If a replacement card is needed, parents may request one by notifying the bus driver, transportation, filling out this web form, or by contacting their student's school office staff.

Yes. When we are ready, we will launch the Parent Portal, which is a website and/or app to access route information and updates/changes. Other Parent Portal options are text notifications and ridership activity. Parents will not be able to see the location of the bus.

Yes, however, parents submit a change request to the school office, who will issue the student a bus pass authorizing the change. Guardians will have the ability to add or update release information for students who are categorized as "Must be Met" at their bus stop (usually younger students).

Tags only have a 14-digit code which represents the student information in the system. The badge only registers when a student gets on and off the bus and cannot be read/tracked anywhere else or read/tracked by any other product or method.

The driver will be able to manually override the information and add the student to the ridership roster from the student's badge. Therefore, the student will only need one badge. Students can get off at another stop in an emergency situation, but we ask that parents please contact the school directly for regular changes.

Yes! For safety and security (and more more efficient loading & unloading), Smart Tag ID badges are required for all riders.

No information is stored on a SMART tag ID badge.

The bus driver will be able to view the student’s picture, name, ID number, seat number, school, grade, bus stop, and critical medical information.  

Your school may use the ID badge for food service, the library, field trips, and more.

If a student does not have their ID Badge, the driver must personally log them in. This is more time-consuming and can delay a route causing late buses down the line. Students without their badges will be loaded last so as not to hold up the loading process.

The students without a badge will load last.

Elementary students who have received 3 manual loadings by the driver for not having their tag over a period of 10 days shall be counseled by the driver. An email may also be sent to parents regarding the importance of the Smart Tag. If the elementary student continues to not use their tag, parents and the school will be notified by email that they may lose their riding privileges for up to 5 days.

Middle & High School students who receive 3 manual loadings by the driver for not having their tag over a period of 10 days shall be counseled by the driver. An email may be sent to parents and the school regarding the importance of the Smart tag. If the student continues to not use the tag, bus privileges may be suspended until they comply with the Smart Tag program.

Please refer to the 2019-20 Student Handbook for additional information.

No, students are expected to maintain their Smart Tags from year to year. If a replacement is needed, notify the bus driver, the office staff at your school or the Transportation department.

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 North Thurston Public Schools administration via separate communication.