Danville introduces Stop Finder app and 'second chance' shuttles, pilots student ID cards to reduce absences
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Summary
Transportation staff told the school board they have begun rolling out a GPS-based Stop Finder app (155 parents enrolled, 121 active users covering ~1,533 students), installed bus card readers and plan a student ID-card pilot and second-chance shuttle service (limited to 14 pickups per student before review) to address missed buses and chronic absenteeism.
Danville Public Schools' transportation department described a package of technology and service changes on Feb. 13 intended to reduce missed buses and chronic absenteeism.
Penny Bryant and transportation leadership described the Stop Finder parent app, which uses GPS to show live bus locations, push notifications and schedule info. "So far, we have approximately 155 parents that's actually signed up for the Stop Finder app," Bryant said; of those, she said about 121 use the app daily and the accounts represent roughly 1,533 students.
Transportation staff also updated the board on a student ridership pilot. Card readers were installed on buses Jan. 31–Feb. 1 so students can swipe district-issued ID cards when boarding and leaving; that data will integrate with the parent app and provide drivers with a roster view. Staff said tablets configured for drivers comply with Virginia law and only illuminate when buses are secured at stops to show check-in status.
Staff reviewed bus video systems (AngelTrax) and three-year comparisons of referral reasons, noting top disciplinary referrals include moving while the bus is in motion and failure to follow directives. They described behavior interventions such as assigned seating, driver retraining, positive referrals, and safety videos students must review if suspended from the bus.
The district also described 'Second Chance Transportation': a bus or van will be available after 7:45 a.m. for missed-bus incidents and two shuttle buses will operate between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Staff said parents must call the school, which will contact transportation to determine if the original bus can circle back; if not, the student is added to a second-chance list. The program will be discontinued for an individual student after 14 pickups or earlier if deemed appropriate by the attendance team.
Board members asked about outreach and accessibility of sign-up; staff said the app is free but invitations must be sent from routing software and that promotion is on the DPS homepage with flyers and press releases planned.
Next steps: targeted training for drivers and vendor training sessions are scheduled; a phased implementation is planned after spring break for selected routes and continued promotion of the Stop Finder app to families.