What’s New for the Month of March 2025

At SmartBus, we’re constantly working to enhance efficiency, improve communication, and provide better control for managers, parents, and drivers. Our latest updates are designed to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and ensure real-time information flow across the web and mobile applications.

SmartBus Feature Updates

From automating SMS alerts to giving managers the ability to manage driver registrations and notifications directly from the mobile app, these enhancements make school transportation more reliable, transparent, and easy to manage.

1. SMS Alerts for Parents – Now Automated & Seamless!

No more manual entry! Now, managers can send SMS alerts to parents directly from the Alert Detail Screen—without entering mobile numbers. These alerts will be automatically sent to registered parents based on default app settings.

Key Benefits:

Instant Communication – Parents get real-time alerts without delays.
Error-Free Process – No manual number entry, reducing mistakes.
Complete Visibility – Sent alerts are logged in Alert Logs & SMS Reports for tracking.

2. High-Priority Parent Notifications 

Now, managers can notify all parents on a trip with urgent updates directly from the SmartBus web and mobile applications. These messages will appear as high-priority popups in the parent app, requiring acknowledgment—just like announcements!

Key Benefits:

Instant Alerts – Parents get real-time updates on trip time, vehicle changes, or emergency bus assignments.
No Missed Messages – The notification must be read before proceeding.
Seamless Tracking – All sent alerts are logged in the Announcement Log Report for record-keeping.

3. Smart Notification Control for Temporary Tracking!

Parents now have the power to pause or continue regular trip notifications when temporary tracking is active. A simple Yes/No popup lets them decide:

Yes – Stops regular trip notifications during temporary tracking.
No – Keeps regular trip notifications active.

Key Benefits:

More Control – Customize notifications based on real-time tracking needs.
Seamless Experience – Regular trip alerts automatically resume when temporary tracking ends.
Multi-Child Support – Preferences are saved for single or multiple children.

4. Add & Manage Drivers/Attendants Directly from the Mobile App!

No more dependency on the web portal! Now, managers can add, edit, and update driver & attendant details directly from the SmartBus mobile app for faster and more efficient operations.

Key Benefits:

Complete Mobility – Manage driver and attendant data anytime, anywhere.
Seamless Sync – Updates made in the app reflect instantly on the web.
Document Management – Upload licenses, IDs, and other documents easily.
User-Friendly Interface – Mobile-optimized forms ensure a smooth experience.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for more innovations as we continue to enhance SmartBus to make transportation safer, smarter, and more connected. Thank you for being a part of our journey toward better school mobility solutions!