Jul 22, 2008 6:55 pm US/Central
Metro Transit Unveils New Trip-Tracking Tool
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
For local
transit-goers, Metro Transit just made commuting around the Twin Cities a
little easier.
Metro Transit launched a new tool called NexTrip, which helps transit customers
find real-time departure and schedule information.
"Customers like
to have that extra level or assurance of knowing exactly when the bus is going
to arrive," said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb, "especially in the Minnesota weather."
Winter is
when Metro Transit's busses have the hardest time staying on time, but thanks
to global positioning satellites, the Transit Control
Center always knows exactly
where those buses are located.
The vehicle
locations are updated every 60 seconds and able to be shared with riders, just
as fast.
Customers
can find NexTrip on the Metro Transit's Web site, by phone at 612-373-3333,
and at select transit stops.
WCCO put
the technology to a test at the Uptown
Transit Center.
The
overhead sign said Olga Uraga's bus would come in two minutes. It actually
pulled up a little early, in 30 seconds.
Samantha
Schulz started using a test version of the technology a while ago and finds it
very reliable.
"I haven't
had any problems with buses really being either early or late," she said, "maybe by a
minute, but that's about it."
NexTrip
said her bus would arrive at 1:44. It actually came about a minute early,
took a while to load, and then drove her to work -- right on time
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