Hays CISD uses the Secured Mobility Authorized Ridership Technology (SMART) tag system for all students who ride the bus to and from school. Each of our buses is outfitted with a tablet equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader, mobile connectivity, and GPS. Students place their campus-supplied SMART tag ID badges on the tablet's sensor when loading and unloading their bus.

Our 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 wireless system transmits information to our transportation staff to include the location of each bus, the names of students on board each bus, notification of an approaching bus, and the ability to view a student’s ridership activity.

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 crash. The portal may be accessed from any device with a web browser. 

For more information about the SMART Tag system, including a link to the SMART Tag Parent Portal, please visit: https://www.hayscisd.net/SMARTtag 

Should you have any questions or concerns about the SMART tag system not addressed on our website, please contact the Hays CISD Transportation Department at 512-268-8476 or via email at SmartTag@hayscisd.net