When someone files a complaint with Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus (CA), officials review video footage from the on-board surveillance cameras to better assess the situation. But, as part of a routine investigation, officials recently discovered that many of the bus cameras have been erasing information or not recording anything at all. The reasons forRead… Read more »
The National Rural Transit Assistance Program announced a new cloud-based application to help transit agencies convert their route and schedule data into the General Transit Feed Specification. GTFS Builder provides rural transit systems with tools and training videos to help them put bus route and schedule data into the format required by Google Transit andRead… Read more »
TransLink (BC) plans to release a mobile application on September 6 that displays real-time bus locations. The first phase of the program will allow commuters to access a map that shows the location of every Coast Mountain bus and community shuttle. “We are really trying to give our customers better tools and information when they’reRead… Read more »
A working group set up to review fare collection options for Philadelphia’s Regional Rail voted almost unanimously to support the current two-way fare system, according to PlanPhilly. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority convened the group, which comprises transit stakeholders, after rail advocates questioned a proposal for one-way fare collection on the commuter rail system. InRead… Read more »
Google announced GTFS-realtime, a feed specification that allows public transportation agencies to provide real-time updates for their fleets to application developers. The feed spec is based on the widely used General Transit Feed Specification and follows the launch of live transit updates for six agencies in June, which incorporated real-time information into Google Maps transitRead… Read more »
From broken escalators to missing bus stop signs, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority customers now have an easy way to document inconveniences large and small. Tell the T, a new iPhone/iPad application, lets customers snap a picture of the offending item and send the information straight to customer support. “I’m looking for customers to let usRead… Read more »
TransLink (BC) is upgrading its mobile website and is looking for riders to help test its latest feature — real-time next-bus information. In a blog post, the agency asked potential testers to tell TransLink in 200 words or fewer why they want to test the app. Five selected testers will receive access to the betaRead… Read more »
A new kind of tree is growing in Santa Clara County (CA) parking lots. The 12-foot tall silver saplings are topped with photovoltaic cells that produce electricity for county facilities and reduce emissions. The so-called solar trees also create shady parking spaces, which is a popular side benefit. “Most people think it’s covered parking, andRead… Read more »
Since 2003, the number of hydrogen fuel-cell buses in the German city of Hamburg has grown from a single prototype to three dozen. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel-cell buses have logged more than 2 million kilometers over the past eight years and data from the buses has allowed the manufacturer to improve the fuel-efficiency of theRead… Read more »
More than a week after Bay Area Rapid Transit (CA) shut down cell phone service to quell a threatened protest, the controversy over the agency’s actions continues. As officials brace for more planned protests today, the board has scheduled a meeting this week to consider developing a policy that defines when (if ever) the agencyRead… Read more »