Nextrip FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Nextrip 

1. What is Nextrip?
2. How does Nextrip work?
3. How accurate are the predictions?
4. What are the benefits of the system?
5. Are there fees for using Nextrip?
6. How do I use Nextrip service?
7. How do I look up a Bus Stop Number?
8. How many arrival times can I see or hear for a particular route and stop?
9. How many bus stops are there?
10. How many bus routes and lines are there?
11. What could happen to cause a prediction to be wrong?
12. What will happen on holidays?
13. Can I bookmark my bus stop?
14. When do I have to specify the "Destination"?
15. Does the site offer access for the visually impaired?
16. How does the system remember the last stop I specified?
17. Do I need to have cookies enabled?
18. Do I need to have JavaScript enabled?
19. Do I need to have Java enabled?
20. Where do I find schedules?
21. What do the Nextrip screen messages mean?
22. Is my privacy protected?
23. How do I turn off the annoying clicking sound?
24. Is Nextrip information posted at bus stops?

Q1: What is Nextrip?

Nextrip is a service designed to help take the guesswork out of bus arrival and help you to get to your stop at the same time as your bus. Nextrip uses satellite technology to find the specific location of a bus; then sends the estimated arrival time of the bus to a particular stop via cell phone, website or other mobile device. [TOP]

Q2: How does Nextrip work?

Nextrip uses Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology and advanced computer modeling to track buses on their routes. Taking into account the actual position of the transit vehicles, their intended stops, and the typical traffic patterns, Nextrip predicts bus arrivals with a high degree of accuracy. Estimates are updated constantly as vehicles are tracked. [TOP]

Q3: How accurate are the predictions?

Nextrip technology tracks buses on their routes every 2 to 3 minutes and the information sent via the Internet is updated every minute. The accuracy of predictions varies depending upon many factors, including changes in traffic patterns, accidents, etc. Therefore, Nextrip cannot specify an exact overall accuracy.  In general though, the margin of error is less than one minute for predictions of five minutes away or less. For ten-minute predictions, the margin of error is less than two minutes. Predictions are biased slightly early to avoid people missing buses. [TOP]

Q4: What are the benefits of the system?

The Nextrip system puts riders in control. Even when you know what the schedule is, there are a number of reasons that vehicles may not arrive when expected. Heavy traffic, breakdowns, and other unforeseen problems can delay or completely interrupt service. By using Nextrip to determine when the next vehicle is going to arrive, you can minimize time spent waiting for a bus. Specifically, you can determine exactly when to leave home or the office in order to meet the bus. [TOP]

Q5: Are there fees for using Nextrip?

Metro charges no fees for using Nextrip. But you may be assessed data or air-time charges from your cell phone or Internet provider if you exceed your monthly limits. [TOP]

Q6: How do I use Nextrip service?

• By Text: Text “Metro” and your stop number to 41411. Leave a space between the word “Metro” and your stop number when entering text.  
• By Mobile Web: Point your mobile device or smart phone to m.metro.net and click Nextrip. If GPS is enabled, your phone will automatically find the nearest stop or you can enter a new stop number. Bookmark your stop for future easy access.
• By Phone: Call 511, say “Nextrip,” and follow the prompts. Enter your bus stop number and route number when asked and you’ll hear the estimated arrival time of the next bus at your stop. If you need your stop number, call 511 and say, “Stop Number.”  
• Online: Go to Metro.net/Nextrip or go511.com and click on the Nextrip link. Enter your bus stop  number and select your route from the drop down menu. Choose the direction you’re traveling and select your bus stop from the list. 

How do I look up a Bus Stop Number?

Remember that your stop number is NOT the same as your bus route number. Find your stop number online at Metro.net/Nextrip. You can also call 511 and say "Look up a stop number."

[TOP]

Q7: How many arrival times can I see or hear for a particular route and stop?

Up to three for the primary selected route.  Other routes servicing the stop can also appear for up to two hours from the buses’ scheduled arrival times.[TOP]

Q8: How many bus stops are there?

There are about 16,000 bus stops in the Metro System.[TOP]

Q9: How many bus routes and lines are there?

Nearly 2,300 buses on 183 bus routes. [TOP]

Q10: What could happen to cause a prediction to be wrong?

