Better Trackers
This is a list of methods mentioned by parents for tracking their own student while on the school bus.
The question comes up frequently because of flaws in the Via GPS “NYC School Bus App” that our taxes purchased:
Parents and drivers report that it glitches and buffers a lot
The server is ‘offshore’, not New York based, tracking is not its primary product. Here’s a financial update July 2025: https://www.masstransitmag.com/management/news/55304078/global-via-transportation-files-confidentially-for-wall-street-ipo
Your access also depends on the driver and the company
The app will go to sleep shortly unless you keep something else open and running on your phone (one parent gave youtube TV as an example; assume this requires high battery %age and a subscription…)
There are complications if you have an Outlook email account (so, any parent who works for the public schools or is on a council).
The student must have NYCSA to get to the app, see https://www.pistnyc.org/resources/nycsaguides
Here is the list so far —
Amcrest ($20/month plus $40 for device) keeps a log, use for complaints;
Angel Sense (you may be able to be reimbursed by OPWDD self-direction or by family reimbursement);
Life 360 application on cell phone - free! Tells when involved in a car accident, parent can see on the phone.
Air tag - users say it works inside the student’s backpack or shoes, that at least one sneaker brand has a built in pocket;
Jiobit;
Gizmo watch;
As of April 2025 One District 75 school was looking into getting Apple tag for each student, the youngest at least.
To add, comment, or critique, please reach out at pistnyc@gmail.com
CHECK OUT My bus Tracker: https://emoticon.mouse.org/2025/my-bus-tracker
Students at 75M094 had a group assignment to design an application. One group in X04, Mr. Ian Feldman’s Class, decided they deserve an app to help them track the location of their own school buses! #StudentsKnowBest
STAY TUNED - In July 2025 we have heard that THE SCHOOL SYSTEM’S CONTRACT WITH THIS APP VENDOR ENDS BY 2026 - Parent and staff voices are needed in advance to make sure they do not default to throwing more millions away on any product which does not serve our NYC riders and schools adequately.
JUST A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT - If ever a school bus fleet has more than enough trained and experienced staff — and instead of rough draft routes that have to be fixed student by student, has well thought out, stable routes — and faster ways to incorporate improvement suggestions from schools or bus companies analyzing reality — then parents will be better able to trust that the AM and PM buses are arriving in the same time window every day. give or take 10 minutes and can plan for it, tracker or no.
Technology is cool but we’d be less desperate to track the bus if routes weren’t experiencing wild variations and extreme delays, and days when a percentage of routes around the city have no permanent driver assigned. THIS IS WHY PIST FIGHTS FOR MORE HIRING INITIATIVES, AND FAIR BENEFITS TO RETAIN PEOPLE! Without achieving that, the best an app can do is tell you the result of staff shortages: namely, the bus is still miles away when you need it to show up.