GPS system tracks local school buses

As a student waits outside her bus stop for what has been twenty minutes, her parent calls the school district to ask why the bus is not coming. This event happens frequently and the school administrators are never sure whether the child overslept and missed the bus, or the bus is running late. The only solution is to send the bus driver back to to pick up the child.

These "courtesy runs" are now being replaced with a better solution: Cobb, Fulton, Henry and Clayton counties are installing GPS tracking devices on to their buses to monitor where the school buses are going. No more children will have to come to school late from now on. Although it costs $600,000 to maintain the GPS devices yearly, schools are able to save $1,200,000 annually by cutting down on spending used for gas and overtime wages for drivers. Administrators are able to save even more money by using the GPS devices, because the devices present more efficient routes that can be taken by the driver.

There is mixed criticism to the situation. Some believe that the new technology isolates employees and makes them feel replaced. Others say that it is absurd that the schools are willing to spend a large amount of money in such a tight economy.

I think the use of tracking devices is great and helps the safety of students and drivers alike. The GPS systems are able to warn drivers if they are over the speed limit. The schools are also able to save more money; schools could spend that extra money on other school-related activities, such as a better math department or eco-friendly light bulbs. If less bus running time means less gas emissions spewing into the atmosphere, then the GPS systems also help solve global warming. Global warming affects everyone, and this small local event is somehow able to improve the world.

Sources:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/gps-system-tracks-local-school-buses/nSgWF/