LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Last year, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) released a new app parents can use to track their students' buses.
This came after a transportation disaster that led to children not returning home from school until nearly 10 p.m. on the first day of school. The district also cancelled several days of instruction at the start of school.
Since then, JCPS has reduced the length of routes, hired more drivers and discontinued bus routes to certain traditional and magnet schools. They also released a bus finder app so parents can have peace of mind while their children ride the bus.
How can parents track buses?
JCPS has the Edulog Parent Portal app to provide information about the student’s bus ride. They said it will allow parents to see real-time information on the bus's location and when it's estimated to arrive.
How do you download and use the app?
The app is currently available at Apple and Android stores. You can also visit their website to download the app using a QR code. The district even had a tutorial for those who aren’t tech savvy.
- When you download the app, you must enter a registration code assigned by the district. They don’t want that information shared as it pertains to specific JCPS buses.
- Next, head to the “district” tab and tap the plus sign in the top right to add the code. When it’s accepted, you’ll see JCPS and the number of buses you may be following.
- Tap the slide button to activate one or more buses. Then tap on “My Buses” in the main menu. Families can scroll to each bus by swiping the vehicle box. Tap on the plus sign to add an Alert Zone.
- There, you have to enter an address or move the map, name the alert zone, add a time frame, adjust the radius with the slide button and then hit save.
JCPS said once the buses have been added and alert zones created, you will see those on the home screen. The home screen also shows an inbox where you can view messages and notifications.
Location of buses can be seen by hitting the bus in the “My Buses” tab and notifications are sent when a GPS ping from your bus occurs within the notification zone.
JCPS officials said the school bus sends regular GPS pings to the app database in the cloud every 15 to 20 seconds. However, they do say disruptions can occur.
The app also has instructions in Spanish.
For now, the district is using a lite version of the app but plan to roll out a more “robust” version in the future.
What is the JCPS Bus Teller Portal?
On July 22, the new Bus Teller portal opened which allows parents and guardians to see which bus stop their child is assigned to this school year.
"The JCPS transportation routing team has been working hard to match each bus rider with the closest, safe bus stop," JCPS officials said in a news release.
Bus stop information will be uploaded and updated daily to Bus Teller.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to check the site frequently before the first day of school, Aug. 8.
What if I have questions?
Families with questions about the JCPS transportation system are encouraged to call the 485-RIDE hotline.
JCPS staff will answer hotline calls from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. though those hours may be adjusted depending on call volume, the district said.
The 485-RIDE hotline will remain open five days a week through the first several days of school.
