
A Practical Guide to School Transport Route Optimisation
The shortest line on a map is rarely the best school bus route. Routes must balance student demand, safe pickup points, vehicle capacity, realistic road conditions, arrival windows, staff availability, and family experience. A change that saves distance may add a risky crossing or make the first child’s journey unreasonably long. Route optimisation is therefore a review loop, not a one-time calculation. It works best when transport staff, drivers, families, and school leaders contribute evidence at the right stage. ...