GPS aims to make long bus waits a thing of the past
Calgary Transit is on track for testing a new service allowing bus riders to receive instant scheduling information through text messages for any bus stop in the city.
Real time arrival technology is being tested on Calgary buses, and officials are hoping to launch the program in 2014.
“We’re still in the early stages. We’re preparing a mini fleet for testing,” said transit spokesman Ron Collins.
The June 20 flood delayed plans for installing GPS technology, but now transit drivers are being trained to use the equipment.
“We’re going to be able to vastly improve the system and its reliability for our customers.
“It’s going to be a real win-win,” said Collins.
The real-time technology will allow riders to learn arrival times of buses through cellphones, computers and other devices.
Letting customers know if buses are delayed or on time will go a long way toward encouraging ridership, said Ald. Brian Pincott.
“The key to making transit a preferred choice is that it has to be effective and efficient. People need to really know when the bus is going to be there,” he said.
Pincott had a chance to see the technology during a transit staff Stampede breakfast.
“The reality is GPS lets people ... know how long their bus will take to get there to plan more effectively,” he said.
“It could be stuck in traffic, could be there later. That’s not the most effective way for people to plan their travels. Our goal is to make transit door to door, not car door to door.”
Each bus stop has its own four-digit number visible on the street sign. Using the Teletext system, transit users can send a text with the bus stop number to 74000 and receive the next two arrival times of buses scheduled to stop there.
Transit users can also go online and register to have scheduling updates sent to them regarding the specific routes they plan to use.
Customers can also check schedules online or by calling the Teleride system. Updates are also available through Twitter.
CTrain cars are already connected to GPS and real-time arrivals are available on LRT platforms.
The software for Teletext cost about $60,000 to $90,000 to implement, but there will be no cost to transit riders to use the system beyond individual rate plans offered by cellphone providers.
Keeping track of arrival times will be most helpful during cold, snowy weather.
“Come winter, it will be nice to know if the bus is late so you’re not freezing outside waiting,” said downtown transit user Kaylin Brown.
“I would definitely make use of it.”