Ridership Tracking builds on New York City Public Schools’ (NYCPS) existing school bus tracking technology to provide visibility into which students are on the bus and when. Using a paper bus pass with a QR code, students scan when boarding and exiting. This allows schools, and soon families, to know whether a student is on or off the bus in near real time.
This initiative supports Chancellor’s Regulation A-802, strengthening student safety, accountability, and communication.
Pilot Overview
The Ridership Tracking Pilot began in December and has expanded each month. The largest expansion launched in April, now covering 818 routes across 1,212 schools.
The Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) is continuing to monitor performance, gather feedback, and refine the process to support future citywide rollouts.
Roles and Responsibilities
Schools
- Generate and distribute bus passes (QR codes) to participating students
- Replace bus passes as needed
- Inform families about the program and how it works
Bus Drivers and Attendants
- Scan students on and off the bus using the Driver App or bus scanner
- All participating drivers and attendants have completed training
For School Users
This page serves as a central hub for Ridership Tracking information, including training materials, communication resources, and operational guidance for school staff.
NYCPS is offering live virtual training sessions that go over how to generate (and replace) bus passes, and how to inform families about how the pilot program works. If the pilot serves your school, staff are responsible for attending a one-hour training session via Zoom on the following dates:
- May 18, 2026: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- May 20, 2026: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- May 22, 2026: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
A link to the live training session is located under Upcoming Training Opportunities.
School Operations Console (SOC)
The School Operations Console (SOC) is the primary system used to view bus routes and student ridership in real time.
Visit School Operations Console to gain access.
Resources
Upcoming Training Opportunities
One-hour training session via Zoom - Live Training session to go over bus pass generation
Communication Materials
- Letter for Families and Caregivers – Explains the program and how families are involved
English, Spanish (Español), Albanian (Shqip), Arabic (عربى), Bengali (বাংলা), Chinese—Simplified (简体中文), Chinese—Traditional (中文), French (Français), Haitian Creole (Kreyòl), Korean (한국어), Russian (Русский), Ukrainian (Українська), Urdu (اُردُو), Uzbek (O'zbek)
Training and Access Guides
- Login Steps to the SOC – Instructions for accessing the system
- SOC Training Guide – Detailed guidance on using the SOC
Reference Materials
- FAQ – Answers to common questions about Ridership Tracking
Need Help?
If you are experiencing issues with the SOC, please submit a SupportHub ticket or contact your school’s OPT Transportation Liaison.