On. Jan. 19, the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) will launch Where’s My Ride, a vehicle tracking tool that provides real-time travel information to passengers, allowing them to obtain predictive arrival information for a Connect bus or A-train at a particular stop location via phone, online and mobile devices.
Unlike a mobile application, Where’s My Ride is an integrated Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) developed by Strategic Mapping that uses accurate location data provided by a GPS device that is mounted inside each DCTA Connect bus and A-train railcar. Users can receive notifications of bus or train arrival time, call in to hear arrival times and track vehicles in real time with Where’s My Ride, which integrates location, route and bus/train information with schedules and maps to provide passengers with the most accurate arrival predictions possible.
“Where’s My Ride allows DCTA’s passengers to track the A-train and Connect bus while en route, and provides them with real-time predictive arrival information that makes it easier to use DCTA services,” said Raymond Suarez, DCTA
chief operating officer. “In addition, this new passenger tool will provide DCTA with internal data that will help us better schedule routes and times for services that will greatly benefit passengers.”
Main features of Where’s My Ride include:
Text Messages
Passengers can receive SMS text messages using the text stop prediction feature of Where’s My Ride. It’s simple - text your stop ID to 98458 to receive the estimated arrival time of your bus or train. Stop IDs can be found on bus stop signs and on the schedules at A-train stations. This convenient feature allows passengers to reduce their wait time for a vehicle, or simply find the next bus or train at their location.
Online Portal
Where’s My Ride’s online portal feature enables passengers to access real-time bus and train location data from most web-enabled devices. You can select and watch your bus or train progress along its route. In addition, you can select specific stops, search by address or input your stop ID to find the nearest bus or train and its arrival time.
Travel Alerts
This feature allows passengers to subscribe to a wide range of DCTA notifications in their preferred format of email or text. You can choose the days and times to receive alerts for specific Connect routes and the A-train. In addition, you can set up stop prediction email notifications that will alert you when the vehicle is due to arrive at your stop within your specified time window.
Voice
Similar to text stop prediction, Where’s My Ride’s voice stop prediction feature allows passengers to dial in for an up to the minute prediction of a bus or train at a chosen stop. Call 940-243-0077, enter your stop ID and receive real-time information on the next bus or train scheduled for that location and its expected arrival time.
