Colorado Springs, Colo. (CBS) – Millions of us put our kids on those bright yellow buses every morning. Now, some of these children are getting a big boost from artificial intelligence as the technology is being used to tackle a severe shortage of bus drivers.
A nationwide school bus driver shortage persists in many areas, including Colorado Springs School District 11. The school has offered training and higher salaries, but the candidate pool has not been met.
At the beginning of the school year, Superintendent Michael Gall had budgeted for 110 bus drivers but only 60 showed up. To find a solution, the district shifted gears and partnered with RouteWise AI.
“They challenged the standard and they told us that at least 10 to 20% of the students you're transporting, that you can improve the way you transport them based on your limitations. ” said Gal.
Rideshare company HopSkipDrive has developed AI technology and is testing it in Colorado.
“It's looking at every available vehicle. So it's looking at buses, sedans, vans, and looking at every school and determining what the most efficient routes are,” HopSkipDrive's C. EO Joanna McFarland said. “It can run a first draft in hours and come up with something by the end of the week.”
Now District 11 only needs to supplement with 55 bus routes and rideshare services, which are used by specially trained employees. Drivers undergo rigorous background checks, according to the companies. They pick up students who live in remote areas.
“I get a text message knowing it's been picked up, a text message saying it's dropped. And then, you know, I don't have to worry about it. ” said one of the parents.
After 8 months of using the AI software, District 11 said it has cut the number of bus routes by nearly half, increased on-time arrivals and increased driver pay.
According to HopSkipDrive, it would cost about $50,000 for a school district the size of D11 to use the AI tool. According to the Indiana Department of Education, Fort Wayne Community Schools has an enrollment of 28,460 students. Just last year, the software saved D11 more than half a million dollars. According to Gall, the savings helped the school district protect at least ten teacher positions.