Translink Schedules by Text
byPeople have been trying to revolutionize the way get our Translink bus schedules for a while now because, let’s face it, they weren’t exactly cooking anything up themselves until recently.
Yesterday they announced the new “Next Bus” service, where you can get instant schedule information for your bus stop, straight to your mobile phone by sms. Here’s how Translink explains it:
“They get the bus stop that is nearest to them, they find the five-digit code that’s there, and they can text that code to 3-3-3-3-3, and they will find out when the next six buses are due to arrive there.” [CKNW]
They also have a GPS system in the works where you’ll get actual next bus arrival times based on their locations.
Seems simple enough, eh. I’ll add it to my list of services to try out but still, it doesn’t help the buses arrive on time. Want to discuss applications, services rants and raves? Come on down to TransitCamp this weekend.
9 Comments — Comments Are Closed
Stuff like this is a waste of money. It’s one thing if they have real time arrival times, but they don’t, so simply make sure the schedule is posted at every stop.
*sighs* It took 3 hours to get my bus schedule at about 1am for a bus to take me home. I was sad.
[…] Bus – Rebecca actually blogged about this awhile ago, but it’s something that I haven’t personally […]
Here in London, Ont we are supposed to be getting by the end of 2008 GPS on our buses and a real time online map. This way you can effectively see how late the buses are and you actually have supporting evidence when you complain to the bus driver.
I will believe it when it happens
I just want a transit website where you can put in the route you want and see all the buses as moving dots, then you can see how far away the buses are and how big the gaps are between buses. GPS should be able to make all of this possible.
I really don’t see the point in texting the stop number, it’s much easier, faster, and cheaper to just call 604-953-3333 and go through their automated system, you get the schedule instantly (well for the next few bus times anyways).
I find I use next bus a lot actually. I have “33333” as a contact on my phone. I pick up my phone, dial “50019” (or whatever the stop number is” and it sends me a text within 15 seconds with the next grouping of arrival times sorted by bus number.
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I’ve been using that text system for some time up until about a week ago, now when I send a text I NEVER receive a reply like they’ve blocked my number. Any info?