TriMet TV Episode 4 · Oct. 26, 2007 · 1:56 · Download (19MB M4V)

Get Real-Time Info from TransitTracker

Did you know you can get real-time arrival information for buses and MAX, right over the phone? It's easy, thanks to TriMet's TransitTracker™. See how it works.

Text transcript of this episode

Did you know you can get real-time arrival information for buses and MAX, right over the phone? It's easy, thanks to TriMet's TransitTracker.

Unlike schedules, TransitTracker is based on the precise location of your bus or train, so you have a better idea of when your ride is coming.

That means, instead of standing at the stop, you may choose to wait inside, run another errand, or maybe grab a cup of coffee.

Here's how it works.

First, dial 503-238-RIDE (that's 238-7433) from any touch-tone phone.

Press "1" for TransitTracker.

When prompted, you can enter the Stop ID number of the bus stop or MAX station you want information about. Stop IDs are three- to five-digit numbers, and they're posted at many stops and MAX stations, on schedules, and online at trimet.org.

If you don't know the Stop ID, no problem. Just press the pound key (#) and follow the instructions to select your stop.

Once you've selected a stop, TransitTracker will tell you the next arrivals for the buses or MAX lines serving that stop.

Tracker Voice: "14-Hawthorne to Portland, arriving in 12 minutes."

Using the latest technology, TransitTracker predicts when your bus or train will arrive through a calculation based on where it is and how fast it's going.

Occasionally, TransitTracker won't be able to make an accurate prediction. For example, during icy conditions when buses are chained, TransitTracker will simply tell you the schedule time instead.

You can also access TransitTracker online at trimet.org.

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