Portland, Ore.-based TriMet riders have a new way to receive real-time arrival information for buses and MAX services: text message. This arrival information option, one of the first in the nation, is useful for mobile phone users who have text message service plans but not more expensive mobile Web service plans.

The text message option provides riders with an arrival time trip tool for any of TriMet's 7,000 bus stops or 84 MAX stations and can be easily used in environments with a lot of background noise such as high-traffic streets. Those who have tested the new tool report that the speed is a great benefit to them, the results come back in seconds, taking less time than calling TriMet’s TransitTracker by phone or pulling up an app on a smart phone.

TriMet's TransitTracker provides real-time arrival information for buses and trains, so riders have a better idea of when their ride is coming. TransitTracker can be accessed by phone, on the Web or via a mobile device.

Riders wanting to receive TransitTracker arrival times by text message can text a Stop ID Number to 27299. The service will send back the arrival times for the buses or trains that serve that stop. Adding the line number or MAX line to the Stop ID texted to 27299 generates arrival times for that particular line.

Stop ID Numbers are posted at more than half of TriMet’s bus stops and all of its MAX and WES stations. All Stop ID Numbers are available at trimet.org using the Stops & Stations tool or at the agency’s mobile site, m.trimet.org.

TriMet is also working to make Service Alerts available by text message.