Saratoga Springs City School District Bridges the Gaps with busHive
The Saratoga Springs City School District in New York is transforming its transportation operations with the help of busHive , a software solution streamlining critical processes and reducing inefficiencies . For Dave Gonzalez , dispatcher for the district , busHive has become an invaluable tool for navigating these challenges .
Bridging the Gaps
Each day , Saratoga Springs requires 70 bus drivers to meet its transportation needs , but it consistently operates with a shortfall of at least six drivers — a deficit that grows when absences occur . This shortage complicates routine operations and adds pressure , particularly as the district reinstates late runs and after-school programs that were suspended during the pandemic . “ It ’ s a little bit of a challenging puzzle every morning to piece together because people are going to get sick , it happens ,” Gonzalez said . To address this challenge , the district is considering consolidating routes to create longer , full-time positions that offer a more livable wage , an initiative Gonzalez sees as crucial . “ As a school bus driver , it ’ s hard to make a living wage under the conditions we ’ re currently working on ,” he said .
Modernized Operations
Although busHive is not used for daily route planning at Saratoga Springs , it plays a pivotal role in managing field trips , athletic trips , and other logistical demands . Gonzalez credits the software for saving countless hours that would otherwise be spent on manual tasks . “ If I had to do this by hand , I ’ d be pushing close to 80 hours a week ,” he said . With busHive , Gonzalez can process weeks of trip schedules in just a few hours , a dramatic improvement over traditional methods . The software ’ s reporting features have also revolutionized how the district communicates trip assignments . Gonzalez described the ease of generating detailed driver schedules with just a click . “ All I really have to do is hit a report that gives me that information and then send it on to athletics ,” he said . This streamlined process eliminates the need for endless phone calls or email exchanges , freeing up time for more critical tasks .
Enhanced Accuracy and Communication busHive has improved communication between departments by automating approval processes . Requests for trips are entered into the system , routed to the appropriate personnel for review , and approved or denied without back-and-forth delays . “ It just sends out an email to everybody who needs to know about it and approve it or disprove it ,” Gonzalez said . “ If I had to do this without that technology , people would have to be calling me nonstop .” Additionally , the software allows the district to maintain precise records of time and mileage for academic and athletic trips . This data not only aids in cost-cutting initiatives but also ensures that billing for academic trips is accurate and timely . Gonzalez said that monthly billing for the district ’ s six elementary schools , middle school , and high school is now a seamless process thanks to busHive ’ s capabilities .
Expanded Capabilities
Beyond trips , the district is exploring busHive ’ s potential for managing mechanical maintenance and inventory . The software is also being leveraged to track driver certifications and upcoming exams , a necessity in the highly regulated field of school transportation . Gonzalez foresees significant benefits in using busHive for notifications and reports , which would replace laborintensive , paper-based methods . “ If you have a program that will spit out a warning to you , that will be incredibly helpful ,” he said . While no technology is without its glitches , Gonzalez spoke highly of busHive ’ s support team . “ It ’ s very rare that I have to sit on them or get aggravated with them ,” he said , highlighting their responsiveness and commitment to resolving issues . For Gonzalez , the occasional hiccup is outweighed by the software ’ s overall reliability and time-saving benefits .
Looking Ahead
As Saratoga Springs continues to refine its transportation operations , busHive remains a cornerstone of its strategy . The district ’ s focus on efficiency , communication , and adaptability reflects a commitment to overcoming challenges while providing safe and reliable transportation for its students . For Gonzalez , the benefits are clear . “ This is a vastly better system than what we had ,” he said .
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