Customers in West Vancouver can expect onboard announcements
October 21, 2014
Customers in West Vancouver can expect onboard announcements
October 21, 2014
Today TransLink introduces the Transit Management and Communications system or “TMAC”, to the 57 vehicle strong West Vancouver Blue Bus fleet. This onboard communications system provides a more predictable and consistent service and delivers increased dispatch support and monitoring to ensure safe and efficient travel for customers and operators.
TMAC benefits include:
- Onboard speakers and public information displays provide next stop announcements to help customers on new routes, riders experiencing the system for the first time, and customers with seeing or hearing challenges.
- GPS technology provides customers real-time access to real-time transit information on the Next Bus mobile site.
- GPS technology is on every bus, providing added security.
- A fully monitored service, providing operators with real-time information on traffic congestion, road detours and adherence to the published service schedule.
Do you remember this post? Although the system has improved over time, here is a more detailed look at the system and how it operates.
If you are a customer in West Vancouver, let us know what you think of the new system.
Author: Angela Salehi
Just one curious question:
What does the 8 mean on the vehicle number on the entry?
E.g. 81204>1204
It’s so nice to be able to see the WV buses on the Next Bus map now. I normally use North Vancouver services, but when the 240 is nowhere to be found, the 255 has saved my butt many times. Now that I can see it on the map too, that will come in very handy.
I still can’t make out the onboard stop announcements half the time, even on those smooth-riding brand new Excelsiors, but being able to read the stop names on the display is great!
I regularly catch the 250 & 255 and have been used to the announcements for quite awhile now. When it first started out the stops were at times being announced when the bus was already at the point of no return (sometimes the bus had already passed the stop), I also noticed that what the LED announcer would show was different than what was announced verbally (eg. The LED would show that Creery Ave was coming up but the voice would indicate Oxford).
Overall, the bus stop announcer are more accurate now and it was interesting to see more buses with the ability over months. The ability to track buses in real-time was gradual as well, with the odd bus at first having the ability before it became the odd bus without having GPS tracking.
I think its great now being able to text the number and find out the real-time departures of the buses (or use an app); Unfortunately, a great number of stops in West Vancouver don’t put any stop numbers on the bus stops (you have to search and memorise for them.). For those who have visual issues, this will hopefully make the trip easier for them.
Can the blue bus drivers now call Transit Security in the event of a problem? I know the north van buses can.
Thank you for weighing in on the introduction of TMAC to the West Vancouver fleet.
juan, all Blue Bus vehicles either have an ‘8’ or an ’80’ in front of its bus number to identify it as part of the West Vancouver fleet. Did you know that the bus number indicates the year and order that the bus was made? For example, bus 1204, was the fourth bus made in 2012.
Reva, we are thrilled that the NextBus feature is serving you well.
SC, it is nice to hear that you have seen improvements in the system as it has been gradually introduced.
JS, Transit Police has always been available to assist Blue Bus operators, but with the GPS technology of TMAC, the bus can now be quickly located without the operator having to describe landmarks or estimate the exact location of the vehicle.
To help us continue to improve the system, please share you feedback on our online form to ensure it is officially captured and tracked. http://www.translink.ca/feedback