CTA Touts New Text-Message Bus Tracker
By Lindsey Miller in News on Jan 5, 2010 6:20PM
We don't know about you, but here at Chicagoist we've been waiting rather impatiently for CTA Bus Tracker to make it to text message. Yes, we know it's 2010, but some of us haven't made the jump to internet-enabled phones and Bus Tracker apps yet. Now, we wait out in the snow and ice no longer, not bothering to crane our necks for a glimpse of the next bus -- bus tracker for text message is here.
It's simple, really. You send a text message to the CTA specifying the stop you're at, and within seconds you get a text back, telling you when the next two buses will arrive. There's an extensive how-to available on the website, but basically you just text "ctabus [stop ID number]" to 41411. CTA doesn't charge for the service, but your cell service provider may tack on your standard text messaging rate if you have one.
The stop ID number takes a bit of advance planning, as each stop has a different number, which can be found on an extensive list. The CTA even provides a nifty cheat sheet that you can keep in your wallet where you can write down your favorite stops. The how-to notes, though, that stop IDs can also be found on the arrival time area of ctabustracker.com, in Google Transit directions, on 42 select pilot bus stop signs around the city with texting instructions, and by text the long way (with a "ctabus rt[number]").
Bus Tracker has grown steadily in popularity since its inception over a year ago. The website gets close to 50,000 visits on the average weekday and "bus tracker" is the second most-searched item by Chicagoans on Google. In a press release announcing the feature, CTA President Richard Rodriguez says it will especially come in handy when bus service is reduced by 18 percent in February. More information about the Feb. 7 service -- but not rate -- cuts can be found here.
Now, all we need are those train arrival times...