BusPlan vs BusWhere

BusPlan is a free, open-source tool for school districts that generates optimized routes from existing student, stop, and school-location data. It seeks to minimize bus driving time and can impose a maximum student ride-time constraint. The workflow accepts CSV files for locations, students, candidate stops, stop eligibility, and garage bus limits. Preparation instructions create candidate stops within one mile of each student and calculate walking-distance eligibility. OpenStreetMap extracts are used to build OpenTripPlanner routing graphs, which supply route costs. OptaPlanner provides the constraint-solving engine. Results are CSV files listing ordered stops for each route and assigning students to route-and-stop combinations. A script calculates student ride times, and a Jupyter notebook supports route analysis. BusPlan is distributed as source code and setup instructions on GitHub under the Apache License, Version 2.0. The repository does not list a packaged desktop or mobile download or a support service.

BusWhere provides real-time bus tracking and arrival information for schools, districts, bus companies, and shuttle operators. Its parent app displays bus locations and ETAs and can notify families as a bus approaches. Route tools support drag-and-drop planning, imports, off-route stops, optimization, and route replay. Fleet tools cover fuel levels, odometer readings, engine alerts, and driver safety reports. For shuttles, operators can offer branded rider apps and configure off-road stops, circular routes, and service with multiple buses. BusWhere lists integrations with Geotab, Samsara, Zonar, and other trackers, along with overnight syncing with routing and student information systems. It runs on Android, iOS, and the web. Schools can start a no-commitment trial on one bus and add vehicles later. The school or district pays for service, with possible discounts for larger fleets; pricing is available by contacting BusWhere. The company says it uses student data only to provide the service and maintains safeguards while complying with applicable education privacy laws, including FERPA and COPPA.