As a part of the continued effort to improve district safety and security, Forney ISD uses the Secured Mobility Authorized Ridership Technology (SMART) tag system for all students who ride the bus to and from school.  Each bus is outfitted with a Samsung tablet equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification reader, mobile connectivity, and Global Positioning System.  Similar to systems used in public transportation, students place their campus-supplied SMART tag ID badges on the tablet’s sensor when loading and unloading their bus.  Only the student’s name and associated barcode will be printed on the ID badge. No information is stored on the badge.

Forney ISD bus drivers also benefit through improved safety and automation of tasks, better enabling them to focus on the safe transport of students. Specifically, the SMART tag system wirelessly transmits information to transportation department staff to include the location of each bus, the names of the students on board each bus, notification of an approaching bus, and the ability to view a student’s ridership activity.

Students who are successfully enrolled for transportation services are provided with a SMART tag ID badge at no charge. SMART tag ID badges are required each time a child enters and exits the bus. However, drivers will not deny any student of transportation services if the student does not have his/her badge present at boarding time. 

The SMART tag system also offers parents a bus tracking feature through a secure Parent Portal.  Parents can register to receive ‘SMART Alert’ text messages notifying them their child is 10-15 minutes from his/her bus stop.  The 'SMART Alert' will also notify parents in the event of a bus delay or interruption in service due to a mechanical issue, traffic, inclement weather or accident.  The portal may be accessed from any device with a web browser.  Parents can also add or remove guardians authorized to pick up their child at school through the Parent Portal.

Additional information on SMARTtag can be found on the Forney ISD website. Questions or concerns about the SMART tag system not addressed on the website, can be directed to the Forney ISD Transportation Department at 469-762-4162.

For more information about the Forney Independent School District, contact the Forney ISD Marketing and Communications Department at info@edu.forneyisd.net or by phone at 469-762-4100.