No two children are alike; some require additional assistance to board school buses. This may require the need for a wheelchair lift or other adaptive equipment.
For school districts, the availability of adapted vehicles suitable for transporting their students with additional needs can be costly in addition to the conventional bus services provided.
Thankfully, there is a solution that can significantly reduce costs and ensure sufficient provision of services - shared transportation. School districts can share the limited supply of specially adapted vehicles to ensure that students can be collected efficiently through route planning and shared billing for the services.
This cooperative approach can be a game-changer for schools that often suffer from short-notice bus cancellations or from spiraling costs of providing services to just a few pupils. Here are the top 5 benefits of using shared services for your special needs routing.
1. Cost Reduction
The most significant advantage of using shared services is the cost reduction that schools can achieve. By sharing specially adapted vehicles and resources between school districts, the costs associated with providing the service can be spread out, making it more affordable for everyone. Software can automate billing to ensure that everyone pays the right amount for the service.
2. Increased Efficiency
Shared services also lead to increased efficiency in how the service is delivered. By working together, school districts can plan routes more effectively and make better use of the vehicles available. This can result in fewer cancellations and shorter wait times for students.
3. Better Provision of Services
Shared services can also lead to a better overall provision of services. Schools can pool their resources and share the burden of providing the service, resulting in more reliable and comprehensive services for all students.
4. Greater Flexibility
Shared services can also provide greater flexibility for school districts. Districts can tailor the service to the specific needs of each school. For example, some districts may only need the service for a few students, while others may require it for a larger number. This flexibility means that school districts can get the service they need without paying more.
5. Improved Relationships
Finally, shared services can lead to improved relationships between school districts. By working together on a shared service, trust and understanding can be built between the two. These improved relationships can lead to better cooperation in other areas, such as curriculum development or joint use of facilities.
Shared services for special needs transportation can provide many benefits to school districts. By sharing resources and working together, school districts can significantly reduce costs, increase efficiency, and provide greater flexibility overall, leading to a better experience for all students involved.
Simplify the billing aspects of providing shared transportation services with BusBoss DISTRICTpatrol, a web-based accounting system that helps consolidate and calculate shared transportation costs for routes used by and billed to multiple districts. Contact us to schedule a demo today!
What do you think? Are there any other ways that special needs routing could benefit from shared services? Let us know in the comments below!