Even one additional passenger per vehicle can improve operational efficiency …
Today around 520,000 children and young people (aged 0–25) in England receive home-to-school transport from their local authority.
A significant portion — about 180,000 — are children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)*.
At the same time, local authorities overspent by £415 million on home-to-school transport in 2023–24.*
So, how can councils close the gap between growing need and limited budgets?
In our opinion:
One answer lies in smart route planning and optimisation tools.
These can help councils plan and manage transport more efficiently by
• grouping pupils travelling in the same geographic area
• minimising empty miles
• calculating optimal pick-up sequences
• balancing journey time limits, especially important for SEND pupils
The impact can be significant:
• fewer vehicles required
• lower total mileage
• reduced contractor costs
• better visibility for transport teams
Another opportunity is consolidating journeys. With better planning tools, councils can:
• combine pupils with compatible needs
• use minibuses instead of single taxis
• create cluster pick-up points
Even one additional passenger per vehicle can improve operational efficiency.
As demand continues to grow, data-driven transport planning isn’t just a cost-saving measure — it’s a way to make services more sustainable while still supporting the children and families who rely on them.
You are welcome to contact us if you would like sparring on digital platforms for planning, managing, and integrating school transport services.
*Source: https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Home-to-School-transport.pdf
