Muscat: The Smart Bus platform, to be launched during the next academic year in government schools, is an advanced electronic system designed to manage, track and ensure the safety of children on school transportation.
It monitors students from the moment they leave home until they return, offering comprehensive services to guardians, school administrations and bus drivers. This platform is the world’s first artificial intelligence school transportation management and tracking system.
The implementation process is swift, taking less than two hours. It involves registration of the school on the Smart Bus platform, uploading data and sending activation messages to parents.
The system was conceptualised by Smart Bus founder and CEO Ahmed bin Hamad al Kharousi in 2019, initially using traditional tracking devices. However, recognising their impracticality, especially for young children, Al Kharousi revamped the approach.
By 2020, after thorough planning and trials, the Smart Bus platform was officially launched in 2022, proving highly effective and user-friendly.
Guardians benefit from real-time updates on their children’s bus trips, including boarding, drop-off, and any changes in schedule. They can communicate directly with the school administration, bus supervisors and drivers via the Smart Bus application.
The system allows guardians to report absences, saving time and resources by optimising bus routes. Additionally, guardians can upload their children’s photos and will soon be able to submit absence excuses and behavioural notes through the app.
Schools access the Smart Bus platform via a web interface, allowing them to monitor bus locations, student attendance and permissions electronically.
They can generate detailed reports on trips, absences and bus operations. The platform enables instant communication with parents and bus staff and features a QR code safety system to ensure no child is left on the bus. Schools can easily manage and redistribute students across buses.
Parents and school administrators have expressed high satisfaction with the Smart Bus system.
Zainab al Kharousi, a parent, appreciates the reassurance provided by the detailed trip information. Khawla al Harthy, a school administrator in Muscat, highlights the time and effort saved for school staff.
Al Kharousi plans to expand the Smart Bus system internationally. The system currently supports Arabic and English, with more languages to be added.
Leveraging high-tech infrastructure, including servers in Oman and services from Google Cloud and Oracle, Smart Bus aims to provide a robust and responsive global solution, establishing Oman as a pioneer in smart school transportation.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
