OC Bus Tracker is a mobile web app that allows Ottawa transit goers to view accurate
arrival times based on onboard bus GPS coordinates and leverages the City of Ottawa's
Next Bus Arrival Data
Feed.
OC Bus Tracker's success is routed in 4 basic principles:
Free is good
OC Bus Tracker is available free to the community
Work on any device
Apple, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Desktop ++
No Download Required
Full functionality without the need to install anything
Design for the user
A fluid design makes for a more enjoyable user experience
What users are saying
Since it's launch on March 27th, 2012 the response from the community has been nothing
short of amazing. We've received hundreds of emails letting us know how they use
the app and also suggestions on how to improve it. We committed to responding to
every email we've received (if we inadvertently missed you please -
Contact Us) and all suggestions were evaluated with many being incorporated
into the new version you see now.
Below are a few examples of the kind words from OC Bus Tracker users:
"Love your app - so much better than the OC Transpo one. Thanks!"
"Just wanted to say I've been using this app/site (www.OCBusTracker.com) ever since
it was mentioned on Reddit. It's been a load of help with getting to bus stops on
time and I much prefer it to the official OC bus tracker app. Keep up the great
work! Again, I use this everyday so thank you!"
"Great web app, I especially appreciate being able to see where the bus is on the
map."
"I have been using the OC text message solution as well, and I find OC Bus Tracker
more reliable and more accurate."
"[my son] has significant learning disabilities but with a bit of practice, he has
learned how to use your app and it’s invaluable in getting him around town. I suspect
he’s quite the show-off telling other folks their wait times."
What's next?
First up - we're going to try and put the word out a little more about this free
service for Ottawantonians'. OC Bus Tracker does get used a lot but we think there are still many who haven't heard
about it that may benefit from it.
Next, OC Bus Tracker is going global!...sort of. What started off
as a simple web app for Ottawa residents has been rebuilt to adapt to a multitude
of open data formats including real-time open data transit information for Winnipeg,
Toronto, Laval, Boston and San Francisco. We plan on launching OCBusTracker across
these other cities early in the New Year. Stay tuned!