DC - Metro 'Next Bus' Goes Live in July

Next Bus technology uses global positioning satellites and advanced computer modeling to track buses on their routes every 120 seconds. Taking into account the actual position of the transit vehicles, their intended stops, and the typical traffic patterns, the system estimates the bus arrivals. These estimates are updated constantly as the vehicles are tracked. In general, the prediction information will be accurate to within several minutes as buses are subject to field conditions such as traffic and weather.

A round, red, white and blue Next Bus sign posted at a Metrobus stop includes a unique, identifying bus stop number and the phone number to call to get real-time bus arrival information for that bus stop. Signs currently are being posted at more than 12,008 Metrobus stops in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Next Bus signWhen the Next Bus system becomes available in July, Metrobus customers will be able to get real-time bus arrival information on Metro’s Web site, by telephone or from electronic signs installed at select Metrobus stops.

WMATA on the Web