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The Canadian Roadgeek

The Canadian Roadgeek

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you guys just can't wait for the official service changes to be released can you? LOL.. ;)

Also..

Cool...

Discover RideNow:

http://www.yrt.ca/RideNow/discover.html

I love the new RideNow... The TripPlanner's are really cool now, you can map where the bus is... that's the best part... I was playing with it this morning at like 6 for an hour, tracking Route 1 from Richmond Hill Centre to Bullock Drive... it was fun :)

Haven't tried the phone version yet... I should try it now...

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YRT-Guy

YRT-Guy

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I love the new RideNow... The TripPlanner's are really cool now, you can map where the bus is... that's the best part... I was playing with it this morning at like 6 for an hour, tracking Route 1 from Richmond Hill Centre to Bullock Drive... it was fun :)

Haven't tried the phone version yet... I should try it now...

And you can see how often viva actually does run late (as apparently passengers believe "viva always runs on time" - Pictures below related).

purle_11_dwn.JPG all_viva_late.JPG

The phone version is nothing special. Just if info from the GPS is available it will give you the scheduled time and the "estimated departure time" (based on if the bus is running early or late) - scheduled time then (+) or (-) the number of minutes the bus is early/late.

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The Canadian Roadgeek

The Canadian Roadgeek

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And you can see how often viva actually does run late (as apparently passengers believe "viva always runs on time").

The phone version is nothing special. Just if info from the GPS is available it will give you the scheduled time and the "estimated departure time" (based on if the bus is running early or late) - scheduled time then (+) or (-) the number of minutes the bus is early/late.

Yea... tried the phone version just now... The web version is still more amusing :)

Does anyone know what is the "Puzzled? Put the pieces together" thing about on YRT's homepage?

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YRT-Guy

YRT-Guy

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Press Release:

http://www.york.ca/Publications/News/2010/...bus+updates.htm

January 18, 2010

Media Release

RideNow with YRT,Viva real-time bus updates

York Region launches real-time bus technology to simplify your ride

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York today launched RideNow – real-time York Region Transit (YRT)/Viva bus updates available by email, web or phone. This new technology provides fast and easy access to real-time information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, taking the wait out of your commute.

“YRT/Viva is the first transit agency in the GTA to offer the convenience of real-time schedule technology,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “York Region’s investment in this state-of-the-art technology further establishes YRT/Viva as a customer-focused, innovative leader in public transit.”

YRT/Viva real-time technology tracks your bus by GPS, so you’ll know exactly when it will arrive at your stop. Because regular schedules can vary due to changing traffic and weather conditions, real-time schedules take the guesswork out of your trip.

RideNow real-time schedules are available online at www.yrt.ca by entering or selecting your four-digit bus stop number through the Schedule Finder or Next Bus pages. For an email update, email your four-digit bus stop number in the subject line to ridenow@york.ca and the next arrival times will be sent your way. For information by phone, call 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978) and enter your four-digit bus stop number to hear real-time information for the next few buses at your stop.

“RideNow real-time schedules put more control in the hands of the YRT/Viva rider,” said Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Wayne Emmerson, Chair of the Region’s Transportation Services Committee. “Knowing exactly when to expect your ride is key to a smooth and successful commute.”

RideNow is tracking the progress of your bus right now using up to six GPS satellites orbiting the earth. During morning and evening rush hours, as many as 350 YRT/Viva buses are tracked live with RideNow technology.

Over the next 12 weeks, RideNow advertisements will be featured in community papers, bus ads and shelters, theatre slides and internet promotions to help promote the new service.

More than 120 routes keep residents connected within York Region, as well as with connecting services in the City of Toronto and the Region of Peel. Over 18 million riders used YRT/Viva services in 2008, with approximately 90,000 trips made each weekday.

For more information about YRT/Viva services, please visit the YRT/Viva website at www.yrt.ca, or call the Customer Service Centre at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978).

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

- 30 -

Media Contact: Kim MacGillivray, Communications Specialist, York Region

Phone: 905 830-4444, ext. 1209 or Cell: 905 251-6412

Email: Kim.MacGillivray@york.ca

**it's inaccurate.. its actually up to 12 satellites.

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D. DeLarge

D. DeLarge

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I was hoping for something worthwhile with this real time tracking. YRT cheaped out. Heck, at least TTC got Nextbus. This crappy real time system lacks features that would appeal to anybody.

