Bus Pass Options

Bus Pass Options

A bus pass is a fob, RFID card or sticker, barcode, or some other means that a student uses when boarding to indicate when and where the student has boarded which bus. Then the bus pass may be used again upon leaving the bus, for the same purpose. Without some sort of bus pass, the system would be unable to inform guardians on the Bus Compass app where their student is.
Different school systems have selected different bus pass options. For example, some schools have chosen RFID-based passes for older students and a PIN code for younger students. We encourage school systems to evaluate what forms of ID they already use for lunch, library, security, rewards, and so forth, and consider using the same for the bus. Other school systems have taken advantage of the opportunity to consolidated multiple IDs into a single multipurpose ID. Transportant will work with you to use whichever method you prefer, but each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Below is a summary, but it is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Please discuss this with your implementation specialist. 
Bus pass type
Speed on bus
Cost
Notes
RFID sticker
Quick
Minimal
Needs to be applied to an existing ID. Managing the issuance takes time and labor.
RFID fob
Quick
Minimal
Fobs usually have no name on them. Managing the issuance takes time, labor, and can be complex. 
RFID ID card
Quick
Reasonable
An RFID-enabled ID card with name and photo simplifies management and issuance.
Bar code
Slower
Minimal
Lighting conditions can impact readability. Can wear out over time. As with RFID, linking a bar code to an ID card with name and photo will help with management and issuance.
Keypad
Slowest
Minimal or no cost
Schools that use this generally reuse an existing PIN such as a lunch code. This number just needs to be linked to the name. 
There are multiple options for making RFID-enabled ID cards. There are third party providers such as CI Solutions which will help you design and manage your IDs. They can then print the IDs and provide you with a file linking the RFID number to the student’s name. If your school system would like to design and print your own ID cards, that is also an option. There are a number of printers on the market that will print an RFID-enabled ID card, record the ID number and student’s name, and create a file for uploading into Transportant. You can find these printers manufactured by Zebra, AlphaCard, Evolis, Magicard, and more.

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