This is exciting news for the Coast. Catching a bus or a train, just got a whole lot easier. The new app from Translink allows real time tracking of buses and trains on the Sunshine Coast. It’s easy to use and see exactly when your next bus or train will arrive, just by scanning the QR code at the bus/train stop, or use the app itself. Marvelous technology really.
The app also allows you see the whole time table, and also select stops and routes as your favourite which cuts down search times. All at the touch of a button on your phone, I just love it.
Sunshine Coast Council says Sunshine Coast bus passengers are the first in South-East Queensland to be able to track the arrival of the next bus service with real time info rolled out at Maroochydore today. GPS technology shows up-to-the-minute departure times of exactly where the bus is, with information updated every 30 seconds or better.
The Queensland Government delivered the real time technology on the Sunshine Coast with the support of Sunshine Coast Council.
Transport Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said having real time information on bus locations and arrival times provided certainty for passengers. “This has the potential to translate into a significant growth in passenger numbers due to their increased confidence in using public transport,” Cr Baberowski said.
“Council has been a long-time advocate for real time information and has sought to work with TransLink to implement it and will work with the community to maximise the benefits from it. “This major new initiative will benefit Sunshine Coast residents and visitors and is a big change in the public transport service on the Sunshine Coast. “We will wonder how we did without it. “It’s the start of new era of seriously useful information that can make the difference between choosing to use a bus rather than your car,” he said.
Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Andrew Powell said the new technology was one of the biggest changes to public transport technology since smart card ticketing in 2008. “Passengers can visit the TransLink website or the MyTransLink app to see when their bus is due to depart their stop,” Mr Powell said
“We’ve made public transport more frequent, reliable and affordable and now the Newman LNP Government is delivering 21st century travel on the Sunshine Coast.
“At the swipe of a touchscreen, passengers can now check if they’ve got time for another coffee before they head off to the bus stop. “Our strong plan for public transport is making travel more convenient than ever before – ensuring Queenslanders can spend more time doing what they want, instead of waiting for the next bus.”
Assistant Minister for Public Transport Steve Minnikin said real-time technology has the ability to transform the way people use public transport and is easy to access. “To coincide with the launch of the new technology, TransLink developed a new app available to download free from the App Store and Google Play for iOS and Android users,” Mr Minnikin said.
“Real-time data is also available to third-party app developers as part of the Queensland Government’s Open Data initiative and I look forward to seeing what exciting and innovative apps might be developed as a result.”
For more information about real-time or about the MyTransLink app, visit http://translink.com.au/ or call 13 12 30, anytime.
– See more at: https://news.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/content/real-time-technology-sunshine-coast-buses
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mytranslink/id927289966?mt=8
FYI: I use the i-nigma QR code reader, which comes in handy at the bsu stop you are at.