LA Metro gets better real-time transit data

How we’re creating better real-time transit predictions for LA Metro

This month, after successful pilots in New York, San Francisco, and Montreal, our app Transit started publishing crowdsourced transit data in Los Angeles. Instead of updating every 3ish minutes, we update vehicle locations in actual real-time. How is that possible? We have thousands of Los Angelenos proudly sharing their vehicle locations with other users, all thanks to GO, a keystone feature of Transit.

GO gives you real-time transit instructions (like when to leave for your stop, when to disembark, and where to transfer) but it also broadcasts your real-time vehicle position while you ride. We use those GPS coordinates to make real-time ETA predictions for everyone down the line — so fewer people miss that bus (or subway)!

Today, our predictions are getting even better, with a little help from our friends at Swiftly.

Introducing: Transit + Swiftly 👯

Swiftly is a transit data company that improves the accuracy of real-time information. Their “big data engine” can combine legacy datasets (like old CAD/AVL real-time systems) with modern ones (like crowdsourced GPS). Swiftly’s software makes it possible to overlay our high-frequency transit data on top of the low-frequency agency feed (if the line isn’t crowdsourced).

It’s exactly what we needed.

Today, we’re announcing our first joint project: LA Metro. Here’s what you should expect:

• Predicted ETAs that are up to 20% more accurate ⚡️
• Super-frequent up-to-the-second vehicle updates (when we have crowdsourced data) 🏎💨💨💨
• Better use of historical transit patterns to improve those predictions ☝️📊

With Transit’s crowdsourced data + Swiftly’s data sorting skills, we can make faster (and smoother) updates on vehicle positions. Which means more reliable data and a better rider experience.

How you can help

Whenever you ride LA Metro, take advantage of GO. Not only will you get real-time notifications on when to leave for your bus (more time for breakfast), when to disembark (more time for naps) and where to transfer, but you’ll be helping thousands of fellow riders get better data about your line.

With just one person running GO on each vehicle, we can produce accurate real-time predictions for the entire transit network.

We’re already generating significant amounts of crowdsourced data in Los Angeles. With your help, we can crowdsource the whole dang city.

Los Angeles is just the latest city to get better real-time data. But it won’t be the last. Thanks to Transit + Swiftly, it’s now easier than ever to generate accurate real-time predictions — our pilot project for LA Metro is just the start.

By working together, startups and agencies can massively improve the rider experience. Fewer missed rides. More trustworthy service. Cities where people are proud of their public transit.

Which is why we’re excited to pursue deeper relationships with LA Metro. Together with Transit + Swiftly, we could put this data in the hands of millions more riders. Let’s make it happen.