Metro News Release
For immediate release: May 2, 2007
Next Bus Real-Time Information Expanded for Metrobus Riders
Metro has expanded its Next Bus program, which provides real-time customer information for determining when the next Metrobus arrives at a bus stop.
Within the past month, Next Bus real-time information was implemented on 25 additional routes in the District of Columbia, Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia, bringing the total to 32 routes.
Next Bus is designed to inform bus riders when the next buses will be arriving at a stop or departing from a station. It uses global positioning satellites and advanced computer modeling to track buses on their routes every 90 seconds. Taking into account the actual position of the transit vehicles, their intended stops, and the typical traffic patterns, the system estimates the bus arrivals. These estimates are updated constantly as the vehicles are tracked. A pilot program was launched last November on Metrobus routes 9A and 9E in Northern Virginia, F4 and F6 in Suburban Maryland and the 90, 92, and 93 in the District of Columbia.
“We all have busy lives, and we need to be able to make plans and alter them at a moment’s notice,” said Chris Zimmerman, Metro’s Arlington County Board representative. “Customer information systems like Next Bus, allow riders to plan their day at the bus stop, and not have to wonder what time the bus will arrive.”
Real-time arrival information from Next Bus is currently accessible via 50 electronic signs installed in the bus bays at the Pentagon, Anacostia, Friendship Heights and Silver Spring Metrorail stations, through the internet, telephones and wireless devices.
Customers can obtain information on when their next bus will arrive on Metro’s Web site (www.metroopensdoors.com) or from wireless devices by identifying the specific bus stop by its ID number. Bus stop identification numbers are posted on bus stop signs. Metro’s Web site also provides the identification number for the bus stops that are part of the Next Bus program. The information on bus arrival times is automatically displayed and updated every few minutes.
Riders can also call (202) 637-7000 and select the “Next Bus” option to get Next Bus information by phone. Riders can enter or state the bus stop number and the bus route number on the phone and Next Bus will provide the estimated time of arrival for their bus.
“The Next Bus system puts the Metrobus rider in control,” said Mr. Zimmerman. “By using Next Bus to determine when the next bus is going to arrive, riders can better plan to use their time.”
Since the implementation of the pilot program last November, Next Bus has averaged a 92 percent prediction accuracy rate.
“We are pleased to provide enhanced bus services by providing real-time arrival and departure predictions. We recognize the importance of this information to our riders to optimize their use of time and we are hoping to increase bus ridership by making this bus arrival information more accessible to the public,” said John Catoe, Metro’s General Manager.
The new 25 routes include:
• Route 79 (Georgia Avenue MetroExtra)
• Route 70/71 (Georgia Avenue - 7th Street)
• Route 16A, B, D, E, F, J (Columbia Pike)
• Route 16G, H, K, W (Columbia Heights W-Pentagon City)
• Route 16L (Ann-Sky City-Pentagon)
• Route 16Y (Columbia Pike-Farragut Square)
• Route 38B (Ballston-Farragut Square)
• Route 30, 32, 34, 35, 36 (Pennsylvania Avenue)
• Route J1, J2, J3 (Bethesda-Silver Spring)
• Route J4 (College Park-Bethesda)
Further expansion of the Next Bus program will occur later this summer.
Metro entered into an agreement with NextBus Inc., a subsidiary of Grey Island Systems International Inc, to provide the NextBus real-time passenger information system. The contract is for $2 million for the first year with four, one-year renewal application and service provider options at $466,000 per year.
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News release issued at 12:00 am, May 2, 2007.