School district considers GPS tracking for buses

ABC 7 | February 17 2005

FORT MYERS — School bus drivers across the state have been put under the microscope in the past year for accidents during their shifts. Now the Lee County School District is looking to the sky to help make sure the ride to school is a safe one.

But will GPS satellite tracking of buses violate the privacy of drivers? Some fear that, and say GPS tracking will promote miscommunication.

The schools transportation department believes exactly the opposite – the technology will improve communication for parents trying to locate their child's school bus.

The GPS systems may be installed on the county's 700 school buses as early as next school year.

"A GPS system monitors many things. Number one, where is the bus and the exact location of the bus, the speed of the bus," said transportation director Lou Karnbach.

The drivers fear the system will be used as a disciplinary measure – a Big Brother figure looking over their shoulder.

"To use it as a Big Brother, 'We're going to follow your step,' that can lead to more problems. Supervisors might tell you to do one thing and GPS is showing where you're going, but that's not where you're supposed to be but you're directed to go there," said bus driver Charles Daniels.

The transportation department says GPS would be put in place for the safety of students and allow them to direct lost bus drivers.

But discipline may enter the equation.

"If they're not on approved routes, if they're not making approved bus stops, then we'll have to handle that," Karnbach said.

The only question is how – and that's the main concern of the bus drivers union.

Both sides say they're working together to try to smooth over that language before the school board votes on whether to approve GPS or not.

That vote is expected to happen around budget time in late spring.