Installations Completed, Predictions Updated

Updated on May 30, 2019

Closeup of a Samsara GPS device, held by a gloved driver's hand in front of a bus steering wheel.

We've reached several milestones on our bus tracking and predictions project:

Swiftly, our new predictions system, went live October 4, 2018, and we’ve seen an overall 10% increase in bus prediction accuracy. We are working to make predictions even better. We welcome your feedback about bus predictions.
Samsara GPS devices have been installed in the entire bus fleet as of December 11, 2018. Buses send location data every 8 seconds, on average. You’ll see vehicle locations update more frequently on apps and our website's bus schedule pages.
Better bus locations and predictions are available on our website, on the Transit app, and any app that uses our v3 API or our GTFS-realtime feed. You can watch our buses move along the route, nearly in real time. Please note, some older apps may not use our new system.
Our bus location data is now communicated over a cellular data network in addition to the MBTA dispatch radio. This enables more frequent and uninterrupted location updates.

What's Next

Our new GPS devices provide access to diagnostics data, including the check-engine light, fuel levels, battery voltage, and oil pressure. We are looking at ways that operations and maintenance staff can use that information to improve bus service reliability.
We are developing a new, mobile-friendly bus tracking tool for our field inspectors to help them take advantage of better tracking information. We want our operations staff to have modern tools and reliable data so they can make fast, informed dispatching decisions that keep service running well for riders.

Building a Better T

As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

Learn more