Iowa City area buses may add tracking system

The Iowa City area's popular public-transit systems may go high-tech.

Iowa City, Coralville and the University of Iowa transit departments want to implement a computer system that allows riders to see in real time where buses are and how long it will be until a bus arrives at a stop. They also may install wireless Internet on buses.

The information would be available on the Internet, mobile devices and audibly by telephone.

“I think it would be cool,” said Micki Moore, 24, of Iowa City, as she waited for a bus Thursday in downtown Iowa City. “That way, you know when the bus is coming, and you would know where the bus is at.”

It apparently also would be unique in Iowa, with local officials and the Iowa Public Transit

Association saying they don't believe any transit system in the state currently uses what is known as automatic vehicle location.

The technology could see some heavy use, with the three transit systems running a combined 64 buses at peak times and serving more than 6 million riders last year. That's the highest ridership rate in the state, reports the Johnson County Council of Governments.

“In this day and age, this kind of technology is expected by people, especially in this community,” said Brian McClatchey, manager of the UI's Cambus service.

The goal is to have the system up and running by the start of school in the fall. First, transit officials are seeking final approval from their bosses.

The UI estimates its upfront costs at $125,000, plus $50,000 annually for operating the system. Iowa City puts its share at $82,900 upfront and $37,100 annually, which is already budgeted for.

Vicky Robrock, Coralville's director of parking and transportation, did not have a figure for Coralville because the City Council first must decide what it wants to do, which should happen next month.

Iowa City, Coralville and the UI want to implement the project jointly and use a system designed by NextBus Inc. It combines Global Positioning System data with a computer software program to track vehicles, according to the company's Web site.

Some studies have shown that the biggest deterrent to using public transit is the availability of information, said Chris O'Brien, Iowa City's director of transportation services. He said the tracking technology could boost ridership.

It could be especially useful in snowy weather, when buses are often delayed and people don't want to wait in the cold, said Robrock.