NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCES "MY BUS" ENHANCEMENT

Text message-based system will provide bus customers with on-the-go schedule information

September 10, 2010
NJT-10-060

NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein today previewed the agency’s upcoming “My Bus” system, which will provide bus customers with unprecedented access to bus schedule information while on the go.  The program is set to launch in Atlantic County in October, followed by the remainder of more than 19,000 bus stops across the state.

 

“My Bus is part of our ongoing effort to use technology to improve the way customers access travel information,” said NJ TRANSIT Board Member Flora Castillo, who serves as Chair of the Customer Service Committee.  “While the rollout of My Bus signs will start in Atlantic County, bus customers throughout New Jersey will be able to take advantage of My Bus using our website.”

 

“Through My Bus, any customer who has the ability to send a text message will literally have bus schedule information at their fingertips,” said Weinstein.  “In addition, this enhancement will make automated bus schedule information available 24 hours a day for the first time.”

 

Based on a system of bus stop ID numbers—unique five-digit numbers NJ TRANSIT has assigned to each of its bus stops—My Bus will enable customers who have cell phones with SMS (text messaging) capabilities to receive bus schedule information for a specific stop directly to their phones. 

 

When My Bus launches next month, customers will be able to text their five-digit bus stop ID to “MyBus,” and My Bus will respond with the routes and times for the next 12 scheduled trips that serve that bus stop.

 

As part of the program, NJ TRANSIT plans to post My Bus signs at bus stops statewide, displaying the bus stop ID and instructions for how to use the My Bus system.  Sign installation will begin in Atlantic County and will be implemented across the state by the end of 2011.

 

In the interim, to obtain their bus stop ID, customers will be able to look up the number on a special section of njtransit.com. 

 

My Bus will also improve the functionality of NJ TRANSIT’s IVR (interactive voice response) system. For instance, when customers call NJ TRANSIT either directly at 973-275-5555 or via 511, they will have an option of inputting their bus stop ID number to get the next three scheduled trips, with the option of more.  This feature will make automated bus schedule information available 24 hours a day for the first time.

 

About NJ TRANSIT

 

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.