We’ve just launched some new pages: Get Bus Info on the Move to showcase the range of ways of getting public transport information. Alas in rural East Lothian we are still some way off from having real time bus information, and bus stop information isn’t really that good in many areas, but more about bus stop condition in a future post.
In the mean time we wanted to highlight a few of the new-ish services that are currently available. These are liable to change and improve but feel free to feedback your views.
Services can be roughly classified into:
- telephone – call centre
- text based services
- timetables
- free mobile apps (these will also work on an ordinary computer or browser)
- smartphone apps (mostly free)
- map based tools
Where possible we’ve embedded the service, so you won’t get spun away to some other website. Some prior knowledge is usually required to get the best out of each of these services. For example if you do not know the TXT code of your bus stop or it is not displayed at the stop, you’ve got a problem!
Our analysis is that this is all very well and good – but the technology is considerably more advanced than the quality of at some of the services available. If any of this helps to remove one of the barriers to using public transport, it must on balance be a good thing. Just remember not to be staring at your phone when that bus drives straight past you.
