News Summary
The Aiken County School District has introduced ‘My Ride K-12,’ a safety application aimed at improving student transportation safety. This app keeps parents updated on bus arrival times and route changes. Initially rolled out to North Augusta and Midland Valley schools, it has quickly gained popularity among users. Backed by the South Carolina Department of Education, the app alleviates safety concerns, particularly following a recent incident involving a suspicious van. With GPS tracking expected by 2026-27, ‘My Ride K-12’ enhances transparency and promotes parental engagement regarding student transportation.
Aiken, SC – Aiken County School District has officially launched a new safety application named “My Ride K-12” designed to enhance student transportation safety for the upcoming school year. This innovative app will provide parents with regular updates on school bus arrival and departure times, as well as any route changes.
The app was rolled out in phases, commencing with North Augusta and Midland Valley schools on August 4, 2025. Since its launch, a total of 445 users have registered for the application, with an increase in sign-ups occurring daily.
The initiative to develop this app is fully backed by the South Carolina Department of Education, ensuring that the district incurs no costs associated with the program. My Ride K-12 is specifically designed to alleviate parents’ concerns by improving transparency around student transportation conditions.
Concerns regarding student safety have emerged recently following an incident involving a suspicious white van seen near a bus stop, questioning a student about transportation to school. The school district has taken efforts to reassure parents by confirming that only yellow school buses will be employed for student transportation, highlighting their commitment to safety protocols.
The app is programmed to send notifications regarding bus delays, allowing parents to track their child’s bus status effectively. Full GPS tracking capabilities are anticipated to be available by the end of the 2026-27 academic year, further enhancing the app’s functionality in ensuring student safety.
The district currently employs a communication system known as Thrillshare but is considering transitioning exclusively to the My Ride K-12 app in the future. This transition is aimed at consolidating communication methods and improving efficiency for parents.
For security purposes, parents must input their child’s valid student ID and date of birth to access the app’s features. This requirement is intended to ensure that only authorized users can monitor their children’s transportation status.
Looking ahead, the remainder of the district is scheduled to be included in the My Ride K-12 rollout in early Fall 2025. The overarching goal of this application is to foster parental engagement and ensure the safe transportation of students.
This new transportation safety app reflects an ongoing commitment from the Aiken County School District to enhance student safety through technological advancements. As the district implements the My Ride K-12 app more widely, parents can expect increased reassurance regarding their children’s commute.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Aiken Public Schools Bus Route App
- Google Search: Aiken County School District bus tracking app
- WFXG: Aiken County Introduces School Bus Tracking App
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Bus Tracking
- WRDW: Richmond County School Bus Routes Changes
- Google News: School Transportation Safety
- WJBF: Aiken County Van Incident Resolved
- Google Scholar: School Bus Safety
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
