BusPlan

BusPlan is open-source software for school districts that want to generate routes from their own student and stop data. It suits teams able to prepare CSV files and run a self-hosted routing workflow. Its focused drive-time optimization and ride-time limits are useful, but the routing graph setup and planned solver improvements make it a narrower choice than a ready-to-run service.

Overview

BusPlan generates routes for existing students, stops and schools, aiming to minimize bus drive time while allowing districts to cap maximum student ride time. The project grew from Azavea’s work with the School District of Philadelphia on algorithmically optimized bus routing. Its source code is available under the Apache License, Version 2.0.

The workflow depends on OpenTripPlanner to calculate route costs and OptaPlanner to solve the routing constraints. Districts must generate OpenTripPlanner routing graphs from OpenStreetMap extracts, so adopting BusPlan involves technical setup as well as route planning. It is distributed as source code and setup instructions, without a packaged desktop or mobile download.

Key features

Drive-time optimization with ride-time limits

BusPlan optimizes routes to reduce bus drive time and can constrain the maximum time a student spends riding. That gives districts two concrete priorities to balance: efficient vehicle routes and limits on long journeys. The project describes solver improvements for fleet size, vehicle capacity, student age, special needs and buses serving multiple schools as planned work. Districts that need those factors in their routing decisions should account for that gap.

CSV inputs, assignments and analysis

The workflow uses CSV files for locations, students, candidate stops, stop eligibility and garage bus limits. Its data-preparation instructions generate candidate stops within one mile of each student and calculate eligibility by walking distance. The planner outputs CSVs with ordered route stops and assignments linking students to routes and stops. A ride-time calculation script and a Jupyter notebook support further analysis, giving a technically equipped district ways to inspect results beyond the route output itself.

Open routing components

OpenStreetMap extracts supply the map data used by OpenTripPlanner, while OptaPlanner handles constraint solving. This component-based approach makes the workflow reproducible, but districts need the skills and infrastructure to prepare routing graphs and work with the source code. The repository includes setup and usage instructions; it does not state a support service or product-specific security certifications or compliance claims.

Pricing

BusPlan — free. The software is open source, with no hosted plan or usage limits stated. This is a strong fit for districts that can operate the workflow themselves and want to avoid a software charge. The free plan does not come with a packaged desktop or mobile app, and the route-graph generation and CSV preparation remain part of the district’s work.

Platforms

BusPlan is self-hosted. The repository provides source code and setup instructions rather than a desktop or mobile download, so districts should be prepared to run the software in their own environment.

Who it's for

BusPlan is best suited to school districts with staff who can prepare structured student and stop data, generate OpenTripPlanner graphs and analyze CSV outputs. It is a practical fit when reducing drive time while limiting student ride time are central goals. Districts seeking packaged software, a stated support service or solver constraints for fleet capacity, student age, special needs and multi-school buses should consider other options.

Pros and cons

• Drive-time and ride-time objectives: The solver can minimize bus driving while enforcing a maximum student ride time.
• Inspectable outputs: Ordered stops and student assignments are exported as CSV, with a separate ride-time script and analysis notebook.
• No software charge: The source is free under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
• Technical setup required: Districts must generate routing graphs from OpenStreetMap extracts and prepare multiple CSV inputs.
• Some fleet constraints are planned improvements: The project identifies capacity, fleet size, student age, special needs and multi-school service as areas for solver improvement.

Alternatives

School Bus Routing Software is a broader category to explore when comparing school transportation tools.

• RollCall suits readers looking for mobile parent access: its parent app is free to download and use on iOS and Android, while schools or bus operators subscribe to the service.
• RouteCabin is a freemium option whose free plan covers up to 15 passengers, one vehicle and two drivers, with live tracking, attendance and basic fee records.
• AlphaRoute uses demo-based pricing for readers who prefer to discuss a paid product with its maker.
• BusPlanner is a paid option with custom pricing and self-hosted and Windows platform support.
• HNH HTSTM is another paid option.
• RouteBot is a paid option with a free plan.
• Busology Tech Routing & Scheduling is worth considering if you want a paid routing and scheduling product with pricing based on bus count and feature level.
• BusRight is a paid option whose pricing is discussed by demo for your fleet.

Verdict

Choose BusPlan if your district can manage a self-hosted, CSV-based workflow and wants open-source route optimization that balances drive time against a maximum student ride time. Its strongest advantage is control without a software charge; look elsewhere if you need a packaged service or routing decisions built around the project’s planned fleet and student constraints.