Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All

  • What is Stopfinder?

    Stopfinder is the easy-to-use, all-in-one parent engagement app designed by parents for parents.  Stopfinder enables registered users to see their student's bus schedule in real-time.  .

     
     
     

  • Mobile Application or Website Version?

    Stopfinder is a mobile app that can be downloaded to any iOS or Android-enabled device and is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

     

  • How Does Stopfinder Work?

    Stopfinder uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to locate and track your child’s school bus.

  • How Do I Sign Up?

    If you would you like to sign up for Stopfinder, send us an email at StopfinderLoudoun@LCPS.org.  We'll send you an invitation to join.  

  • Are you tracking my child?

    No, Stopfinder follows the bus, not students.   It uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to locate and track the school bus.

  • How do I set up GeoAlerts?

    1.  Open the Stopfinder App
    2. Tap on the ellipses, the three dots to the right of the student's name
    3. Tap on Map
    4. Tap on the Map Bell, choose Edit GeoAlert Icon, select the Geoalert you want to edit "Home stop or School Stop".  Another option is to double tap on the geofence circle and tap on the pencil icon.
    5. On the bottom of the page is a Time Range Alter the times to a shorter range that includes your stop, for example.  if your stop time is 8 am - you may want to alter your time range from 7:30 am to 9 am.
    6. Tap on Save in the upper right-hand corner.

  • How do I share my student's schedule with someone else?

    Tap the ellipses menu on the upper right-hand corner of the student card for the student you wish to share. Tap Share Schedule on the menu that opens at the bottom of the screen. Enter the required fields on the Share Schedule screen and tap Share in the upper right corner.

  • Is there a limit to the number of Subscriptions I can share?

    No, you can share student subscriptions with any number of sub subscribers.

  • Will I need an account for each child?

    One account will allow you to view multiple children at the same time or in different schools.

  • Can Subscribers I invite to view my student’s schedule invite others to use the app and access my student’s information?

    No, only a student’s Primary Subscriber can share student schedules. Students only have one Primary Subscriber. 

  • I shared a subscription but now I do not want that user to have access to my student’s transportation schedule. How do I remove that access?

    To edit or remove a shared subscription, tap the Settings icon in the lower right-hand side of the app and select Manage Subscribers. Click on the menu next to the shared subscription and use the Disable Access menu item to prevent the selected sub subscriber from viewing student schedule information.

  • Will I be notified of bus substitutions?

    Parents will receive a notification with the new bus number.  We continue to improve our process with bus substitutions.  If parents are not notified of a bus substitution, they should contact StopfinderLoudoun@lcps.org

  • Why does Stopfinder say "Vehicle Location Unavailable"?

    Typically, the vehicle location is not available because there is a substitute bus being used on the route for that day.  If a driver does not perform a substitution process on the bus tablet, Stopfinder will not know what substitute bus is being used for the day.  If the regularly assigned bus is doing the route, drivers don't have to do anything on the tablet.  You can contact StopfinderLoudoun@lcps.org if you are seein this message. 

  • Why does Stopfinder say "No Subscriptions Available"?

    This occurs when a student becomes unassociated from a contact (parent/guardian) during the nightly data upload.  If you are experiencing this, please contact StopfinderLoudoun@lcps.org and we will reset the account.  

  • Will I Be Able To See My child's Activity Bus?

    Not at this time. Stopfinder will only notify you of the regularly assigned bus arriving to the stop in the AM and PM.  

  • Why Can't I See My Child's Academies of Loudoun Bus?

    At this time, Stopfinder does not have functionality to track shuttle buses.  It will notify you to and from the student's regularly assigned bus stop.  

  • My student has a different transportation schedule on some days, how do I check that?

    Schedules displayed on student cards are based on date. You will be brought to the current date when you first login to Stopfinder. Swipe from right to left to view future dates or use the calendar to select a date – tap the name of the month in the upper left-hand corner to open the calendar.

  • What if I can't see my child's information on the map?

    LCPS has limited the amount of time a parent can view the bus. Once the child is dropped off, the parent will no longer see the bus.  Parents can look in View History to view when the bus arrived at the bus stop.  Simply click on the 3 elipses next to the student name, click on Maps, click on the red bell in the lower right corner and click on View History.    

  • What if my child's stop information is incorrect?

    Parents should login to Transportation’s Concern Registry to report issues.  When a student moves to a new address, parents need to contact the school to have their student(s) address updated.   

  • What Will It Cost Me?

    Stopfinder is available at no cost to all families in any school district that has purchased the service. That’s right, it’s free for unlimited accounts for families! That means grandparents, babysitters, neighbors, and friends can share the data.

  • Can parents change the radius to be notified when a bus is approaching?

    Yes, not only can you change the distance, but you can move the zone to a different location.

  • Is The Information Private and Secure?

    The Stopfinder app is secure and protected. Access to parents or guardians is only granted to those that have permission from the school transportation department. 
     

     

     
     

Last Modified on May 9, 2023