29 June 2005

Waiting and wondering when the next bus is due will soon become a thing of the past for Hutt Valley bus users.

From Friday 8 July Greater Wellington Regional Council will introduce a text messaging service called txtBUS which will allow bus users to use the text capability on their cell phone to find out when the next bus is scheduled to arrive at their stop. 

Greater Wellington Major Projects Manager Steve Budd says txtBUS is being trialled in the Hutt Valley to ascertain how popular the service will be and, if there is a positive reaction, the service will be extended to the rest of the Wellington region later this year.

“In October 2003 major improvements were made to the bus services in the Hutt Valley which made it easier for people to use the buses. We know this worked because up to 40% more trips are now being made by bus in the Hutt Valley as compared to the same services two years ago. txtBUS will be a further enhancement to services that are already proving popular.”

Steve says the txtBUS service will mean there is no need to check paper timetables or walk to the bus stop to find out when a bus is due - the txtBUS service will save time and hassle and is ideal for those using bus stops that do not have timetable information. 

He says the launch date coincides with the start of school holidays when bus travel patterns change and timetable information about unfamiliar services is most useful. The service is based on timetables and users are still advised to arrive at the stop several minutes beforehand as some stop times are approximate times only.

“The cost of a query has been negotiated to be only 20 cents for users (including GST) on both Telecom and Vodafone networks.  Users can get more info by texting ‘info’ to ‘bus’ (287).”

How does txtBUS work?

1.         Address a text message to “bus” (or “287”) on your phone key pad – note that with some phones you may need to create the query first. 

2.         Create a Query - there are two service options: 

To find out the times of the next three bus services from your stop: - key in and send the 4 digit bus stop number for your stop. e.g. 9115

To find out the next three services for your specific route from your stop (particularly useful at busy bus stops which are served by more then one route): - key in and send the 4 digit bus stop number then a space or comma and then your route number.  e.g. 9115,110 or 9115 110

A confirmation of the location of your bus stop and the approximate times of the next three buses due to arrive should arrive within a few seconds.   The system will not inform users if a service is running early or late.

The four digit bus stop numbers referred to are located on the bus stop signs at all bus stops in the Hutt Valley.  Alternatively, you can obtain your bus stop number and more information about the service from Greater Wellington Regional Council’s website at www.gw.govt.nz/txtbus or by calling the Ridewell Service Centre on 0800 801 700.

Greater Wellington Passenger Transport Committee Chair Cr Glen Evans says the introduction of text messaging is an important step in a number of improvements to the operation of the transport network which will be rolled out over the next twelve months.

“It is also very gratifying to note the comprehensive overhaul of the Hutt Valley bus services, which initially gave rise to an increase in the local transport rates of 8%, has now generated a 43% patronage increase and a rate reduction. This comprehension examination of the effectiveness of bus services is now proceeding at Porirua and will be extended to other areas.”

Leaflets about the txtBUS service will also be available on Hutt Valley buses.

• Eastbourne and Wainuiomata services do not yet have numbered bus stops so are not included in the current Txt bus trial

ENDS

For more information:
Name       Steve Budd – Major Projects Manager
Division     Transport
Greater Wellington Regional Council
P   803 0352
M   027 440 2503