Here Comes the Bus icon
Here Comes the Bus: Comprehensive Review of School Transportation Tracking App

by CalAmp Student Safety (Formerly Synovia)

โ˜…3.3
ANDROIDEducation
Here Comes the Bus provides real-time school bus tracking for parents through GPS technology. The app requires school district partnership and offers location monitoring, arrival notifications, and student boarding alerts.

Detailed Review

Here Comes the Bus represents a specialized solution in the educational technology sector, offering GPS-based school bus tracking exclusively through partnerships with participating school districts. The application fills a specific niche in parental peace of mind by transforming school transportation into a transparent, data-driven process rather than a daily uncertainty. The core functionality centers around real-time GPS tracking that displays bus locations on interactive maps, supplemented by automated notifications when buses approach designated stops. The system integrates with school transportation infrastructure to provide boarding and disembarkation alerts through email notifications, creating a comprehensive monitoring ecosystem. A notable feature mentioned in user feedback includes geofenced arrival alerts that trigger when buses enter predetermined proximity radii, though some users report inconsistent performance with newer features like scan notifications. User experience varies significantly based on district implementation quality and local infrastructure. The interface presents a clean map view with bus icons and estimated arrival times, though functionality remains entirely dependent on school district adoption and proper driver compliance with scanning procedures. Real-world usage patterns show parents primarily relying on the app during morning departures and afternoon arrivals, with particular value during inclement weather or when coordinating multiple children's schedules. User feedback analysis reveals a pattern of high satisfaction when the system functions properly, contrasted with frustration over feature reliability. L. K. (January 11, 2025) praised the app as a 'game changer' during periods of reliable operation but noted new scan notification features ceased working after initial implementation. Esther Klain (March 10, 2025) specifically valued the notification map and email alerts for boarding events, while Ammani Parry (January 29, 2025) suggested additional functionality for communicating absences to drivers. The application demonstrates clear value in reducing parental anxiety and optimizing morning routines when properly implemented, though its effectiveness remains entirely contingent on school district infrastructure quality and driver compliance. Limitations include complete dependency on institutional partnerships, potential notification reliability issues, and lack of direct driver communication features. Ideal use cases involve well-funded school districts with committed transportation departments implementing the system comprehensively.

Key Features

  • โ€ขReal-time GPS tracking displays bus locations on interactive maps with live updates and estimated arrival times
  • โ€ขGeofenced notifications alert parents when buses enter predetermined proximity radii around bus stops
  • โ€ขEmail notifications provide confirmation when students scan identification cards upon boarding and exiting
  • โ€ขMulti-device compatibility allows access through smartphones, tablets, and computer web browsers
  • โ€ขRoute history tracking enables parents to review previous bus movements and arrival patterns
  • โ€ขDistrict-specific implementation requires school transportation department coordination and driver training

Why Users Love It

Reduces parental waiting time
Provides transportation transparency

Perfect for: Parents in participating school districts seeking school bus monitoring

Screenshots

Here Comes the Bus screenshot 1Here Comes the Bus screenshot 2Here Comes the Bus screenshot 3Here Comes the Bus screenshot 4Here Comes the Bus screenshot 5

User Reviews

L. K.
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Jan 11, 2025

Last year, this app was a game changer for us, reliably sending notifications when the bus was in the set radius. I was especially excited about the new scan notification feature this year! Unfortunately, it stopped working after the first couple of weeks, which was really frustrating. I ended up uninstalling and reinstalling the app, logged back in, and that seemed to do the trick. Since then, itโ€™s been working perfectly again. Overall, itโ€™s a super helpful tool!!!

Ammani Parry
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Jan 29, 2025

I think there should be a way or button to notify drivers, if child is not getting on the bus,or sick. Therefore if no prior notification, they could honk if child isn't immediately in sight, before driving off. Think that would be very helpful to everyone.

My Social
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Feb 18, 2025

This app has made my experience with transporting my kids to and from school a logistics fairytale. I just wish the administrators made known to me that it existed in the first place, and found it on my own after doing some research and my daughter missing the morning bus 4 times in a week. But after finding and installing the app, we are all smiles. Love it!

Brenda Mcswain
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Apr 14, 2025

my experience with the bus has been very good. no problems, very nice bus driver (Ms. Jackie). my grands enjoy riding the bus to and from school. Mrs. McSwain

Esther Klain
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Mar 10, 2025

This app works good for us. I like the notification map that shows how far the bus is. Plus it will send emails when your child gets on and off the bus at locations.

App Details

Developer

CalAmp Student Safety (Formerly Synovia)

Platform

android

Rating

โ˜…3.3

Last Updated

9/7/2025