It’s easy to find yourself getting overwhelmed in the world of student transportation. There are a million things to juggle and hundreds of questions that come up every day from various stakeholders including parents, staff members, senior leadership, and many more.
If you feel exhausted trying to multitask, it may be time to invest in school bus routing software. Here are 5 reasons why!
You Feel There Isn’t Enough Time in the Day
Tired of jumping from one task to another? Does the phone never stop ringing? Investing in good school bus routing software can lead to a significant reduction in phone calls, with some school districts reporting up to 80% fewer calls! That translates to countless hours saved every week!
Additionally, you can also save more time along your routes:
- Reduce slack time: School bus routing software that has optimization tools can help you understand where you can save precious time by improving operational efficiency.
- Improve stakeholder communication: Whether it’s conveying delays to parents or sending messages to schools regarding changes in plans, the right tools can make communication a breeze.
Too Many Variables Are Out of Your Control
Let’s face it; in the student transportation industry, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be fully in control of everything. There are traffic jams, buses break down, natural disasters happen — there’s too much uncertainty. But, with the right routing software, you can reduce the uncertainty significantly.
- Boost student safety: Your students always come first. That’s why some software solutions offer robust tools that help you identify road hazards - and plan your routes and student assignments to safely avoid them.
- Manage your fleet effectively: Maintaining your fleet can be demanding, and it’s easy to miss little things. Software tools enable you to track maintenance needs and keep your fleet on the road and out of the shop.
Your Current Software Doesn’t Meet Your Needs
If you’re struggling to get things done efficiently with your current routing software, it’s time to consider alternatives. It’s important to have everything in order and choose a provider that cares about you.
- Growth needs: St. John’s County Schools district was in a situation where its previous routing software just couldn’t keep up with their needs. If your software provider can’t provide a solution that helps you gain control over your district’s transportation department, it may be time to switch.
- Rezoning: The ideal routing software puts you in control and allows you to modify routes, edit stops, and add runs without needing to reach out to tech support.
- After sales support: With how rapidly things change in the world of student transportation, it’s crucial to have a software provider that always has your back. BusPlanner’s support team is available to help you through technical and general challenges whenever you need!
- Clunky interface: If your current software is a pain to navigate and you just can’t find the right features when you need them, it’s time to shift to a more modern provider.
Operating Costs Are Through the Roof
Are you struggling with budgeting? In most school districts, a small percentage of the total education budget goes to transportation. And when funds are needed for staffing, school supplies, capital projects, and more, transportation is often asked to make sacrifices.
Another issue is the plug has been pulled on ESSER’s COVID-19 relief funds. This means transportation budgets will be further reduced. While there may not be ways to increase the overall funding your school district receives, school bus routing software can help you manage costs more efficiently.
- Planned vs. Actual: By understanding how your routes look on paper versus what they’re actually like, you can reduce costs and plan ahead.
- Reduced Stops: Using the right software gives you insights into which routes and stops are redundant and allows you to eliminate them to lower costs.
You’re Starting to Feel the Bus Driver Shortage
As the school bus driver shortage continues to wreak havoc on every district’s transportation department, it’s important to find ways to combat the problem. Investing in school route planning software is an excellent strategy.
With the right tools, you can reduce the number of buses you need on the road every day. Not only does that significantly lower operating costs, but also reduces the number of drivers you need to operate your routes.
Getting the Right Software for Your Needs
Now that you know the benefits of investing in school bus transportation software, it’s time to find a provider that takes care of your needs. Book a demo with BusPlanner to see how you can save time, lower costs, and boost safety in your school district.
