METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Michigan's TheRide Adds Text Message Real-Time Bus Info

The new signs have started to be installed at bus stops and include the bus stop number and details on how to use the "Text My Bus” feature to find out when buses will arrive at your stop.

Michigan's TheRide Adds Text Message Real-Time Bus Info

The new signs at each bus stop will have the route numbers that serve the stop, the specific bus stop number that can be used to receive arrival information by text, and a QR code that riders can scan to look up bus stop information.

Credit:

TheRide

2 min to read


Mich.’s Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) has begun rolling out new signs at bus stops to help riders get real-time information on their buses.

The new signs have started to be installed at bus stops and include the bus stop number and details on how to use the "Text My Bus” feature to find out when buses will arrive at your stop.

Ad Loading...

“While the Text My Bus feature has been around as one of the many ways to track your bus, we wanted to make it even easier for riders to access bus arrival information,” Samantha Potter, marketing and communications sr. program manager at TheRide said. “The new signs at bus stops have easy to follow directions and all of the details you need to get a quick text response about the next buses arriving at your stop.”

The new signs at each bus stop will have the route numbers that serve the stop, the specific bus stop number that can be used to receive arrival information by text, and a QR code that riders can scan to look up bus stop information.

In addition to the Text My Bus feature, TheRide has many rider tools, including “Track My Bus,” which shows you a live map of your route and where buses are along the route, trip planning tools to get you from point A to point B, and schedules by route and the MyAlerts system that emails you detour and service disruption information about your route.

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, TheRide continues to enforce the established preventive measures to keep both riders and drivers safe:

  • Face masks are recommended to be worn, though not required.

  • The driver is to be approached for emergencies only.

  • Buses are cleaned with CDC-recommended protocols.

  • Plastic barriers are added to separate drivers and riders on fixed-route buses.

  • Sanitation supplies are provided to employees.

  • Masks, gloves, and face shields are provided for drivers’ use.

  • Lost and Found collection has been temporarily suspended.

More Technology

Technology•October 30, 2026

ETA CEO John Maglio on Transit Technology, Innovation, and Building Agency Trust

ETA founder and CEO John Maglio explores the evolution of transit technology, the importance of reliable systems, and how stronger partnerships can help agencies improve operations and the passenger experience.

Read More →
A Lextran Connect vehicle
Technology•by Alex Roman•October 30, 2026

Lextran, Via Team for On Demand, HDR to Work on Twin Cities BRT, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we also take a look at recent news from Keolis, Complete Coach Works, Anchor Transportation, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
A Caltrain electric railcar on the tracks
Rail•by Alex Roman•October 27, 2026

Caltrain’s Electrification Drives a New Era of Ridership Growth

The railroad’s shift to electric service has brought more frequent trains, stronger customer satisfaction, and increased ridership, earning it APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System award.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
METRO Magazine graphic featuring a video surveillance camera overlooking a public pedestrian area with the headline “Video Surveillance in Public Transit: What Riders Really Think.”
Technology•by Elora Haynes•October 26, 2026

Video Surveillance in Public Transit: What Riders Really Think

As video surveillance gains public acceptance, new research from Axis Communications reveals what transit riders expect from agencies when it comes to safety, privacy, and AI.

Read More →
An A line MTA subway car near the soon to be replaced signaling system.
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•October 23, 2026

New York MTA Launches Historic $1.9B Signal, Track Modernization Project

Funded in part by congestion pricing revenue, the project will replace nearly century-old signals along the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.

Read More →
A rendering of Alexander Dennis and Volvo's new electric tram
Technology•by Alex Roman•October 22, 2026

Biz Briefs: New Electric Offering from Alexander Dennis/Volvo, Transdev in Boston, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we also take a look at recent news from STV, WSP, Prevost, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ABC Companies President and CEO Roman Cornell
Bus•by Alex Roman•October 21, 2026

Roman Cornell on ABC Companies’ Evolution and the Future of Passenger Transportation

The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.

Read More →
Unifying Transit Data With AI Tools with ETA's John Maglio
Technology•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

ETA CEO John Maglio on Transit Technology, Innovation, and Building Agency Trust

ETA founder and CEO John Maglio explores the evolution of transit technology, the importance of reliable systems, and how stronger partnerships can help agencies improve operations and the passenger experience.

Read More →
The Frontrunner XF on the APTA Expo show floor in 2026.
Paratransit•by Alex Roman•October 15, 2026

Frontrunner Bus Group Introduces XF Low-Floor Bus with Enhanced Accessibility

The new mid-sized bus features a full flat-floor design, eight-inch curbside step-in height, and zero-entry rear ramp to improve passenger access and operational flexibility.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Zero Emissions•October 12, 2026

Building a Flexible Path to Transit Electrification with BAE's John Hroncich

John Hroncich discusses BAE Systems’ modular and scalable approach, lessons learned from decades of real-world operations, and how agencies can identify electrification strategies that fit their fleets.

Read More →