mTransport Info
mTransport for DSTS Vehicles
To enhance school bus safety and communication, the majority of the DSTS vehicle fleet is equipped with mTransport technology. Buses are equipped with a tablet on board that has an electronic version of the bus manifest and the students’ bus route. Eligible students assigned to DSTS transportation vehicles are issued a DSTS Transportation card, and must use the card when boarding or exiting the bus. The tablet software will read the card which will provide information to families that signed up for the Mobile Notification app letting families know when and where the student boarded and exited the bus and will alert the driver when a student attempts to board the bus at the wrong stop or wrong bus or get off the bus when they shouldn’t. This system also provides live and relevant data regarding bus passengers, which is critical information in the event of a bus incident or accident.
DSTS Transportation Card
Receiving DSTS Transportation card for a student: For students new to transportation or new to buses equipped with mTransport, a DSTS Transportation card will be sent to the school for distribution to students once the student has been added to a bus route.
How long do I keep the card? Students issued a DSTS Transportation card will continue to use the same card throughout their school career. New cards are not issued each school year. The same card is used even if a student address, school or bus route changes as long as the student remains eligible for transportation services and remains within the same school board.
Replacing a lost card? - Need a Temporary Card? Click on this link to replace the DSTS Transportation card or create a temporary card. If you lose your card click on the link above so that the process will begin for a new DSTS Transportation card to be produced and sent to the school for distribution to the student. Through the link you can proceed to print a temporary paper card to use while waiting for the plastic card or families can download the temporary card to take a picture of it to load the DSTS Transportation card onto a mobile device used by the student.
Forgot my Card - Eligible students, whose names are on the bus manifest, will be able to board the bus if they do not have their DSTS Transportation card with them. Drivers can tap the students’ name on the manifest or mark them as having boarded the bus. We ask that if your student does not have their DSTS Transportation card they wait to board the bus last at their stop to make it easier for the driver to find the student’s name and keep boarding timely. Note: If the card has been lost, please see above regarding lost card or temporary card needed.
DSTS Transportation Card Deactivated/Student Not using Transportation Services
If you do not intend to use transportation services, please inform DSTS. Families of students that have not utilized transportation services consistently for three consecutive months or longer, will be coded as a non rider and the students’ name will be removed from the bus manifest. This will result in the DSTS Transportation card being deactivated. Families of eligible students may contact DSTS at any time if they intend to resume transportation services on a regular basis and have the DSTS Transportation card reactivated within 3-5 business days. Note: If students have previously been removed from a manifest and not reactivated, families will need to contact DSTS to have the student added to a manifest to resume transportation services for the next school year.
mTransport Mobile Notification app for Families:
Notifications: The mTransport mobile app allows families to receive notifications regarding your students' transportation. You can activate alerts to notify you when your student has boarded the bus, exited the bus and when the bus has left the stop previous to your students' stop. You will be able to view the mTransport dashboard whenever you want on your mobile phone, tablet or computer. You will be able to choose which notifications you want to receive and select your preferred methods of communication: Push notification, text message or email.
Can I use my mTransport Mobile App account on two different devices? Yes, you can install mTransport on as many devices as you want and log in with your account. All devices will share the same notification preferences.
Downloading mTransport Mobile App: You can download the app on Android and Apple devices through the app store. You must use the same email address that you have registerd with your students school. Note: When connecting to the application for the first time, you must validate your email address and follow the instructions to create a password. You can then accept notifications and choose which ones you want to receive.
What data is available with mTransport?
Bus manifest information with student names along with the bus stop location are the main pieces of information held on the tablet. The DSTS Transportation card is linked to a student ID number. Personal information such as phone numbers, date of birth or home addresses are not stored on the tablet or DSTS Transportation card and when a student is no longer riding a bus, the card is deactivated and serves no other purpose. Electronic manifests on mTransport also have driving directions for our drivers to get from stop to stop, which is helpful for new drivers or drivers who may be filling in for another route.
Data is transferred via a secure connection and all data is held within Canadian servers. Only verified staff who have access to the Bus route information such as school administration staff, transportation route planners, Bus Operators, and information technology staff from DSTS and mTransport who facilitate the software, have access to the data. Data always remains the property of DSTS and can only be used for Transportation Services. Tablets are secured and controlled by a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system which limits functions and allows tablets to be erased remotely.
Additional Information.