Student transportation is an extremely technology-intensive industry. And why wouldn’t it be? There are around 480k buses in the US, racking up nearly 3.5 billion miles every year while carrying the most precious cargo there is.
There is no room for mistakes, and communication gaps shouldn’t exist to ensure the mental peace of everyone involved in the process. Many modern school bus routing software come packaged with mobile apps that add a new layer of control to your day-to-day routine. Here are 3 ways mobile apps can make life at your school district easier.
Lesser Time Spent on the Phone
Everyone in the transportation department is familiar with the dreaded sound of the phone ringing relentlessly, as parents frantically panic when the bus runs a few minutes late. That’s a very real problem for any school district. Mobile apps in school route planning software can help reduce the number of phone calls from parents.
Armed with a feature-rich routing software, you can reduce parent phone calls by as much as 80%! A comprehensive solution will allow you to:
- Share the bus’s location: Parents can see where the bus is in real-time using a parent app. Seeing the exact location of the bus when their kids are expected to leave in the morning or get back after school.
- Send important alerts: Routing apps can allow you to alert parents about hazards on the road and possible route changes. This allows parents to have visibility into what’s happening, without calling the transportation department.
- Stay in touch with parents: You can send and receive messages using a parent app. Doing so decreases the number of phone calls from parents who would otherwise contact the transportation department for things such as informing them that they will drive their kids to school on a certain day.
Even though there are factors such as traffic that you can’t control, a parent app allows you to communicate real-time changes in ETA to give parents the peace of mind that their children are safe. This is a win-win — happy parents won’t be reaching out to you with concerns!
Improved Internal Communication
Communication is key in student transportation. There are so many moving pieces that any lapses in communication can cause bus delays or lead to unhappy parents. That’s why having an app that helps employees to communicate with each other effectively is crucial.
- Access information for every run: Employees can access information about specific runs, routes, vehicles, and students. This functionality allows users to check and confirm stop locations too, while also providing insights into who is assigned to each stop.
- Keep stakeholders updated: Having issues with one of your buses? It’s important to keep schools updated to ensure that they’re aligned and equipped to deal with parents if the need arises.
- Update drivers before they arrive: Instead of spending precious time figuring out what drivers should do, driver-focused apps can tell them what bus they’re assigned to and get details about their routes before they start working.
Accurate Routing and Navigation
If the mobile apps are bundled with a student transportation management suite, they are probably bundled with mapping tools. Here’s how they can help:
- Easier routing: Apps can provide turn-by-turn navigation to drivers on their phones to help them get back on the right track in case they get diverted.
- Greater visibility for drivers: Mobile apps provide insights to drivers about which students will board at each stop. This makes it easier to track if students are missing.
- Greater accountability: With tracking systems built into apps, it’s easier to hold drivers accountable for unsafe driving. Feature-rich apps can also help you cut back on slack time and save fuel by using advanced AI algorithms.
Conclusion
While the world of student transportation may be challenging, there are tools available to help make the process easier. Book a demo with BusPlanner today to learn more about our best-in-class products and exemplary customer support.
