To help commuters who use The Woodlands Express Park and Ride bus service, The Woodlands Township announced Dec. 11 it has launched a new mobile app to track when buses in the area will arrive.

Next Bus, made in partnership with technology firm Ride Systems, allows commuters to track buses in real time using GPS tracking, according to a Dec. 11 release. The smart phone app can be downloaded for free in the App Store or Google Play. For commuters who already use the township's mobile ticketing app, the tracking tool can be found in the Trip Tools section.

“We’re very proud to be leading the way in transit innovation for our commuters,” Township chairman Gordy Bunch said in a statement. “Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for our passengers. Knowing that your bus is just two blocks away will help prevent passengers from having to endure some of Houston’s infamous heat and rain.”