HopSkipDrive on the fast track with RouteWise AI for School Transport

HopSkipDrive, a technology company addressing complex transportation challenges with a focus on safety, equity, and care, announced today that it has renamed its flagship product RouteWise AI. 

The AI-powered transportation optimisation solution, founded by three working mothers, is designed to provide effective transportation planning for school districts in the USA.

RouteWise AI analyses a school district's complete transportation landscape, including the student base, available vehicles, and district-specific needs and preferences. The tool delivers customised routing options, scenario plans, and recommendations to meet each district's unique goals.

Earlier this year, HopSkipDrive reported results from Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11), which utilised RouteWise AI to improve transportation efficiency. The district saw an increase in on-time bus and vehicle arrival rates from 85% to 99%, recovering over 17,000 hours of classroom time for students.

Joanna McFarland, CEO and co-founder of HopSkipDrive, highlighted the importance of having team members with substantial backgrounds in education and school transportation:

“HopSkipDrive is proud to have so many team members with substantial backgrounds in education and school transportation, informing our products, tools, process, and approach.

“We aim to ensure the continued development of products — especially RouteWise AI — that are student-centric and aligned with the nuanced needs and day-to-day realities of districts and school transportation teams.”

To support this goal, HopSkipDrive has added two new team members to the RouteWise AI team, both of whom have extensive expertise in the education sector. 

Dustin Kress has joined as the Director of Software & Advisory, where he will oversee RouteWise AI, and Greg Dutton has joined as a Transportation Analyst, responsible for building optimised routing plans for clients nationwide. Both Kress and Dutton emphasised the importance of understanding the complexities of school transportation in their new roles at HopSkipDrive.

McFarland reiterated the practical benefits of RouteWise AI, especially in addressing transportation challenges faced by school districts:

"HopSkipDrive understands that there isn't always an easy solution. But with RouteWise AI, we're already seeing win-win results where it's working better for districts.

“It's working for the driver shortage, it's working for students, it's working by helping to get all students to and from school on time."