School Bus Finder School Bus Tracker vs School Bus Attendance vs School Bus ... and 12 more
Edited by Jay
There is no greater feeling than knowing your children are safe while they're not under your supervision, and riding the school bus, twice a day, five times a week is no exception. In most cases, things run relatively smooth, with breakdowns and major accidents happening on rare occasions. However, in the event of an incident, being able to track the location of your child's school bus is truly invaluable.
With the use of a modern smartphone or tablet and a GPS tracking device (inside the bus), parents and teachers can be sure their children and students are being dropped off and picked up safely, and on time.
Because this is a relatively new system, parents are encouraged to check with their child's school or school board to verify which GPS system/service they have their buses outfitted with. Below we discuss a wide variety of school bus tracking apps that either, act as a standalone tracking system, or, as the mobile counterpart for a fixed GPS unit mounted inside the bus.
Method 1: School Bus Tracker
School Bus Tracker by Conjoinix is a fully functioning mobile app that makes use of Global Positioning technology to track school bus travel activity.
Not only is tracking in real-time, parents can access school bus information directly from the convenience of their mobile device.
- 1PersonalizationType.
- 2Features.
- Able to track several buses from one device.
- User only needs a phone number and a device to track any bus.
- Provides location (current) and traveling speed.
- The advanced map view shows traffic and routes.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 2: School Bus Attendance
School Bus Attendance by ScholarChip Card a is mobile app specially designed for monitoring and tracking K-12 transportation.
Students simply tap their contactless card onto an NFC-enabled Android tablet as they get on and off the bus, and the data is instantly available on the app.
- 1EducationType.
- 2Features
- App provides near real-time data on each student's bus attendance.
- Every time a student enters or exits a bus the data is available via the app or a web interface for Administrators.
- Errors are displayed on the screen when students get on the wrong bus, or if they get off at an unassigned stop.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 3: School Bus
The School Bus mobile app by CosmicaGPS provides professional level GPS School bus tracking, directly from your preferred Android phone or tablet.
Having experience in several sectors, CosmicaGPS has designed custom software to work with virtually any GPS device.
- 1Maps & NavigationType.
- Real-time tracking with map views.
- Set custom stop locations and schedules.
- Receive email or SMS notifications upon bus arrivals.
- Free version.
Method 4: School Bus Live
School Bus Live from Geocrat Technologies is a mobile optimized app that provides real-time GPS tracking, on the school vehicles responsible for transporting children.
Parents and administrators can have peace-of-mind knowing their children/students buses are tracked with latest in GPS technology.
- 1Maps & NavigationType.
- 2Features.
- Parents can program auto-SMS alerts.
- Generate various MIS reports.
- All student, bus, route, driver information can be stored for future access.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 5: Smart School Bus Tracker
Smart School Bus Tracker for Android is a simple but effective system for parents to track their children's bus using GPS.
Parents have an advantage by being able to plan around any delays or mechanical issues that suddenly arise.
- 1Maps & NavigationType.
- 2Features.
- Receive alerts with bus breakdowns or route changes.
- Set notifications for drop-offs and pickups.
- Simple to get started, only a device and mobile phone number are required.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 6: Applane Track
Applane Track for Android and iOS is a handy mobile app that helps parents track their children's bus, in addition to providing school bus information.
along with offering real-time GPS tracking, Applane Track also supports active CCTV surveillance, so students can be viewed live when an internet connection is present.
- 1Maps & NavigationType.
- 2Features.
- Supports RFID integration.
- Create customized reports on routes, schedules, breakdowns, attendance and more.
- Receive speed limit alerts when drivers exceed limits.
- Admin side to the app can manage an entire fleet of buses.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 7: Northstar
The Northstar mobile app for Android and iOS is the mobile companion to the popular Northstar child safety platform.
As a subscription-based app, Northstar will only work with schools that utilize the Northstar service. Please contact your child's school/board to enquire about the GPS service/system they use with their bus fleets.
- 1EducationType.
- 2Features.
- Provides full end-to-end tracking in real-time.
- Monitor the buses location and set proximity alerts for specific stops.
- Receive notifications via SMS or through app messages.
- Offers attendance monitoring and reporting.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- In-app purchases available.
