Bustracker's buses

[BusExpert32]

I think Chicago might go live by June. And on the latter, I tried to dispute that with BusExpert in a topic a while back though it ended up in a flame war.

I like the connection, but what I said was based on my observations of seeing the same buses every day on different routes, and obviously, with the implementation of Bustracker, a greater proportion of assignments pertains to which buses have it, and a great quantity of buses have it now.

[trainman8119]

Otherwise, I can see some nerd calling in saying "why are there 4 buses bunched eastbound at 63rd and Cottage, and nothing westbound until Damen?"

Seeing as how I made a note sometime back about 4 buses headed east on 63rd at Dorchester, I can't help but think I somehow became the nerd referred to . So, even though I didn't call it in, I did see 3 within 3 blocks headed east today about 5pm. So whatever goes on 63rd street at that time is still going on.

[Busjack]

To clarify (and I did personally to buslover) the term dealt with someone sitting behind the computer who had no intention of being a passenger, not to a caller per se, and as they used to say on TV, any resemblance to a person living or dead is purely coincidental.

[nflyer22]

Just to let you all know, Kedzie and rest of Archer routes have Bus Tracker added to the map. (The lines of the routes, not the actual buses just yet!)

Also, some routes who formerly had Bus Tracker but got transferred to another garage who has yet to have it (29 State, 77th has Bus Tracker, 103rd has yet to have it on the map), the line(s) got removed from the map.

[jajuan]

Just to let you all know, Kedzie and rest of Archer routes have Bus Tracker added to the map. (The lines of the routes, not the actual buses just yet!)

Also, some routes who formerly had Bus Tracker but got transferred to another garage who has yet to have it (29 State, 77th has Bus Tracker, 103rd has yet to have it on the map), the line(s) got removed from the map.

I've noticed. I take it Kedzie and the rest of those Archer routes will have BusTracker internally soon. I guess that means the supervisor whom I saw as recently as yesterday standing at Roosevelt and Homan during PM rush periods won't have to stand there much longer with his clipboard checking on the 12 and 82 the hard way. Though there are no lines yet for 145/148 and interestingly enough those for 38 end at the current Pulaski/Pink Line terminal when the new California terminal will likely be in effect when Kedzie does go live for customers. Wasn't surprised to not see lines for the 127 since it will be gone next month.

[jajuan]

Well 103rd has lines added in since yesterday for at least three routes: 95W, 108, and 169. I noticed the lines for 169 this morning after following the lines for 168 during my check of how many Kedzie routes have lines added in on the map. I checked to see what other routes from 103rd lines and found the other two. Those are the only three from 103rd with lines on the map so far.

[nflyer22]

Well 103rd has lines added in since yesterday for at least three routes: 95W, 108, and 169. I noticed the lines for 169 this morning after following the lines for 168 during my check of how many Kedzie routes have lines added in on the map. I checked to see what other routes from 103rd lines and found the other two. Those are the only three from 103rd with lines on the map so far.

Hmm, I'm gonna be honest, but I found out 108 was on the map several days ago, and I found it weird and didn't mention anything about it, thinking it was a 77th route, so now that someone had comfirmed it, kinda weird to know only some 103rd routes are added.

[jajuan]

Hmm, I'm gonna be honest, but I found out 108 was on the map several days ago, and I found it weird and didn't mention anything about it, thinking it was a 77th route, so now that someone had comfirmed it, kinda weird to know only some 103rd routes are added.

Well technically 108 is 74th in the AM and 103rd in the PM, so if I had noticed it I would have chalked it up to 74th having routes go live tomorrow.

[nflyer22]

Well technically 108 is 74th in the AM and 103rd in the PM, so if I had noticed it I would have chalked it up to 74th having routes go live tomorrow.

Oh, then that really clears things up! Thanks so much! :lol:

[nflyer22]

Wow, with today's addition of more Bus Tracker routes, it's like an army of ants at Midway and other major bus areas! Overall, I like the new addition of routes to the map/arrival table, but too bad they didn't add a feature to filter all but one route; really hard to get a good look at things at Midway!

[Busjack]

Playing the nerd, 74th hasn't done much about bus bunching. On 51, the two buses are EB on Winchester and Loomis. No WB service indicated.

