes, four being specialized. On the East Campus there are


59 routes, 28 specialized and 20 van routes. Robinson said First Student provides all school buses and vans needed for transportation services and is responsible for maintaining and repairing the vehicles. “The key to maintaining a good relationship between


the contractor and school district is definitely com- munication,” she said, adding that Pocono employs two transportation laisons and a liaison administra- tive assistant. “The liaisons work very closely with First Student staff, all school district personnel from each school, school district administration, as well as parents/ guardians to ensure a safe and positive transportation experience on school buses for every student.” She added that a district’s working relationship with its


bus contractor is essential to ensuring a safe, efficient and reliable transportation for students. “Effective communication and collaboration between the district and the contractor help address concerns such as route optimization, timely pickups and drop-offs, and adherence to safety regulations,” she said. “By maintaining a strong partnership, the district can ensure that drivers are well-trained, buses are properly maintained and any issues are promptly resolved.” She said having a collaboration benefits all stakeholders. “Students experience a safe and dependable ride to


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