In the fast-paced world of school transportation today, resources — including driver and vendor supply — are often limited, and districts and schools are faced with a host of challenges that come with trying to do more with less.
At HopSkipDrive, we work with districts to tackle these challenges and provide solutions to help them make the most of what they have. SmartPooling in RideIQ is an example of one such solution. By automatically matching new Riders with existing routes, SmartPooling can reduce the cost and carbon footprint of every ride.
Read on to learn more about this exciting feature.
What is SmartPooling?
Available to select districts that qualify, SmartPooling is a revolutionary tool designed to tackle the challenges posed by one-off rides for districts using HopSkipDrive for a high volume of rides. It suggests a Ride Series that can be combined with your previously scheduled Ride Series in RideIQ to create the most efficient route possible.
Imagine the possibilities when you don’t have to manually search for ride combinations. This feature empowers you to save time, money and resources while maintaining control over your rides. It automates the ride pooling process with a simple click of a button. RideIQ will scan through all existing rides to identify the best options for pooling. It’s efficiency, simplified.
How does SmartPooling work?
SmartPooling’s power is first unlocked with our student-centered pricing model, which is uniquely designed to support pooling rides together, making sure each car maximizes occupancy. While not every ride is suitable for pooling, SmartPooling empowers you to make informed decisions about which rides can be combined efficiently.
SmartPooling can be done in four easy steps. These steps include:
- Building the ride
- Clicking “Find Ride Suggestions”
- Selecting the ride that best fits your desired goals, and
- Clicking Save
The benefits of SmartPooling
Cost savings: Combining rides typically costs your organization less because you pay one combined fare instead of multiple minimum fares plus mileage. The more Riders on a ride, the more cost-effective it becomes. Rides with at least three Riders qualify for a full-car discount, further reducing costs.
Time savings: With SmartPooling, you can say goodbye to the hours spent manually matching rides. Let RideIQ do the work for you, so you and your team can focus on other important tasks.
More efficient use of resources: Maximize the potential of your available vehicles. No more overlap, no more wasted resources.
Less chaos in the car line: Combined rides mean streamlined car lines, making pickup and drop-off smoother for everyone.
No new cars and drivers to prepare for: Expanding your fleet isn’t always the solution. SmartPooling helps you make the most of your current assets.
Environmental benefits: A single ride is more environmentally friendly than multiple rides to the same location, reducing emissions and your carbon footprint.
Ready to experience SmartPooling?
Don’t miss out on this game-changing feature. If you’re a HopSkipDrive client and want to get started with SmartPooling, reach out to your account rep to see if it’s a match for you.
Not a HopSkipDrive client but interested in learning more? 
