Zonar Systems, a Seattle-based provider of school bus fleet management systems and services, shared how its year has consisted of encouraging company and industry collaboration.
The company announced on Monday that it had been voted onto the Puget Sound Business Journal’s annual list of Best Places to Work in Washington. Entrants are “companies that go beyond the norm to foster an enjoyable and meaningful work environment for their employees.” Winners were chosen based on employee surveys that were administered to determine job satisfaction, supervisor relationships, employee camaraderie and advancement opportunities.
Citing the core tenets of everyday improvement, competing as a team, making a difference, enabling customer success, valuing other team members and having fun, Zonar reiterated that all of its team members are “passionate about helping drivers stay safe and drive smart on the road, and each day work together to achieve this common goal.”
Zonar’s recognition is another of this year’s “major accomplishments,” which reflect the company’s internal teamwork and its external collaboration.
These accomplishments included partnering with Child Check-Mate Systems to incorporate that company’s student reminder system into Zonar’s ZAlerts and Electronic Verified Inspection Reporting (EVIR) software. This fulfills California state requirements that are specified by the Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law.
“When paired together, our solutions are not only easy to implement and use, but help school drivers and fleet managers prevent these types of incidents [of students getting left on a school bus], and even increase their standards of safety and general practices,” said Child Check-Mate Systems CEO Brad Both at the time of the announcement.
In partnership with the National School Transportation Association, Zonar co-sponsors the Don Carnahan Memorial Grant, which provides up to $50,000 for school bus contractors to incorporate smart fleet technology into their fleets. This is the ninth straight year the grant has been jointly offered by both companies.
“We’re proud to be long-time partners with Zonar, because we know the impact of how technology can help improve student safety while on the road,” said Tiffany Boykin, executive director of NSTA, when the announcement was made in April.
After Hurricane Maria in September 2017, Zonar worked with local contractor Advanced Transportation to help rebuild Puerto Rico’s school transportation system, while in the process improving operations that benefit 345,000 students.
Technology introduced last October also assists school districts and contractors in operational improvement. The Zonar Coach System helps student transporters train their drivers on better bus operation. Audible warnings guide drivers to safer behavior, while video recording and data transmission enable fleet managers and transportation directors to access driver information for verification and follow-up.
