[HenryGarten]

I only became aware of live update by text for buses yesterday. How long has this system been up and running/

Is it just a London thing or is it to be found in other places?

[Big Poy]

At least 5 Years

[davidmcn]

Don't know about by text, but Lothian Buses in Edinburgh have had live web updates for a while, or via their app.

[daveetwo]

Here in southampton there is a real time bus times on the net.
Gives the next 8 buses due at any bus stop.

[HenryBane]

I've never used text to get a bus. In London most bus shelters have when the next bus is due since the use of GPS and every stop now has a name, which is useful for finding places and helps the sight impaired as the stops are announced while on the bus (like when trains tell you the next station). Are these just London things?

[scorpio man]

Not got any web system in Leicester, we have to use our eyes, if we see one up the road we know it's due, unless it's going in the opposite direction, then we've missed it

[HenryGarten]

Originally Posted by scorpio man

Not got any web system in Leicester, we have to use our eyes, if we see one up the road we know it's due, unless it's going in the opposite direction, then we've missed it

Well that is the technique I been using most of my life!

Now for 22p a time I can change that.

[stud u like]

Originally Posted by HenryBane

I've never used text to get a bus. In London most bus shelters have when the next bus is due since the use of GPS and every stop now has a name, which is useful for finding places and helps the sight impaired as the stops are announced while on the bus (like when trains tell you the next station). Are these just London things?

That would annoy me. I am pleased to live in a backwater.

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by HenryGarten

I only became aware of live update by text for buses yesterday. How long has this system been up and running/

Is it just a London thing or is it to be found in other places?

the London-wide one is relatively new.

Countdown (the digital signs on bus stops) have been available on some routes at least as far back as 1997, but Countdown 2 (every bus stop in London, on sms, mobile web, feeds for apps) was fully launched last year.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/19/countdown_2/

[HenryGarten]

Originally Posted by paulbrock

the London-wide one is relatively new.

Countdown (the digital signs on bus stops) have been available on some routes at least as far back as 1997, but Countdown 2 (every bus stop in London, on sms, mobile web, feeds for apps) was fully launched last year.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/19/countdown_2/

Thank you. That is exactly what I wanted to know. So I have only had my eyes shut for about six months.

Yes countdown has been available for many years but bus operators did not have to use it. There was a route that had coundown and then when the operator changed it disappeared.

[ramraideruk]

I use the free Buscount app for Android. It works for Londn buses and is very accurate.

[KieranDS]

If you have mobile internet go to
m.countdown.tfl.gov.uk
Type in the bus stop code (its a five digit code on the post) and it tells you the next 10 or so buses.
(London only)
Free as well so it saves on text costs.

[paulbrock]

I am pleased that someone in tfl had the sense to say "actually lets not limit it to apps for most popular smartphones, lets get a system that will get you the info on ANY phone, including my Gran's Nokia 3310". A case many other developers could learn from.

[HenryGarten]

If one goes to Transport for London and the goes to buses the system is explained.

[grumpyscot]

Originally Posted by davidmcn

Don't know about by text, but Lothian Buses in Edinburgh have had live web updates for a while, or via their app.

A few years now - and its really good

[rosco2010]

It's only good if the text turns up straight away. I did it a few days ago and the text with live bus information didn't turn up for nearly 3 hours.

On the plus side, the bus was on time. I think.

[Jason100]

I use the London Live Bus app, it's pretty accuriate with timings and has never let me down once.

[HenryGarten]

It does not seem to have been advertised much.

I was aware that there was a system but I didn't realise that was as easily accessible as it is.

[TelevisionUser]

First Bus in the greater Bristol area now have a text service that lets you know when the next bus is due with each bus shelter having a unique text code. They are also in the process of wiring up Bristol-bound bus shelters so that they will show when the next couple of buses are due on a rectangular screen.