AI eases school bus driver shortage in Colorado

COLORADO, UNITED STATES — Colorado Springs School District 11 is now utilizing artificial intelligence in response to a shortage of school bus drivers.

At the start of this school year, District 11 had budgeted for around 110 bus drivers but could only hire about 60. This problem in the United States saw a decline in bus drivers by 15.1% since 2019, leaving many districts scrambling for solutions.

AI routing technology eases transportation challenges

To solve this crisis, District 11 partnered with rideshare company HopSkipDrive to test their new AI-powered routing technology called RouteWise AI. 

The technology, as explained by HopSkipDrive co-founder and CEO Joanna McFarland, leverages AI to analyze and propose the most efficient routes using available vehicles ranging from buses to sedans and vans. 

“AI can produce a first draft of routes within hours, and finalize them over a weekend,” McFarland told CBS News. 

This approach has allowed the district to reduce its bus routes by nearly 50% while enhancing punctuality and increasing driver salaries thanks to the cost savings.

Currently, District 11 operates about 55 routes, supplemented by rideshare services with drivers who have undergone extensive training and background checks.

Community impact of AI on school transportation

The implementation of AI in school transportation has been positively received by the community, particularly among parents. 

Ezekiel Bossert, a District 11 parent, appreciates the new system’s effectiveness and security. “I get a text message knowing that he’s been picked up, a text message saying that he’s been dropped off. And then, I don’t have to worry about it.”

His son Dezmund, a 5th grader, added, “If we didn’t have it, either my dad would have to leave work or I’d have to walk home, which wouldn’t be fun.”

According to HopSkipDrive, their AI routing tool costs around $50,000 for a district like D-11. But it has already saved them over half a million dollars this year alone. Those savings helped protect at least 10 teaching positions that would have been cut.

“They’d get left behind twice,” Superintendent Michael Gaal said, referring to the students. “Once, they get left behind by transportation, and then two, they’d get left behind by the lack of instruction and educational opportunity.”