heresthecasey
OSU
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Was waiting for the number 2 at 17th on campus tonight and saw they had tacked a sign onto the bus stop with a new text message service that tells you the next buses that will be at that stop. I think this service will prove to be immensely helpful, and is overdue.
FWIW, im not sure if this is just a trial program or if they are in the process still of rolling it out because when i got off the bus by Graceland there was no text sign. I hope that COTA expands this city-wide as soon as possible.
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Press Release:
COTA Launches BUStracker Oct. 15
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will introduce the BUStracker pilot program to The Ohio State University campus area. The mobile phone texting program, which provides specific scheduled bus times, will be fully operational Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.
Fifty bus stops around The Ohio State University campus area have been selected for COTA’s BUStracker pilot program. The fifty bus stops are identified by an additional sign at the stop and are labeled with a number or “stop-ID.†Plug the stop-ID number into a mobile phone and text it to 25252. A list of arrival times for bus routes that service the stop will be texted back within about two minutes.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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I have to admit that I'm not very excited about this program. Since upgrading to an iPhone, I've used the built-in google map application quite a bit, and you can select transit or walking directions in addition to driving directions. That has served me quite well for finding out not only when the next bus is arriving, but where I need to make transfers (when applicable) while also giving a visual route map of where I'll be headed.
I know that not everyone has a web-enabled cell phone, so this new texting service will have a broader base of customers who only have the ability to enter a 10 digit code number into their phone to find out when the next buses are coming.
I like the idea of providing that information, but I think they're going about it the wrong way. Why not just add a simple digital LED sign at the bus stop that displays when the next buses are arriving? That data is already being tracked in real time. And I'd argue that a sign would not only be more accessible to everyone (even those without cell phones) but also would be a faster way to receive the info instead of waiting for "about 2 minutes" for your individual text to arrive.
NerosNeptune
Goodale Park
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I like the LED sign idea as well. CABS uses it, at least at the 17th & College bus stop.
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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Walker wrote >>
I have to admit that I'm not very excited about this program. Since upgrading to an iPhone, I've used the built-in google map application quite a bit, and you can select transit or walking directions in addition to driving directions. That has served me quite well for finding out not only when the next bus is arriving, but where I need to make transfers (when applicable) while also giving a visual route map of where I'll be headed.
I know that not everyone has a web-enabled cell phone, so this new texting service will have a broader base of customers who only have the ability to enter a 10 digit code number into their phone to find out when the next buses are coming.
I like the idea of providing that information, but I think they're going about it the wrong way. Why not just add a simple digital LED sign at the bus stop that displays when the next buses are arriving? That data is already being tracked in real time. And I'd argue that a sign would not only be more accessible to everyone (even those without cell phones) but also would be a faster way to receive the info instead of waiting for "about 2 minutes" for your individual text to arrive.
Hey now, don't be an iPhone snob :-p
I think this system is much more practical than an LED sign. Remember that COTA has approximately 4,000 bus stops. The cost of adding a sign to each one would be astronomical. Around Grandview, there is probably only 1 bus stop that has sufficient ridership to warrant a sign (EB 5th & Grandview) and everybody else would be left wondering.
So I tried out the system just now using the stop posted in the picture with my regular old phone and it literally took 10 seconds to get a response. I don't know why they're saying 2 minutes.
Overall I give this a HUGE thumbs up.
CMH2579
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The problem with the COTA texting is that is not real time data, it is pulled for the Google Transit Feed (not discounting the fact that it is a great addition).
LED signs are expensive, we (CABS) currently have 11 signs with 4 more on order. They do not come cheap at about $8,000 each!
You can also check out buses live at trip.osu.edu and text “OSUTRIP [Stop#]†for real time arrival info.
NerosNeptune
Goodale Park
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Wow, I did not know about the trip.osu.edu website.
Maybe the CABS people should be put in charge of COTA? This would be great to have citywide. Oh, and LED screens at most stops. And free cookies.
