Smart Tag

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 the transportation department and parents.

Smart tag provides the driver a student profile with a photo ID. The system enables the drivers to perform their duties more efficiently and effectively while improving overall safety and security. It also automates seating charts, maintenance requests, and other critical documentation.

The Smart Parent Web Portal is designed to enhance communication between the transportation department and the parents of student riders. Smart tag provides parents with improved security and leading-edge technology designed to keep students safe.

The bus driver will be able to view the student’s picture, name, ID number, seat number, school, grade, and bus stop.

The student name is printed on the front of the Smart tag. There is no student information stored on the card.

Yes. Students may not ride the bus without a SMART tag.

Replacement cards can be requested through the campus office. There is a $5.00 fee to replace Smart tag cards. Replacement cards include the Smart tag and clear plastic sleeve. A lanyard, badge reel or zip tie are not included.

No, students retain their Smart tag from year to year. 

Yes, please contact your school office to register for bus service. Once your child is assigned to a bus, the bus information will be available in the SMART tag Parent Portal.

For students with multiple approved stop locations, please notify the campus that your child needs an additional stop added and they will send the request to the transportation department. Approved stop locations include the residence(s) of the student, the residence of a grandparent or licensed/registered child care facility.

No. Students are required to get on and off the bus at their designated stop.

Yes, all transportation notifications are sent through Smart tag. This includes notification of a late bus or changes in bus assignment. The parent must be registered for the Parent Portal to receive notifications. There is no cost to parents to utilize the Smart tag Parent Portal.

Yes, the parent can view a student’s ridership activity for the entire school year. If the parent wants to review the daily history, it will take a minute from loading/unloading the bus for SMART tag to update the records due to network connectivity. Parents should be aware, it may take longer if there is a poor signal or the network provider is experiencing a delay/latency issue out of Gainesville ISD’s control.

There may be a small delay to process the exchange of information between the Smart tag tablet mounted on each bus and the Smart tag main server.

Once you have registered, you will have the option to add multiple students within the Parent Portal.

No, the Smart tag system will not provide weather-related or emergency notification. Information regarding inclement weather, bus accidents and other emergency notifications will be provided by the Gainesville ISD administration via separate communication.

Smart Alerts are notifications that are sent to parents who wish to be notified when the bus is near the bus stop. Parents must opt-in within the Parent Portal to receive these.

Smart Alerts are sent when the bus is on the way to the stop in the morning (always) and in the afternoon (only if your student is loaded on the bus).

Smart Alerts are not sent when your child scans on and off the bus however, you are able to view your student on the bus within your Parent Portal.

Yes, the following are types of SMART Alerts you may receive.

• Bus is estimated to arrive on time.

  • “Bus PM1 for Nathaniel is estimated to arrive at the scheduled time. Arrive 5 minutes early. Alert sent at 3:51 PM”

  • Go to Parent Portal > View Student > View Assigned Routes to view the scheduled stop time.

  • The on-time status for bus routes is 5 min before the scheduled bus top time and 10 min after the scheduled bus stop time.

  • The message is the same in the AM and the PM for a bus that is estimated to arrive on time. Both are alerting the student/parent that the bus is estimated to arrive around that time.

• Bus is delayed.

  • “Bus 654 for Dave is delayed. Remain at the bus stop until the bus arrives. Alert sent at 7:30 AM.”

  • The minor delay status for your route is between 10 and 15 min after the scheduled stop time.

  • If the bus is estimated to be delayed beyond 8-10 min, the transportation department will push another alert with the estimated time delay.

  • The message is the same in the AM and the PM for a bus that is estimated to arrive after the scheduled stop time. Both are alerting the student/parent that the bus is delayed and to please remain at the stop to either board the bus or to meet your child in the afternoon (if applicable).

  • The transportation department may manually send out another alert letting you know how far behind they believe the bus to be.

There could be several reasons why you are not receiving Smart Alerts.

• Ensure you have the correct phone number on the account.

• Ensure you have the correct phone carrier listed.

• Ensure you have completed the verification process for your phone number.

• Verify that SMART Alerts are checked for each individual student, including AM and PM if desired.

• Verify that a route is assigned to your child.

• Verify that the route assigned to your child matches the actual route they are riding.

• Verify that you did not opt out of receiving alerts. To opt back in text “UNSTOP” TO 833- 742-0656.

 If the preceding information is correct and you are still not receiving SMART Alerts, please contact your transportation department. Additional troubleshooting may be required.