Did you expect to be able to enter the unit number and be able to find out what route and where 307 or 1045 or 906 is at any given time? :P

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MiExpress

MiExpress

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I have to agree, nowhere near as good as it was hyped up to be. Trapeze is far far behind other technologies. I found the feature hard to use as it is not accurately updated in quick enough intervals as others pointed out. Also, I don't like how the feature takes away the trip after the scheduled arrival time at the stop, rather than after the trip has actually departed the stop.

And the map feature, don't get me started on that...

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YRT-Guy

YRT-Guy

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Did you expect to be able to enter the unit number and be able to find out what route and where 307 or 1045 or 906 is at any given time? :P

I agree with this here.

I mean really... most people that are using this real-time system only want their info and they are gone. "Barebones" is simpler and less confusion for those that aren't on par with technology. I mean honestly what more do you want? You can see the status of your bus if it's early, on time or late, by how much and see where it currently is on a map? I don't get it!?? What more do you want?

And there IS more coming, trust me on this, I know for a fact. Remember the system was JUST launched, and as I explained earlier, if you had comments/suggestions on it, send them to YRT! Marketing and TMS (Transit Management - which are the ones responsible for the whole GPS system) will be more than happy to take all your comments into consideration.

I have to agree, nowhere near as good as it was hyped up to be. Trapeze is far far behind other technologies. I found the feature hard to use as it is not accurately updated in quick enough intervals as others pointed out. Also, I don't like how the feature takes away the trip after the scheduled arrival time at the stop, rather than after the trip has actually departed the stop.

Is this really whats happening? If so, I'll see if I can contact someone about this see what can be done about it.

And the map feature, don't get me started on that...

Please, start. What are your comments on it? Some have already been made to the region regarding the map feature. Honestly, if they are valid and not "out of this world", I'll send them off as well.

You should see YRT's marketing budget compared to the operating one.

See.. at least you understand!

I was hoping for something worthwhile with this real time tracking. YRT cheaped out. Heck, at least TTC got Nextbus. This crappy real time system lacks features that would appeal to anybody.

TTC has nextbus for TWO routes and at that only as a TRIAL. What "features" are you looking for???

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* Mr. Black *

* Mr. Black *

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And you can see how often viva actually does run late (as apparently passengers believe "viva always runs on time" ).

Hmmmm..... Why so conserned that Viva runs late???? :P

Nah... We run late all the time.... its just because there is no set schedule for the customers to see, and complain about.... just the signs that say the bus is due.... and you really cant be late when there is one every 10-15 minutes.... now if your bus is every 30 minutes, and you arre 7 minutes late..... look out!!!

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yrt+viva=1system

yrt+viva=1system

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Hmmmm..... Why so conserned that Viva runs late???? B)

Nah... We run late all the time.... its just because there is no set schedule for the customers to see, and complain about.... just the signs that say the bus is due.... and you really cant be late when there is one every 10-15 minutes.... now if your bus is every 30 minutes, and you arre 7 minutes late..... look out!!!

Funny thing is that I go on YRT's site to actually see what time the Viva buses get to certain stops (terminals) :P, I assume that the times listed are approximations but can we say they are set? :P

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* Mr. Black *

* Mr. Black *

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Funny thing is that I go on YRT's site to actually see what time the Viva buses get to certain stops (terminals) :P, I assume that the times listed are approximations but can we say they are set? B)

i can tell you this, Each bus has a set schedule, and each driver has a hard copy of there run, along with the schedule programmed into the INIT. like any other transit, viva is subject to delays.... however, i have never been questioned about being late....

hmmm.... i womnder if RideNow shows if the buses are EARLY too.....

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Waiting for 30 Minutes

Waiting for 30 Minutes

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i can tell you this, Each bus has a set schedule, and each driver has a hard copy of there run, along with the schedule programmed into the INIT. like any other transit, viva is subject to delays.... however, i have never been questioned about being late....

hmmm.... i womnder if RideNow shows if the buses are EARLY too.....

