Explore Live NextBus Implementation
We now have more than 50 North American transit systems using real-time reporting on 100s of routes. Please begin with a virtual visit to the new NextBus installation at MIT in Cambridge, MA--and from there to all of our live installations. Click here to begin your exploration.
May
31
Top 5 Student Complaints: NextBus Breaks Barriers to Student Ridership
Filed Under AVL Systems, Feature Stories, University Transit | Leave a Comment
If you help administer a university transit system, you may have heard enough student complaints to last not just a career, but a lifetime. NextBus has also heard it all, and is ready to help you resolve those top concerns that limit their use of university bus services.
This article offers tips on addressing the Top 5 student complaints regarding university transit. Read (and ride) on!
- My bus comes early or late; the system is slow and unpredictable.
NextBus GPS technology is currently the best way—short of an army of volunteers with handheld radios—that can inform students of the exact arrival time of the bus they’re waiting for.
This Real-Time Passenger Information System is simple and automated, requiring no additional personnel. Buses are equipped with GPS transmitters that instantly relay their location to satellites, which in turn transmit this data to LCD displays located at bus stops or student gathering areas. These displays are updated continuously; information is typically no more than a few seconds old.
The NextBus website likewise contains bus arrival data (which can be uploaded automatically to a university-run site), and riders with Internet-enabled cell phones can access updates anywhere, anytime.Just imagine: students can literally roll out of bed and see exactly when their bus will arrive. Just knowing whether to run or walk to their stop can make a positive impact on stress levels and can increase student satisfaction with transit services. - I can’t figure out how long it will take me to reach my destination.
NextBus systems automatically “know” if there are traffic delays and relay this data to LCD displays, cell phones, and www.nextbus.com. This means students can anticipate delays and arrive at class on-time, while professors can teach with fewer interruptions. - I don’t know which bus line to use.
NextBus real-time data includes the bus’s destination, which means students can feel assured of arriving at, say, English instead of Biochemistry. - I don’t know where to find the bus schedule.
Often students are often overwhelmed with their academic and personal lives and do not want to find, print, or carry a bus schedule, especially a static list of ideal arrival times that does not reflect reality. The NextBus system eliminates the need for static schedules, which can increase ridership while also reducing administrative overhead. - How will I know if my bus is delayed?
Real-Time Passenger Information is the first technology to inform riders of delays when they happen—with no added programming such as signage, separate web updates, or traffic monitoring personnel. Students can accurately estimate their transit time just by checking their mobile phone, the NextBus website, or LCD displays.
Do these student complaints sound familiar? If so,we can help eliminate them.
NextBus has helped reduce student complaints at Rutgers University by 35%, and has successfully partnered with major U.S. transit authorities including those in Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA, and Chapel Hill, NC.
NextBus currently operates in 20 U.S. states and is rapidly expanding. For more information on bringing Next Bus to your location, contact Whitney Sones.
May
29
AC Transit in Alameda County Scores with NextBus
Filed Under AVL Systems, Feature Stories, Municipal Transit, Success Stories | Comments Off
AC Transit-Alameda County
AC Transit is the third-largest bus-only transit system in California, serving over 400 square miles of the East Bay. For over forty years, AC Transit has been dedicated to providing quality mass transit. Every weekday, over 230,000 people ride their fleet of nearly 800 buses.
AC transit is bringing real-time transit information to the heavily used corridor selected for their sleek rapid “Rapid Bus” service. NextBus tracks both the rapid 72R, and the regular 72 buses, so passengers can make an informed choice. NextBus Rugged Transit Displays are installed at most of the Rapid Bus shelters, or in nearby shop windows.
May
25
Student Leadership Funds 2 University Transit Systems
Filed Under Feature Stories, Financing University Systems, Success Stories, University Transit | Comments Off
Texas Tech
At the April 2008 APTA University Conference, Austin Pennington, the Vice President of the Student Government Association at Texas Tech proved what students can accomplish when they are truly motivated. In this case they found a way to fund an university transit system from the ground up.
Seven years ago it became glaringly evident that Texas Tech needed some form of organized public transportation. There was an overwhelming amount of drunken college drivers on the road resulting in accidents and DUIs.
The entire busing system was set and changed by the students. A student referendum was created to get buses on campus. In order to fund this endeavor, the students were required to pay a bus fee per credit hour on top of tuition, which generated approximately $2.4 million, $2.2 million of which were directed to transportation. The result was that of the 28,000 students attending Texas Tech, there were approximately 2 million riders per vehicle, substantially reducing the amount of accidents and DUIs, getting drunk college drivers off of the road.
Western Washington University
Devin Branson, associated students alternative transportation coordinator from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington presented their experience funding their transit system at the APTA Reno Conference. He spearheaded the initiative to create a UPass system with the town of Bellingham and their transit system.
Devin deduced that there were four possible revenue sources: individual student UPass purchases, general university funds, parking fees, and a student approved fee in which a new transit fee would be created. The students decided to create a new transit-specific fee, which paid for a universal bus pass, late night shuttle service, physical improvements to the buses themselves, as well as staff support.
With the help of the Alternative Transportation committee, Devin was able to develop a financial estimate of how much students would need to pay. Initially they determined that $28 per quarter for each student would be an accurate amount. However, the capital overhead was too high and the excess capital would have to be submitted to the federal government. Therefore, they reduced the cost to $25 per quarter for each student to avoid excess capital to turn over to the government.
The UPass bus initiative was met with 80% student approval. After determining a $25 cost per pass, the transit system had a $2 million budget to work with to fund all costs including replacement buses, fueling, and marketing the system to students.
Their goals for the future include expanding their late night shuttle buses as their top priority. They have received grant funding, but are trying to pay for the system using only student money. However, currently their biggest obstacle is that there is not enough money for replacement buses.
The most important message from the “Financing Campus Transit Services” Session was this: “Student support is essential.”