Bus commuters, rejoice!
After a months-long delay, BC Transit’s real-time bus tracking system is slated to launch in Victoria on July 25th.
The bus tracking technology, NextRide, will allow commuters to check the location of their bus and its predicted arrival time at their stop in real-time and will be hosted on a dedicated website – meaning people can check their bus’ whereabouts and details on any device that can connect to the internet.
While NextRide was originally expected to launch in Victoria in Spring 2019, it was delayed until the summer due to installation challenges with the city’s large and diverse bus fleet.
See also: BC Transit buses in Victoria will have real-time tracking by late July
“We based the original schedule on previous communities but their fleets were much smaller [than Victoria’s],” said BC Transit’s Senior Communications and Engagement Advisor, Shellene McConnell.
“Since we had to pull buses off the road to install the system, it took a bit longer because our priority was to make sure the buses were available for riders.”
Besides the live bus tracking technology, Victoria’s fleet will now feature a new on-board announcement system, which lists off the bus’ next stop audibly and through an LED display at the front of the vehicle for those who may be hearing or visually impaired.
Some transit users may have noticed the new announcement system, as it has already been installed in some of Victoria’s buses.
“Most buses now have the accessibility features as they have gone live as they’ve been installed,” said McConnel.
In 2018, BC Transit launched their bus tracking technology in Nanaimo, Comox Valley, Squamish, Whistler, Kamloops, and Kelowna.
See also: Victoria students under 18 years old will be getting free BC Transit passes this fall
