BC Transit to launch real-time bus tracking app on all routes across province
BC Transit will expand its real-time bus tracking app, NextRide, to all routes it operates across the province this year.
The "Automatic Vehicle Location" (AVL) technology lets users see a bus's position in real-time to better estimate when it will arrive at specific stops.
NextRide also includes a call-out service aboard buses, where an automated voice says the upcoming stop for riders.
Bus location data will also be available on Google Maps and Transit App through BC Transit, says the bus operator.
"Expanding the NextRide program will improve the customer experience, increase safety for riders and drivers, improve accessibility for users and provide important data for better route planning that will benefit customers across the province," said Tim Croyle, vice president, operations and chief operating officer for BC Transit in a release Thursday.
NextRide was already in use in seven transit systems on Vancouver Island, Squamish/Whistler and the Interior.
The app will expand to 19 more transit systems in the province, starting with regions on Vancouver Island this month.
All transit systems are expected to be added into the app by this summer.
The estimated launch times for each region can be found below:
- January 2022 – Cowichan Valley
- February 2022 – Port Alberni
- February 2022 – Campbell River
- Spring 2022 – Fraser Valley Transit Systems
- Spring 2022 – Vernon Regional
- Spring 2022 – Shuswap Regional
- Spring 2022 – South Okanagan-Similkameen
- Spring 2022 – Dawson Creek
- Spring 2022 – Fort St. John
- Spring 2022 – Powell River Regional Transit System
- Summer 2022 – Sunshine Coast
- Summer 2022 – Prince George
- Summer 2022 – Kitimat, Skeena Regional and Terrace Regional
- Summer 2022 – Prince Rupert/Port Edward
- Summer 2022 – Cranbrook
- Summer 2022 – Kimberley
- Summer 2022 – Elk Valley
- Summer 2022 – Columbia Valley
- Summer 2022 – Creston Valley
- Summer 2022 – West Kootenay
BC Transit has signed a contract with Consat to roll out this new phase of the NextRide program.
The expansion is estimate to cost nearly $6 million, with 50 per cent of the funding coming from the federal government, 40 per cent coming from the provincial government and the remaining 10 per cent coming from local governments.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.