New technology helps bus service

BOSTON. Updating the T’s bus schedules seasonally had historically been a time-consuming process with inconsistent results, as employees would physically perform time checks by riding along on routes and making observations.

But now, with GPS systems throughout its bus fleet and a pilot program that uses sensors to count passengers getting on and off buses, T officials say service is already seeing a dramatic improvement in being more accurate with expected stop times and trip lengths.

Last month, the T adjusted the travel time on 24 routes for this spring and added the frequency of service on 18 routes. In addition, the 7, 50, 57, 94, 109 and 504 bus routes received increased service either in the morning or evening.

The number of spring schedule changes is “unprecedented,” compared with the only handful of adjustments that would be made in the past that would take years to determine, according to Jim Folk, the MBTA’s director of operations in service development.

“By getting a better sampling of information, we’re getting accurate data, and we’re reflecting that data into the schedules,” Folk said.

In September, the T launched a $250,000 pilot program installing automated passenger counters in 21 buses that tracks how many passengers are getting on and off at each stop. The pilot led to eight of the schedule changes last month, and Folk said the T will expand the program in the fiscal year 2009.