A school bus that only stops near children’s homes rather than plying a standard route? Thanks to modern technology, this is a reality in Olfen in Münsterland. Here’s how it works: the pupils wave their personal chip card in front of a reader, which transmits data about the bus stop closest to their home to a computer. The computer automatically calculates the shortest route for the bus driver. Given the decreasing number of schoolchildren in rural areas, this cuts costs for the municipalities. Shorter routes with no empty trips protect the environment and the children get home quickly without any detours.