3rd Largest US Transit System to Implement Real-time Passenger Information Beginning Early 2011

The board of directors of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) have approved a recommendation by their Operations Committee to award a five-year contract for Real-Time Passenger Information Services (RTPIS) to WebTech Wireless’ NextBus division. The contract is worth US$1,649,900, inclusive of two one-year options.

LA Metro operates the third largest public transportation system in the US by ridership, providing bus and urban rail services to approximately 1.4 million weekday riders over a 1433 square mile area. At peak times it has over 2,000 buses in operation and is considered one of the region’s largest employers.

Under the contract, NextBus will use its patented technology to process data obtained from all buses in LA Metro’s fleet equipped with GPS devices, then provide real-time, predictive bus arrival information to users by interfacing with the Southern California 511 phone- and website-based traveler information service, LA Metro’s own public website, the nextbus.com website, as well as cell and Smartphone text messaging. Some services are expected to begin by early 2011.

NextBus will also provide LA Metro fleet managers with various reporting and monitoring tools to improve fleet operations and enhance customer service.