Prince George's County Schools explore new transportation app and hub stop solutions

The Board of Education Operations, Budget, and Fiscal Affairs Committee Meeting held on March 19, 2025, focused on addressing significant challenges in transportation services for Prince George's County Public Schools. The meeting began with discussions on the ongoing staffing issues affecting transportation and the need for a new app to improve communication and efficiency for parents and students.

Board member Brown highlighted the importance of researching various parent app and routing systems to better accommodate the complexities of the school district's transportation needs. The committee acknowledged the necessity of replacing the current stop finder app, which has received considerable negative feedback from parents. A recent survey indicated that over 60% of respondents reported consistent issues with late buses and app functionality.

Vice Chair Bridal emphasized the importance of incorporating user feedback into the development of solutions, urging the committee to consider the experiences of families affected by transportation delays. Concerns were raised about the impact of recent federal agency changes on parents' flexibility, which could lead to increased demand for before and after care services for students.

In response, the committee discussed potential partnerships with Maryland Parks and Recreation to establish safe hub stops for students, allowing parents to drop off their children earlier and providing a secure waiting area. This initiative aims to enhance the overall transportation experience for families.

The committee also addressed the timeline for implementing a new routing system and hub stops, indicating that plans are tentatively set to begin at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The committee aims to communicate these changes to families before the end of the current school year to ensure a smooth transition.

Additionally, the discussion included the need for comprehensive training for bus drivers on the new GPS system and technology. The committee acknowledged that ongoing training would be essential to ensure drivers are comfortable and proficient with the new tools, which are crucial for improving transportation services.

Overall, the meeting underscored the committee's commitment to enhancing transportation services through technology, user feedback, and collaboration with community partners, with the goal of providing a reliable and efficient system for students and their families.