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.
Feb
25
Fed Stimulus Dollars Now Available to Help Make Your Transit System Smarter and More Efficient
Filed Under AVL Systems, Feature Stories, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Municipal Transit, Real-time Passenger Information Systems, Transit Funding, Transit Trends | Leave a Comment
Intelligent Transportation Technologies Eligible Under 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan
There is finally some good funding news for transit systems in the United States. Pervasive budget cutbacks have made it difficult to run, let alone improve, public bus and rail systems. That’s about to change because of transit provisions in the stimulus plan.
You community will now have the opportunity to implement intelligent transportation technologies, such as real-time passenger information from NextBus. These solutions will enable you to serve increasing passenger loads with optimum operational and fiscal efficiency. And, we can move quickly to help you implement money-saving NextBus solutions.
Exactly how will NextBus customers benefit from investing federal stimulus dollars?
They improve their operational productivity, reduce their need to buy new buses, and provide a service to their passengers that empowers them to better manage their time.
Larger communities have deployed NextBus technology to reduce traffic congestion by increasing public ridership, to reduce emissions by taking cars off the road, and to help us become energy independent.
In fact, dozens of successful implementations are delivering tangible improvements in transit systems across the country.
Passengers can view this real-time arrival information on signs at stops, at terminals, on the Web, on their cell phones, using text messaging, or through dialing a telephone for an automated response. NextBus allows passengers to reduce their overall travel time, reduce perceived waiting time, and reduce exposure to bad weather and/or crime.
In fact, not a week goes by without emails from happy transit passengers who tell us: “I love NextBus”.
Large, medium, and small transit systems rely on NextBus
NextBus, is the North American leader in utilizing GPS and GIS technology to provide Real-Time Passenger Information, including accurate predicted arrival times and expected delays or service interruptions, to transit riders.
Three of the top ten transit systems in North America utilize NextBus and we have 50% of the market for those universities/colleges that have implemented a real-time passenger information solution.
Our customers include such diverse organizations as San Francisco MUNI, WMATA (Washington, D.C.), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AC Transit, Georgia Tech, and the Pennsylvania Hospital. Toronto Transit, the 3rd largest transit system in North America recently chose NextBus to encourage ridership and increase transit productivity.
To see just how our system works(in real-time), here are links to two live, real-time arrival predictions:
AC Transit Prediction
Learn exactly how NextBus can make your operation more productive while increasing rider satisfaction. Simply, email our Director of Business Development, Larry Rosenshein, at larryr@nextbus.com or call him at 973-768-3606.
Feb
9
"I Wouldn’t Take Public Transportation, If It Weren’t for NextBus!"
Filed Under Feature Stories, Municipal Transit, Real-time Passenger Information Systems, Success Stories, University Transit | Leave a Comment
Margot R., a UC Berkeley undergrad, relies on NextBus arrival predictions to plan her travel and ensure her security.
A typical public transit day for Margot may start early in the morning and end with a trip home from the library in the wee hours. She lives far enough from campus that taking the AC Transit bus is an appealing alternative to walking–because she can count on reliable NextBus predictions.
Margot knows that uncertain traffic conditions often make for uncertain bus arrival times. But, as she goes through her morning routine, she checks the real-time NextBus predictions as they are regularly updated on her laptop. That way, she can get to the bus stop a few minutes before the bus arrives and get to her early-morning classes on time.
She notes that the bus arrival predictions are highly accurate, usually within one or two minutes of actual arrival time. That NextBus accuracy has turned her into a regular AC Transit rider.
Because she often studies late at the library, personal safety is also an important issue for Margot. Again, because she knows that she won’t have to wait for an unpredictable amount of time in the dark at one or two in the morning, she can confidently plan her travel back from the library to her apartment on the bus.
The combination of AC Transit and NextBus gets Margot where she needs to go everyday both safely and on time.
