1. Privacy Policy
1.1 Information We Collect
- Account data: name, email address, phone number, and password (stored only as a secure hash).
- Route data: pickup and destination addresses and coordinates, preferred travel times, days of the week, and trip frequency.
- Usage data: price quotes, cluster memberships, dispatch confirmations, and notifications.
- Technical data: IP address and login activity, used for security and rate limiting.
1.2 How We Use Your Information
- To register your commute routes and match you with other riders in the same corridor.
- To calculate distance-based price estimates and apply frequency discounts.
- To dispatch buses once a route cluster reaches the minimum rider threshold.
- To send service notifications (dispatch confirmations, cluster readiness, account security).
- To prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access.
1.3 What We Never Share
BusConnect is a demand-validation service. Your name, exact home address, phone number, and email are never exposed publicly. Public maps and cluster views show only anonymous aggregate counts (e.g. "12 of 14 riders needed"). Rider identities are visible to authorized administrators and dispatchers only.
1.4 Data Retention & Your Rights
- You may export all your data at any time from Settings → Privacy & Data.
- You may delete your account and all associated data permanently from Settings → Danger Zone.
- You may withdraw marketing consent at any time; essential service messages will still be sent.
- Route and booking records are retained while your account is active and removed upon deletion, except audit logs required for security and legal compliance.
1.5 Cookies & Sessions
We use essential session cookies for authentication and CSRF protection. We do not use third-party advertising trackers.
1.6 Contact
For privacy questions or data requests, contact the BusConnect administration team through the support channel provided in the application.
2. Terms of Service
2.1 The Service
BusConnect is a route-demand validation service, not an on-demand taxi. Commuters register recurring home-to-work routes; when enough riders share a corridor and schedule, a scheduled bus route is dispatched. Registering a route does not guarantee a seat — service is confirmed only after a cluster reaches the minimum rider threshold and a dispatch is confirmed by riders.
2.2 Accounts
- You must provide accurate registration information and keep your password confidential.
- One person may hold one account; shared or fraudulent accounts may be suspended.
- You are responsible for activity under your account.
2.3 Routes, Pricing & Payments
- Price estimates are calculated from distance and cluster size and are quoted in Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). Estimates are indicative; the final per-trip price is set at dispatch.
- Frequency discounts apply based on trips per week as shown during registration.
- Payments are handled offline/manual invoicing only. No online payment is processed through this platform.
- Dispatch members must confirm their seat; declining members forfeit the quoted fare.
2.4 Conduct
- Do not register fraudulent, duplicate, or abusive routes.
- Pickup and destination points must reflect your genuine commute.
- Repeated no-shows or abuse may result in account suspension.
2.5 Service Availability
Routes operate only when the minimum cluster threshold is met and an admin confirms dispatch. BusConnect does not guarantee service on any specific date. Schedules, pricing parameters, and thresholds may be adjusted by administrators with reasonable notice.
2.6 Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by Zambian law, BusConnect is not liable for indirect losses, missed connections, or service interruptions. Our liability is limited to the fares paid for confirmed trips.
2.7 Changes
We may update these terms from time to time. Continued use of the service after changes constitutes acceptance. Material changes will be notified through the application.
2.8 Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Zambia.