SMART Tag – SMARTer and safer bus transportation

The SMART Tag system records when students load and unload the bus, providing real-time information to the District transportation department, and you, the parent.

In just three easy steps, the SMART Tag electronic bus transportation system ensures that students get on the right bus and get off at the right stop.

1. Students eligible for transportation service are issued a SMART Tag card equipped with an RFID chip. The chip does not transmit a signal, students swipe the card over the RFID reader when they enter and exit the bus.

2. Your student’s ID card is required each time your child enters and exits the bus. (Only the student’s name and barcode associated with the student ID number will be printed on the ID badge.)

3. Students place student ID card on the tablet’s sensor when loading and unloading their bus.

SMART Tag Parent Portal

  • SMART Alerts – Sign up for SMART Alerts and receive emails or text messages when the bus is approximately 10 minutes from the scheduled bus stop.

Make sure to register!
Go to Parent Portal and register to take advantage of the SMART tag parent features. If you are using a smartphone, you will be prompted to save the web app to your home screen. This will place the Parent App tile on your mobile device for easy access.

SMART Tag will help…

  • Improve safety and automation of tasks, better enabling drivers to focus on the safe transport of students.
  • Ensure riders will load on the right bus and unload at the right stop.
  • The SMART tag system wirelessly transmits information to our transportation department staff to including:
  • The names of the students on board each bus.
  • Notification of an approaching bus.
  • The ability to view a student’s ridership activity.
What is SMART tag?

SMART tag is a full-featured system designed to ensure authorized ridership resulting in increased safety and security of students who utilize school bus transportation. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and cloud-connected tablet computers in each school bus provide accurate, near real-time information. Secured Mobility, LLC, a privately-held technology company located in Georgetown, TX, is the developer of SMART tag. Secured Mobility has more than a decade of experience in developing security software and hardware and deploying cloud-hosting infrastructure.

How does SMART tag benefit transportation departments and school administrators?

SMART tag not only provides immediate information regarding which students are on which bus, it also automates a number of reporting functions for transportation department personnel such as state headcount and mileage reports. SMART tag also provides efficient communication between the transportation department and parents.

How does SMART tag benefit drivers?

SMART tag provides the driver a student profile with a photo ID. The system enables the drivers to perform their duties more efficiently and effectively while improving overall safety and security. It also automates seating charts, maintenance requests, and other critical documentation.

How does SMART tag benefit parents?
The SMART Parent Web Portal is designed to enhance communication between the transportation department and the parents of student riders. SMART tag provides parents with improved security and leading-edge technology designed to keep students safe.
What information will the bus driver be able to view when the student swipes his/her card?
The bus driver will be able to view the student’s picture, name, ID number, seat number, school, grade, and bus stop.
Is student information stored on the ID card?

The student name is printed on the front of the card. There is no student information stored on the card.

Are students required to use their student ID cards to ride the bus?

Yes, SMART tag student ID cards are required for all students receiving transportation services. Additionally, in order to minimize the manual review of students who misplace or forget their ID cards at home or school, students who possess their ID badges are first to board the bus.

Will students be eligible to ride the bus if they lose or forget their student ID card?
Efficiencies from SMART tag are realized when every student uses their ID Card. If a student does not have their ID card at the bus, the driver must delay the route by personally logging the student in. Route delays cause anxiety for everyone and can alter the remainder of the bus route. Students who have their ID cards will load first, those without their ID card are loaded and unloaded last. This avoids delaying students who have their cards.
What are the consequences for not having your card to tag in?

Tagging in using SMART tag is required to ride District buses. When students repeatedly fail to present their student ID card, the District procedure is as follows:

Elementary students who have received three manual loadings by the driver for not having their card over a period of 10 days shall be counseled by the driver. An e-mail may be sent to parents reminding them that it is required for their child to have their SMART tag student ID card in order to board the bus. If the elementary student continues to not use their ID card, parents and the school will be notified by e-mail that they may lose their riding privileges for five days.

Middle and high school students who receive three manual loadings by the driver for not having their card over a period of 10 days shall be counseled by the driver. An e-mail may be sent to parents reminding them that it is required for their child to have their student ID card in order to board. If the student continues to not use the card, bus privileges may be suspended until they comply with the Smart Tag Program.

Who should be contacted if a student loses his/her badge?

Replacement cards can be requested through the campus office. There is a $5.00 fee to replace SMART tag cards. Replacement cards include the SMART tag and clear plastic sleeve. A lanyard, badge reel or zip tie are not included.

Will students receive a SMART tag ID badge every year?

No, students retain their student ID’s from year to year. 

If my child currently does not ride the bus, can I register my child for transportation services at any time during the school year?
Our bus routes are created based on eligibility, versus actual ridership. This means that as long as your child is eligible for transportation, they will always be assigned to the appropriate route and allowed to ride their assigned bus.
How will SMART tag determine the correct route/bus for students with multiple and/or alternating destinations?

For students with multiple approved stop locations, please notify the campus that your child needs an additional stop added and they will send the request to the transportation department. Approved stop locations include the residence(s) of the student, the residence of a grandparent or licensed/registered child care facility.

Can students get off at another stop in an emergency situation?

Yes, we ask that parents please contact the child’s school directly, so that an official ride permit can be issued for the student.

Is there a SMART tag app available?

A SMART tag icon that leads to the SMART tag parent portal is available in the official Round Rock ISD APP. Otherwise, parents can access the parent portal through a web browser.

Are notifications through SMART tag available?

Yes, electronic notifications (text alerts) are available through SMART tag. The parent must be registered for the Parent Portal to receive a notification. A text is sent when your student’s bus is within 10 minutes of their designated stop. There is no cost to parents to utilize the SMART tag Parent Portal.

Will parents receive a notification when their child gets on/off the bus?

The parent must be registered for the Parent Portal to receive an alert/notification. SMART tag will deliver an electronic notification (text) approximately 10-15 minutes prior to pick-up and drop-off.

Can a parent see when his/her child gets on/off the bus?
Yes, the parent can view a student’s ridership activity for the entire school year. If the parent wants to review the daily history, it will take a minute from loading/unloading the bus for SMART tag to update the records due to network connectivity. Parents should be aware, it may take longer if there is a poor signal or the network provider is experiencing a delay/latency issue out of Round Rock ISD’s control.
Is the information regarding a student’s bus location in real time or is it delayed?
There may be a one-minute delay to process the exchange of information between the SMART tag tablet mounted on each bus and the SMART tag main server.
How do I link my students together on the SMART Tag Parent Portal?

Once you have registered, you will have the option to add multiple students within the Parent Portal.

Will I receive an alert regarding inclement weather, bus accidents other emergency notification through the SMART tag system?
No, the SMART tag system will not provide weather-related or emergency notification. Information regarding inclement weather, bus accidents and other emergency notifications will be provided by the Round Rock ISD administration via separate communication.