- 4
Method 8: BusWhere for Schools
Utilizing GPS devices fixed into school buses, BusWhere for Schools gives parents and school admins accurate bus tracking directly from a phone or tablet.
On top of being able to view your child's bus as it travels to and from school, parents can get text messages when the bus is near or on its way.
- 1LifestyleType.
- 2Features.
- Parents can watch on a live map the route their child's bus is taking, in real-time.
- Parents can view up to the minute ETAs.
- Administrators can see all activity for their entire fleet and also receive alerts with late arrivals or emergencies.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 9: Treker School Bus Tracking
Treker School Bus Tracking for iOS and Android is another handy GPS tracking app that keeps parents and bus admins in the loop at all times.
Utilizing proprietary Bluetooth technology, Treker can track each student using low energy beacons to monitor each student's ridership attendance.
- 1Maps & NavigationType.
- 2Features.
- Schedules can be fully edited and updated within the app.
- Tracks both bus routes and attendance.
- Parents can customize alerts and receive them by SMS, phone call, or in-app messages.
- Option to allow other guardians or childcare providers access to the app's notifications.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 10: BusPal
BusPal for Android and iOS is a simple system for tracking a school bus, that doesn't require a fixed GPS unit to be installed in the bus.
BusPal works by turning the driver's device into a fully functioning GPS unit. Parents and administrators can then track the bus in real-time, and watch its route on a map.
- 1Maps & NavigationType.
- 2Features.
- Only drivers have control over their subscribers for maximum privacy.
- Parents can communicate with drivers in the event of an emergency.
- View your child's bus as it travels on an interactive map.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 11: WheresTheBus
WheresTheBus is a mobile optimized app for iOS and Android that eliminates the typical stresses associated with chasing down your child's school bus.
Parents can get precise timing about bus arrivals, sent directly to their tablet or phone.
- 1BusinessType.
- 2Features.
- Instant notifications on bus arrivals.
- User-friendly interface for both parents and administrators.
- School admins/district can monitor the safety and efficiency of an entire fleet of buses.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 12: Here Comes the Bus
Here Comes the Bus from Synovia Solutions provides iOS and Android users with real-time school bus tracking, right on their favorite mobile device.
Here Comes the Bus takes the privacy of its riders seriously, by making parents request a private ID number, specifically for their child's bus only.
- 1EducationType.
- 2Features.
- Create customized maps for quicker access and bus locating.
- Get arrival and departure confirmations via alerts or notifications.
- Parents can track several children, on multiple buses, right from the app.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 13: School Bus Tracker Demo
School Bus Tracker Demo from Elitech Lab provides schools and parents with reliable and accurate bus tracking and monitoring.
With no additional equipment or setup, the tracking system is portable and as such, follows the driver and doesn't get disrupted when substitute buses get used.
- 1EducationType.
- 2Features.
- Works for alternative school transportation, such as with special drivers or for small groups of children in other vehicles besides buses.
- Parents can see in real-time any route changes or deviations.
- Admins get access to back-end software for managing and tracking their buses.
- No additional GPS equipment needs to be installed.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 14: Skool Bus App
The Skool Bus App for iOS is an excellent solution for parents who want a simple, yet reliable way to monitor their children's school bus from their iPad or iPhone.
No need for guessing, with The Skool Bus App, parents stay completely informed of their child's ridership and attendance.
- 1TravelType.
- 2Features.
- Know with high accuracy when your child's bus will arrive at its stop.
- Robust security and privacy protection.
- Parents are informed of any incidents on the bus like fighting, bullying, etc.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
Method 15: SafeStop
SafeStop™ for Android and iOS is a mobile optimized tool that keeps parents and school officials connected with the buses that drive their children around.
With a very secure registration process in place, parents can be sure their child's privacy is always kept safe.
- 1Maps & NavigationType.
- 2Features.
- Parents and school officials can track bus routes.
- Drivers can send real-time notifications out to parents.
- See estimated arrival times and get alerts when your child is dropped of at their designated spot.
- Supports any GPS provider/system.
- 3Cost/Fees.
- Free version.
- 4
As mentioned above, it might be a good idea to check with your child's school first to see if they currently support GPS tracking on their buses. As time goes on, we'll see more and more buses outfitted with GPS units for monitoring and tracking purposes. We'll be keeping our eye out for new apps and systems, and will keep this article updated regularly.
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
