Terms of Use

These terms apply to the FreeBus mobile app, the server it connects to (api.freebus.co.il) and the freebus.co.il website (together, the “Service”). In these terms, “we” means the people operating FreeBus. You can contact us at contactfreebus@gmail.com. By installing or using the Service you agree to these terms. If you don't agree, please don't use it.

1. The Service

FreeBus is a free public transit app for Israel. It shows timetables, plans trips, shows live bus locations where available, and can alert you during a trip. It requires no account and has no ads or paid features. We may change, suspend or stop parts of the Service, including for maintenance or security reasons. Availability is not guaranteed. These terms do not limit rights that cannot be waived under applicable law.

2. Transit information may be wrong

Timetables, routes and stops come from the national timetable published by Israel's Ministry of Transport. Live bus locations and arrival estimates come from the Ministry's real-time data, received via the Public Knowledge Workshop (Hasadna). Addresses and places come from Google and OpenStreetMap. We don't control any of these sources, and we pass their data on as we receive it. In particular:

• Buses and trains may be early, late, cancelled, diverted or not tracked at all.
• Changes for holidays, strikes or special events may be missing or delayed in the data. The app may therefore show a regular schedule when service is reduced or not running.
• Walking directions may be inaccurate, and may not account for road works, closed paths or safety conditions.
• Estimated times, transfer warnings and walking times are estimates, not promises.

Always check the signs at the stop and the operator's announcements. The limits on our liability are described in section 8, subject to applicable law.

3. Alerts and reminders

Alerts before your stop, “time to leave” reminders and lock-screen updates depend on your phone: its location accuracy, battery-saving settings, notification and location permissions, and whether the operating system keeps the app running. They may come late or not at all. Use them as a convenience, not as your only way to wake up or to know when to get off.

4. Use the Service safely

Don't use the app in a way that distracts you while driving, cycling or crossing a road. Pay attention to your surroundings and follow traffic laws and the instructions of transit staff, even if the app suggests otherwise.

5. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• Overload, disrupt or try to bypass the limits of our server, for example with automated bulk requests.
• Use our server as the backend for another app or service without our written permission.
• Access the Service in ways that break the law or harm other users.

If you need the API for a project of your own, the whole stack is open source and you are welcome to run your own copy. We may block traffic that breaks these rules.

6. Open source and data licences

The FreeBus source code is available on GitHub under the MIT License. That licence governs your rights to the code, and nothing in these terms limits it. These terms govern the Service we operate: the app as we distribute it in the stores, and our server.

Some content in the Service belongs to others and is used under their terms:

• Timetable data: Israel's Ministry of Transport, under the gov.il terms of use.
• Map, routing and address data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, under the Open Database License.
• Address search and maps on Android: Google. By using these features you also agree to the Google Maps Terms of Service.
• Maps on iPhone: Apple Maps, under Apple's terms.

The FreeBus name and logo identify the project; please don't use them in a way that suggests we endorse you.

7. No warranty

The Service is provided free of charge, “as is” and “as available”. To the extent the law allows, we make no warranty of any kind, express or implied, including that the Service will be accurate, reliable, available, error-free, or fit for a particular purpose.

8. Limitation of liability

To the extent the law allows, we will not be liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential damage, or for lost time, missed trips, travel costs or lost data, arising from use of the Service or inability to use it, even if we were told such damage was possible. Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot be excluded by law.

9. Privacy

How the Service handles information is described in our Privacy Policy.

10. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms and the date at the top of this page. Material changes will be communicated through the Service or release notes as appropriate. If applicable law requires notice or consent, those requirements apply; publishing an update does not replace them.

11. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Israel, without limiting mandatory protections under applicable law. Jurisdiction is determined by applicable law.

12. App stores

Apps downloaded from the App Store or Google Play are also subject to the applicable store terms and the licence supplied with the app. For App Store downloads, Apple's standard licence agreement applies unless a custom licence is provided through the store. These website terms do not replace that agreement.

The MIT licence continues to govern the source code. Questions about FreeBus support can be sent to contactfreebus@gmail.com.

13. Contact

Questions about these terms: contactfreebus@gmail.com. Bug reports and feature requests are welcome on GitHub.

If the English and Hebrew versions differ, the Hebrew version prevails, subject to applicable law.