1. Best Practices for Purchasing Student Transportation Technology Solutions
Kevin Mest | Senior Vice President, Passenger Services

2. Just Do It.

3. To Begin, Assemble Your Team
The more individuals you can include in the process, the more ownership people feel, which will increase the chance of future success
Maintenance
Drivers
Superintendent
Dispatch
Finance
Transportation
Back Office
Identify your organizational influencers, such as:

4. Make The Case For A New Solution
Think comprehensively about what you are solving for:
Back-office:
What processes, procedures or technologies are currently working well for your fleet?
What frustrations do you have with your current fleet management system(s)?
What information do you want to have more efficient access to?
Maintenance:
Can you easily verify that your drivers execute pre- and post-trip safety inspections?
What reports does your fleet maintenance team want daily, weekly and monthly?
Operations:
How do you track, manage and service your school buses and any additional vehicles you are responsible for maintaining?
Student Safety:
Are your student safety protocols compliant with today’s regulations and best practices?
Do your customer service levels meet parent expectations?
Include Vendors in Your Discovery Process! They can share best practices of your peers

5. The Top “Must ask” Questions When Choosing Your Vendor
What is the ongoing level of support once the contract is signed?
Are installation and training resources provided and at what cost?
What compliance support is offered to assist with adherence to federal mandates on the horizon?
Post-Sale Support
TIER THREE
How long has the vendor been in business?
How many customers do they have?
Financial solvency—ask for financial statements spanning over the last three years.
Vendor Stability/Credibility
References—ask for at least two districts of comparable size to yours—and call them!
What is the annual renewal rate of each vendors’ existing customer base?
Customer Satisfaction
Proof Points .

6. Don’t Skip the Fine Print
Ensure Your Success
How much advance notice is required to cancel your service?
Should your district funding be cut in future years, is that sufficient grounds for cancellation per the contract language?
What is the “escape clause” in the contract should your district choose to switch to a new, similar service with another provider?

7. Enjoy the Savings and Efficiencies!
Transportation technologies:
dramatically drive down fuel and operational costs
increase student safety
increase parent satisfaction
streamline recoupment of state/fed reimbursements

8. Questions? To learn more, visit:
Kevin Mest | Senior Vice President, Passenger Services
To learn more, visit:
zonarsystems.com/guide-to-student-transportation-telematics