[IMAGE]NJTransitMyBusWeb-2.jpg[/IMAGE] New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) unveiled the first of thousands of special bus stop signs that will be installed throughout the state as part of the agency’s “My Bus” program, which gives customers access to bus schedule information.

“As part of our ongoing effort to use technology to improve the way customers access travel information, My Bus literally puts bus schedule information at the fingertips of any customer who has the ability to send a text message,” said NJ Transit Board Member Flora Castillo, who serves as Chair of the Customer Service Committee. “With the rollout of My Bus signs now under way in Atlantic County, we expect even more customers to begin taking advantage of the system.”

My Bus, which launched in October, gives travelers the ability to find out when the next bus is arriving at more than 19,000 bus stops all over the state. Based on a system of bus stop ID numbers — unique five-digit numbers NJ Transit has assigned to each of its bus stops — My Bus enables customers who have cell phones with SMS (text messaging) capabilities to receive bus schedule information for a specific stop directly to their phones. 

Customers may text their five-digit bus stop ID to “MyBus” (69287), and My Bus will respond via text message with the routes and times for the next scheduled trips that serve that bus stop.

As part of the program, NJ Transit will install new My Bus signs at bus stops statewide, displaying the bus stop ID and instructions for how to use the My Bus system. Sign installation is now under way in Atlantic County and will be implemented across the state by the end of 2011. 

Customers can also obtain their bus stop ID online at njTransit.com/mybus. Simply enter an address, and the Website will show the nearest bus stops, including street names, a Google map, and the bus stop ID numbers.

My Bus is also improving the functionality of NJ Transit’s IVR (interactive voice response) system. Now, when customers call NJ Transit either directly or via 511, they have the option of inputting their bus stop ID number to get the next three scheduled trips or more. This feature makes automated bus schedule information available 24 hours a day for the first time.