Unexpected detours, accidents, traffic slowdowns and severe weather can cause predictions to be less accurate. Broken bus equipment also can cause predictions to not be available for that bus.[TOP]

Q11: What will happen on holidays?

Depending upon the holiday, Metro will run a Saturday, Sunday or weekday schedule. Predicted bus arrival times will be affected by the unusual traffic patterns and other factors unique to a holiday. The predicted arrival times will not be as accurate on detoured routes during special events, such as the 4th of July. For a complete holiday schedule list, please Metro maps and timetables. [TOP]

Q12: Can I bookmark my bus stop?

Yes, on a smart phone or on the web you can bookmark the arrival predictions page for the bus stops you use. This will save you having to select your route and stop each time you use Nextrip. [TOP]

Q13: When do I have to specify the "Destination”?

Sometimes there are multiple routes that go to where you want to go. The Nextrip system can provide predictions for all possible routes that serve your stops, as long as you specify both the stop where you are boarding.  Also, there are some routes that have multiple destinations. If your destination is only served by some of the vehicles for your route, selecting your destination ensures that you will only see predictions for vehicles going to your destination. If only one route serves the stop where you board, specifying "Destination" is unnecessary. [TOP]

Q14: Does the site offer access for the visually impaired?

Yes, the accessible version has an especially streamlined interface optimized for accessibility and performance for visually impaired customers and mobile-device users. Select the ADA Website option. [TOP]

Q15: How does the system remember the last stop I specified?

The Nextrip system uses a browser cookie to keep track of the last stop for which real-time arrival information was obtained on your computer. [TOP]

Q16: Do I need to have cookies enabled?

You can obtain real-time predictions even if cookies are disabled. Cookies are only used to remember the last stop for which you wanted predictions and to support animated bus locations on the live map. So while this feature is not necessary, it can make it quicker for you to get your desired information. [TOP]

Q17: Do I need to have javascript enabled?

No. You can obtain real-time predictions even if you have javascript disabled. If javascript is not available or is turned off, you will automatically be directed to non-javascript pages. The interface will be somewhat different but you will still get the same information. [TOP]

Q18: Do I need to have Java enabled?

Java applets are only used for displaying real-time maps showing where the vehicles are on the desired route. If you have Java disabled, or are using a browser that cannot run applets, you will still be able to access all other features. [TOP]

Q19: Where do I find schedules?

A link to schedules is provided when possible. They are available on the web at metro.net. [TOP]

Q20: What do the Nextrip screen messages mean?

No current prediction - No information is available at the moment. Check again in a few minutes. A prediction likely will be available shortly.

Possible reasons for this message include:

• There is no vehicle between the beginning of the route and your stop. You are especially like to receive this message if your stop is near the beginning of a route. Wait a few minutes and a prediction should appear.
• No vehicles are currently scheduled to run. Consult the schedule link for details.
• Vehicles are running but not ones with the required tracking equipment.
• Vehicles are deviating from their usual routes.

Message Definition

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Q21: Is my privacy protected?

Nextrip does not track your identity. The system only keeps track of the last stop selected on your computer. If you choose, you can even eliminate this record by turning off the cookies for your browser. You will still be able to obtain predictions. For cell phone, PDA, and SMS sites Nextrip will only use any collected information for providing passenger information to you. Nextrip will NOT use this information for any other purpose nor sell or distribute this information to any other organization. [TOP]

Q22: How do I turn off that 'clicking' sound?

With some versions of Internet Explorer, the system generates a clicking sound every time a new page is loaded. This can be annoying because a new prediction is loaded at least once a minute. To turn off this clicking sound on a Microsoft Windows PC, open the system Control Panel and click on "Sounds and Multimedia". In the Sounds tab, look under the Windows Explorer section and click on "Start Navigation". Under Name: you will probably see start.wav which is the clicking sound. Replace the text "start.wav" with "(None)" and hit OK.[TOP]

Q23: Is Nextrip information posted at bus stops?

Metro is in the process of installing Nextrip information at bus stops throughout the region. Nextrip information at bus stops includes a unique, identifying bus stop number, texting instructions and the 511 phone number. If your stop has not yet been updated, you can find your stop number online at either metro.net or go511.com, or you can call 511 and say, “Stop Number,” and follow the prompts. [TOP]