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.
Aug
21
Tarheels Improve Student Transit with UNC Mobile
Filed Under AVL Systems, Feature Stories, Real-time Passenger Information Systems, University Transit | 1 Comment
Both increased safety and convenience available wirelessly
Students at the University of North Carolina benefit from a well-run bus system operated by Chapel Hill Transit. The student government had operated their own shuttle system from 1968 until 1974 which has now been integrated into the larger system. The University is a full financial partner in the transit system which operates a total of 31 routes with 83 buses and 11 lift equipped vans.
Aug
20
University of Rochester Works Hard to Improve Bus Operations Manually
Filed Under Feature Stories, Transit Management Challenges, Transportation Trends, University Transit | 1 Comment
Lack of GPS AVL system makes the work much more challenging than it needs to be
In order to optimize the service it provides to its community, the University made a number of changes including the addition of new buses. According to Campus Times, the school and its partner First Transit were able to make significant improvements, but had to invest a lot of elbow grease and people hours to make it happen.
Many of the issues facing the University transit system were people related. There were numerous difficulties with operator behavior that negatively impacted the quality of service. Initially, the only way to achieve improved operator performance was to monitor manually routes, schedules, buses, and operators.
Aug
18
NextBus Research Results Flag Top Transit Concerns & Technologies
Filed Under AVL Systems, Best Practices, Municipal Transit, Research, Transit Trends, Transportation Trends | Leave a Comment
We have just completed a research study among municipal transit executives designed to determine key trends and technologies as of August 2008. The study covers a broad range of transit systems from very large to very small.
Here are key findings:
- 37% have seen more than a 10% increase in ridership over the past six months
- 32% operate more than 100 transit vehicles
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68% carry more than one million passengers annually
- Only 4% have seen any decrease in ridership
- 34% are outsourcing transit operations
- 38% have more than 25 bus routes
- 53% have 250 or more bus stops
Aug
14
University of Wyoming to Enhance Shuttle Service with NextBus Technology
Filed Under AVL Systems, Feature Stories, Real-time Passenger Information Systems, Transportation Trends, University Transit | Leave a Comment
The Laramie campus of the University has run a shuttle service just since 2002 but it has become an increasingly popular alternative to automobiles for its student population.
Within just three years of its launch, the system had already carried its one millionth passenger. Annual ridership is currently 400,000.
A 2005 study showed that student usage had increased from 17 to 30% and that user satisfaction had gone up significantly. This suggests that the system is already well run and valued by the community.
Here’s what one student, Kendall Barking, had to say in a university press release:
“I ride the bus at least twice every day. It’s really helpful,” says the 2001 Sheridan High School graduate who transferred from Sheridan College to UW. “The first few days of classes I tried driving around campus looking for parking, but this is much better. There’s always space to park here and you are always guaranteed you’ll get to class on time.”