Bus App Relaunched Minus 'Bump,' District 202 Says

PLAINFIELD, IL — Four days after it was suspended due to parental concerns over security, a school bus-tracking app from District 202 and First Student was relaunched. "We rolled out the new app Monday morning — but hit a 'bump in the road' almost immediately," the district said in an alert to parents on Friday. "As promised, we have fixed that 'bump.'"

On Monday morning, District 202 Director of Community Relations Tom Hernandez told Patch the relaunch was going smoothly.

The app was suspended the same day it launched, April 23, after parents reported they were able to enter student ID numbers and see information — including full name, bus stop locations and times — for students other than their own children.

"There was never a 'security breach' or mass 'exposure' of private student data at any time," the district said in a message to parents Friday. "The only information that appears in the mobile app is the student’s name, bus stop and estimated arrival time for the bus associated with that student," and no other student data is publicly posted.

The district said it was pulling the app due to those valid concerns, noting that parents would have to re-register for the app through First Student when it relaunched.

"This app requires private information for access. For your own security and safety, please do not share this information with others," the district warned on Friday.

The app uses GPS to tell parents exactly where their student's bus is, and approximately when it will arrive. Parents can also request special email or text notifications to alert them when their buses are a certain distance or time away from their stop.

Have you used the relaunched app? What do you think?

Image via Patch file