SAN ANTONIO – VIA bus riders will now have a better idea if their bus will be arriving on time, thanks to the simple click of a text message.
By texting any VIA Metropolitan Transit bus stop number to 52020, bus riders with mobile phones can find out when the next bus will be arriving.
Recommended Videos
Every VIA bus is equipped with GPS technology that allows the agency to track the bus in real time and determine when the bus will arrive.
Once the text message is sent, the system determines if the bus will be on time.
VIA says the new system will alleviate frustrations.
"Customers tell us all the time that they hate waiting and so we want to reduce that amount of wait time for theme, so again, they can do thing that are productive and so they not waiting for the bus assuming that its coming in the next couple of moments, said Keith Parker, CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit.
This information can also be obtained by sending an email to nextbus@viainfo.net with the bus stop number in the subject line.
VIA is working to develop apps for android and iPhone users, which should be available at the end of the year.