SEPTA to launch TransitView June 2

**BarryG** · 05-30-2011, 10:10 PM

Next week SEPTA is expected to launch its much-anticipated TransitView, an online tool that will provide real-time updates on buses.

General Manager Joe Casey said Thursday that the program will launch June 2. Riders have been asking about the launch of real-time bus updates ever since SEPTA launched TrainView, a tool for Regional Rail trains, a few years ago.

The feature, developed in-house by SEPTA staff, will initially only provide information on buses, but will add trolleys at some point, said spokeswoman Jerri Williams. Like TrainView, the new feature is expected to allow riders to look up their bus route and find out the status – on time, delayed, canceled.

Link: Metro - philadelphia : Blog : You Heard Me Right : SEPTA to launch TransitView Next Week

That all sounds nice, but not the same as BusView which has been in very limited "beta" for months now. Still, a step forward. It's too hard to lookup bus detours on a mobile device right now.

**gren** · 05-30-2011, 10:57 PM

So basically it will look like this and not this. You'd think they could approximate a map like in BusView from how many minutes late it was even if the location isn't 100% accurate but the timing is right.

**radiocolin** · 06-01-2011, 10:12 PM

It's on a map. The service is already live. I've been playing with it for months; it came in very handy during the snowstorm to see what routes were running and which were "running".

**BarryG** · 06-01-2011, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by radiocolin

It's on a map. The service is already live. I've been playing with it for months; it came in very handy during the snowstorm to see what routes were running and which were "running".

Wow, nice link. Any idea if they are going to publish the data in a machine-readable format? Is this page mobile-friendly?

**Bob_Head** · 06-01-2011, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by radiocolin

It's on a map. The service is already live. I've been playing with it for months; it came in very handy during the snowstorm to see what routes were running and which were "running".

Sweet!

**BarryG** · 06-01-2011, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by radiocolin

It's on a map. The service is already live. I've been playing with it for months; it came in very handy during the snowstorm to see what routes were running and which were "running".

What else have you been holding back from us, colin?

**radiocolin** · 06-02-2011, 01:13 AM

The page is sort-of mobile friendly. If you have a WebKit smartphone (iOS, Android, webOS, the newest Blackberrys) you can double-tap to zoom and use two fingers to push the map around.

There was a call on Twitter for TransitView developers a while ago, so I'm sure there'll be an API similar to the GTFS data they put out now for schedules. SEPTA seems to have become very developer-friendly the last few years, which you have to applaud them for. The guys across the river are getting on board with developers as well: https://www.njtransit.com/mt/mt_serv...n=MTDevLoginTo

**mixiboi** · 06-02-2011, 01:57 AM

More info:

TransitView: SEPTA unveils real-time bus and trolley app, also SMS and smartphone schedules — Technically Philly

SEPTA will unveil Thursday its long-awaited real-time bus and trolley application, along with SMS and smartphone schedules, transit agency officials announced.

Dubbed TransitView and designed to be accessible by most smartphones, the web app relies on GPS-enabled SEPTA buses and trolleys to track precise positioning on a Google Map, as depicted above, SEPTA Director of Emerging and Specialty Technology Michael Zaleski told Technically Philly.

In addition to TransitView, SEPTA will also announce its ‘Schedules to Go,’ which can be accessed by text message or a web-enabled smartphone. Currently these are static schedules and not real-time, though there are internal plans for real-time eventually, Zaleski said.

In coming months, all of the real-time json and XML data will be released as an API, Zaleski said.

The GPS tracking devices on the buses and trolleys update their position every three minutes, and the app shows their last known location, rather than making predictions, as weather or tall buildings can sometimes block check ins.

SEPTA | TransitView

SEPTA | SMS

SEPTA | Schedules to Go

The more official userfriendly links will be up later today....

**mixiboi** · 06-02-2011, 02:09 AM

And here is a live view of whats out there now(MFL night OWL):

Thats the real test right there on a very busy line...

http://www.septa.org/site/transitview.html

**ArcticSplash** · 06-02-2011, 10:42 AM

OMG OMG OMG!!!

(That was me just creaming in my pants)

**mixiboi** · 06-02-2011, 11:38 AM

Up and running:

SEPTA | Web Technology Enhancements

**chap19150** · 06-02-2011, 12:21 PM

I've been busy incorporating the data into my SeptaDroid app. I should have an update pushed out this evening. TransitView isn't really mobile friendly but integrated with my app I was able to make it more mobile-friendly

**mrpeanut** · 06-02-2011, 12:48 PM

not to complain about a good thing, but does there appear to be any plans to include tracking the el and broad street?

**fiveomar** · 06-02-2011, 01:09 PM

It seems the updates are only every 3 minutes for buses? Should be more frequent if you ask me. That way I know when exactly to walk out my front door.

**MetalDeth81** · 06-02-2011, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by chap19150

I've been busy incorporating the data into my SeptaDroid app. I should have an update pushed out this evening. TransitView isn't really mobile friendly but integrated with my app I was able to make it more mobile-friendly

Chap, you are my hero... I love SeptaDroid and never really had any issues with it (except for the release that you removed alerts). With this integration it will be even more kick-ass

**mixiboi** · 06-02-2011, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by mrpeanut

not to complain about a good thing, but does there appear to be any plans to include tracking the el and broad street?

One day very soon, SEPTA will have a system like they have for the Regional Rail for the EL, and BSL(Also the Trolleys underground) where you will know how long till the next Train/Trolley.

Its a part of the fiber optics wiring they have been installing in every station since 2009.

**Dolemite** · 06-06-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by fiveomar

It seems the updates are only every 3 minutes for buses? Should be more frequent if you ask me. That way I know when exactly to walk out my front door.

And it didn't seem to update that often when I used it this weekend. Had a case where it showed a couple of buses(40) one place(2nd and Lombard and one going down South) with the info that it had updated 2 minutes ago and then on the next update they were all the way out past 40th Street. Also the 40 shows the old detoured route using Walnut and Chestnut. I mean come on.

**fiveomar** · 06-06-2011, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by chap19150

I've been busy incorporating the data into my SeptaDroid app. I should have an update pushed out this evening. TransitView isn't really mobile friendly but integrated with my app I was able to make it more mobile-friendly

You are the man...I love your app!

**mixiboi** · 06-07-2011, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Dolemite

And it didn't seem to update that often when I used it this weekend. Had a case where it showed a couple of buses(40) one place(2nd and Lombard and one going down South) with the info that it had updated 2 minutes ago and then on the next update they were all the way out past 40th Street. Also the 40 shows the old detoured route using Walnut and Chestnut. I mean come on.

GPS is GPS, and when a group of buses are together the signal get lost....Hey its better then nothin...