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Disastrous School Bus Route Change in Kentucky Linked to Similar Problems in Ohio

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) ÔÇö The company behind a disastrous change to a Kentucky cityÔÇÖs school bus routes that resulted in more than a week of canceled classes had similar problems in two cities in neighboring Ohio last year.

Touting its connections to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, bus-routing vendor AlphaRoute pitched its mathematical models and machine-learning technology as a way of saving money and smoothing out complex bus routes in Louisville, Kentucky, and school districts across the U.S.

But real-world problems often got in the way.

Columbus began running new routes planned by AlphaRoute in fall 2022 after entering into a three-year, $1.6 million contract. But there were problems from the beginning. Most importantly, the district was not able to make adjustments quickly with the companyÔÇÖs software. It decided to pivot mid-year to the software it was previously using from another company, Versatrans, said district spokesperson Jacqueline Bryant.

Cincinnati Public Schools told The Associated Press in an email that it was under contract with AlphaRoute for less than one year, beginning in April 2022 at a cost of $150,000.

ÔÇ£AlphaRoute provided route analysis and made efficiency recommendations. CPS was not satisfied with the results and had to reroute and physically evaluate each stop,ÔÇØ according to the statement.

Several other districts listed as partners on the companyÔÇÖs website said they either no longer worked with AlphaRoute or never were its customers. The school district in Providence, Rhode Island, a listed partner, said it considered the companyÔÇÖs proposal in 2021 but ÔÇ£went in another direction.ÔÇØ

AlphaRoute said in a Tuesday night written statement that it recognized the Kentucky school cancellations have been ÔÇ£terribly disruptiveÔÇØ and that it has had a team in Louisville helping to address them since Saturday.

In Louisville, the transportation changes recommended by AlphaRoute for Jefferson County Public Schools proved disastrous on the first day of school. Some students were not picked up in the morning while others did not arrive home until nearly 10 p.m.

The fiasco resulted in hungry and tired children, angry parents and exasperated politicians. Schools had to be closed to reevaluate the transportation plan, and students will have missed more than a week of school when they begin returning on Friday as part of a staggered reopening. The fallout has included a call from some state lawmakers to explore splitting up the stateÔÇÖs largest school district.

Like other districts, Jefferson County turned to AlphaRoute for ways to increase efficiency and cut the number of bus routes after a nationwide driver shortage left them scrambling for solutions to transport students. The company, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, uses computer algorithms to map out bus routes and stops.

In a March 2021 letter to Jefferson County seeking to justify its use as a single contractor, company co-founder and CEO John Hanlon outlined how his firm could solve some of the ÔÇ£daunting challengesÔÇØ of a busing system he described as inefficient and one of the most complex in the country, with 65,000 daily bus riders.

Hanlon touted AlphaRoute as the only company capable of both rerouting buses and planning staggered school start times. Superintendent Marty Pollio championed the idea, saying the combination would allow for more efficient use of buses and let teenagers sleep longer so they could be more alert in school.

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In summary, AI legalese decoder offers the necessary tools and insights to school districts facing decisions about implementing AI-driven technologies for bus-routing, such as AlphaRoute’s software. By leveraging AI legalese decoder, districts can thoroughly evaluate proposed contracts, assess the adaptability of the technology, and ensure the algorithms prioritize student safety and well-being. With this comprehensive approach, school districts can avoid the disruptions and negative consequences experienced by Jefferson County Public Schools and other districts.

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Loller reported from Nashville, Tenn. AP Technology Writer OÔÇÖBrien reported from Providence, Rhode Island.

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