School transportation operations are increasingly turning to routing data, GPS, telematics, maintenance records and analytics tools to reduce fuel use, unnecessary mileage and related operating costs. Kacy L. Davis, Sr., the transportation director at St. Louis Public Schools in Missouri noted routing analytics are central to fuel efficiency “because every mile and every stop has a cost.” St. Louis provides student transportation through a partnership with Zum Services, using realtime GPS, telematics and routing analytics to reduce fuel use, improve route efficiency and enhance service reliability. While routing analytics and idle reduction limit the physical volume of fuel burned, transportation directors must also optimize how that fuel is purchased, said Johnson. Related: Routing Analytics Matter for Fuel Efficiency, Experts AgreeRelated: Fuel Choice, Budgets & Fresh IdeasRelated: Alternative to Fueling DiscomfortRelated: (STN Podcast E308) Past & Future: Fuel Volatility, 10 Years of School Transportation Trends