(NECN: Boston) - After years of waiting, riders on the MBTA's bus system can finally know when their bus will arrive. The MBTA today announced it will make route data for all buses available to the public, which should lead to new mobile and other applications allowing riders to track their buses.
The data release follows a pilot project which tracked a limited number of buses and led to applications and an installed bus route updater at a Jamaica Plain ice cream shop.
The T has also pledged to work toward making subway data available for riders, as well. Right now, that database is not available.
Below is the press release from the Governor's Office and MBTA today:
Governor Patrick Announces Real-Time MBTA Bus Location Information forAll Bus Routes
Bus Dataplus launch of website, apps latest in series of customer service enhancementsunder Patrick-Murray Administration
BOSTON- Thursday, September 9, 2010 - As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration'sproven commitment to transportation reform and focus on customer service, GovernorDeval Patrick today announced the availability of real-time bus location andarrival information for all 187 MBTA bus routes serving 47 Massachusetts citiesand towns and launched mbta.com/apps, a resource for customers seekingapplications and services that provide real-time bus arrival information.
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TheGovernor made the announcement at Ruggles Station, where he used the newservice before boarding a MBTA bus."Weare taking the guesswork out of the daily commute for thousands of people whorely on T service across the region," said Governor Patrick. "Bycreating innovative and practical customer solutions, we are ensuringtransportation reform is working for the commuter - exactly who we intended itto work for."
"Aswe focus on improving customer service, a critical component of ouradministration's transportation reform, this new feature will assist commutersin their daily travels when they depend on any of the MBTA buses," saidLieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.
"Thisis an important milestone in improving customer service at the MBTA," saidMassDOT Secretary and CEO Jeff Mullan. "The Patrick/MurrayAdministration's award-winning open data initiative is allowing softwaredevelopers to build applications, websites, and other services that are puttingthis real-time information in the hands of MBTA riders."
Followinga project to equip more than a thousand MBTA buses with Global PositioningSatellite (GPS) technology in 2009, dispatchers in the MBTA's Bus OperationsControl Center were able for the first time to pinpoint the location of everyMBTA bus in real-time. As of today, that same information is available to T busriders, regardless of route.
Lessthan ten months ago, MassDOT launched the first phase of its open datainitiative by releasing real-time information for five bus routes. The datareleased to software developers included real-time GPS locations of buses andarrival countdown information for every bus route. Within just one hour ofreleasing this data, a developer built an application showing real-time buspositions. Within two months, more than a dozen applications had been createdincluding websites, smart phone applications, SMS text message services, and617-phone numbers. All of these applications were created at no cost to MassDOTor the MBTA.Inhis first week on the job, MassDOT Transit Division Administrator and MBTAGeneral Manager Richard Davey announced that real-time data would be providedfor all routes throughout the entire bus system. The expanded rollout began in Juneand was completed yesterday.
"Real-timecountdown information is an opportunity to revolutionize riding the bus inBoston and one of my top priorities, said General Manager Davey.As an everydayMBTA rider, I know the value of real-time information to take the guesswork outof riding the T."
"Iknow from personal experience that people are more likely to take the bus if weknow what time it is actually coming. This technology will make taking the busmuch more predictable and useful for commuters," said Senator Patricia D.Jehlen, Senate Chair of the MBTA Caucus.
"Thisprogram announced today will make a huge difference for the transit riders ofBoston. I applaud the Governor and the MBTA. By putting this technology in thehands of bus-riders we can save people time and provide more reliable andefficient transit service at virtually no cost to the state," said SenatorSonia Chang-Diaz.
"Ialways support initiatives that improve the quality of life for the people ofBoston, and I am proud that this is also cost-effective," saidRepresentative Gloria Fox. "Technology partnered with the MBTA at no costto the state and the people, and we no longer have to guess when the bus iscoming, only to check our phones? I support that."
"The announcement and efforts made by Governor Patrick and MBTA GeneralManager Davey today concerning the full implementation of "Real-Time"MBTA bus location information is a victory for all riders of the MBTA andfurther demonstrates the efforts we are making to create more efficiencies andfinding better ways to serve the people of the Commonwealth," saidRepresentative Sean Garballey, House Chair of the MBTA Caucus.
Fortransportation news and updates, visit the MassDOT website at www.mass.gov/massdot, the MassDOT blogat www.mass.gov/blog/transportationor follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.
