[RP TownTalk] Metro's "Next Bus" GPS tracker system to re-launch July 1

[Dwight Holmes]

below is WMATA's announcement regarding the "Next Bus" system being
relaunched in July. This is the GPS tracking system that allows you to
phone or text and find out exactly when your bus will arrive.  They
tried it out a couple of years back but there were major software
problems and they took the system off line. Sounds like they're
confident it's ready now.

all of this reminds me - is there any update on the status of the F4
route review? we have a downtown Silver Spring-loving teenager who
will be mighty disappointed if the F4 doesn't come by the house when
she's here this summer :-(  (I know... it's only 2 blocks to the
current temporary stop... did you note the word "teenager" in that
sentence???)


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 more than 12,008 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.