Why doesn't a bus come when NexTrip says it will?

And how is Metro Transit fixing that?

January 22, 2020 at 11:36PM
A replaced bus stop on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis was photographed Thursday, Jan. 16, 2019. ] Shari L. Gross ¥ shari.gross@startribune.com Metro Transit has replaced 12,000 bus stop signs and added more than 130 new shelters across the transit system, five years after launching a "Better Bus Stop" program to improve the customer experience at bus stops across the metro. The initiative was spurred in part by Star Tribune reporting showing wide discrepancies between ridership and where bu
Metro Transit is looking to make NexTrip, its service that provides real-time bus schedule information, more accurate. Shari L. Gross • shari.gross@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Metro Transit knows its NexTrip app isn't always accurate in real-time tracking of buses and trains — a frustration for people trying to catch a ride. Here's a look at how it works and a plan to improve it.

How does NexTrip work?

Every Metro Transit train and bus has an onboard computer that records its GPS location. As vehicles move, NexTrip tracks their location in relation to specific time-points and uses an algorithm to predict expected arrival times. It updates every eight seconds.

Why doesn't the bus always come when NexTrip says it will?

The algorithm doesn't always have everything it needs. Say in normal conditions it takes a Route 32 bus five minutes to get from Penn and Lowry avenues N. to its next check-in point at Fremont Avenue. NexTrip tells riders waiting at Fremont their bus will come in five minutes. If there is a fire, a crash or a storm causing travel delays, that is not factored in — and NexTrip doesn't reflect that delay because the bus has not reached the next check-in point.

How is Metro Transit fixing that?

Metro Transit will work with Cambridge Systematics to update NexTrip and make the algorithm smarter. If the retooled algorithm notices a pattern of buses that aren't passing check-in points on schedule, it will adjust NexTrip to reflect those delays. It still won't be perfect, but the company says it can improve accuracy from 65% to 80%.

about the writer

about the writer

Tim Harlow

Reporter

Tim Harlow covers traffic and transportation issues in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and likes to get out of the office, even during rush hour. He also covers the suburbs in northern Hennepin and all of Anoka counties, plus breaking news and weather. 

See More

More from Local

card image

The Democratic vice presidential candidate could either contribute to a historic win, or face scrutiny as Kamala Harris’ pick if she loses.

card image
card image