4 Tips To Using School Bus Routing Software

If you've recently purchased new school bus routing software – which is an excellent idea, by the way – it may be hard for you to get a handle on all the new features of the software package. While the basic interface is simple enough for anyone to learn within minutes, there are still plenty of ways that power users can get more out of the system.

So, we wanted to talk a bit about some of the advanced features of school bus routing software, and how you can use them to save money while keeping your fleet running at optimal levels.

Four Great Ways To Get The Most From Your School Bus Routing Software

I. Keep Your Maps Up To Date

With a lot of software packages that utilize maps, you're going to be tied to updates whenever the manufacturers get around to it. This is a problem that a lot of GPS owners face. However, with BusBoss, you have the ability to update your maps at any time, manually.

Using the map update system is as easy as drawing lines in Microsoft Paint. Tools on the sidebar allow you to add or change roads as needed, and school bus routing software will automatically begin using them in its routes from then on.

II. Run Reports Regularly

Many users underestimate just how powerful the reports functionality is. It comes with over 100 pre-defined reports to start with, as well as giving you the option to create your own based on virtually any piece of data the system tracks. This is paired with robust data export options to give you a lot of options in how you manage your data.

You can:

• Track bus performance over months or years, to look for possible mechanical issues that need addressing.

• Create school calendars.

• Print postcards with mailing labels to send to parents with information on transportation issues.

• Generate legacy reports on rider numbers for audits.

• Ensure you get the maximum reimbursement from the state for your expenses.

• Print maps color-coded by district or route.

You may find yourself becoming a popular member of the school, given how many ways you have to produce at-a-glance data breakdowns.

III. Give Your Drivers Feedback

All that data can be put to very practical use as well. If you have GPS units in your buses, you'll have a wealth of information on your drivers' performance on everything from how well they follow the rules of the road to minor matters like their braking habits. These can be graphed and charted to give them truly useful feedback on their driving performance.

After all, your drivers are an important part of the route optimization process. Even issues like how hard they brake can affect gasoline usage and the wear and tear on the buses. Encouraging them to drive safely and with an eye towards fuel efficiency will pay off in the long run.

IV. Keep Trying New Routes

Because of how easy it is to create new routes with our school bus routing software, there's no reason not to keep twiddling. You can create endless “what-if” routing, and try optimizing them for different goals such as “shortest time on the road” or “shortest distances covered” to see how that affects your overall numbers.

You can even plan for the future, such as creating hypothetical routes for a new school being opened, or a redistricting effort. It's an easy way to make sure you're always ready for whatever new routing challenges may arise in the future.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the functionality of BusBoss. If you've purchased it recently and want to learn more about its capabilities, don't hesitate to send us your questions! We'll be happy to work with you to achieve your school district's goals!