Minister Kelly launches new text & smartphone system to tell you when bus is due
Issued : Monday 26 September, 2011
No more stress of wondering when the bus will arrive
Minister for Public & Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, has launched a new web, text and app service that will tell Dublin commuters when their bus is due.
From today, passengers of Dublin Bus will be able to check on their phones how long before their next bus arrives as part of a National Transport Authority initiative. Every bus stop has been given a number, which can be linked to a real time information system either on the web, by smartphone or by texting the bus stop number to 53035 for a small charge.
Public Transport Minister, Alan Kelly, described the initiative as "a major step forward," and "the most significant advance in commuter-friendly technology for many years,"
"I am delighted to able to launch this service. We have to embrace technology to make public transport more attractive. Working with the National Transport Authority, Dublin Bus and Dublin City Council, this is a major step forward for public transport in Ireland," stated Minister Kelly.
The bus arrival information service can be accessed at either TransportforIreland.ie or dublinbus.ie/rtpi and the app is available to download from itunes app store or by updating the current Dublin Bus app. The Transport for Ireland website will also provide real time passenger information for Bus Éireann, Luas and other transport operators in the months ahead.
The new web, app and text services now cover all 5,000 Dublin Bus stops. Bus Éireann will be included on an integrated service in the coming months. The system is a significant enhancement of the 500 real time on-street electronic bus signs currently being installed at stops across the Greater Dublin Area (with over 270 installed to date). The electronic signs are also currently being tested in Cork for launch this year and will be rolled out to Galway, Limerick and Waterford next year.
"This removes the stress from wondering when the next bus will arrive. It makes public transport more attractive and greatly enhances the commuter experience. Hopefully this will remove wondering when the next bus will arrive. Now Dublin commuters have a great incentive to leave the car at home. I am hopeful it will rollout to national services shortly. The new Government are keen to embrace technology and to see this roll out across other modes of transport in future, " concluded Minister Kelly.
