FAQ: Transportation Updates

FAQ: Transportation Updates

Frequently Asked Questions: Transportation Updates

When parents have questions about bus updates, they usually need answers fast! Here is a handy guide for your front office staff to help navigate common questions about the transportation portal.

1. "I don’t see my bus number listed on the website. Why?"

The Answer: If a bus isn't listed, it likely hasn't been added to the Routes section for that specific school site yet.

  • Fix: Ensure the route has been created and that the correct Site was selected during setup.

2. "Why does the status say 'Ongoing' for my child’s bus?"

The Answer: We use the Ongoing status for long-term situations, such as a permanent route change or road construction that will affect the bus for more than just one day.

  • Tip: Check the Notes section of that bus status for specific details on when the route is expected to return to normal.

3. "The bus was late, but the website said it was 'On Time.' Why?"

The Answer: Status updates are manual! While we strive for real-time accuracy, there may be a slight delay between a driver reporting a holdup and the Content Manager being updated.

  • Internal Tip: Encourage your transportation team to update the Status as soon as they receive the radio call to keep parent trust high.

4. "What does 'Mechanical' mean next to a delay or cancellation?"

The Answer: This simply means the delay is due to a bus issue (like a flat tire or engine trouble) rather than traffic or weather.

  • Context: This helps parents understand that the delay isn't due to road conditions, and a replacement bus is likely being dispatched.

5. "Can I get an alert on my phone when a bus is late?"

The Answer: Parents can see these updates by visiting the school’s transportation page.

  • Staff Action: If it’s a major district-wide delay, remind parents to look for the Alert Banners at the top of the school homepage, which we use for urgent, high-priority news.


Quick Troubleshooting for Staff

  • Update not showing? Make sure you clicked Create after filling out the status.

  • Old status still showing? Check if you set an Expiry Date. If not, you may need to manually update the status back to "On Time" or delete the old entry.

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