Viva drivers are never questioned about being late, seeing as passengers believe the bus is on time because of the vivaSmart display, even if it's been displaying "2min" for the past five minutes.

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* Mr. Black *

* Mr. Black *

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funny thing... when i work my weekend work on Blue, When I arrive at Finch, or Newmarket Term, My departure time NEVER shows up. It always shows the bus behind me as the next bus to leave the stop. even when i am sitting there. (NOT in layover mode BTW) all the other screens along yonge street work fine though... ( Besides N/B Major Mac.... but thats annother discussion....)

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Articulated

Articulated

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funny thing... when i work my weekend work on Blue, When I arrive at Finch, or Newmarket Term, My departure time NEVER shows up. It always shows the bus behind me as the next bus to leave the stop. even when i am sitting there. (NOT in layover mode BTW) all the other screens along yonge street work fine though... ( Besides N/B Major Mac.... but thats annother discussion....)

There's a few odd bugs in the system related to the GPS position of the stop.

My guess: the GPS marker is off, so when you pull into the stop, the GPS registers you as having "passed" the stop and therefore removes your trip from the screens.

The same thing happens often at MSH, because drivers either pull to the very end of the platform while waiting (allowing a 2nd vehicle to unload), or else pull out of the stop after unloading to start their layover on Bur Oak, but the GPS registers this as an in-service departure.

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YRT-Guy

YRT-Guy

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There's a few odd bugs in the system related to the GPS position of the stop.

My guess: the GPS marker is off, so when you pull into the stop, the GPS registers you as having "passed" the stop and therefore removes your trip from the screens.

The same thing happens often at MSH, because drivers either pull to the very end of the platform while waiting (allowing a 2nd vehicle to unload), or else pull out of the stop after unloading to start their layover on Bur Oak, but the GPS registers this as an in-service departure.

^^^ This. But it's not really a "bug" in the system. Basically as YRTeen has said, the system see's the bus as leaving the stop because it has gone beyond the stop location as indicated in the system. Although I should point out that apparently TMS (Transit Management - The "GPS" department) was down at Finch Station a couple weeks ago and noticed this issue at all platforms (departure information being removed from the next bus display screen before the bus has actually left the platform). So I assume it's being looked into (possibly all stops at Finch may need to be re-mapped (geocoded)).

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Enzo Aquarius

Enzo Aquarius

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funny thing... when i work my weekend work on Blue, When I arrive at Finch, or Newmarket Term, My departure time NEVER shows up. It always shows the bus behind me as the next bus to leave the stop. even when i am sitting there. (NOT in layover mode BTW) all the other screens along yonge street work fine though... ( Besides N/B Major Mac.... but thats annother discussion....)

I've noticed this a couple of times at Newmarket Terminal, and it results in the bus at the terminal already set up for 'Mulock' as its next stop even though it hasn't departed. This same issue occurs with 55B drivers that decide to go through Upper Canada Mall (which the 55B doesn't). By the time the bus loops through the mall and back to the Davis/Eagle intersection, stop 2600 is called (the first stop on the eastbound route). Entering the terminal prompts the announcement for Yonge/Davis eastbound.

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* Mr. Black *

* Mr. Black *

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^^^ This. But it's not really a "bug" in the system. Basically as YRTeen has said, the system see's the bus as leaving the stop because it has gone beyond the stop location as indicated in the system. Although I should point out that apparently TMS (Transit Management - The "GPS" department) was down at Finch Station a couple weeks ago and noticed this issue at all platforms (departure information being removed from the next bus display screen before the bus has actually left the platform). So I assume it's being looked into (possibly all stops at Finch may need to be re-mapped (geocoded)).

that *MAY* be the issue, but i will add this, i was told that on one off my trips to pull into Finch in layover mode, as there was a bus ahead of me to leave first. i sat on platform 1 while the bus was on platform 2 loading. I checked the screens and the bus ahead of me AND my departure time was listed. when platform 2 was cleared i took the bus out of layover mode and moved to platform 2 looked at the screen and times were still there. I OPENED MY DOORS, ahd my departure time dissapeered!! thats why i think there is a "bug" on my block!!

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