By Luke Voogt
Geelong commuters can now track their bus using an online app, State Government has announced.
Public Transport Victoria’s (PTV) Next 5 feature, on its app and website, now lists the next five buses for any route in Geelong.
Every minute PTV updates the list, which shows the estimated time of bus arrival at each stop on the route.
Geelong public transport advocate Mr Westcott described the improvement as great news for travellers with smart phones.
“It makes it a lot easier and a lot less stressful for people who catch the bus,” he said.
“At least if it’s late – which is annoying enough – they know it’s on the way. And if it’s not coming you won’t be left standing there like a shag on a rock.”
Previously, passengers only had access to timetable information and no way of knowing about unexpected bus delays.
Lara MP John Eren said the app would help commuters get home safer and sooner.
“Real time information means passengers can find out exactly when their bus will arrive, even if something unexpected has happened,” he said. The improvement follows the introduction of 18 extra train services to Geelong every week in January.
“It’s good, but it’s a very minor increase really when you divide it by seven days, and remember it’s each train up and back,” Mr Westcott said.
Mr Westcott welcomed recent State Government plans to improve level crossings on the Warrnambool line.
“Only 12 per cent of trains on Warrnambool line last month got to their destination within 10 minutes of the scheduled time,” he said.
“But the main problem is it’s a single track all the way from Geelong to Warrnambool with just two crossing loops.”
For real-time Geelong bus information, visit ptv.vic.gov.au.