Feb
9
Fort Lauderdale’s Nova Southern U. Adds Real-time Passenger Info for Student Riders
Filed Under AVL Systems, Feature Stories, Real-time Passenger Information Systems, University Transit | Leave a Comment
26,000 Students Will Soon Know Exactly When the NextBus is Going to Arrive
Located on a beautiful 300-acre campus in Fort Lauderdale, NSU has more than 26,000 students and is the largest independent institution of higher education in Florida. Nova Southeastern University is the largest independent institution of higher education in the Southeast, and it is the 6th largest independent institution nationally.
FREE Shuttle Service Serves Entire University Community
All NSU students, faculty, staff, and visitors can ride the shuttle at no charge. Their Shuttle Buses are air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible.
The service is free of charge, but riders making any connections to Broward County Transit (BCT) routes are expected to pay the appropriate fee.
20 buses on five routes will be equipped with tracker suites, mobile data terminals,and automatic passenger counters.In addition,they will be including the telephone information systemthat delivers NextBus information by voice.
The service operates on a 10 minute headway. Addition of NextBus technology will let riders know in case traffic conditions cause the NSU shuttle bus service to arrive slightly early or late. This means that riders can plan their travel efficiently even if buses are off schedule.
You can learn more about the NSU shuttle by clicking here.
Feb
5
Thunder Bay Ontario Makes Life More Comfortable for Riders
Filed Under Feature Stories, Municipal Transit, Real-time Passenger Information Systems | Leave a Comment
When It’s 9 Degrees on February 4, New NextBus System Lets Passengers Minimize Time in Subfreezing Temps.
Although the city’s winter temperatures are moderated a bit by Lake Superior, it still gets mighty cold when you are waiting by the bus stop and have no idea when the next bus will arrive. Recently, Thunder Bay Transit invested in NextBus technology so that their passengers will always know exactly when the next bus will arrive. That can make a real difference in mid-winter as the winds blow in off the lake.
Transit buses can take riders virtually anywhere within the urban area of Thunder Bay. They operate a fleet of 49 buses on 17 routes. Their service runs from about 6:00 am to after midnight in most areas. Approximately 90% of the city’s urban area is within 1200 feet of a bus stop. That’s less than a 10 minute walk. It’s not surprising that local citizens make full use of their bus system. Although the city has just over 100,000 residents, Thunder Bay Transit handles roughly 3 million passengers annually.
Feb
4
San Francisco Delivers Comprehensive Public Transit
Filed Under Feature Stories, Municipal Transit, Real-time Passenger Information Systems, Success Stories | Leave a Comment
NextBus Helps Add 21st Century Technology to make it even better.
There are a lot of fans of San Francisco Bay area’s transit systems. And for very good reason.
The city’s Muni system with its buses and light rail, when combined with BART(Bay Area Rapid Transit), its iconic cable cars, and the ferries on the Bay let visitors and residents get wherever they need to go without setting foot in a car.
As one raving baby boomer fan of public transit, known simply as ‘The Blond’, writes in her blog:
The transportation here isn’t just practical, it’s also rich with history, efficient, and downright pretty. Yes…I said pretty. Look at the view from the T line…
Feb
4
NextBus Parent Company Achieves Record Results in Fiscal 2008
Filed Under Feature Stories, Grey Island Systems, NextBus, Inc. | Leave a Comment
Grey Island Systems Delivers Dramatic Improvement in Revenues and Bottom Line
In spite of the tough global economic environment, Toronto-based,Grey Island Systems (GIS) brought in substantially higher revenues and went from a loss to a profit in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. The company has made substantial inroads into the U.S. through its subsidiaries, NextBus and Interfleet.
GIS President, Owen Moore, stated:
“Our financial results represent another year of success for the Company as we reported record revenue, substantial growth and improved bottom line performance. Our commitment to focusing on government sector clients in North America and providing exceptional customer service to existing clients continues to be a key differentiator for the Company”