More bus riders are using UTA’s Ride Time texting service than ever before, according new usage statistics. In 2015, over 1.2 million texts were generated by UTA’s Ride Time service. UTA passengers have received more than 1.5 million Ride Time text messages between October 2014 and January 31, 2016, when data measurement started.
How does Ride Time work? Riders receive a text message to their mobile device when they text the stop ID number, located on every UTA bus stop sign, to 882-882 (UTA-UTA). Ride Time will then send the passenger a text back with the next three times a bus will be departing from that location. If multiple routes service the same stop, riders can text the stop ID number, a space, then the route number servicing the location to see when the next bus for that particular route will be arriving the stop.
Confirmation of Ride Time’s popularity follows the launch of yet another mobile technology tracking tool this month. The automated vehicle locator (AVL) allows riders to see on a map the exact location of their bus or train. Riders should note that unlike Ride Time which sends text messages, the AVL requires a tablet or smartphone in order to be able to see the map.
Ride Time peak usage for one month in 2015 was in October with 120,310 texts received by bus riders, a 92 percent increase over the 62,678 received in October 2014 when UTA first starting tracking usage numbers. Average daily use of Ride Time for 2015 was over 3,400 texts.
The Ride Time service is funded in part by advertising at the bottom of each text message reply that riders receive.