59 has more buses, but more imbalance: EB at Pulaski, Ashland and Wells, WB at Cottage and Indiana.

That assumes that every bus is reflected on the map, but the arrival times are similar, i.e. WB at 59th and California in 25 and 30 minutes. Supposed to be a 14 minute interval.

[nextstopchicago]

I just verified that if a bus is at the northern terminus of Damen, I have enough time to get out and get to my stop. I'll be using the system in a bit.

With more routes, it's easier to get a real sense for how it could work. For instance, seeing Western and Damen routes simultaneously, I can see how I might choose which route to use by glancing to make sure there's no awful bus-lagging on Damen. If there is, I can quickly glance at Western, and assuming things look normal there, I'd make the longer walk.

One thing that confuses me -- the bus at the Ashland Orange line station was shown facing west. I can't tell whether that's a north-bound or south-bound bus. I wonder if they should just show buses facing the predominant direction of travel, rather than showing them round small corners, etc. But I'm just glancing at Ashland, not using the tracker for Ashland. Maybe regular users will notice that the icon is placed slightly differently for NB and SB buses navigating that station.

[Busjack]

One thing that confuses me -- the bus at the Ashland Orange line station was shown facing west. I can't tell whether that's a north-bound or south-bound bus. I wonder if they should just show buses facing the predominant direction of travel, rather than showing them round small corners, etc. But I'm just glancing at Ashland, not using the tracker for Ashland. Maybe regular users will notice that the icon is placed slightly differently for NB and SB buses navigating that station.

The thing indicates in what direction the bus's nose is pointing. For instance, I saw a 51 circle around the Kedzie station. (Also tends to disprove that 51 and 52A are interlined). The previous discussion about Midway Station indicates that one won't be able to distinguish buses at a transit center without a filter.

You have to use the arrival time display to get the information you want, not the map.

[BusHunter]

Wow, with today's addition of more Bus Tracker routes, it's like an army of ants at Midway and other major bus areas! Overall, I like the new addition of routes to the map/arrival table, but too bad they didn't add a feature to filter all but one route; really hard to get a good look at things at Midway!

It's starting to get hard to see routes in the loop too. Wait till they put the second half of what's missing on there. Then it will be hard to see. Too bad there's not a zoom up feature or box to show more detail to the crowded areas.

[jajuan]

I know slightly off topic, but for everyone who've been wanting to get a Cummins 6300 for the memory, they can now use Bustracker to find routes where they may be assigned for the day and plan accordingly.

[nextstopchicago]

The thing indicates in what direction the bus's nose is pointing. For instance, I saw a 51 circle around the Kedzie station. (Also tends to disprove that 51 and 52A are interlined). The previous discussion about Midway Station indicates that one won't be able to distinguish buses at a transit center without a filter.

You have to use the arrival time display to get the information you want, not the map.

Thanks. That's a good work-around. I prefer the map, because I'd rather estimate for myself when I need to get there than use the CTA's estimate of how long it will take the bus, at least until I get comfortable with the whole thing. And you're right, it seems there may be spots where you can't do that.

Anyway, this morning, I checked the map, found a bus at the northern end of the 50, turned the computer off and left, expecting I'd get there a little before the bus, but wondering ...

And then I realized I'd forgotten my cell-phone. Turned around, went back in, grabbed the phone, went back out ... because of an injury, I don't run to catch buses anymore, so I just walked the three blocks.

And there it was, a block and a half up Damen, waiting at a stoplight. I waited about 1 minute, and got on.

Of course, normally, I wouldn't want to cut it that close. But all in all, now that I've used the service on a route that is closer to me than Western, I'm very pleased. When the North Ave. bus at the other end of my trip is added, my life will be complete ... well, anyway, I'll be a little happier in my use of CTA buses.

[Buslover88]

Wow, I'd never thought someone would actually tell the CTA about that issue, even I'm not brave enough to do something like that, that's very helpful to all bus fans and everyday users of the Tracker. Thanks so much, appreciate it greatly!

