The National Transport Authority has unveiled a new Dublin Bus web, text and app service enabling passengers to check when the next bus is due at any stop in the capital.
Under the scheme, all 5,000 bus stops in the city will be given a unique number, which can be found on transportforireland.ie
Passengers will be able to access the information via the internet, a text message or the Dublin Bus app.
By checking on the internet, texting the bus stop number to 53035 or by accessing the Dublin Bus app, passengers can see the next four buses due to arrive at the stop and what time they will be there. Passengers can also search by bus route.
The system uses the same basic GPS system to identify the position of approaching buses as used for the 270 electronic display units across the city. A spokesman for the Department of Transport said tests on the system revealed it to 90 per cent accurate.
The app is currently only available for iPhone. An Android version will be released in November. The 53035 text service will cost 30 cent per message.
Minister of State for Public Transport Alan Kelly said the service will help people plan their journeys better. “Hopefully this will remove wondering when the next bus will arrive,” he said. “Now Dublin commuters have a great incentive to leave the car at home.”
Mr Kelly said he was hopeful the initiative will be rolled out nationally. No timetable was specified.
The Department of Transport said real time services for Bus Éireann and Luas will be available in the coming months. It said a multi-operator, multi-city bilingual real time passenger information service will be available early next year.