REAL TIME PASSENGER INFORMATION: IS IT POSSIBLE? IS IT RELIABLE? IS IT VALUABLE?

With today's constantly changing and improving technology, the expectations of public transit customers have also changed. Customers are now looking for real-time information that allows them to make instantaneous travel decisions. During the summer 2000 season, Delaware Transit Corporation, as the public transit provider for the state of Delaware, undertook a pilot program to greatly enhance real-time customer information throughout the transit system used by the oceanside resort town of Rehoboth Beach. This pilot project included equipping the entire fleet with Global Positioning Receivers and installing LED signage at the highest volume bus stops. The case study presented here represents a scenario where the most current technology available is being used to keep passengers and potential passengers informed of service status, timeliness, and any unforeseen problems or service interruptions.