Hope for the best; prepare for the worst!
When dealing with a system as complicated as school transportation management, problems are inevitable. Most of the time, the problems are small and manageable - but there's always the potential for major disasters. Has your transportation department thought about and prepared for 'nightmare' scenarios that could occur?
If not, you could be caught in a truly terrible situation with no plans.
Considering Worst-Case School Transportation Scenarios
1 - Severe Weather Emergencies
What happens if a tornado is spotted near a bus? What about a flash flood, or sudden ice storm, that renders roads unsafe or impassible? Your drivers should have clear directions on how to handle weather emergencies while keeping their passengers safe - such as parking the bus under an underpass to provide shelter from a dangerous storm.
Don't assume drivers will be able to contact you, either. A storm big enough to endanger the bus could easily take out communications systems too.
2 - Onboard Medical Crises
Medical emergencies can strike at any time, without warning. Some students may have known conditions that can be prepared-for, but there's no telling when a medical situation might arise in a previously healthy student. Your drivers should have clear guidelines on how and when to call for help, as well as knowing the location of the nearest medical facilities in case driving directly would be the fastest/safest option.
3 - Injurious Accidents
Mile for mile, school buses are the safest form of transportation on the road, with a stunningly low injury/fatality rate considering how many millions of students ride every day. However, accidents do happen, and often they're beyond the driver's control - such as getting hit by a drunk driver. Your drivers should all be drilled extensively on accident response, including evacuating the bus (if safe) and contacting emergency services.
4 - Bus Route Shutdowns
Right now, perhaps the biggest transportation nightmare is how many districts are having to shut down bus routes. This has led to terrible conditions at school drop-off zones, which put students and parents in danger. One student has even been killed at a drop-off this year.
Your transportation management department should be looking to cut costs and preserve routes, however possible. BusBoss can help! Our software is designed to optimize your routes, streamline your operations, and reduce costs without sacrificing safety.
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PRESIDENT
Sonia has been involved with BusBoss since the late 1990’s, and has personally overseen many projects for various customers ranging from large urban and suburban districts to smaller rural school districts from all over the country.