Here's the response I recieved from CTA:

"We agree that it will be an improvement to filter out the routes that you are not looking for, and we have that tool under development. We expect to have it within the next several months, so keep checking the website. Thank you for your feedback and suggestion. We appreciate your interest in Bus Tracker."

[Buslover88]

Playing the nerd, 74th hasn't done much about bus bunching. On 51, the two buses are EB on Winchester and Loomis. No WB service indicated.

59 has more buses, but more imbalance: EB at Pulaski, Ashland and Wells, WB at Cottage and Indiana.

That assumes that every bus is reflected on the map, but the arrival times are similar, i.e. WB at 59th and California in 25 and 30 minutes. Supposed to be a 14 minute interval.

It also seems like there's bus bunching on #63 63rd as well. In rush hour, there are LOTS of #63s following each around Calforina.

[jajuan]

At 10:30 this evening, I saw an indicator for 6714 as an X49 heading northbound on Western just leaving the 79th/Western terminal. This has to be a fluke because according to the schedule the last X49s in either direction pull in by 9pm.

[nflyer22]

At 10:30 this evening, I saw an indicator for 6714 as an X49 heading northbound on Western just leaving the 79th/Western terminal. This has to be a fluke because according to the schedule the last X49s in either direction pull in by 9pm.

Wow, I gotta stand up for myself, rather than being quiet!

No, you're not the only one, I've been noticing it for the past 2 weeks now, and it always appears to have the same run and appears at the same time. Maybe it's one of those regular 49's, when it reaches 79th, turns back to Archer as an X49 (it's my assumption, seeing tonight wasn't the only night, been happening for the past 2 weeks since I've started looking at the Tracker closely, and also, all X49's start at the 97th terminal, rather then at 79th).

You know, now that I'm not the only one that has noticed this, maybe I should head out Friday night and see for sure this run is indeed true, and see whether its not an error or something, after all, it has occurred every night for the past 2+ weeks now (for me that is).

[nflyer22]

Here's the response I received from CTA:

"We agree that it will be an improvement to filter out the routes that you are not looking for, and we have that tool under development. We expect to have it within the next several months, so keep checking the website. Thank you for your feedback and suggestion. We appreciate your interest in Bus Tracker."

Ooh, ok, that's good to hear, again, thanks a bunch for sending your kind request to CTA about that problem on the Tracker! :)

[jajuan]

also, all X49's start at the 97th terminal, rather then at 79th).

I know. It just happened to be just passing 79th terminal when I noticed it.

[CircleSeven]

Wow, I gotta stand up for myself, rather than being quiet!

No, you're not the only one, I've been noticing it for the past 2 weeks now, and it always appears to have the same run and appears at the same time. Maybe it's one of those regular 49's, when it reaches 79th, turns back to Archer as an X49 (it's my assumption, seeing tonight wasn't the only night, been happening for the past 2 weeks since I've started looking at the Tracker closely, and also, all X49's start at the 97th terminal, rather then at 79th).

You know, now that I'm not the only one that has noticed this, maybe I should head out Friday night and see for sure this run is indeed true, and see whether its not an error or something, after all, it has occurred every night for the past 2+ weeks now (for me that is).

I remember back last year when I was at the 79th Terminal after leaving a Chinese Restaurant across the street, there was a 49 pulling up at the 79th Terminal and the signed changed as X49 going northbound to Archer. I guess the reason for this is because to let them hurry up and pull in to the Garage.

You might also notice something too when you see the bus tracker or if you're standing at Berwyn Terminal, sometimes there are some of the last northbound X49 buses don't always come back as an X49 going southbound to Archer. Some of those buses become a 49 going southbound all the way to 79th. I've seen this first hand just about a couple of years ago. And I wouldn't be shocked if they continue to have many runs on the street like this.

[nflyer22]

Ironically, it didn't occur tonight, since the run (my assumption) for that X49 we've seen over the past weeks came in tonight as a regular 49 (6711 to be exact, but it's gone from the map, because I kept a record of buses that have gone by so far tonight). It arrived at Archer around 10:37, several minutes ago.

[jajuan]

In addition to the rest of Archer and a number of Kedzie routes being drawn in on the Bustracker map, more routes for 77th, FG and and what looks like the rest of Chicago have been drawn in as well.