Bus tags

A bus tag is a small Bluetooth keychain for the school bag. The bus notices it by itself when the rider gets on and off — the rider doesn't need a phone or the app.

Bus tags are only available if your place uses them. If it does, the rider's page shows a Bus tag row with Not set up or Connected. If you don't see the row, your place doesn't use bus tags.

Only Eddystone and iBeacon tags work. Ask the school which tag to use.

Connect a tag

1. Open the rider's page and tap Bus tag. The screen Connect name's bus tag opens.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on. If the app asks, allow Bluetooth and location. On Android, location must also be switched on: Android only finds Bluetooth tags while location is on. If it's off, you see Location is off — tap Turn on location. NexaRide doesn't track where you are.
3. Hold the tag next to your phone. The app shows Searching… and lists the tags it finds:
   • Each tag is listed under the name it broadcasts. A tag without a name shows its type and the end of its number, for example "Eddystone ···a1b2c3".
   • Under the name: Very close · probably the one in your hand, or Nearby for a tag a little further away (maybe a neighbour's).
   • Then its type (Eddystone or iBeacon) and its full number, so you can compare it with the label on the tag. The bars show how strong the signal is.
   
   Only Eddystone-UID and iBeacon tags are shown, and only when they are right next to the phone (a strong signal). Other Bluetooth devices, and tags further away, are left out on purpose.
4. Tap the tag in your hand, then Connect this tag.

You see "Bus tag connected".

Type the tag number instead

If the tag isn't found, tap Type the tag number instead. The number is printed on the tag or its box:

• Eddystone: namespace:instance
• iBeacon: uuid:major:minor

Type it and tap Connect tag. If it says "That doesn't look like a tag number", check the format.

Nothing found?

If no tag shows up after a few seconds, Still no tag in the list? suggests:

1. Hold the tag right next to the phone.
2. Press its button or check the battery.
3. Only Eddystone and iBeacon tags work. Not sure? Ask the school.

Tap Search again to try once more.

If you see Bluetooth is off, tap Turn on Bluetooth. If you see Bluetooth isn't allowed, tap Open settings and allow Bluetooth for NexaRide.

Change or remove the tag

On the bus tag screen, the connected tag is shown under Tag connected. Tap Remove to disconnect it ("Bus tag removed"). To use another tag, connect the new one.

Common questions

Does my child need a phone? No. The tag works on its own. Only you need the app, to connect it once.

Where do I get a tag? Ask your school which tag it uses. Only Eddystone and iBeacon tags work.

I don't see Bus tag on the rider's page. Your place doesn't use bus tags.

Will I know when the tag is seen? Yes. The rider's Today card shows "seen by bus tag", and you get an alert when the rider gets on or off.