OC Transpo unveils bus-tracking app

OC Transpo launched a long-awaited free mobile application for tracking bus times using real-time data on Wednesday, but general manager John Manconi says the app remains a work in progress.

The MyTransit application for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch is designed to allow users to track their bus usingGlobal Positioning System data. The application is available in both French and English.

But Manconi said OC Transpo is working to fix some glitches that have already been identified.

"The first is that during some of the runs the GPS data gets put on hold so it backs up and that then catches up and can have some affect when comparing the schedule to real-time reporting," said Manconi.

"The other glitch is that at the beginning of runs, the GPS data gets hung up and then catches up and that can affect how it's compared to the schedule," he said.

Manconi says those glitches sometimes occur across the system, and other times not at all.

In tests on Wednesday, buses came within a minute of when the GPS information would suggest.

Other OC Transpo bus-information services, such as the560-560 text service, now also operate using the GPS data.

GPS data release delays

Manconi said calls for information on bus schedules will later be linked to the GPS data, and said the hope is that the schedules themselves may be altered once more information is known about how long routes actually take.

Application developers are looking forward to Thursday, when OC Transpo is expected to release the raw GPS data. They toldthe transit commission Wednesday morning they expect to produce their own OC Transpo appsincluding one for BlackBerry"within the week."

Access to the GPS information had been a contentious issue with the transit operator after it pulled the data last year when it said there were accuracy issues. Manconi's predecessor Alain Mercier had then promised to make the data available again to developers but later mused about keeping it in-house.

Councillors eventually pressured OC Transpo to make good on the earlier commitment.