The dispatcher, , replied from the central depot off Culebra Road. Her voice was calm steel. "Copy, 407. Watch the fog near Braun."
At 5:17 AM, the hum began.
Carlos tapped the small "Student Locator" tablet mounted near his dashboard. It was new this year—a real-time map showing exactly which students were cleared to board. Before this, it was paper lists and memory. Now, it was data. But Carlos still trusted his eyes more. He knew which kids needed the front seat because they got carsick. He knew which stop had the anxious kindergartner who needed a high-five. northside isd transportation
"Northside Transportation, this is Mendez, rolling out on Route 27," he said into the radio. The dispatcher, , replied from the central depot
It was just the return trip home.