News & Events

New bus system easier for parents, more efficient

By: Gracie Hart Brooks | Orange County Review
Orange, VA
Published: August 16, 2012 Updated: August 16, 2012 - 3:59 PM

When school starts next month, the Orange County Public School Transportation Department will be ready, with a few new pieces of technology backing it up.

A new web-based program is being introduced this week which allows parents to find school bus pick-up and drop-off times without sifting through extensive route lists. The new system, Infofinder, allows parents to find their child’s bus route via a search using address and town.

 

According to Orange County Public School Coordinator of Transportation Justin Sarver, the new system is safer and more efficient. He said whereas the last system had a start time for the route, it didn’t always include times for each stop along that route. Infofinder eliminates that, giving approximate times for all stops on the route. He said it’s also safer because it eliminates individuals from being able to use route descriptions to track bus movements for unauthorized purposes.

 

“The new system will promote student safety and security by eliminating the publication of full route information in the public domain,” he said. “Another safety feature is that bus route information will not be displayed for an address unless a child is registered to attend a school in that home’s district.”
 

However, the transportation department will be monitoring buses. Each bus has a GPS tracking device which can pinpoint exact bus locations and speeds. Sarver said the system can be used to give parents an idea of where a bus is if it’s running late. The tracking devices were purchased and installed in early 2010 using American Recovery and Reinvestment Funds. The system is digital and fully compatible with the system used by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
 

“We monitor buses at all times when they are on the road,” Sarver said.
 

In addition, the transportation department uses Transfinder, a computer-based routing system that can be used to create routes, monitor actual loads versus bus capacity and to identify safety and efficiency concerns.
 

Buses are also equipped with on-board camera systems, which Sarver said can assist in discipline and personnel matters.
 

He said safety is a foremost concern for the transportation department. Buses are inspected every 30 days by a certified mechanic, are kept in service for 15 years and routinely serviced. Bus drivers with the department receive a minimum of 24 hours of classroom training and an additional minimum of 24 hours on-road training. Classroom training includes bus control, student management, handling special needs and emergency situations. Sarver said those training minimums are required by the state, and are usually exceeded by the transportation department. Drivers are also instructed in CPR and first aid. He said the department benefits from having Jean Atkins, an in-house certified instructor.
 

“We have a very skilled program and we are continuously improving the process,” Sarver said.

 

Students are also instructed in bus evacuation twice a year—once during the first 30 days of school and then again during the second semester. Each bus route is also evaluated often for hazards, such as a bus stop on a curve which requires a ‘school bus stop ahead’ sign.
 

Sarver said the biggest hazard affecting buses is motorists. He said they pass buses on the road and don’t always adhere to stop signals.
 

“We ask that people please be aware that buses will be on the road starting next month,” he said.

 

According to Virginia law, when approaching a school bus with flashing signals or flashing signals and an extended stop sign on a public or private road, motorists must stop and remain stopped until all children are clear of the roadway and the bus moves again. Motorists must also stop if the bus is loading or unloading children and the signal devices are not functioning properly. If convicted of passing a school bus that is stopped to load or unload passengers, a motorist will receive a six-point violation that will stay on their record for 11 years. More information can be obtained at http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv39d.pdf.

 

“There is a company out there now that installs cameras on buses to determine when someone [violates the stopping law],” Sarver said. “In addition to the criminal charge, there’s also a civil statute, but we’re not quite ready to go there yet. It is a problem though.”

 

The transportation department maintains 106 buses, in addition to 56 other various vehicles used by staff members. The department consists of Sarver, Atkins, two full-time administrative assistants in charge of routing and bookkeeping and four mechanics/technicians. Approximately 88 drivers are employed by Orange County, in addition to several bus monitors which are used on head start and special needs buses.
 

“Being a bus driver is one of the most difficult jobs there is,” Sarver said. “It takes a special person.”

 

Bus routes can be obtained online at www.ocss-va.org. From there, click on the “Bus Routes” link at the right of the page, which connects to Infofinder, where routes can be searched for using address and town. For questions, contact your child’s school or the transportation office at 661-4596. The office is staffed Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In case of an emergency after hours, call (540) 395-5446. A link on the Infofinder page will also email the transportation office directly.