SmartBusRoute 4+

Not what I was hoping for.

If you’re like me, and you drive a school bus, then you know that all navigation apps lack the option to choose “no u-turns”. Or to be able to move the destination pin to show where you need to pick up/drop off. Or even make an adjustment to the suggested turns or routing that the app provides.
While this app is advertising avoiding low bridges, they might do that.
But my suggestion to the developer would be to allow the user to look at the route you provided, and make a change if needed.
For example, I used Apple Maps, google maps, and Waze before I tried this app to route myself to an address where I need to pull up in front of a house and pick up a student. However. All of the maps are having me make a u-turn, or turn into a street nearby. That’s not going to work. I have to pick up at the students house. So I just need to travel one intersection further south so that I’m on the right side of the road to stop at her house.
No idea why this concept isn’t already implemented by all navigation apps.

Developer Response ,

This app is designed for use by Coach (tour) busses not school busses. We avoid residential areas for large busses.

It’s Good For What It’s Designed To Do

The app does well in guiding bus drivers away from low clearance situations. I used it to get from Bentley University in Waltham MA to The Courtyard Marriott on Tremont St in Boston using the two day trial of the app.

This was during afternoon rush hour time in which if I had used Google Maps Google would have told me to take Storrow Dr, which if you’re familiar with Boston, is a long stretch of road with low clearance overpasses.

Needless to say the app got me to the Courtyard Marriott avoiding Storrow Dr and other low clearances and even more importantly, allowed me to get the passengers there safely, which at the end of the day is the main goal of all bus drivers.

If you compare this to Google or Apple Maps you’ll be disappointed, but if you want to avoid low clearance situations and want to get passengers to where they need to go safely then this app is good for that.

Not very good

I actually bought 2 one-week subscriptions and then decided to buy a three-month subscription...well, I must say this bus gps app is really flawed. The directions unnecessarily takes you in circles, literally, when your destination is basically straight ahead. The directions that this bus gps gives you will literally take you miles out of your way when all you had to do was make a simple left turn. When you have a bus full of people and this gps app decides to take you on “the scenic route,” instead of the quickest, most efficient way possible, it’s embarrassing! I just use a normal gps again and map my bus routes accordingly before I start my run. I won’t be renewing my subscription with SmartBusRoute again, that’s for sure. There’s nothing “smart”’about it.

Developer Response ,

Sorry you had a bad experience. There are many bus drivers that are finding the app very helpful in avoiding parkways, low bridges, and bus restricted areas. It is best to check the satellite image before you take off to make sure you understand the route. Feel free to contact us through the app so we can review your route, press Menu > Settings > Feedback. Thank you.