Eagle Point SD 9 plans new bus radio network and routing tablets as hiring improves

Eagle Point School District 9 officials on Feb. 9 described a multi‑part transportation upgrade that they say will improve bus-to‑dispatch communications, support trip logistics and reduce driver workload as the district fills vacancies.

Mister Squires, the district’s transportation presenter, told the board the district has selected a repeater/trunked radio network (DayWireless on a Turbo West network using Motorola equipment) after field testing by two vendors. He said the system will expand coverage along the I‑5 corridor and into parts of Oregon and Idaho and allow drivers and dispatch to communicate across long distances: "When we send a bus to Portland, we will be able to pick up the radio and talk to that bus in Portland," Squires said.

District staff explained the procurement and cost structure. Initial hardware costs were reported at about $49,000…