SMART Tag System
Get to Know the New SMART Tag System
The GCISD Transportation Services Department is excited to announce that it has launched phase one of a new safety measure for bus riding students. The name of the program is Secured Mobility Authorized Ridership Technology also known as the SMART tag system. Implementation of SMART tag will improve student safety and security through accurate and real-time updates from students riding the bus and, more importantly, will alert bus drivers if a student is exiting at the wrong stop or attempting to board the wrong bus. When parents need to know where their students are, this system will provide the transportation staff with timely information.
SMART Tag, the student ridership system used by GCISD, is available in an app version and can be downloaded via the Apple App Store or Google Play. With the app, parents can:
View student profile, routes, and riding history
Add/remove students to/from account
View live map of assigned bus location (SMART Locate)*
Sign up for SMART Alerts (push notifications sent prior to the bus's arrival to assigned bus stop)
Manage authorized guardians*
What is SMART tag?
SMART tag is a full-featured system designed to ensure authorized ridership resulting in increased safety and security of students who utilize school bus transportation. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and cloud-connected tablet computers in each school bus provide accurate, near real-time information. Secured Mobility, LLC, a privately-held technology company located in Georgetown, TX, is the developer of SMART tag. Secured Mobility has more than a decade of experience in developing security software and hardware and deploying cloud-hosting infrastructure.
How does SMART tag benefit transportation departments and school administrators?
SMART tag not only provides immediate information regarding which students are on which bus, it also automates a number of reporting functions for transportation department personnel such as state headcount and mileage reports. SMART tag also provides efficient communication between bus drivers and parents.
How does SMART tag benefit drivers?
SMART tag provides a student profile with a photo ID to enable school bus drivers to perform their duties more efficiently and effectively while improving overall safety and security. It also automates seating charts, discipline reports, maintenance requests, and other critical documentation.
What information will the bus driver be able to view when the student swipes his/her card?
The bus driver will be able to view the student’s picture, name, ID number, seat number, school, grade, and bus stop.
Is student information stored on the SMART tag ID?
No information is stored on a SMART tag ID badge.
Will students be eligible to ride the bus if they lose or forget their SMART tag ID badge?
Yes, our drivers will not leave students unattended at their bus stop if a student forgets or loses his/her SMART tag ID badge. A lost SMART tag ID badge must be replaced immediately. Please contact the GCISD Transportation department at (817) 251-5592 for information on how to obtain a replacement badge as soon as possible.
Do students need to register for transportation services each year now that we have SMART Tag?
Yes, students must be registered for transportation services each year. In the event of relocation during the school year, parents will be required to re-register their child for transportation services in order to obtain updated bus routes and bus stops.
If my child currently does not ride the bus, can I register my child for transportation services
at any time during the school year?
Yes, a child may be registered for transportation services at any time during the school year. To register a child for transportation services, go to the transportation web page.
For assistance with registration for transportation services, please contact the GCISD Transportation Department at 817-251-5592 or transportation.services@gcisd.net.
Will a student’s SMART tag ID badge still allow them off the bus with individuals from the Alternate Pick-up List completed at the beginning of the year?
Yes, however, parents must go online to the Parent Portal and add the individuals that are approved to receive their kindergarten student from the bus. This is an additional safety feature for students. This information will be part of the student information that the driver can immediately view. (Note: Any individual picking up a Kindergarten student from the Bus Stop must be minimum 18 years of age, have a Government issued picture ID with them and present that ID when requested by the driver before your child will be released. If no one is present at the Bus Stop at the scheduled time, the child will be taken back to the school and the parent, guardian or authorized adult is responsible to pick the child up from the school.)
How will SMART tag determine the correct route/bus for students with multiple and/or alternating destinations?
The driver will be able to manually override the information and add the student to the ridership roster from the student’s SMART tag ID badge. Therefore, the student will only need one SMART tag ID badge.
Can students get off at another stop in an emergency situation?
Requests must be made to the transportation department at least 24 hours in advance and are handled on a case by case basis.
Should you have any questions or concerns about the SMART tag system please contact the GCISD Transportation Department at (817) 251-5592.
