The May Route Report: Finish Strong, Set Up What’s Next
Welcome to the May edition of The Route Report, SBL’s monthly recommendations to help keep your routing department running smoothly.
As the school year winds down, May is a moment to do two things well: close out the year thoughtfully and position your department for a smoother start next fall. A few strategic checks now can make a big difference in the months ahead.
Check Your Budgets: Put Surplus Funds to Work
If your department has the rare advantage of surplus budget funds, now is the time to invest them before they revert on June 30. Strategic investments can improve efficiency, reduce long-term costs, and strengthen your transportation operation for years to come.
One of the most impactful ways to maximize remaining funds is by investing in expert routing support. SBL works with districts across the country to identify inefficiencies, optimize routes, and improve the systems that keep students moving safely and reliably.
Some of the ways we support districts include:
Route Analysis and Optimization
Comprehensive reviews using data-driven strategies to identify inefficiencies and strengthen route performance.
Driver Shortage Solutions
Fleet optimization strategies to minimize overloads, unscheduled routes, and operational strain.
Budget and Cost Analysis
Cost modeling and forecasting to support smarter financial planning.
Data Cleanup and Evaluation
Verifying student data and boundaries while removing redundant or outdated information.
Special Education Route Coordination
Collaborating with SPED teams to review transportation lists and IEP-related routing needs.
Bell-Time Change Support
Modeling multiple schedule scenarios so districts can understand routing impacts before making decisions.
Software Training and Support
Virtual or onsite training to ensure staff are confident and up to date with routing systems.
Project Management and Implementation
Hands-on support to guide complex routing initiatives from planning through execution.
If there’s an opportunity to improve your operation, now is the time to make the investment. Get in touch to learn more.
Encourage Your Team to Recharge
Transportation departments run hard all year. By May, most teams have pushed through months of tight schedules, staffing challenges, and constant adjustments.
Encourage staff to take time off, recharge, and reset before summer work begins. Even small steps can make a difference:
Encouraging drivers and routing staff to schedule vacation time
Recognizing team members who helped the department navigate the year
Creating breathing room between the end of school and summer route preparation
A rested team returns sharper and more prepared for the work ahead
Parent Apps and Navigation: Run a Quick System Check
As the year wraps up, it’s also a good time to verify that parent-facing tools and navigation systems are functioning smoothly.
Confirm that:
Parent apps are displaying routes and stops accurately
GPS and navigation systems are aligned with current routes
Stop locations and school assignments are correct
Any changes made during the year are reflected in the system
These checks help prevent confusion for families and drivers as routes transition into summer programs and eventually into fall planning.
Finish Strong
May is about closing the loop on the current year while quietly preparing for the next. A few smart decisions now — reviewing budgets, supporting your team, and checking key systems — can make summer planning smoother and set your department up for a successful fall.
Stay tuned for June’s Route Report, where we’ll shift into summer operations and final preparations for the upcoming school year.
How SBL Can Help
The end of the school year is a key moment to evaluate operations and plan ahead. School Bus Logistics helps districts review routes, clean up data, analyze budgets, and prepare for the upcoming year. Whether you're looking to improve efficiency or make smart investments before the fiscal year closes, our team is ready to support you.