From Sovanow.com / Aug. 5, 2026

With students returning to the classroom Monday, the Mecklenburg County Public Schools (VA) Transportation Department is reminding families to use Stopfinder, the district’s secure parent engagement app for school transportation updates, as the first place to check before calling the Transportation Department with questions about a student’s bus route or estimated arrival time.

Stopfinder supports MCPS’s commitment to safe, reliable and transparent student transportation. By connecting with the district’s transportation software, the app helps authorized parents and guardians stay informed about daily bus schedules, route updates, vehicle substitutions and unexpected delays.

“Our top priority at MCPS is ensuring the safe and timely arrival of our students every single day,” said Brian Dalton, executive director of Facilities and Operations. “Stopfinder gives families a powerful tool that helps eliminate the ‘wait and wonder’ at the bus stop. Before calling the Transportation Department, we encourage parents and guardians to check the app for the most current information about their child’s bus.”

What Stopfinder Offers Families:

• Real-time bus tracking: Parents and guardians can view the live location of their student’s bus on a secure map.
• Estimated Time of Arrival alerts: Families can receive notifications when the bus is approaching their student’s assigned stop, including alerts that may be set for 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes away when enabled by the district.
• Custom GeoAlerts: Users can create alert zones around a bus stop, school or point along a route and receive notifications when the bus enters or leaves that area.
• Secure transportation messaging: MCPS Transportation can send push notifications about bus substitutions, delays, schedule changes and other important updates.
• Shared caregiver access: Primary guardians can securely share transportation information with approved caregivers or family members.
• Student schedule information: Families can view assigned bus stops, route details and transportation updates in one place.

How Families Can Access Stopfinder:

1. Make sure your email address is current. The MCPS Transportation Department encourages all parents and guardians to confirm that their email address is correct at their child’s school.
2. Watch for an invitation from MCPS. Stopfinder is invitation-only. Invitations will only be sent to the primary contact listed for each student in the MCPS Infinite Campus web-based student information system.
3. Accept the invitation. The primary contact must use the invitation link to create access for the student’s transportation information.
4. Share access if needed. The primary contact will have the ability to share the Stopfinder invite with whomever they choose, such as another parent, guardian, caregiver or family member.
5. Download the free Stopfinder app. After accepting the invitation, search for “Stopfinder” in the Apple App Store for iPhone or iPad, or in Google Play for Android devices.
6. Sign in and begin tracking. Once access is set up, authorized users will be able to follow the bus along the route their child is on, enable alerts and receive transportation updates from MCPS.

Because Stopfinder protects student transportation information, access is limited to verified MCPS parents and guardians. Families who do not receive an invitation, or need help accessing the app or notice incorrect stop information should contact the MCPS Transportation Department. However, routine questions about bus location, route status or estimated arrival time should begin with Stopfinder whenever possible.

Supporting a Districtwide Transportation Operation:

MCPS operates a fleet of more than 120 school buses and transportation vehicles that support students across the district each day. Every morning, the transportation team transports students across nearly 5,000 miles of routes, including the high school/middle school complex at 1,852 miles, Clarksville Elementary at 900 miles, LaCrosse Elementary at 650 miles, private day placements at 565 miles, South Hill Elementary at 525 miles and Chase City Elementary at 438 miles. The department also supports student travel for programs, activities, athletics, field trips and specialized learning opportunities.

Stopfinder gives families a faster way to get transportation information while helping reduce call volume so staff can focus on safe, efficient service for the students transported each day.

“This technology is a significant step forward in how we communicate with our community,” Dalton said. “It’s not just about tracking a vehicle; it’s about creating a direct, reliable link between our operations and our parents. In the event of a delay or a change in plans, we can now provide information instantly, which is vital for the safety and coordination of our families.”

Families are encouraged to use Stopfinder as their first source for bus route updates, estimated arrival times and transportation messages. The app can be found by searching “Stopfinder” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.