NerosNeptune
Goodale Park
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Analogue Kid wrote >>
So I tried out the system just now using the stop posted in the picture with my regular old phone and it literally took 10 seconds to get a response. I don't know why they're saying 2 minutes.
Overall I give this a HUGE thumbs up.
It might depend on the service you use. I just tried it out and it did take close to 2 minutes. Sometimes there is a delay in sending/receiving texts. I know I've texted people before saying I'd be there in a few minutes, and gotten there at the same time as my message.
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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NerosNeptune wrote >>
Analogue Kid wrote >>
So I tried out the system just now using the stop posted in the picture with my regular old phone and it literally took 10 seconds to get a response. I don't know why they're saying 2 minutes.
Overall I give this a HUGE thumbs up.It might depend on the service you use. I just tried it out and it did take close to 2 minutes. Sometimes there is a delay in sending/receiving texts. I know I've texted people before saying I'd be there in a few minutes, and gotten there at the same time as my message.
Yeah I know some of my friends with AT&T and Sprint have that problem. I have T-Mobile and things are generally pretty good.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Analogue Kid wrote >>
I think this system is much more practical than an LED sign. Remember that COTA has approximately 4,000 bus stops. The cost of adding a sign to each one would be astronomical. Around Grandview, there is probably only 1 bus stop that has sufficient ridership to warrant a sign (EB 5th & Grandview) and everybody else would be left wondering
Oh, sure. Many of those 4000 stops don't even have a shelter structure to attach an LED sign to, so it's not a practical idea for every stop. But I think it would be more useful at many of the busier stops along busier routes. Especially in areas where you're likely to see more visitors or casual bus riders who aren't as familiar with schedules.
CMH2579 wrote >>
LED signs are expensive, we (CABS) currently have 11 signs with 4 more on order. They do not come cheap at about $8,000 each!
$8,000 per sign sounds like a lot of money to me as an individual, but for an organization like COTA with a $100+ Million annual operating budget, $8000 isn't a huge investment. Especially if it's something that could be piloted and tested and the benefits measured in a similar fashion to this texting program.
Speaking of which... does anyone know what it cost to build, launch, and maintain this texting program? I'm willing to bet that it's not cheap either. Improvements costs money.
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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DavidF wrote >>
"Yeah I know some of my friends with AT&T and Sprint have that problem. I have T-Mobile and things are generally pretty good."
Really?
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/173593/tmobile_takes_the_hit_for_sidekick_data_loss.html
That was actually Microsoft's epic fail (because of Danger). TMobile is kind enough to take the hit because they're not arrogant like AT&T and want to keep their customers. I don't have one of those phones anyway.
DavidF
Elysium Fields
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But back to the thread. I think the text option is at least a step in the right direction. It's hard to diss anything that makes mass transit use a little easier. Is it the end all to be all? Of course not, but every step counts.
The important thing is that this shouldn't be the end of the process, but rather a step towards more interactivity between COTA and their riders.
theEdwardian
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The important thing to remember is this is a pilot program. I think it's intention is to solicit feedback so COTA can improve their system. Historically, the discussion has always been how bad they are at providing information to makes it easy for people to use. I think this shows how far COTA has come in the last several years.
Cost efficiency is a major factor, too. The cost per text to COTA is about $0.03 and that's included in the $15K (which by the way can be offset with an advertising option to the returned text - "Next Bus in 10 minutes, you've got time to refill your travel mug at cup o' Joe!"
From what I understand, because of the favorable reception received in just two days, the push to "real-time" is already in the works. The hurdle is pushing the data to a place where the service provider can access it. The scheduled feed now comes from Google.
With other agencies like MTD CU, all of their stops are id'd but not all are posted at the stop. You can download a directory to your phone and select the stop you want to text to. COTA's service provider, RouteShout.com offers an iPhone app that doesn't involve texting, just stand next to the stop and run the app, and that's good for the whole system, I think.
The LED sign is a good idea, but my guess is they wouldn't last, based on how some of the shelters are treated. Also signage, I think is a capital expense and not operational, but hey what do I know.
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