Shared Services Tuolumne County is enhancing student bus rider safety and school attendance with a hi-tech system designed to provide instant, online information about student ridership. The program known as Zonar Z Pass empowers parents, guardians, and select authorized district staff to track their student’s bus on a secure digital app.  

Z Pass enhances student safety and school attendance by knowing when and where students get on or off the bus. Families and authorized staff can securely access this data online from only their student, anytime, to protect those on board and make the most of the fleet.  

The Z Pass technology:   

• Safeguards riders by knowing who is on which bus, and where, at any moment. 
• Helps locate children by quickly identifying when and where a rider got on or off. 
• Quickly and accurately helps parents who are looking for their child’s bus. 
• Analyzes historical ridership data by bus to optimize routes and stops. 
• Promotes student attendance and provides families peace of mind. 

How it Works

Each rider is given an RFID card with a unique identification number. Riders scan the card to the Z Pass reader by the bus door as they board and exit the bus. Z Pass securely captures and transmits the date, time, and location of the scan. Authorized personnel can now securely and immediately receive ridership information.

Z Pass Electronic Bus Pass System

Shared Services Tuolumne County will continue using the Z Pass system this school year, with our ongoing commitment to student safety. School sites will distribute Z Pass cards to students, and beginning August 20, 2025, students will be required to scan their Z Pass cards when boarding and exiting the bus. While we understand that adjusting to this system takes time, repeated failure to present a Z Pass card may lead to school consequences as the use of the Z Pass system is a condition of riding. Our goal is to work closely with families to ensure a smooth and supportive transition. Please make sure your child’s Z Pass is easily accessible.

Zonar Z Pass Program

Frequently Asked Questions

If my student currently rides a district bus, do I need to register them for transportation services? 

No, you will not need to register your student for transportation services this year. 

If my student is not currently riding a district bus and I want them to start riding, do I need to register for transportation services? 

Existing eligible students currently not riding the bus as well as new students arriving at the district will need to contact the student's school site to request a bus Z pass for the current school year. 

If my student is on an IEP or IFSP that requires transportation, do I need to register my student for transportation services?

Shared Services Tuolumne County has partnered with a company called Zonar to provide RFID cards (referred to as a ZPass).  These cards will be scanned as students enter and exit the bus recording the card number, location, and time. This information can be accessed by select district staff.

Is there sensitive student information stored on my student’s Z Pass card? 

No, the only information that is stored on the Z Pass card is a randomly generated number that is only meaningful to the Z Pass program.  A lost or stolen Z Pass card does not put sensitive student information at risk. 

What is the cost to get a bus pass? 

There is no initial cost for families to participate in the program.

What do I do if my student loses their Z Pass card? 

For the remainder of the 2024-2025 School Year, if a student loses their Z Pass, the transportation department will provide a free replacement. Please direct replacement requests to transportation@sonorahigh.org. Processing replacement requests may take 3-5 business days. The new Z Pass will be given to the bus driver of the student’s regular route to provide to the student,

What happens when a student forgets to bring their Z Pass card to the bus stop in the morning? 

While we understand that adjusting to this system takes time, repeated failure to present a Z Pass card may lead to school consequences.  Our goal is to work closely with families to ensure a smooth and supportive transition.

Is participation in the Z Pass Bus Pass Program mandatory? 

Yes, all Shared Service Tuolumne County bus riders will need to have a Z pass to ride the school bus.

What do I do with the Bus Pass at the end of the school year? 

Bus Z passes are only valid for one school year.  Please keep your Z Pass until you receive a new one each school year. 

What is passive RFID technology? 

A passive RFID (radio frequency identification) tag is a battery-less tag typically used in smaller-scale tracking systems. Because a passive tag has no internal power source, it is instead powered by the electromagnetic energy transmitted from an RFID reader. 

For help or assistance please contact the Sonora Union High School District Transportation Department at 209-532-5511 ext. 2.