The new year brings increased safety for the more than 23,000 Memphis School District students after more than 300 school buses received GPS units, said contractor First Student.

The nation's largest school transportation provider said the electronic- and satellite-based tracking systems from Zonar Systems are poised to provide the exact location and speed of each bus at any given time.

“The safety and security of the students we transport to and from school each day within the Memphis School District is our core value,” said Chris Pedde, First Student regional operations manager. “The installation of Zonar GPS is a preventative measure that helps ensure the safety of each student and one of the many safety features on our buses.”

The addition of Zonar GPS adds an additional element of safety to Memphis' buses. During emergencies, dispatch can pinpoint the bus’ exact location and provide quick response. In addition, if there is a traffic jam or other delay, dispatch is immediately notified and can begin contacting school officials as necessary.

Zonar GPS also includes an electronic vehicle inspection component, which tracks fuel usage and idling times and immediately identifies any maintenance issues.