Volunteer with OTSF
The Open Transit Software Foundation is run by volunteers who believe that open source technology can make public transit better for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started, a designer with fresh ideas, or someone who wants to help grow our community, there's a place for you here.
Time commitments are flexible and entirely at your discretion. We're happy to work with contributors at all levels of experience. Some volunteers contribute a few hours a month, others take on larger projects. What matters most is a shared interest in improving transit technology.
Engineering
iOS Software Engineer
Help build and maintain OneBusAway for iOS, our Swift-based transit app that serves riders across multiple cities. Work on features like real-time arrivals, trip planning, and accessibility improvements.
Helpful skills
Related projects
Android Software Engineer
Contribute to OneBusAway for Android, helping millions of transit riders get where they're going. Work with Java and Kotlin to build features, fix bugs, and improve the user experience.
Helpful skills
Related projects
Android Maintainer
Take on a leadership role in the OneBusAway Android project. Review pull requests, guide contributors, help with release management, and shape the future direction of the app.
Helpful skills
Related projects
Maglev Software Developer
Build the next generation of OneBusAway's backend with Maglev, our high-performance REST API server written in Go. Help us create a faster, more scalable foundation for transit data.
Helpful skills
Related projects
Frontend/Full-Stack Web Engineer
Work on Wayfinder and Waystation, our modern web applications built with SvelteKit. Create responsive, accessible interfaces that help riders find their way through transit systems.
Helpful skills
Related projects
Product & Design
Product Manager
Help shape the roadmap for OneBusAway products. Work with our community to understand rider needs, prioritize features, and coordinate development efforts across our volunteer team.
Helpful skills
UX Designer
Design intuitive experiences that make public transit more accessible. Conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and help ensure our apps work well for all riders.
Helpful skills
Business & Operations
Business Development Consultant
Help grow OneBusAway's reach by building relationships with transit agencies. Support our inbound and outbound efforts to bring open source transit technology to more communities.
Helpful skills
Google Summer of Code
A Great Option for Students
OneBusAway has been a proud participant in Google Summer of Code (GSoC), the global program that pairs students with open source organizations for paid summer internships. Through GSoC, students have contributed significant features to our projects while gaining real-world experience in open source development.
If you're a student interested in transit technology, GSoC is an excellent way to get involved. You'll work with experienced mentors, contribute to software used by millions of transit riders, and get paid for your work. Past GSoC contributors have worked on everything from mobile app features to server infrastructure.
Keep an eye on the Google Summer of Code website for application timelines, and reach out to us if you're interested in participating. Even outside of GSoC, students are always welcome to contribute to our projects.
Ready to Get Started?
There are several ways to get involved. Pick whichever feels most comfortable:
- Send us an email at info@onebusaway.org to introduce yourself and let us know what you're interested in. We're happy to point you in the right direction.
- Jump into GitHub and browse our open issues. Find one that interests you, leave a comment introducing yourself, and ask any questions. Our maintainers are friendly and happy to help newcomers.
- Join our Slack workspace and say hello in the #general channel. It's a great way to meet other contributors, ask questions, and stay in the loop on what's happening across our projects.