ORANGE COUNTY, Florida. – Monday marks the first day of school for Orange County students, and 53,000 of them have signed up to ride the school bus.

To keep track of the number of students boarding the bus, Orange County Public Schools is now introducing new technology.

Most students have already received brand new ID cards, which they swipe through a scanner when they board the bus. Their name and student ID number are displayed on a tablet next to the driver, letting them know they are on the right bus.

Pamela Johnson has been a bus driver in Orange County for 31 years. She told News 6 that parents should discuss the new changes with their child and discuss expected behavior while riding the bus.

She is looking forward to the new technology of the student tracking system for school buses.

“It’s easier to track the kids because little Johnny was supposed to get on the 225, but he came to my bus. When he swipes his card, I realize he doesn’t belong here,” Johnson said.

Starting in October, parents will have access to an app that will notify them when their child has boarded the bus.

The school district is looking to fill one hundred bus driver positions. Click here to learn more.

Seminole and Osceola schools, as well as many others across the country, also use this technology.

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