ctabustracker.com - awesomer!

Image from Wikimedia

Using public transportation used to be a real bummer. But Chicago's system, is getting better and better and probably one of the best public transportation experiences I have had in the US. I believe their embrace of new technologies is part of what is improving their rider experience.

The CTA has created CTABUSTRACKER.com that provides trip planning assistance. It also provides a low bandwidth site that makes it easy to see when the next few buses are coming. And it is pretty darn accurate! If it says your bus is going to be there in 2 minutes it will be within a minute or two doe to the fact that the buses are using GPS locators to constantly update their position and progress. For those always glaring at a computer screen, the site provides a live map of the city and bus routes. Little markers on the map move in real time to show where all the bus are and how fast they are moving through the city. Finally you can also sign up for scheduled email or text alerts which comes in handy for routine commutes.

I've become addicted to the low bandwidth site. Wherever I am I can check and see if i have time to grab a coffee before the next bus. Or if I see an approaching bus is crowded, but there is another two minutes later, I decide to wait for the next one and take a chance it will have some empty seats for me.

If you live in Chicago or are coming for a visit, check out ctabustracker.com.