The smarter way to manage
home to school transport
We help local authorities take control of every step, from applications and entitlements through to map-based route planning, safeguarding and reporting. All in one purpose-built platform.
In year one
More time for what matters
Know who travels with who
Fewer vehicles, fewer miles
Sound familiar?
The pressures every transport team faces
Local authority transport teams are being asked to do more with less, while compliance and safeguarding requirements keep growing. You are not alone.
Disconnected spreadsheets and inboxes
Applications, entitlement checks, routes and reporting all live in different places, creating errors, delays and audit risk.
Budgets under constant pressure
Council budgets are shrinking while transport demand grows. Justifying spend without clear data is getting harder every year.
SEND information spread across systems
Pupil needs, eligibility notes and care information should be visible at every stage, not locked away in a separate system or someone's inbox.
Emissions and sustainability targets
Net zero commitments mean more pressure to consolidate routes, reduce vehicles and report on carbon impact in a way that stands up to scrutiny.
The Platform
Everything in one place
From first application to loading list, MoveSmarter connects every part of your transport operation in a single system built for local authority teams.
Applications and Entitlement Checking
Online applications feed straight into an entitlement workflow. Eligibility is checked against your rules, SEND information is visible throughout, and every decision is logged.
Map-Based Route Planning
Your team plans and manages routes on a live map, placing learners and identifying who holds an entitlement within walking distance of existing stops. You can also build and model next year's network independently, without affecting the routes running today. Automatic route optimisation is coming soon.
SEND Visibility at Every Stage
SEND information is collected against each learner and surfaces automatically at eligibility checking, route allocation and on loading lists, so the right people always have the full picture.
CO2 Reporting and Cost Modelling
Coming soon: Track the carbon impact of journeys already run. Predict the CO2 and cost implications of route changes before you make them, giving your team the evidence to make better decisions.
Parent and Guardian Feedback
Parents can check their child's allocated route, see live vehicle location and view card tap records through the local authority parent portal. Less time on the phone for your team.
Loading Lists and Operator Access
Operators log in to their own view and see only their services and loading lists, always up to date. No more emailed spreadsheets, no version control issues and no calls asking what has changed.
How it works
Up and running in weeks
We have built a structured onboarding process based on real council migrations, so you are not starting from scratch.
Discovery call
We map your current workflows, pain points and data to understand exactly what you need.
Data migration
Your existing learner, route and operator data is migrated and validated before go-live.
Tailored setup
The platform is configured to match your eligibility rules.
Team training
Hands-on training.
Ongoing support
Product updates are included as standard. We are on hand when you need us.
How Powys County Council saved £500,000 in year one
Powys had seen their school transport bill grow year on year with no clear view of which routes could be consolidated or which passengers were making journeys they were not entitled to.
After going live with MoveSmarter, the team gained route-level visibility they had never had before. They identified duplicate and ineligible journeys and restructured their contractor network, delivering a £500k gross saving without reducing service quality.
Read the full case studyWho uses MoveSmarter
Built for the whole team
Different people in the team need different things from their transport system. MoveSmarter is designed with all of them in mind.
Head of Transport
Show me the numbers
I need to justify what we spend on transport to senior leadership and I need the data to back it up.
See contracted capacity against planned and actual usage across your whole network, giving you the evidence to challenge costs and justify decisions.
Transport Officer
Help me work faster
I spend too much time chasing applications and updating spreadsheets.
Applications feed straight into the workflow, suitable services offered for allocation, loading lists update automatically and parents check their own information.
SEND Coordinator
Keep every child safe
Each pupil has different needs and I cannot afford for that information to go missing between stages.
SEND information follows each learner from application through to the loading list.
Compliance and Finance
I need the full picture
If a decision is not documented then it did not happen. I need a complete record of everything.
Every eligibility decision is logged and reportable. Journeys actually run are recorded, giving you the data to invoice operators.
Insights
From the MoveSmarter blog
How Powys County Council Transformed Its School Transport Operations
A look at the data, decisions and outcomes behind a £500k saving in year one.
Read moreTop 5 Challenges in School Transport and How to Tackle Them
From eligibility disputes to SEND complexity, the issues councils face most often and what you can do about them.
Read moreWhy Better Route Visibility Is the Fastest Way to Cut Transport Costs
Most councils have more room to consolidate routes than they realise. Here is how to find it.
Read more