What are the Basic Functions of Transportation Management?

Every role in a school district is unique and challenging in its own ways, but few roles combine as many challenges as bus transportation management. Everyone involved in the bus system is responsible for safely and efficiently delivering students to and from school, day after day. It's a huge responsibility, with a lot of moving parts.

So, let's go back to basics today. What are the most important functions of school transportation management? Let's take a look.

The Key Functions of School Bus Management

1) Route Planning

Bus routes are the backbone of a school transportation system. They need to cover every child that needs a ride, in the most-efficient way possible to minimize on-road expenses. With hundreds or thousands of students to deliver, that by itself is a major challenge - although route-mapping software solutions can make it easier.

2) Student management

A transportation department also needs complete records on students using the bus system. This obviously includes where they live, but also must also include any special needs or accommodations such as physical assistance or emotional support. Their needs must be met every time they get on the bus.

Fortunately, most districts already have a student information system which helps consolidate everything you need to know.

3) Bus oversight

The best school transportation offices don't simply send buses off to do their thing - they maintain oversight throughout each bus's route. GPS systems sending coordinates back home allow each bus to be tracked minute-by-minute. This gives their exact location, as well as being able to derive other information such as average speed, or whether they're following the rules of the road.

Speaking of...

4) Driver training and management

Drivers need to be properly trained, licensed, and overseen throughout their career at a district. Fundamentally, the transportation office is responsible for making sure they have everything required to safely and legally operate the buses every day. Keeping track of their driving record and behavior creates new opportunities for feedback and training, so that you always know your drivers are driving as safely as possible.

Having video cameras onboard buses can be a good idea here. Whenever there's a question about driver or student behavior, the video can be viewed for an objective look at the issue.

5) Parent management

Dealing with parents is another key aspect of a school transportation management office. From dealing with disciplinary issues to informing them of bus delays, you'll be spending a lot of time in contact with parents/families.

A parental notification app can be a big help here, as it allows you to push important information - such as delays or school closures - directly to parents. They can also self-serve information on bus routes and ETAs, reducing calls to the office.

6) State reporting

Basically, every school relies on state funding to help keep costs down, and that means reporting. Transportation offices have to keep detailed accurate records on student ridership, miles driven, bus maintenance conducted, the drivers' status, and more, if they're going to obtain all the financial assistance they're owed.

This means it's a very good idea to have an integrated database system tracking all this information and producing reports. You'll minimize the chances of human error, while maximizing your state funding.

BusBoss can make transportation management easier! We're experts in running and maintaining bus systems, with software, hardware, and consulting solutions all designed to make your bus system better. Contact us to learn more about how BusBoss can help!