This tech-fueled service will provide bus transportation for Seattle Public Schools

When Seattle Public Schools students return to the classroom in September, many of their families will be along for the ride — at least virtually.

The district of more than 50,000 students has contracted with California tech startup Zum to provide half of its bus service.

Using the Zum system, “all of the stakeholders are connected. There’s a full transparency and visibility at all times of where the children are,” said founder and CEO Ritu Narayan. “People used to say, I can track my pizza [delivery], but I have no idea where my children are once they are on the school bus. That issue is completely removed.”

Parents get a Zum app to track their kids’ buses and drivers. Students tap an RFID-enabled pass when boarding vehicles to sign into the ride.