Kiski Area plans switch to Traversa bus-routing software; initial cost to appear in 2025 budget
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Summary
District staff recommended replacing the sunsetting VersaTrans routing system with Traversa (same vendor). Administration said $11,388 will be charged to this year's budget and larger implementation costs (roughly $206,000) will be budgeted next year; the system adds driver iPads, GPS route pickup and student swipe cards for safety and parent communications.
District administration told the board it will seek approval to replace the district's legacy VersaTrans bus-routing software with Traversa, a web-based product from the same vendor designed to modernize routing and student-counting features. The transition was described under finance item 11.1.
Administration said the only immediate charge to this year’s budget is $11,388; implementation and recurring fees will be included in next year’s budget and were discussed in rough terms (transcript references implementation costs in the low hundreds of thousands for budget planning, SEG 1141–1144). Transportation staff highlighted new features: driver iPads on buses, GPS route handoff for substitute drivers, swipe-card student counts to track who boards and leaves a bus, and a parent communication app (SEG 1116–1133). "It enhances our security and safety," staff said.
Board members asked whether other districts had experience with the product; administration said nearby districts use it and offered to provide reference reports. The transcript indicates the district will be solely responsible for equipment costs rather than vendors or contracted bus companies.
Why it matters: the software change affects recurring operations costs and requires budget planning next fiscal year; it also introduces safety and communication features that administration says improve student tracking on buses.
Next steps: the board will be asked to vote on the purchase in the upcoming business session; administration will provide district references and a cost breakout for formal budget consideration.