Transportation
The Moses Lake School District Transportation Department provides safe, efficient, and free transportation for students who reside within their school attendance area but outside their school’s no-transportation zone.
This year, we’re eager to introduce a student ridership program called SMARTtag which will change how our students ride the bus. These exciting changes will improve student safety and security by ensuring your child is getting on the right bus and off at the right stop. SMARTtag will also allow parents to receive notifications about their child’s riding activity and view the status of their child’s bus.
To ensure a smooth launch of the SMARTtag system and implement the new technology, we require each child that rides the bus to register for transportation this year. Registration allows our transportation department to control bus capacities, outline efficient routes, and plan the safest bus stops.
- Transportation is free for all students and provided to those who reside within their school attendance area. (Students do not qualify for transportation services if they reside in a walking zone or have been approved for In-District transfer.)
- Students that receive specialized education transportation services do not need to register (i.e IEP or McKinney-Vento). This will be done for you through Special Services.

The Moses Lake School District will soon be launching SMART tag, which will change how students ride the bus. These exciting changes will improve student safety and security while riding their bus. SMART tag is a student ridership authorization solution, which, simply put, will ensure your child is getting on the right bus and off at the right stop.
How it Works
Each student will be issued a SMART tag card, similar to the one below.
Students will scan this card on a card reader when they get on the bus and when they get off. SMART tag will authorize the student, or alert the driver through the onboard tablet computer if:
- A student attempts to get on a bus that does not go to their school
- A student attempts to get off at a stop that is not their assigned stop
- The SMART tag Parent Portal will allow parents to view their children’s riding activity, current riding status (on bus, dropped off, or has not ridden), manage text notifications, and more.



FAQs
How does SMART tag benefit transportation departments, drivers, and school administrators?
What information will the bus driver be able to view when the student swipes his/her card?
Are students required to use their SMART tag to ride the bus?
Will students receive a new SMART tag every year?
Will I receive an alert regarding inclement weather, bus accidents other emergency notification through the SMART tag system?
Can students be tracked anywhere else from their SMART tag ID badge?
For more information, please contact: