What Happens When a School Bus Takes an Unplanned Diversion During Heavy Traffic?

At 3.30 pm the school bus is going back home from school with 25 students onboard. But traffic jams occur on the way near a junction. Due to some road work happening on that particular road the driver takes another route to get back to his normal school bus route.

Children are fine but now the school bus is travelling through an unknown area and all the parents are waiting at their usual stops wondering why it is taking so long.

This kind of situation happens often with school bus transportation. You need to be able to find out what is going on with your buses in real time. Real time school bus tracking to know where your buses are traveling, if there are any route diversions and inform your parents when the route may not be completed.

Reasons Why School Bus May Travel on a Different Route

There are many reasons why school buses may travel on a different route than planned. As you can see above traffic can play a big role in why a school bus will take a diversion.

• Traffic jam on main roads
• Road works happening on the road
• Accidents on road. Traffic police can ask vehicles to travel on a different route.
• Water logging due to heavy rain
• Any function that takes place in the locality
• If the driver feels unsafe he may take another route

Most of the time school buses take a diversion due to traffic jams. They may not seem serious but there could be something blocking the road which may cause an accident. So its better to take a diversion if needed.

But the question is does the school know about it?

What to do if a School Bus Takes a Diversion?

Let us assume that a school bus travels through a main road. There are 4 school bus stops on this route where children are picked up and dropped off. One day the school bus driver finds out that the road is closed and he takes another route.

Here are some steps that you should follow:

Know Where Your Bus Is

You should find out where your bus currently is. Using your GPS tracking software you can view your last known location and see where the bus has been travelling.

Just keep in mind that your tracking software may not update instantly if the device is offline.

Talk to Driver

Make sure you contact your driver if there is a diversion that he did not inform you about. Find out why the driver took a different route.

Always try to talk to your driver without causing any distraction to him. You can also contact your bus attendant if there is one.

See What Route the Bus Will Take

You need to know if there will be any more delays to your bus route. Make sure your drivers do not break any traffic rules while driving.

Inform Parents

If there is any delay to your bus you should let the parents know through your school’s transport app.

By informing them you can prevent them from standing at the wrong stop or expecting the bus to come at a specific time.

Benefits of Using School Bus Tracking Software in Case of Traffic

If you don’t know where your bus is you may need to call the driver multiple times to get his location.

Using school bus tracking you can view where your buses have been travelling.

• View where your bus is currently located.
• If your bus is stuck in traffic you can tell if its moving or not.
• You can also see your past bus routes.
• Inform your parents about where your bus is currently at.

There are many school bus tracking software’s out there that can send notifications to parents as well. Just make sure that the tracking software you choose has these features.

What Should Parents Do If School Bus is Late?

Everyone knows how stressful it can be when your child is not coming home on time. Especially if they are travelling by school bus.

Instead of calling the driver over and over you should check your school’s transport app to see if there are any updates.

If your school bus has taken a different route. Wait until you are informed that your child is safe and will be coming to a different stop.

Your school should inform you of the following:

• Is my child safe and will my bus be travelling.
• Will my stop or arrival time change.
• Do I need to pick my child from another location.

If your school keeps you informed about your bus there will be less stress.

Why is it important to know your past bus routes?

There may be instances where your school bus has to take a diversion. But you want to know why your bus took that route. By having your school bus tracking software you can look at past bus routes and see where your bus traveled.

You may also want to know if your bus usually takes longer to complete a route. You can change your bus schedule if needed.

If your tracking software allows you to send notifications to parents you can let them know if there are any changes to their bus route.

Real time school bus tracking is beneficial for your school in many ways. Not only can you find out where your bus is but it can help you decide on future bus schedules.

Tips for Schools to Follow During Traffic Jams

You can never know when traffic will occur but here are some tips for your school to keep in mind.

• Have backup routes for your bus to take in case of traffic.
• Know what to do if your bus takes a diversion.
• Have an emergency contact list for all your staff.
• Let your parents know what to do if your bus is late.
• Check your GPS devices to make sure they are working properly.
• Train your drivers and attendants on what to do in case of unexpected situations.

Also think of other times that your school bus may take longer than usual. Such as rainy weather, exams or a function in your locality.

Have a Plan if Your School Bus Takes a Diversion

Traffic can always cause delays to your school bus. If you know where your bus is you can take the proper steps to ensure your students get home safely.

Cool Bus by Aditi Tracking provides you with GPS tracking and can notify your parents if your bus takes a diversion. Learn more about our real time school bus tracking solution.

Visit Aditi Tracking to explore Cool Bus and keep parents informed with real-time school bus tracking.

FAQs

1. Can I find out if my school bus took a diversion?

Yes you can view where your bus is traveling through your GPS. Some school bus tracking software can send you a notification if your bus takes a diversion.

2. Can parents see where their school bus is if there is traffic?

Yes if your school transport app gives your parents that option.

3. Will school bus tracking work if there is no internet?

GPS can still calculate where your bus is located. But you will need the internet to send the live location to your server.

4. Should my school bus driver always travel on his normal route?

If there is an accident or road closure your bus driver should take a diversion. Always make sure your drivers follow the rules of the road.

5. Can my tracking software tell me when my bus will arrive?

Some school bus tracking software can give you an estimated arrival time. This will depend on the amount of traffic on the road and the accuracy of your device.