(File photo)
The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority has rolled out a new system of tracking its buses, allowing riders to use their phones and computers for real-time estimates of when their bus will arrive.
BusTime is available through several channels: text messaging, mobile web browsers and traditional computers all offer WATA riders the ability to input their respective stop to find out how many minutes they must wait until the next bus is pulling up next to them.
Accessing the service via a computer will also allow riders to use a map of the entire WATA system to determine exactly where buses are located.
WATA Executive Director Kevan Danker said BusTime will be a boon for riders. He said knowledge of exactly when a bus will arrive means riders will spend less time standing at the bus stop and will be able to better plan their days.
WATA riders can visit bustime.gowata.org for real-time information on when the next bus will arrive at their stop. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)
Crews are currently working to replace all of the signs throughout WATA’s routes with new signs that depict route numbers. Riders can text the numbers to 41411 to receive a text back that explains how many minutes until the next two buses arrive.
The route numbers are also available by visiting the BusTime website at bustime.gowata.org. Along with arrival times and route numbers, the website offers a real-time map where riders can see exactly where buses are located.
Riders with mobile web browsers — like Safari on the iPhone and Android’s built-in web browser — can go to bustime.gowata.org to pick their route and stop to find out when the next bus will arrive. Trip planning is also available at the BusTime website via Google.
The new system also brings several upgrades to the buses.
Instead of relying on the driver to use the microphone system each time the bus is approaching a stop or arrives and opens its doors, a computerized voice takes care of the work. The communications equipment has been upgraded so drivers spend less time using the radio — the previous system played all radio broadcasts to all buses while the new system allows for dispatchers to target broadcasts to specific buses.
Several improvements have been added to the WATA fleet in recent months, including the orange information bar seen here. The bar tells riders the current stop. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)
“It allows our drivers to get back to what they do — drive,” Danker said.
The system also benefits WATA’s management. Instead of plotting who will drive which routes by hand — along with keeping track of little details like who is on vacation and who is available on a particular day — the riders are digitally scheduled.
The GPS system installed in each bus as part of BusTime will also allow for better tracking of buses by management, which previously relied on complaint calls from riders or getting in the car and driving around to physically monitor bus positions.
BusTime is used by mass transit providers across the country, including the Chicago Transit Authority and the Greater Richmond Transit Company.
Danker said WATA has spent two years planning and installing the $711,675 system. It was funded through a mixture of grants and local funding — the three Historic Triangle municipalities each contribute to WATA — with a $693,424 in state and federal grants and $18,251 in local funds.
WATA has released a video to inform riders of the new program: