Are SMART tag ID badges required to ride the bus?
Yes, in order to foster increased student safety and security as well as to provide a more efficient process of loading and unloading our buses, SMART tag ID badges will be required for all riders. Additionally, in order to minimize the manual review of students who misplace or forget SMART tag ID badges at home or school, those students possessing SMART tag ID badges will be allowed to board the bus first.
Lamar Students are issued Smart Tag ID cards with an electronic chip Smart sensor (please do not modify the ID cards, or place holes in the card). The student name is printed on the front of the card, and there is no student information stored on the card.
Will students be eligible to ride the bus if they lose or forget their SMART tag ID Card?
Yes. If a student does not have their smart tag at the bus, the driver must personally log them in. This is more time consuming than students tagging in and can delay a route causing anxiety or late buses down the line. This is the reason why those not having their tags are loaded and unloaded last. Manually logging in is time consuming and the compliant students should not be held up.
What are the consequences of not having your Smart Tag?
Elementary: If a student does not have his/her Smart Tag ID badge for five (5) consecutive days, the Lamar CISD Transportation Department will contact the school/campus or parent to request that a Smart Tag replacement card be purchased. Replacement cards can be requested through the campus office or via the Lamar CISD Transportation website https://lcisd.org/departments/support-services/transportation. There is a $5.00 fee to replace Smart Tag cards. Replacement cards include the Smart Tag and clear plastic sleeve. A lanyard, badge reel, or zip tie are not included.
When a student receives the maximum number of warnings allowed by the school, the student may be subject to disciplinary action which may include the suspension of transportation service.
Middle, Junior High and High School: If a student does not have his/her Smart Tag ID badge for five (5) consecutive days, the Lamar CISD Transportation Department will contact the school/campus or parent to request that a Smart Tag replacement card be purchased. Replacement cards can be requested through the campus office or via the Lamar CISD Transportation website https://lcisd.org/departments/support-services/transportation. There is a $5.00 fee to replace Smart Tag cards. Replacement cards include the Smart Tag and clear plastic sleeve. A lanyard, badge reel, or zip tie are not included.
Please make every effort to ensure that students have their Smart Tag ID cards at all times, as manually logging in a student is time consuming and can delay a bus route, which in turn may cause anxiety and missed or late busses along the route.
Who should be contacted if a student loses his/her badge?
If students need a replacement SMART tag ID badge, parents can fill out the online request form on the main Transportation page or contact the student's campus. https://lcisd.org/departments/support-services/transportation
Will students receive a SMART tag ID badge every year?
No, students are required to maintain their Smart Tags from year to year. If a new replacement card is needed, parents may request one using the online form, or by contacting their student's campus.
Can I purchase additional SMART tag ID badges?
No. At this time, we are only providing one card per student.
Do students need to register for transportation services each year now that we have SMART tag?
No, if your child is registered in school, they are in the Smart Tag System. To receive notifications, the parent must be registered to the Smart Tag Parent Portal.
If my child currently does not ride the bus, can I register my child for transportation services at any time during the school year?
If your child is registered in school, they are in the Smart Tag System. Please contact your child’s school if changing mode of transportation. To receive notifications, the parent must be registered to the Smart Tag Parent Portal.
Will a student's Smart Tag ID badge still allow them off the bus with individuals from the Alternate Pick-up List completed at the beginning of the year?
Yes, however, parents should submit a written request to add the individuals that are approved to receive their student (Pre-K -1st and Special Ed only) from the bus. This is an additional safety feature for students. This information will be part of the student information that the driver can immediately view.
Pre-K/KG students must have one or more Transportation Release Guardians listed within the students Smart Tag Parent Portal. Drivers will only release a Pre-K/KG student to approved guardians at the stop. Parents must register this information within their students Smart Tag profile via the Smart Tag Parent Portal. Parents are also responsible for keeping the information current.
Can students get off at another stop in an emergency situation?
Yes, however, parents of elementary students should notify the campus of the desired stop change. Parents of secondary students should notify the campus through normal channels identified by the campus.