Notification Settings
Configure which notifications you receive from RouteBot. This guide explains how to customize your notification preferences for different events.
Accessing Notification Settings
- Go to the Settings tab (gear icon)
- Tap Notification Settings
- If you have multiple profiles (multiple children or both parent/employee):
- A profile selection screen appears
- Tap the profile you want to configure
- You'll see the notification options
Profile Selection
If you have multiple profiles linked to your account:
For Parents with Multiple Children
You'll see each child listed:
- "Child Name (Student)"
- Select which child's notifications to configure
For Personnel Who Are Also Parents
You may see:
- "Your Name (Employee)" for personnel settings
- "Child Name (Student)" for parent settings
Why Separate Profiles?
Each profile can have different notification preferences:
- Morning alerts for one child, not another
- Different settings for work vs. school transportation
Notification Options for Parents
Parents with school transportation see these options:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| When bus approaches for pickup | Morning: Bus coming to collect your child |
| When bus arrives at school | Morning: Bus reached the school |
| When bus leaves school | Afternoon: Bus departing with your child |
| When bus approaches for drop-off | Afternoon: Bus coming to drop off your child |
| When student doesn't board | Alert if your child didn't get on the bus |
Understanding Each Option
When Bus Approaches for Pickup
- When: Morning, as bus nears your stop
- Why enable: Time to get your child ready and at the stop
- Distance: Configured in Notification Distance Settings
When Bus Arrives at School
- When: Morning, bus reaches school
- Why enable: Confirmation child arrived safely
- Note: Only sent if child boarded the bus
When Bus Leaves School
- When: Afternoon, bus departs school
- Why enable: Know when child is heading home
- Note: Only sent if child boarded the bus
When Bus Approaches for Drop-off
- When: Afternoon, as bus nears your stop
- Why enable: Time to be ready to receive your child
- Distance: Configured in Notification Distance Settings
When Student Doesn't Board
- When: After the driver marks your child as not boarded
- Why enable: Important safety alert
- Action needed: Verify your child's whereabouts
Notification Options for Personnel
Personnel/employees see these options:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| When shuttle approaches for pickup | Bus coming to your stop |
| When your shift is changed | (If enabled) Shift schedule changes |
Understanding Each Option
When Shuttle Approaches for Pickup
- When: Shuttle nearing your pickup stop
- Why enable: Time to get to your stop
- Distance: Configured in Notification Distance Settings
When Your Shift is Changed
- When: Your employer changes your shift assignment
- Why enable: Stay informed of schedule changes
- Availability: Only shown if shift notifications are enabled by employer
How to Configure
Enabling/Disabling Notifications
Each notification type has a toggle switch:
- Find the notification you want to change
- Tap the toggle switch
- On (colored): Notification enabled
- Off (gray): Notification disabled
Saving Changes
- After making your selections
- Tap the Save button
- Wait for confirmation: "Settings saved"
- Your preferences are now active
Recommended Settings
For Parents (Comprehensive Monitoring)
Enable all for maximum awareness:
- ✅ Bus approaching for pickup
- ✅ Bus arrived at school
- ✅ Bus left school
- ✅ Bus approaching for drop-off
- ✅ Student didn't board
For Parents (Minimal Interruptions)
Enable only critical alerts:
- ✅ Bus approaching for pickup
- ✅ Bus approaching for drop-off
- ✅ Student didn't board
For Personnel
Recommended settings:
- ✅ Shuttle approaching for pickup
- ✅ Shift changes (if available)
What Happens When Disabled
If you disable a notification type:
- The system still tracks the event
- You simply don't receive the alert
- The driver sees an indicator that notification wasn't sent
- You can re-enable at any time
School Type Affects Options
Some options only appear for certain school types:
| Option | School Type |
|---|---|
| Arrived at school | School transportation only |
| Left school | School transportation only |
| Approach for drop-off | School transportation only |
| Didn't board | School transportation only |
Personnel/employee services show fewer options as they don't have school-specific events.
Help Button
A help button (?) appears in the header:
- Tap it for contextual help
- Modal explains each setting
- Different content for parents vs. personnel
Multiple Profiles Workflow
To configure all your profiles:
- Go to Notification Settings
- Select first profile
- Configure and save
- Go back to profile selection
- Select next profile
- Configure and save
- Repeat for all profiles
Troubleshooting
"Settings not saving"
- Check your internet connection
- Wait for the save operation to complete
- Try again after a moment
"Not receiving notifications despite enabling"
- Check device notification permissions
- Verify phone's "Do Not Disturb" is off
- Ensure RouteBot notifications aren't silenced
- Check the service was actually active
"Can't find the setting I want"
- Settings vary by user type (parent vs. personnel)
- Some settings depend on school/company configuration
- Contact your transportation provider for specific needs
"No profile selection screen"
- You may only have one profile
- This is normal for single-child families or employees
- Settings apply directly to your single profile
Next Steps:
- Notification Distance - Set how far away to be notified
- Language Settings - Change app language
- Parent Notifications - Understanding notification types