Wi-Fi Equipped School Buses Gaining in Popularity

The practice of equipping school buses with Wi-Fi is growing in popularity across the U.S., and it’s easy to understand why. School buses are no longer used just for taking students to and from school. As more school districts are pushing to provide internet access to all of the students they serve, providing a hotspot on wheels is an attractive alternative.

The Case for Wi-Fi on School Buses

Though originally conceived as an easy way for students to be able to complete schoolwork on the way to and from school, school bus Wi-Fi is now being used for a greater purpose. In the case of some districts, buses are parked overnight in areas where many students would not otherwise have access to internet services. This unique solution has led to greater access and a leveled playing field.

Of course, providing Wi-Fi by way of school buses can cause some obvious challenges, like drained bus batteries. For the Coachella Valley Unified School District, the solution to this challenge was the installation of solar panels. For their district, the investment was well worth it. Their pilot program has proved so successful that they are planning to expand Wi-Fi service to an additional 97 buses.

Huntsville City Schools has discovered another benefit to providing Wi-Fi on school buses. According to their data, the 32 buses that they’ve equipped with Wi-Fi have seen a 70% overall reduction in discipline reports. Access to streaming video and providing students with less idle time are both cited as factors for the reduction.

Increasing Technology for School Transportation Systems

Taking advantage of internet access provides more than just Wi-Fi for students. School districts can now harness the power of the internet to instantly inform their drivers of route changes and student information by providing access to their school bus routing software and GPS tracking systems. This technology enhances communication between drivers and school administrators and increases the level of student safety that districts can provide to their students while their buses are on the road. It also has the added benefit of saving districts money on insurance premiums.

School buses provide a necessary and reliable service to students, parents and school districts. As technology advances, the school transportation industry has more access to tools that ensure the best ride. That means buses need to be safer and better equipped to enhance the educational experience of all students.

If you are ready to learn more about emerging school bus technologies like BusBoss routing software and how you can improve communication to drivers and safety for your students, contact our team of Industry experts.

Is your school district considering offering Wi-Fi on its buses, or has it done so already? We'd love to get your feedback on this emerging trend.