while continuing to look for changes that it could make for efficiency. “As we become comfortable with the program we intend to start from scratch and build new routes—comparing the new product with the old routes,” he said. “It will take time and driver input along the way.” Frye added that the software creates the most effective routes, based on the parameter’s transportation puts in. He noted that it’s staff’s job to ensure the parameters are built effectively. “Every district has hollers and ridges, loading and unloading limitations, highways and neighborhood collection points,” he said. “It is our job to know these, build the system to reflect them and evaluate the product when ready. Drivers help with that process, and they are invested.” He added that while change is hard, it is gratifying to see bus drivers accept the program and support the changes. He advised involving drivers along the way, as that will help with the implementation process. Additionally, he noted that other parts of the Tyler Technologies suite will be helpful as well, including tablets for pre- and post- trip inspections, the GPS mapping with turn-by-turn direction, and the parent app. “Everyone we know has just enough drivers, and
often an illness or incident causes us to be short,” he said. “We hope that we will not have to adjust routes due to shortages, but we also know that we are prepared if we must.” Meanwhile, Nathan Renz, the transportation director
for Ballard Community School District in Iowa, tells a similar story. Renz explained that this is second year as director and the district implemented routing software from Tyler prior to him coming on board. However, he said, the suite wasn’t utilized to its fullest potential. “Mainly just because it was new, we needed to learn about it,” he said, adding that this year he erased his routes and started from scratch. The district routes for every student that is registered
for transportation, which is around 1,200 students being transported twice daily. Renz added that he came from a smaller district that did the routing by hand. “The old school way has its perks, but this was definitely an improvement over that,” he said, noting that at the start of the school year, routes are changing every day as the district discovers which stops take longer to load. He noted that he punches in the stops, and the time he wants to the buses to arrive at the school, and the software automates the rest. ●
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