Parent Overview
This guide is for parents and guardians using RouteBot to track their child's school bus transportation. Learn how to monitor your child's commute in real-time and stay informed about their journey.
What Can Parents Do?
As a parent using RouteBot Mobile, you can:
- Track the school bus in real-time on a live map
- See estimated pickup times when available
- Receive notifications when the bus approaches your stop
- View driver information including name and phone number
- Contact the driver directly from the app
- Monitor multiple children if you have more than one student
App Layout for Parents
When you log in as a parent, you'll see two main tabs:
| Tab | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Services | View your child's assigned routes and track the bus |
| Settings | Configure notifications, language, and access support |
Services Tab
This is your main screen showing all assigned school bus routes:
What You'll See
- A list of all services/routes assigned to your child(ren)
- Each service shows the route name
- A status indicator showing if the service is active
Service Status Indicators
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green indicator | Service is currently active - bus is running |
| Gray indicator | Service is not currently active |
Tapping on a Service
Tap any service to see:
- Map Tab - Live tracking view when active
- Shuttle Info Tab - Driver details and pickup information
Your First Day
Here's what to expect when using the app for the first time:
Before School Starts
- Open the app and log in with your registered phone number
- Grant notification permission when prompted
- You should see your child's route(s) in the Services list
On a School Day
Morning Pickup:
- Open the app before pickup time
- Tap on the morning route
- When the bus starts, you'll see it on the map
- Watch as it approaches your stop
- Receive a notification when it's near
Afternoon Drop-off:
- Open the app when school ends
- Tap on the afternoon/drop-off route
- Track the bus as it brings your child home
- Receive a notification when it's approaching
If No Services Appear
If you don't see any services in the app:
- Wait for assignment - Your transportation provider needs to add your child to a route
- Check registration - Confirm your phone number is registered correctly
- Contact provider - Use the WhatsApp link shown to reach your transportation company
The app displays a helpful message with contact information if no services are assigned yet.
Managing Multiple Children
If you have multiple children using school transportation:
- All children's routes appear in the same Services list
- Each route is listed separately (morning and afternoon)
- You may have 2-4 or more routes depending on your children
- Tap any route to track that specific service
Settings for Multiple Children
When configuring notification settings:
- Go to Settings > Notification Settings
- If you have multiple children, you'll see a profile selection screen
- Choose which child's settings to configure
- Each child can have different notification preferences
Quick Tips for Parents
Stay Informed
- Enable all notification types for comprehensive updates
- Keep the app updated for the latest features
- Check the app a few minutes before expected pickup
Understand the Map
- Green house marker - Your pickup/drop-off location
- School marker - The school location
- Bus marker - Current bus position (when active)
When Things Look Wrong
- Bus location only updates when the service is active
- Location may take a moment to update
- If location seems stuck, the bus may have poor signal temporarily
Support for Parents
If you need help:
- In-App Support - Go to Settings > Support (if enabled by your school)
- Help Screen - Go to Settings > Help for contact information
- Transportation Provider - Contact your school's transportation company directly
Next Steps:
- Viewing Services - Understanding the services list
- Tracking the Bus - Using the live map
- Shuttle Info - Driver and vehicle information
- Parent Notifications - Understanding notification types