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A new partnership between Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) and transit data platform Swiftly now provides Metrobus riders with more access to real-time information through SMS text messages.
While waiting at a bus stop, a rider can text their stop ID number to GOMDT (46638) and instantly receive tracking information for the next arriving bus and route. Standard messaging data and rates apply.
“This exciting new service is just one additional way Miami-Dade County is working to ensure every transit rider can access an efficient and reliable transportation system,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I’m committed to making Miami-Dade a better-connected, more transit-oriented community, where all residents can rely on transit to get where they need to go and where they want to go efficiently and smoothly.”
Through the use of its platform, Swiftly is able to provide real-time updated estimated arrival times for vehicles equipped with GPS tracking and scheduled times for those without. The arrival times provided to transit riders are highly accurate, informed by millions of historical data points.
“Swiftly is excited to partner with Miami-Dade Transit,” said Jonny Simkin, CEO of Swiftly.
“We are aligned with MDT’s vision to enable a superb rider experience by providing accurate, real time information that riders can access anytime, anywhere on any device.”
Users should be advised that if multiple routes serve the same stop, the automatic reply will include arrival times for all the routes servicing that stop. For a route-specific request, users can add the route number after the bus stop ID – such as “7964 2” where “2” is the route number — to receive information for only that particular route.
The bus stop ID number is located on the bottom righthand side of the bus stop sign. To avoid receiving an error message, ensure the correct and complete stop ID number is entered. DTPW is currently preparing to install signage at every Metrobus stop countywide to inform riders of the service.
In addition to the GOMDT SMS message line, Swiftly supports the department’s planning and scheduling division with on-time performance, running times, speeds, and stop dwell times analytics. These analytics support the Better Bus Project and other DTPW planning initiatives.
Swiftly also is working with Miami-Dade County’s 3-1-1 call center to provide fast and easy tools for answering customer questions on both real-time arrivals and historical complaints.
Transit riders can continue to use the GO Miami-Dade Transit mobile app for real-time information for all modes — Metrobus, Metrorail, and Metromover. Passengers can also call 3-1-1 for service information or visit Miami-Dade Transit’s website.
Sign up to receive transit alerts at miamidade.gov/alerts.
