Frequently Asked Questions
NextRide
What is NextRide?
NextRide is BC Transit’s technology service where riders can use smart mobile devices and desktop applications to see the real-time location of their bus along its route and its predicted arrival time at an identified stop, as well as calling out stops on bus both visually and audibly.
How can customers use NextRide?
Customers wanting to plan their trip are encouraged to use trip planning apps including the Transit App (mobile only), Google Maps, their own favourite trip planning app or refer to the rider’s guide. BC Transit’s website also helps guide you to some of these tools.
BC Transit now offers riders free subscriptions to Transit Royale within the Transit App, which provides a wider geographical range for real-time bus tracking, a view of the full transit schedule instead of just short-term departures and fun, interactive features to make the transit journey more enjoyable. We think you’ll love these features.
Is there a NextRide desktop trip-planning tool?
The NextRide desktop trip planning tool will no longer be available as we upgrade our bus tracking system.
We understand that some customers prefer to use a desktop computer to plan their trips and we want to assure them they can continue to do so using the trip planning tool on our website homepage that uses Google Maps technology.
For up-to-the-minute information, it is recommended that customers download the Transit App where they have access to a complementary upgrade to the app’s Royale tier. Transit Royale provides a wider geographical range for real-time bus tracking, a view of the full transit schedule and fun, interactive features to make the transit journey more enjoyable.
This app benefits customers in many ways, including knowledge of:
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When their bus will arrive;
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full transit schedules and route itineraries, estimated arrival times, real-time bus tracking on synced maps; and
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up-to-the-minute BC Transit service alerts, detours and advisories – including options for push notification opt-in.
Through these apps and tools, the new technology will keep customers informed about their trips in real-time and it will more effectively push out alerts to customers in the case of detours, accidents or other events that might delay regular routing.
What are the benefits of NextRide?
In addition to the benefits to our riders from above, NextRide technology also helps BC Transit and its partners to better direct buses for schedule reliability, manage on-road incidents more effectively and to push out alerts more readily to customers in the case of detours, accidents or other events that may delay regular routing.
What transit systems have NextRide available?
NextRide technology is available in 42 transit systems. Work is underway to introduce NextRide to all our transit systems around the province in 2024.
How is NextRide funded?
The NextRide Project is being cost shared by the Federal Government through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Province of BC and local government partners.
