LANCASTER – The Antelope Valley Transit Authority is now offering Track-it, a state-of-the-art system that provides passengers with real-time bus location information, officials announced Thursday.
The $2.4 million system monitors AVTA’s fleet of local and commuter buses via a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracking system, giving passengers 24-hour access to bus departure information on their smart phones or computers.
AVTA officials anticipate an improved experience for customers.
“The launch of Track-it is the next step toward the agency’s vision to develop a world class transit system,” stated AVTA Board Chairman Norm Hickling. “We’re very excited about all of the possibilities that the Track-it system has to offer. The AVTA Team has worked incredibly hard to implement this new technology delivering improved mobility for our passengers through both operational efficiency and smart information.”
With a few taps on a smart phone, customers with the myStop application will be able to check when the next bus will depart from any stop in the transit system. When a bus is delayed or detoured due to a traffic accident or roadwork, customers will be able to track the bus’ progress on the route.
Passengers will also be able to receive text alerts notifying them of an upcoming departure, making trip planning easier. The myStop app is only available for Apple users at this time, but an Android version is in development and is projected to be available this fall, according to AVTA officials.
The Track-it system is equipped with Cell/SMS/Text capabilities, so mobile phone users without the application can request and receive bus information via text message.
Customers can also visit the AVTA website home page and click on the “Track-it” button, or go to track-it.avta.com, where a computerized map will show the current position of each bus, tracked by GPS.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Track-it enables AVTA buses to have automated announcements of upcoming stops on each route.
Future plans call for an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system that will allow customers to receive route and stop information (in English or Spanish) by calling in and entering the stop or route number.
AVTA also plans to install digital signs that will display regularly updated bus departure information at Lancaster City Park and at the Palmdale Transportation Center, and QR codes will be posted at bus stops to help passengers with smart phones easily obtain bus location information.
AVTA has been working with Avail Technologies for the last 18 months on the installation and implementation of the new system.
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ALEX says
I NEED TO FIND OUT WHERE THE MY STOP APP IS ALSO THANKS ALEX
Orwellian says
This is very unnecessary, by knowing the bus schedules is more than enough information to know when your bus is coming. Costs a lot of money, and I don’t like the Big Brother atmosphere of GPS tracking in private or public vehicles.
Greg says
The GPS tracking helps to identify where the bus is. If the drivers communications go down, or a bus is highjacked that GPS can help a lot in spotting the issue fast.
Schedules are great… when everything is on time and working properly. Live in the outlying areas and have the bus breakdown, you sit there waiting forever not knowing if it will ever come.
busrider says
I just don’t see how it cost 2.5 million dollars
angel says
The tracking is inaccurate. In order to test accuracy of the app I decided to track a bus I was on. The app tracked the bus to be about 3 miles ahead from where it actually was. I figured it was a bit slow and needed time to load, so I did the test several more times. Every time the app tracked the bus roughly 3 miles ahead from were it actually was. Assumably, the tracking is meant to inform the community of when they should start heading for the bus stop. However, if the app or any other method of tracking is inaccurate then the method is flawed and unusable. AVTA, will you please fix this?
unreasonable says
It’s going to take a while to get the bugs out.
AVTA says
Hi Angel,
Thank you for your comments. We apologize for any inconvenience, and are working hard to ensure the accuracy of the Track-It system for our users. Your input is greatly appreciated.
Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA)
Chris says
When is this app available ..tried looking and didn’t see it
AVTA says
Hi Chris,
You may access the Track-It system by going to http://www.avta.com and clicking the “Track-It” button on the homepage, or by going to http://www.track-it.avta.com.
Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA)