Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 27, 2009

Next Bus signs posted at bus stops


Metro to re-launch Next Bus on July 1

In preparation for the re-launch of the Next Bus system on July 1, Metro has started posting Next Bus signs at Metrobus stops throughout the region.

A round, red, white and blue Next Bus sign posted at a Metrobus stop includes a unique, identifying bus stop number and the phone number to call to get real-time bus arrival information for that bus stop. Signs currently are being posted at about 12,000 Metrobus stops in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Next Bus signWhen the Next Bus system becomes available in July, Metrobus customers will be able to get real-time bus arrival information on Metro’s Web site, by telephone or from electronic signs installed at select Metrobus stops.

Next Bus technology uses global positioning satellites and advanced computer modeling to track buses on their routes every 120 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. In general, the prediction information will be accurate to within several minutes as buses are subject to field conditions such as traffic and weather.

Learn more about Next Bus.


Media contact for this news release: Cathy Asato or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.

News release issued at 9:42 am, May 27, 2009.