‘Real Time’ Service for Bus Users Launched

 

An enhanced ‘real time’ timetabling service for bus users launched today by Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones in Portmeirion Village, Gwynedd.

 

The information service – Traveline.txt Real Time – is now being rolled out across Wales as part of a growing number of passenger services developed by Traveline Cymru.

 

Traveline.txt Real Time provides bus users not only with details of the next bus to arrive at a specific bus stop – but also now – telling bus users how early or late their bus is running.

 

The service is currently available at over 20,000 bus stops in Wales – each with a unique 7 letter code available either at bus stops or the Traveline Cymru website www.traveline-cymru.info, making the service easy to use.

 

When bus users arrive at the bus stop, they find the code and key it into their mobile phone to the Traveline.txt number 84268.  They will then receive a free reply via text message within 30 seconds showing the time of the next four buses due at your stop and, where Real Time Information is available, how late or early it is running.

 

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport, said:

“The Welsh Assembly Government is determined to make a success of integrated transport.  Our buses, the trains and coaches have to provide a cohesive service to get people out of their cars and into more carbon-efficient ways of getting around.

 

“Traveline Cymru provides a first-class service – with impartial timetable and journey planning information about all public transport services in Wales – as well as timetables for rail and coach in the whole of the UK.”

 

Responding on behalf of PTI Cymru, Jo Horton, said “Our Traveline.txt service has become increasingly popular since it was introduced in 2005, especially with young people and the new service means that passengers never have to worry if they’ve missed the bus or not.

 

“We hope that as the new Real Time Information service is rolled out across Wales that more and more people, especially in rural areas, will benefit from this service”.

 

Traveline.txt Real Time is being developed by Traveline Cymru, operated by PTI Cymru, the Welsh Assembly Government funded all Wales passenger transport information service.

 

The service is already available in Cardiff, Newport, Gwynedd, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea – with Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham coming on line soon.  It is already getting 10,000 enquiries a month – in fact, since introduction in March 2005 it has grown by 83 per cent year on year.