Seattle-based Zonar has launched an integrated all-in-one routing system for school district buses. The Zonar Bus Suite is designed to plug into any transportation system, with or without an existing router provider. It is aimed at making it easier to modernise bus operations without costly overhauls.

The launch follows Zonar’s acquisition of ez enRoute, an IoT tech and pupil transportation routing provider. The new Zonar Bus Suite is powered by ez enRoute’s independent routing engine. The acquisition expands Zonar’s technology portfolio and strengthens its position in the school transport market.

With Zonar Bus Suite, dispatchers can customise routes, make live adjustments and communicate changes directly to drivers and parents through the Zonar platform. Drivers can view assigned stops, students and routes on the Zonar-provided tablet.

Combining Zonar Z Pass student ridership data, Zonar Bus Suite enables drivers and substitutes to see who has boarded or exited the bus in real time. They receive alerts if a student boards the wrong bus or exits at the wrong stop, along with special student instructions. This integration helps substitute drivers safeguard student riders.

It also provides cloud-Based operational oversight. The Zonar Bus Suite dashboard allows schools to monitor live bus runs, track fleet performance, access student manifest reports and provide parents with accurate ETAs and student location updates in real time.

An integrated parent mobile application allows parents to track school bus locations and receive route notifications and alerts.

“Bringing ez enRoute into the Zonar portfolio enables us to deliver greater value to our customers,” said Charles Kriete, CEO, Zonar. “We’re not just in the school bus business, we’re in the business of access to education, and we take this mission seriously. As districts nationwide face ongoing driver shortages, the launch of Zonar Bus Suite plays a vital role in modernising operations, keeping families informed and ensuring safe, reliable student transportation.”

“Bringing ez enRoute into the Zonar portfolio enables us to deliver greater value to our customers. We’re not just in the school bus business, we’re in the business of access to education, and we take this mission seriously.” – Charles Kriete, CEO, Zonar

“Joining Zonar marks an exciting step forward in our mission to transform student transportation,” said Amit Anand, founder, ez enRoute. “Our combined expertise in the school transportation space makes this partnership a perfect fit to evolve our capabilities into a unified, all-in-one platform.”