Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Some university transportation system operators we interviewed said they allow exterior bus advertising to bring in more revenue or to promote the university. Others say that being based in areas with small advertising markets means extra effort but not revenue.

The system, which provided 3.2 million rides last year, is wrestling with high variability in the demand for service. One idea being considered is to point cameras at bus stops that count people.

It’s summer orientation time for universities across the U.S. How are their transit systems reaching out to students? Transit agencies told us they are investing heavily in orientation programs by providing free rides and staff presentations to students and their parents.

The customizable simulator creates lifelike situations to help drivers get experience they normally wouldn't have. For instance, drivers trained in the summer time can still get experience driving in snow and ice.

Blacksburg, Va.-based Blacksburg Transit worked with a team of students at the Virginia Tech Computer Science Department to unveil the system, which provides smartphone apps and text versions that deliver bus locations, speeds and the number of passengers on each bus.