No more waiting

By Elizabeth Hashagen

Doing Future Files each week, I get to see some really innovative ideas that Long Island companies are working on.

This week we head to Plainview and visit Clever Devices--the company that's leading the way when it comes to technology for transit.

They've started the nation's largest passenger information system--it's in Chicago.

But when I headed to their Plainview offices -- I got to see the bus tracker system in action.

Riders can track their bus in real time from the Internet.

That way they know the actual location and arrival time of the bus.

So if it's raining, just log on and see what the delays are so you know when to go outside.

If you're running late and aren't sure if you can make it, just go right on line and see-- maybe the bus is raining late too.www.ctabustracker.com

It even tells you how full the bus is, so if you have on those dead sexy heels, log on and see which bus will have a seat :)

It may be worth waiting a few minutes for a comfy commute.

The buses have an what's called an "IVN" on board.

 

It's a computer that handles the monitoring of the bus--it counts how many passengers get on and off and predicts the time it will arrive at each point and makes automatic announcements.

Company president Bill Long explains it this way:

"It takes the mystery out of riding public transportation -- you can accurately detect when buses will arrive and you can plan your trip around that."

Clever Devices is the same company that created the Automatic Voice Annunciation System (that's the announcements you hear saying, "Next stop...").

The system is crucial to riders with disabilities & really helpful if you're a tourist!

It's so great to discover all the things being created on Long Island.

Comments

[Fallen Anjel]

One more reason why this won't work. If you have to take more than one bus, how on earth are you going to check the internet to see if the next one is on time?

Instead of bus racks that only hold 2 bikes (for HOW MANY passengers???), or GPS tracking via the internet, for crying out loud, just give us Sunday Service!

[Fallen Anjel]

As a frequent rider of the buses in Suffolk, I have to say this will not be all that beneficial for a few reasons: At least 60% of the people who ride the bus in Suffolk do not have internet service. This would only work if you are literally 10 min or less from a bus stop. (We're talking Suffolk here, where one can live as much as an hour walk away from a bus). I have an 18 minute walk to the bus. I may check that the bus is on time, but 10 minutes later, it breaks down. How would I know that, when I'm walking down the road? I don't carry a computer with me (and if I did, how would I use it???) When you take a bus, every minute counts. A bus can be on time one minute, then at the next stop, will have to pick up a wheelchair and the bus is now 5 minutes behind. Buses being late, sometimes are okay. Being EARLY is a whole different story. Maybe bus companies should ask the riders what would work for THEM, as it's the riders that keep the buses going.........