Commuters have long been able to check their bus or train timetable online.
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More recently, they’ve been able to download an app that allows them to see exactly where their bus or train is in real-time and whether or not it is running late.
Now they will be able to do the same for their school children’s bus.
Transport for NSW has added the timetables of all school buses in the Illawarra to its online trip planner at tp.transportnsw.info.
The planner includes route maps, arrival and departure times and stopping points.
This information was only previously available for State Transit-operated school buses travelling within areas of Sydney and Newcastle.
There is a range of real-time travel apps – Triptastic, NextThere, Arrivo Sydney and TripGo – that have been designed with the use of TfNSW information to track public transport.
These apps will now also allow parents to follow the route of their child’s bus to see when it will arrive at school.
It can also let parents know when they can expect them to return home, or when to meet them at the bus stop.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the addition of school timetables was brought in to coincide with the start of the school term.
Mr Constance said the move would help parents and carers better plan their day.
“This will be a great help to parents whose kids travel to school by bus and will take the guesswork out of getting them to and from the right bus stop at the right time,” Mr Constance said.
“For busy parents and carers who plan their day down to the minute, this handy timetable information will mean they can keep an eye on their child’s school bus without missing a beat.
“It will also give parents peace of mind knowing they can be there to pick up their kids when they need to.”
The timetable information is available online while the real-time apps can be downloaded from either the App Store or Google Play.