School BUSRide April 2025 | Page 16

One in three students taking school transportation ride buses routed with Transfinder technology. Above is an image of a Routefinder PLUS map and route. The blue dots represent students.
With access to extensive reports and analytics, RCISD can also evaluate long-term trends in student ridership and adjust its strategies accordingly. If population shifts occur or new residential developments emerge, Transfinder’ s data-driven approach enables the district to adapt seamlessly, ensuring that resources are always allocated where they are needed most.
Cost Savings and Environmental Impact
An often-overlooked benefit of technology implementation is its positive impact on cost savings and sustainability. By optimizing routes and reducing unnecessary mileage, RCISD is able to cut fuel costs significantly while also decreasing wear and tear on its fleet.“ We’ ve seen a noticeable reduction in fuel usage since implementing Transfinder,” Cox said.“ It’ s not just about saving money. It’ s also about reducing our environmental footprint.” In addition to fuel savings, improved route efficiency means fewer buses on the road for extended periods, which translates to lower maintenance costs and longer vehicle lifespans. These cost-saving measures allow the district to reallocate funds to other critical areas, such as student programs and technology enhancements.
Cody Cox sits on a panel at Transfinder’ s Annual Client Summit about how to improve communications within the school district community.
16 | SCHOOL-BUSRIDE. COM | APRIL 2025